(PETERSEN MEDIA)- Fresh off of a second place run with the Camping World Truck Series at the Eldora Speedway on Wednesday night, Christopher Bell returned to the helm of the Tony Stewart Racing No. 14 machine and fended off Rico Abreu to capture the Dirt Classic Indiana opening night feature event at the Kokomo Speedway.
Lining up on the front row of the 35-lap feature event alongside Bryan Clauson, Bell would get the early advantage only to see the caution flag slow the early goings of the feature event.
Following a caution on the third circuit, the race would get into an extended green flag run, and that was just what Bell needed to open up a sizeable lead. Working the cushion on the ¼ mile speedway, Bell would open up nearly a straight away lead as Clauson, Abreu, and Brady Bacon looked to track him down in lapped traffic.
With action all over the “Baddest Bullring”, things would calm down on the 15th lap as the caution flag would waive and bunch the field back up.
As the green lights flashed, Bell would take advantage of clean air and again open up a sizeable lead as Clauson continued to run in his wake. Behind Clauson, the battle for third would heat up, as Rico Abreu would begin battling with Jamie Veal for the final spot on the podium.
The leaders would quickly find themselves in lapped traffic and things would get dicey as they carved their way through the back of the pack. Looking very strong out front, Bell appeared to be well on his way to a victory until the red flag flew on the 32nd lap as second running Bryan Clauson got upside down.
Bell would lead the field back to green for a three-lap shootout, and it would be an exciting one as he hand Rico Abreu would bring the fans to their feet. With Abreu pulling alongside Bell on multiple occasions looking for some late race heroics, Bell would have none of it as he fended off the challenge and raced his way to Dirt Classic Indiana opening night victory lane.
Rico Abreu would finish in the second spot, while Jamie Veal claimed the final spot on the podium. Chad Kemenah finished fourth, Brady Bacon fifth, Sheldon Haudenschild sixth, Randy Hannagan seventh, Jac Haudenschild eighth, Dale Blaney ninth, and Danny Holtgraver rounded out the Top-10.
Friday night saw a total of 37 cars check into the Kokomo Speedway with Brady Bacon stopping the clocks with the fastest lap of the night.
A four heat-race program was in play on Friday night and wins would go to Dale Blaney, Bell, Danny Holtgraver, and Hunter Schuerenberg. Christopher Bell would win the Dash to earn the right start on the pole, while Tyler Courtney won the “B” Main event.
Action returns to the Kokomo Speedway tonight for the $12,500-to-win Dirt Classic Indiana finale as one driver will look to punch his ticket to both the Dirt Classic Ohio and the Dirt Classic coming in September.
ON TAP- The Dirt Classic Indiana finale is slated for tonight in Kokomo, IN.
LOCKED IN- Terry McCarl (Dirt Classic I-80, May 6th) Greg Hodnett (Dirt Classic Showcase, June 11th).
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