I-70 Speedway: O’Neal sacks competition

? On Price Chopper Night at I-70 Speedway, defending Champion John O’Neal Jr., and his Price Chopper Monte Carlo led the last 19 laps to claim his first win of the season in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Presented by Dodge.

Having qualified third with a 17.172, the Kansas City, Mo., native started inside row two for the 40-lap event, and spent the first 21 laps chasing Jenny White of Topeka. It would be a mid-track pass out of four that paid dividends.

Three-time champion Jeff Klem, of Basehor, Kan., set fast time with a 16.832, but was not able to find similar lap times in the feature. While he attempted to bump draft his way forward, he never mounted a successful challenge for the lead and settleed for second.

Last week’s winner, Clint Bowyer, Emporia, struggled early with an ill-handling machine on his way to a fourth place finish behind White. Scotty Martin rounded out the top five.

Rod Cordon, Independence, Mo., capitalized early on a Randy Ainsworth bobble on the front stretch to win back-to-back features in the Shortrack Series Modifieds.

The crash-fest created a challenge for Cordon who just skated past careening competitors on many occasions. With another driver’s post-race DQ, Rick Carver, Peculiar, Mo., moved up to a third place finish just ahead of Ray Oliver, Independence, and Scott Pullen, Garden City, Mo.

The Super Trucks posted their first-ever feature. With Scott Traylor’s win he bevame the tenth driver to win a feature in more than one class at I-70. Former Sprint Car driver Jim Gochenour, Lee’s Summit, Mo., led the first 6 laps, but as the two exchanged paint was not able to keep his truck in the number one spot and would settle for second. Nate Bunnell finished 3rd.

Damon Clevenger, Parkville, Mo., starting last in the 19-car field, wasted no time on his march to victory lane. By the second lap he was in 8th and lap 8 had the lead. Dave Wilson, Lee’s Summit, and Erich Hamdorf, Independence, Mo. were able to catch up to Clevenger, but not fast enough to get around him.

After post-race inspections, Randy Price, Independence, Mo., was awarded the win – his first of the season and second of his career.