7/16/2016
Kevin Donahue
Kyle Donahue wins his third time this season
Lebanon, Mo. / Some information contributed by Ronnie Williams.
Kyle Donahue took the lead from Stephen Counterman on lap 11 during Superstation KZNN Night at the Races and never looked back in grabbing his second O'Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model victory Saturday night at the "High-Banks" of Lebanon I-44 Speedway in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Action.
Stephen Counterman jumped to the opening lead as the former Modified Champion was setting a quick early pace with Mandy Chick following close on his tail and three wide action behind the duo early. Donahue made a bold move to quickly move into third spot and took over the second spot the following lap. With the pack close together Counterman was holding a 4 car length advantage early. The only caution of the 30 lap feature flew on lap 6 as contact between third place runner Mandy Chick and Mike Slone sent the 14 year old young lady spinning hard into the backstretch wall with damage to both the front and the rear of the car ending her night early and Slone was sent to the pits for rough driving. On the restart Donahue tried to move to the inside of leader Counterman, but Counterman was too strong coming off the turns as Steve Holt, 2014 Champion Kaleb Allison, Terry Limberopolous, last week's winner Kevin Donahue and point leader Brian Brown engaged in battle. After several laps of a tight battle, Counterman slid up the turn 2 banking on lap eleven and Donahue along with Holt moved past the leader. Donahue was keeping Holt at bay as Allison moved to 3rd spot the following lap bringing Kevin Donahue with him dropping Counterman to 5th. Kyle Donahue was finally able to shake free from Holt's charges by lap 20 in capturing his second feature win of the season with a great race for the runner-up spot involving Holt, Allison, the elder Donahue, Counterman as last week's point leader Brian Brown followed in 6th spot. Saturday night's results now put Kyle Donahue in the points lead with Brian Brown in second.
Article Credit: Ronnie Williams
Submitted By: Jim Donahue
