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Ryan Roberts Silences the Field at I-80 Speedway

By Travis Johnson

A beautiful evening at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska brought 22 cars for the Carpetland Nebraska 360 Sprint Series presented by Malvern Bank Bobby Parker Memorial. This is the 4th race and 3rd stop which we have seen the Canadian Sensation, Thomas Kennedy, sweep all 3 races so far this season in which 2 of his wins came at this track.

Omaha, Nebraska’s Cody Ledger and Norfolk, Nebraska’s Seth Brahmer lead the field to the green flag for the first of three 8 lap heat races. Jack Dover got a great start from the 4th spot to move to 2nd in turn #1 on the first lap. Dover took over the lead from Cody Ledger down the backstretch of lap #2 . Seth Brahmer, running 3rd, held a close distance on Cody Ledger to take the lead down the backstretch on lap #4. A great battle followed for the first and second spot with Brahmer and Ledger. Jack Dover was too much and took the win followed by Brahmer, Ledger, Jordan Boston, and Jay Russell.

The 2nd heat race was lead to the green by pole sitter Bobby Becker and Joey Danley. Joey Danley got a great start to take the lead going down the front stretch. Jan Again moved up to 2nd after starting in the #4 starting spot. Seventh place starter, John Klauunde, rocketed to 3rd place in just a few laps bringing Tadd Holliman with him. A great battle between Agan and Danley kept the fans on the tip of their seats as Agan held the momentum to take the lead. The field remained steady allowing Agan to take the checkers followed by Joey Danley, John Klauunde, Tadd Holliman and Stu Snyder.

Heat race #3 was brought to the green flag by Clint Benson and Shayle Bade. Current points leader, Thomas Kennedy who started 3rd, was challenging for the lead by the end of lap one after a great screen flag start. Kennedy took over the lead on lap 5 from Clint Benson. Ryan Roberts, starting 6th, had moved up to 3rd by lap 6 and began his pursuit on Benson. The field quickly spread out by lap 6 in which it kept all the drivers single file giving Thomas Kennedy the lead with Clint Benson taking 2nd followed by Ryan Roberts, Don Droud, Jr. and Chris Martin.

Ryan Roberts started on the Saldana Racing Products pole for the night’s 25 lap A Feature. The Bobby Parker memorial feature started 22 cars with $2500 to win and $400 to start. As the green flag flew, Don Droud, Jr made contact with the inside front stretch wall, putting him to the pits with what appeared to be a right rear flat tire and other damage.

On the restart, Joey Danley spun in turn two to bring out the second caution with no laps down. Ryan Roberts got a great restart but the man who everyone kept an eye on was Thomas Kennedy who started 7th and moved up to 4th in 2 laps. Roberts, with a 12 car lead, had a fast Jack Dover closing in on his tail. Kennedy, up to 3rd on lap 4, began his pursuit for 2nd running Dover. On lap 5, Roberts, criss crossed his way through traffic extending his distance on the battling duo of Dover and Kennedy. The battle for 2nd was beginning to take place on lap 11th as Dover began his venture through lap traffic. Ryan Roberts, with a front stretch lead over Dover, continued through lap traffic but it was on lap 15 that brought the fans to their feet as Dover and Kennedy traded spots battling for 2nd. Kennedy took over 2nd on lap 18 but Dover was on his tail. The yellow flew on lap 20 as Bobby Becker spun in turns 1 and 2.

The restart stacked the field with Roberts in first, Thomas Kennedy in 2nd, Jack Dover in 3rd, Seth Brahmer in 4th and Jon Again rounding out the top 5. Ryan Roberts brought the field to the green flag and got a great start jumping out to a very big lead down the backstretch. With 4 to go, Thomas Kennedy had clean air to pursue Ryan Roberts for the lead. But Jack Dover ended up catching Kennedy making a move in turn 2 to take over 2nd with 2 to go. Laps ran out as Ryan Roberts claimed the Bobby Parker memorial and $2500! Jack Dover finished 2nd, Thomas Kennedy in third, Seth Brahmer in 4th and Jason Martin in 5th.

This is Ryan Roberts first win since September of 2015 when he won at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska.

Contingency Awards

Electrical Systems Inc Podium Draw $300- Thomas Kennedy
Speedway Motors Hard Charger Award $200- Chris Martin
M & W Aluminum Products Certificate- Jordan Boston
BR Motorsports Certificate- Clint Benson
King Racing Products Certificate- Cody Ledger
Keizer Aluminum Wheels Certificate; Jack Dover
Saldana Racing Products Pole Award- Ryan Roberts
Wesmar Racing Engines Move of the Race- Ryan Roberts

A Feature Results (25 Laps)

1. Ryan Roberts
2. Jack Dover
3. Thomas Kennedy
4. Seth Brauer
5. Jason Martin
6. Jon Agan
7. Cody Ledger
8. Chris Martin
9. Jordan Boston
10. John Klauunde
11. Stuart Snyder
12. Jason Danley
13. Shayle Bade
14. Jay Russell
15. Clint Benson
16. T.J. Artz
17. Mike Kay
18. Jason Becker
19. Bobby Becker
20. Joey Danley
21. Tadd Holliman
22. Don Droud Jr.

The Carpetland Nebraska 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Malvern Bank will be back in action on Saturday, May 20th as we make our first stop of the season to the newly reconfigured Junction Motor Speedway. Pit gates open at 4 and racing begins at 7.

For our schedule, please visit www.nebraska360sprintseries.com and visit our Facebook page to stay up to date on live results as they happen.

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