Baledge Gets First Ever CRA Victory at Anderson Speedway Saturday Night
Salem, IN (September 17, 2018) – Alexandria, Indiana veteran racer Kent Baledge emerged from a rough last four laps to get his first ever CRA victory in the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS event Saturday night at Anderson Speedway. The race was the second in the series Chase for the Championship playoff.
Three time 2018 series winner Jeff Marcum led the first 71 laps, but was pressed the entire distance by Baledge and then Brandon Varney on Thompson Insurance and Cintas Night at the Races on Saturday at Anderson Speedway.
Varney turned up the heat with 10 laps remaining repeatedly trying to get underneath Marcum’s car in the corners. The caution flag waved on lap 72 when Marcum spun coming off the fourth corner after slight contact with Varney, sending both drivers to the back of the pack.
That put Baledge out front chased by Cassten Everidge and Chris Shannon. The caution flag immediately waved for a spin into the turn one wall by Rich Segvich.
The third attempt at a restart resulted in a three car incident coming off the fourth corner involving Everidge and Shannon as well as the car of Dustin Burge, who made heavy contact with the barrels in turn three ending his night. That put Marcum in second followed by Varney behind leader Baledge.
Baledge was able to maintain the lead and get the win by .365-seconds over Marcum who saw his Anderson Speedway winning streak stopped at eight. For his win by holding off Marcum on the last restart, Baledge picked up the Racer Parts Wholesale Sweet Move of the Race Award.
Varney finished in third, his best finish to date with the series, earning him the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award. Varney was also the highest finisher of the series Chase for the Championship drivers, giving him the series points lead heading into the third and final race of the Chase three playoff events to determine the final four drivers that will race for the series Championship at Winchester Speedway on October 13th.
Everidge finished in fourth place. Series rookie contender Shannon rebounded and finished in fifth place, second of the series Chase drivers. Fellow rookie Zachary Tinkle finished in sixth, third highest of the Chase drivers. Segvich was the Spillers Towing Hardcharger Award winner, gaining six positions during the race.
The next Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman event will be the third Chase for the Championship event on Sunday, September 30th, part of the Fall Brawl at Lucas Oil Raceway. For more information on all the CRA series go to www.cra-racing.com.
