Colby Lane Wins Van Hoy Oil CRA Street Stocks Season Opener at Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Salem, IN (June 1, 2020) – Former series Champion Colby Lane grabbed the lead on lap 8 and never looked back in winning Saturday night’s Van Hoy Oil CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS special 75 lap non-points season opener at Lebanon I-44 Speedway, as part of the Lucas Oil Show Me State Showdown Presented by Speed 51. Lane won in a car he had never driven until this past weekend.
Lane worked out a deal with fellow driver Chuck Barnes Jr. two weeks ago to drive the car, which is owned and formally driven by Chuck Barnes Sr. Baden Stewart had driven the car in several races at Salem Speedway the last two years after Barnes Sr. had built a new car. Lane and his father Jeff, also a former series Champion, took the car back to Knightstown and got it ready with their team for a track neither had ever seen until they arrived on Friday.
“I’m glad we were able to work out a deal to drive this car and get this win,” remarked Lane. “I have to thank all my crew and my dad, they all worked hard to get ready for this race and this weekend. The car was great, I really liked this place a lot. I want to thank everyone who helped this event to happen, it was a long drive to Missouri, but it felt great to be back behind the wheel of a race car!”
Lane qualified fourth and started fourth after All-Star Performance Fast Qualifier Brett Hudson drew a seven for the events inverted start. Austin Woodcox lead the first lap from his pole starting position until Marcus Elliott made a pass for the lead on the second lap. Lane worked his way to the front and passed Elliott for the lead on lap 8.
Lane would hold off all challengers on a couple of restarts to lead the rest of the way in claiming his seventh all-time series win. For his pass for the lead and dominating run Lane was awarded the KRJ Race Products Sweet Move of the Race Award. Only time will tell if Lane will try to work out another deal to get behind the wheel of the “second string” car.
The racing for second through fifth was intense between Elliott, Barnes Jr., Hudson, and Jason Atkinson through out the event. Hudson came from his seventh place starting position to finish in second, almost five seconds behind Lane. Atkinson finished in third place. Barnes Jr. in fourth with Elliott in fifth.
The Van Hoy Oil CRA Street Stocks next event will be their season points opener at Mt. Lawn Speedway on Sunday, June 14th. More information on all the CRA Series can be found at www.cra-racing.com.
