Dalton Connor Collects First Career CRA Street Stock Win at Anderson
Anderson, IN (Tuesday, April 18, 2023) – The CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS held their second race of the 2023 season on Saturday at Anderson Speedway during the Spring Fling 75 Presented by CB Fabricating. For the second consecutive event, a solid fan base saw another driver write their name into the win column of the CRA Street Stocks for the first time.
Chuck Barnes, Jr and Andrew Teepe led the field to the green flag and much like the first race at Shadybowl Speedway, Teepe jumped out to the early race lead. The first caution of the night came on lap 10 when Danny Smith cut a tire after an intense side-by-side battle. The tire blew as Smith was heading into turn one which resulted in Smith hitting the outside wall bringing an end to his night.
On the restart, Teepe was again able to jump out to the lead with an intense battle throughout the top five behind him including Barnes who began to struggle, Dalton Conner, Jason Atkinson, James Kirby and Blaine Akin all trying to get to the front. By lap 40, Conner had reeled in Teepe and was battling for the lead. Conner turned under Teepe at the exit of turn two with 37 laps to go challenging for the lead for the first time.
Conner took the lead for the first time on lap 39 but was forced to relinquish it back to Teepe as the pair came upon a lapped car. After Teepe regained the lead a caution flew for Jacob Kinney who spun on his own in turn four. Under the caution period, Teepe went pit side with an apparent overheating issue; he was able to return with his hood removed and continued to compete.
However, with 33 laps to go, Conner became the pacesetter at the front of the field. Conner was never truly challenged for the top spot while Kirby, Atkinson, and Teepe battled for the rest of the podium. A restart with 10 laps to go gave Atkinson an opportunity to move Conner from the top spot but instead, Kirby found a way around Atkinson for second. At the end of the Spring Fling 75 Presented by CB Fabricating, Conner collected the win ahead of Kirby, Atkinson, Teepe, and Calvin Parham.
The next event for the CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS is Sunday, May 7th for the first Four Crown Race. Shadybowl Speedway will host the CRA Street Stock Series for 150 laps around the uniquely shaped oval.
For more information on Champion Racing Association, the CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS, or full event results, log onto www.CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and @CRARacing on Twitter.
Story – Zach Hiser
Photo – Koty Geyer
