Post by dirtrack234 on Sept 30, 2009 21:40:26 GMT -5
"$10,000 man. Texas driver has big payday at final day of Street Stock Nationals" Chris Dawson conquered a slick day time track and mechanical failures to leave Enid $10,000 richer as he led all but two of laps of the 50 lap 14th annual Street Stock Nationals main event Sunday afternoon at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. The Post, Texas hot shoe made history as only the second driver to score a second win in the event. "I lost my power steering and brakes during the race," said Dawson. "I just kept telling myself stay on the bottom. What a race." More then 70 cars made the trek to Enid Speedway Park to battle for a shot at the huge payday. A near capacity crowd was on hand to witness the final leg of the three day event as some of the fastest cars in the nation made final bids for $10,000. Kip Hughes had the pole for the race, but his run was short lived as Dawson took command with a daring challenge two laps later. The 2007 title holder steadily marched away boasting nearly a 10 car length advantage when Derick Grigsby came to a halt in turn four and put the race under caution in lap 9. Dawson put his foot in it when the green flag waved and sported nearly a straight away lead in a mere two laps. As the laps wound down, the field inched close. Defending champion Chad McNamara was on Dawson's bumper at lap 20. The race ran green until officials red flagged the race at lap 33 to allow crews to add fuel. McNamara had to change a tire during the stop, sending him to the back of the pack. Bobby Joe Scott spun coming out of turn four on the restart to put the race back under caution. Dawson and Hughes rushed away when the green flag flew and sported over a straight away lead when Travis Johnson faded to a stop in the groove and brought the yellow flag back out barely two laps later. Dawson looked strong on the restart, but Hughes had the fastest car on the track and the hunt was on. The duo raced away from the field locked in a heated battle. Dawson held a strong line and kept Hughes on his bumper, bringing Mark Brill into contention. The three raced so close you could have thrown a blanket over them when the race was stopped to move an infield tire back into postition at lap 43. The field was barely underway when Dale Roper stalled in turn two and brought out another caution two laps later. The $10,000 to win event was reduced to a 5 lap shootout. Dawson pulled away, but Hughes inched his way into contention with Brill hooked to his bumper like glue. Brill pushed Hughes out of the groove on the white flag lap, giving Dawson a clear advantage to the line. Hughes recovered and made a brilliant late charge to capture second, Brill settled for third, trailed by Jerry Bullis and Jerrod Reimer. Scott Miller won the B feature. Billy Kelley took the C feature. A red flag waved in the C race when the car, piloted by Steve Wright, slammed into the inside retaining wall and went airborne. The Bartlesville driver climbed from the mangled car unharmed. Wright and 16 year old Colton Dunlop captured the wins in Sunday's last chance heat races. This race is held at the end of September every year so make your plans and hope to see you next year.