Salem, IN (April 17, 2017) – Louisville, Kentucky native Chuck Barnes’s Jr. has started the 2017 Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS season on a roll, first getting the win in the series season opening event at Lucas Oil Raceway on April 2nd, then getting the win Saturday night in the CRA Street Stock Four Crown Series opening event in front of a packed house at Shadybowl Speedway. Even though Barnes Jr. led 168 of the 200 laps, it was not an easy victory, one that he had work hard to earn.
“What a great win for our team,” remarked Barnes Jr. in victory lane. “This one was tough with all the restarts. There were several different guys I had to battle throughout the race, but it was a lot of fun and I’m glad we got the win. I have to thank my car owner Scotty Holbert and all the guys who help work on this car!”
Brandon Mefford took advantage of his pole starting position after Allstar Performance Fast Qualifier Ryan Amonett drew a nine for the events invert. Outside pole starter Gordon Watson Jr. powered by Mefford on lap 17 to take the lead while Barnes Jr. was working his way to the front from his seventh place starting position. Barnes Jr. worked his way to Watson Jr.’s bumper and eventually got around Watson Jr. on a restart on lap 31. Barnes Jr. continued to lead while there were tough battles going on throughout the field in the first 100 laps, including a tough restart when 2016 Triple Crown Series Champion Brett Hudson managed to take the lead for two laps on the outside of Barnes Jr., before Barnes Jr. took the lead back on lap 93 and led to the break at lap 100.
Barnes Jr. would go back to the lead at the drop of the green flag for the second half of the race, but would again have to hold off several competitors on several restarts, including a restart with just four laps to go. Barnes Jr. was able to hold off all contenders and get the win worth $3000. Hudson would finish in second. Local racer Josh Smith would finish in third. 2015 event winner Colby Lane would finish in fourth place. Local racer Josh Sage, would finish in fifth place. All the top five battled throughout the event for the lead and their top five positions.
An event record 41 cars showed up to try and race in the Shadybowl 200. Local racer Rodney Roush would win the 20 lap B Feature, but would elect to decline the B Feature first place payoff for a starting spot in the Shadybowl 200, as did second place finishing Blake Hillard. 30 cars took the green flag for the Shadybowl 200, with 11 cars still on the lead lap at the finish and a total of 14 still running after the grueling 200 laps of competition.
With the win and second place finish, Barnes Jr. and Hudson received Road to Bristol guaranteed starting positions for the series event with the upcoming Short Track U. S. Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway. There is one more Road to Bristol series event coming up at Anderson Speedway on April 29th. To receive any of the Road to Bristol guaranteed starting positions, a driver must compete in all three Road to Bristol events.
The next Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks event will be on Saturday, April 29th at Anderson Speedway. The next CRA Street Stock Triple Crown Series event will be on Saturday, June 17th at Anderson Speedway. More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.cra-racing.com.
Photo By: Scott Mcilwain
