Saturday night the Vores Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Series took the track at Salem Speedway for a 40-lap feature. This was their only stop at Salem Speedway in 2024 as the race would mark the 7th event of the season.
As the day started, it was clear hometown hero Will Kimmel (No.69) was going to be the one to beat as he went quick time in qualifying turning a lap time of 17.754 / 101.836 mph average speed.
Jeff Meyers Jr. and Joe Cooksey lead the field to the green flag in the Ace Hardware 40. On the first lap of the race, it was evident Kimmel was master of the high banks, grabbing the early race lead.
The first yellow would fly on lap two as Greg Stilwell Jr. (No.47) came to a stop in turn 1 with mechanical troubles. After a trip down pit road, Stilwell would rejoin the race at the tail of the field. This was the only caution of the race.
When the race resumed, Will Kimmel led every lap en route to his first Vores Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Series win of the year.
Jon Beach finished second, nearly 13 seconds behind Kimmel. Jeff Meyers Jr. held on to the final podium position. Joe Cooksey from Centralia, Illinois finished fourth with current CRA Championship points leader Zach Stacy rounding out the top five. Other CRA Championship contenders Greg Stillwell Jr. scored at sixth place finish, Logan Huckeba seventh, and Glynn Neal eighth.
The next time the Vores Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Series take the green flag will be Sunday, September 1st at Winchester Speedway. For more information on the series go to cra-racing.com.
