Daniel Keene Jr. Wins GoodYear Challenge At Bronson | By Rick Warren
Daniel Keene Jr definitely had things going his way Saturday night as the Goodyear Challenge Series rolled into Bronson Speedway for the Bestline Lubricants 100.
Keene was fast in all the practice sessions, and carried that over into qualifying. Keene set the fast time in qualifying, and after clearing tech, pulled a 0 in the draw for inversion, starting the field straight up by qualifying times.
The race was slow to get rolling, with several early cautions for minor incidents, but once things got going, the racing was very tight and exciting.
Keene held the lead from his pole starting position, with second fast qualifier Doug Moff chasing him closely. By lap 25 the leaders were encountering lapped traffic, and the race for the lead heated up even more.
By lap 30 Sam Watts had moved into third position, followed by Darren Brown and Daniel Webster. The top 5 stayed the same thru lap 48, when Webster spun exiting turn 2, bringing out the caution flag. This moved A.J. Curelli into the 5th spot for the restart, and when the green flag waved the race for the lead began in earnest once again, with Keene having Moff shadow his every move.
Lap 69 saw Moff slow somewhat, with what appeared to be a tire going down. The rest of the lead pack quickly took advantage of Moff’s misfortune and passed the slowing car on lap 76. Lap 79 saw Clouser move by Curelli to take over 5th position.
Lap 83 saw Moff spin in turn 4, bringing out the caution flag. Moff took his racecar to the pits, and was able to make repairs and rejoin the field for the restart. At the same time that Moff was spinning in turn 4, Watts broke a hub on the right rear and lost a wheel exiting turn 2, causing Watts to spin down the back straight, and damaging his racer car extensively, ending Watts’ race. The race was red flagged while the car of Watts was removed from the track.
--Advertisement--
The race went green again on lap 83, with Keene continuing to lead with a strong run. Lap 86 Clouser makes a move on Brown for third spot just as Larson spins off turn 4, bringing out the caution once more. The race went green on lap 90 with Keene once again powering out front, followed by Brown, Clouser, Curelli and Moff. Clouser was trying any groove on the track to find a way around Brown for second place, while Moff was working Curelli hard, looking for an opening. Lap 94 Clouser Took second from Brown, while Moff moved around Curelli for 4th.
![](http://www.karnacmedia.com/images2007/DanielKeeneJr051207.jpg) Caution came out on lap 98, setting up the field for a 2 lap shootout. When the field took the final green flag of the evening, Keene left no room for doubt, as he blasted to a several car length lead, while behind him, cars were trading paint and battling for position.
The race ended with Keene taking a convincing win, followed by Clouser, Moff, Brown and Curelli.
1. #16 Daniel Keene Jr. Weekie Wachee, Fl.
2. #9 Rich Clouser Palm Bay, FL.
3. #46 Doug Moff Ft. Myers, Fl.
4. #53 Darren Brown Ormand Bch, Fl.
5. #2 A.J. Curelli Daytona Bch, Fl.
6. #119 J.R. McMichael Davie, Fl.
7. #57 Joe Winchell Davie, Fl.
8. #08 Drew Brannen Miami, FL.
9. #31 Greg Kaouk Pembroke Pines, FL.
10. #88 Justin Larson Safety Harbor, FL.
11. #54 Mark Childress Lakeland, Fl.
12. #73 Sam Watts Winter Springs, Fl.
13. #7 Dustin Chisholm Seminole, FL.
14. #33 Daniel Webster Brooksville, FL.
DNS #1 Chuck Burkhalter Clermont, Fl.
Have an opinion on
this story? Post a message on
The Real Racin USA Florida Fan Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!
|