Withstands Constant Challenges from 15-year-old Kyle Benjamin to Score the Win
Anderson, Indiana (Saturday, May 4th, 2013): The second race of the 2013 racing season for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS was at the famed ¼ (0.250) mile high-banked paved oval of Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana for the rescheduled Sell It Again Sam 125 Presented by Great Deals Magazine on Saturday, May 4th. This event was originally scheduled for April 13th but unusually cold temperatures forced Series and Track Officials to postpone the date. T.J. Reaid was perfectly fine with waiting the extra time as he repeated as the Spring Winner at Anderson.
The Acworth, Georgia native made the long trip worthwhile as he took the Team Construction Clean Sweep Award by winning the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award earlier in the day and then from his eighth starting spot, the driver of the #41 JEGS.com / Chevrolet took the lead for good on lap 69 as he swept around 2012 ARCA/CRA Southern Series Champion, 15-year-old Kyle Benjamin and then held off consistent challenges from Benjamin throughout the rest of the race to score his second straight Spring victory at Anderson. Reaid was also the winner of this event in April 2012.
“It’s good to be back in Victory Lane.” The elated driver stated after climbing from his machine. “We had a strong run at Gresham (Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia in the Southern Super Series race there) the week before and the momentum carried into this weekend at Anderson. The race went really well it was pretty tough to pass early on when everyone was still on fresh tires, but I knew if I could get out front in clean air early I could set my own pace an run my line.” The Peach State driver stated.
Bent Jack and Benjamin would bring the field to Chief Starter, Brian Duncan’s green flag and at the drop of the green, the front row remained side by side with Benjamin just edging Jack at the line to lead the first lap. Jack regrouped the following lap and drive past the 15-year-old to take the lead on lap two and get out ahead of one of the hottest drivers in the country. Jack would pace the field for the next 40 laps until the first of eight cautions flew on lap 42.
By this time, Reaid had worked his way up to third after pulling the maximum of an eight for an inversion and during the long green flag stretch, patiently picked cars off one by one. On the ensuing restart, Benjamin drove around Jack using the outside lane to retake the lead and he brought Reaid with him who also passed Jack for the runner-up spot. From there, the two southern invaders took off and hid from the rest of the field and the battle amongst themselves was on.
Reaid patiently searched for a way around Benjamin’s familiar black machine when on lap 69 he made his move to the inside and took the lead away from Benjamin. By this time, former three-time CRA Street Stocks Series Champion and multi-time Anderson Speedway Street Stocks Track Champion, Joe Beaver had the fans on their feet as the home track favorite, who started 10th, was up to third and found himself right on the back bumper of Benjamin and the trip would take off from the rest of the field.
As hard as Benjamin tried, he could not find a way around Reaid as he searched high and low looking for any kink in Reaid’s armor while feeling the pressure from behind by Beaver who was also looking for a way by Benjamin. The last caution flew with three laps to go setting up a shootout between the three drivers, but on that restart, Reaid got a run into turn one on both Benjamin and Beaver and would hang on to Win the Sell It Again Sam 125 Presented by Great Deals Magazine.
“All in all it was a great weekend for us. We unloaded pretty strong right off the hauler and made only a few minor changes.” The 23-year-old continued. I just can’t thank everyone on this team enough for our win. All my guys and most of all a big thanks to my Mom and Dad for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do. Also a big thanks to JEGS, Hall Fire Protection, Crowe Custom Countertops and RMS Custom Machine for making this possible.” He ended.
Benjamin, in his first ever appearance at Anderson Speedway, came home second in his #71 Advanced Racing Suspensions / Ford. “We didn’t have the speed we were hoping for in qualifying, but ended up real close for the race.” Explained the 15-year-old. “I tried to save what I could, but had to get up on the wheel for most of it. I needed to turn a little better in the center to run with TJ. I got on the outside of him for the three lap shootout and had a shot as long as I could stay there. On the last restart I had to get out of it and fall in line. We’re pretty happy with second thought for the first time here. The important thing is that we will know what direction to go for the Redbud later this year.” He added.
Finishing a career high third was Beaver as he was elated after climbing out of his #21 Tim’s Heating & Cooling / Chevrolet. “It felt good to be up there running with those guys from the south. I read about them all the time and it was really a shot in the arm for this team to be competing at this level.” The 58-year-old from Noblesville, Indiana remarked after the race. In the previous race at Toledo Speedway, Beaver inquired on the services of 2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS Champion & Rookie of the Year, Derrick Griffin to wheel his machine as Beaver was unable to make the race due to an illness in the family.
Inaugural Series Champion from the 1997 season, Kenny Tweedy finished in fourth ahead of Jack who completed the top five. 2012 Rookie of the Year, 19-year-old Travis Braden finished sixth while Hedman Hedders Hustler Award Winner, Robert Maynor finished seventh after starting 15th. Jay Niewiek was eighth as Colin Nickolai and Boyne Machine Company Rookie of the Race, 19-year-old Ali Kern wrapped up the top 10. Reaid’s EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award winning lap was a 12.093 which measures out to 74.423mph.
The third race of the 2012 racing season for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS is set for Saturday, May 11th as the series makes its first of two appearances at the famed fairgrounds oval of Berlin Raceway, located west of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan for the running of the Tri-State Car Collector Appraisers 125 Presented by T.A.A.G. Incorporated. This event will be the only tune-up at the historic 7/16 (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval before the first jewel in the $100,000 JEGS Triple Crown; the Rowdy 251 on Saturday, June 15th.
For more information about all four touring series’ within Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS, go to the website located at: www.cra-racing.com Also for more information about Berlin Raceway, the host facility for race #3 of 2013 for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS, go to the track website at: www.berlinraceway.com