ANDERSON, Ind. – New Castle driver Jason Atkinson used the right tire management strategy Saturday to capture the Tom Wood Auto Group 150 at Anderson Speedway.
It was Atkinson’s fifth victory in six point races for the CRA Street Stocks and his second this year on the high banked quarter-mile oval.
Atkinson set fast time during qualifying on Knapp Supply Night Saturday and as a result of the invert started ninth in the 20-car field.
Andrew Teepe took the lead from the pole position in the Champion Racing Ass’n’s Four Crown Series race for the Street Stocks.
Atkinson moved into the top five after 20 laps behind Teepe, Brett Hudson, Chuck Barnes Jr. and Dale Harper. Hudson took the lead on lap 42 with an inside pass of Teepe on the front straight, with Barnes and Atkinson slipping into the second and third spots before the mid-race break.
On the restart, Atkinson quickly moved into the third spot and, following the second caution period of the night, passed Barnes on the front straight and closed on Hudson.
The final caution flag waved on lap 111 when Chad Pendleton made contact with the turn three retaining wall while running in the top five.
Atkinson took advantage on the restart to pass Hudson with an outside pass on the front straight and went on to win by 1.6 seconds over Hudson, with Barnes, Harper and Mark Eads Jr. rounding out the top five.
“I was concerned about starting ninth in the field,” Atkinson said in Riley & Son Victory Lane. “I just tried to be patient and save the tires. I really appreciate Brett (Hudson) racing me clean on the restart.”
It was Atkinson’s third win in the Four Crown Series and fifth overall with the CRA Street Stocks.
The finish:
1. Jason Atkinson; 2. Brett Hudson; 3. Chuck Barnes Jr.; 4. Dale Harper; 5. Mark Eads Jr.; 6. Jacob McElfresh; 7. Joe Muldoon; 8. Brian Hopkins; 9. Frankie Oakes; 10. Kimmie Gregg; 11. Michael Phipps; 12. Dylan Hoppes; 13. Chad Pendleton; 14. Andrew Teepe; 15. Dawson Phillips; 16. Alan Williams Jr., 17. Blaine Akin; 18. Jordan Hahn; 19. Jason Pitts; 20. James Kirby III.