Willy Kraft
By Tom Wilson
Odessa, Mo. (July 20, 1985) – Willy Kraft of Lakefield, Minn., took over the lead on the 32nd lap of the 50-lap NDRA-sanctioned “Super National 100” at I-70 National Speedway Saturday night and cruised to victory to capture the $5,500 first prize of the $50,000 purse.
After the strains of “Dixie” faded away from over the P.A. system, the green flag waved to start the 50-lap late model feature.
The fast time from Friday night, Charlie Swartz, jumped into the lead from his front row starting position with Billy Moyer Jr., and Kraft pulling in tightly behind him. With the laps flying by, the leaders hit slower traffic by lap 10. A slick move on lap 11 let Kraft get by Moyer for second position. The following lap, Jeff Purvis, who started in the sixth position, moved into fourth.
The four drivers chased each other for nine more laps when Moyer slid high in turn four and dropped back two positions, moving Purvis and hard-running Larry Phillips up to third and fourth, respectively. The race continued at a blistering pace and collected almost continual traffic.
On lap 32, Swartz found himself trapped on the high side of the track, allowing Kraft to jump into first place. Swartz recovered enough to slide into second while Purvis and Phillips continued to battle for position. On lap 40, Phillips was able to move around Purvis for third.
A yellow flag on lap 42 slowed the field and it was a bumper-to-bumper restart when the green flag dropped. Kraft was able to get a good jump on the start, but Swartz couldn’t shake Phillips.
With Swartz and Phillips slugging it out, Kraft built a comfortable margin for himself. On lap 49, Phillips dodged low on Swartz and slid into second. Purvis finished fourth and Moyer rounded out the top five finishers.
Results –
1. Willy Kraft
2. Larry Phillips
3. Charlie Swartz
4. Jeff Purvis
5. Billy Moyer Jr.
6. Kenny Brightbill
7. T.J. Pauschert
8. Rick Aukland
9. Dhon Hauserman
10.Jerry Inmon
11.Tom Helfrich
12.Doug Ingalls
13.Henry Robinson
14.Eddie Pace
15.Buddy Boutwell
No comments:
Post a Comment