LIMA, Ohio — Jason Meyers never had the pleasure to see Brad Doty race, but he heard countless stories about him and also had gotten to know the Hall of Famer very well over the last number of years.
Heading into the 20th edition of the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic July 9 at Limaland Motorsports Park, Meyers wanted nothing more than to pick up a win in a race honoring a living legend of the sport.
He did just that in thrilling fashion aboard the GLR Investments KPC before a very large and enthusiastic crowd at the quarter-mile oval, which is owned and operated by the University of Northwestern Ohio. Meyers used a slide job on Steve Kinser in the third and fourth turns and a powerful charge down the front straightaway to win by .247 second.
Meyers has now won six times in Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series competition in 2008. He has 24 career WoO victories.
“We needed this one,” said Meyers. “The guys have been working really ,really hard here lately and we just haven’t been getting the job done at the end of the night. Everyone has stood behind us 100 percent and hasn’t wavered one bit. I really have to thank everyone for sticking behind me and kind of picking us up when we were down a little bit. That’s what has brought us back to this point. The Month of Money is coming up and we are ready.”
As the leaders took the white flag, Kinser had a few-car-length lead over Meyers and looked to have the race in check, until he was caught up by some lapped cars. This gave Meyers the opening he needed, which he took full advantage of, to lead the last few feet of the 40-lap contest.
“I knew I had to be close to have an opportunity,” Meyers noted. “I saw the white flag wave, and I knew I had to be good in (turns) one and two to have something for him in (turn) three. If there was a hole there, I had a shot at it. I didn’t know if there would be or not, but it just opened up enough and I was able to get across. The car stuck right through the middle there, and I was able to hold him off coming off of turn four.”
Meyers was presented the $10,000 winner’s check by Doty.
“It means a lot to me,” Meyers said. “I have gotten to know Brad over the years and he is a great individual. He is a great all-around person, not just for the sport, but as a guy to know. To put our name on that list is very special and something I will always cherish.”
Meyers led the first 18 laps, but Joey Saldana slid into the top spot on lap 19. The lone yellow flag of the event came on lap 20.
Kinser passed Meyers for second with nine laps remaining in the 40-lap race and began chasing Saldana. Kinser grabbed the lead on lap 36, with Meyers taking second from Saldana, setting up the final-lap showdown.
Kinser finished second, with Saldana third. Shane Stewart and point-leader Donny Schatz rounded out the top five.