TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Action Track is back and Robert Ballou provided much of the action en route to winning the 30-lap Don Smith Classic sanctioned by the Midwest Sprint Car Series Sunday night.
Jesse Hockett powered into the lead on the opening laps. Ballou, who started back in the pack, quickly moved through the field, taking second just before a red flag waved for a multi-car accident in the third turn.
Drivers cited poor visibility on the backstretch caused by dust and the setting sun and MSCS officials opted to delay restarting the race until after the sun dropped below the horizon.
When the race restarted, Ballou pulled off a slide job on Hockett as they entered the first turn. A final yellow flag set up a last chance for Hockett to snatch the lead.
But Ballou was prepared. His crew chief, Jimmy Jones, signaled that Hockett was coming and that he should guard the middle of the track.
“I knew somebody was coming, but I didn’t know who it was,” said Ballou.
Hockett drove into the corner about 100 feet farther than Ballou on the restart, which surprised Ballou.
“Not many people can run it in that far,” said Ballou.
Ballou believes Hockett driving so deeply into the corners actually helped ensure his victory. “If he had actually slowed down just a little he would have probably beat us,” said Ballou.
Brady Short finished third, ahead of Damion Gardner and Levi Jones.
Sunday’s race was the first at the Terre Haute Action Track in more than a year and a half and was rescheduled because of rain on Friday night. It was the first event promoted by DHK Promotions, a new company formed by local businessman Brian Dorsett, IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton and Mike King.
The finish:
Robert Ballou, Jesse Hockett, Brady Short, Damion Gardner, Levi Jones, Mitch Wissmiller, Danny Holtsclaw, Bill Rose, Chase Stockon, Neil Shepherd, Thomas Meseraull, Coleman Gulick, Critter Malone, Jimmy Light, Brent Mellenberndt, Kevin Thomas, Jr., Shain Matthews, Joshua Clemons, Ty Deckard, Kenny Biro, Dusty Wright, Daron Clayton, Ricky Williams, Dickie Gaines.