CONCORD LEGENDS - 8/17/07
By Matthew Dillner
PIERCE RIDES IN CHARGERS AND ON CHOPPERS
Kyle Pierce followed up his championship in the Young Lions division at Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout series with a big Semi-Pro Chargers win at Concord Motorsports Park.
Pierce had a big lead built up over Devin Layser but almost saw that lead disappear in a flash. Chaz Krentz, making his first career Legends start, spun in front of the leader. Pierce narrowly avoided disaster.
“It was a little freaky,” said Pierce. “He’s a new driver and he will get used to it in time. I thought he was going to come right up the track into me. I was prepared for it. I’m glad he held his line.”
Layser tried all he could to shoot by Pierce in the closing laps, but the Tilley Harley Davidson #28 held on.
Pierce, who would normally tow to Friendship Speedway on Saturday’s, had special plans this week.
“We are going to do a memorial ride for my uncle Raymond Tilley and my aunt Candice.”
Kyle comes from a lineage of racers. His grandfather, Don Tilley, was a champion on the dirt at Hickory Motor Speedway in 1963. Family is important to the 15-year old racer, and that is what the charity ride is all about.
Kyle and his mother celebrated in victory lane on Friday night together. The family owns Harley Davidson dealerships in North Carolina. The 15-year-old Legends driver obviously wasn't planning on steering a chopper, but the family said he might ride with his mother.
“It’s real special. I was really getting attached to my Uncle Raymond. He was really getting into my racing. He wanted to see me in this Legends car a lot and I hate it that he wasn’t here to see it.”
The ride, with nearly 200 bikes, went from the Tilley’s Statesville store to the Salisbury Harley Davidson shop. The proceeds from the ride went to the Gordon House, a local hospice house in Statesville, NC.
FIRST RACES A CHARM FOR WHITSETT WINNER
Pierce has been on top of the Legends Charger/Young Lions world. (LN Photo)
Whitsett, NC driver James Stanton likes opening races at Concord Motorsports Park. He took the win in the first Masters division race at Concord Motorsports Park earlier in the season. After the mid-season break, Stanton won the first race back at Concord on Friday night.
The 2nd year Legends driver was humble in victory lane, thanking former NASCAR driver and Legends mainstay “Tiger” Tom Pistone for putting his in victory lane.
“The car was real good,” said Stanton. “I have to dedicate this race to my friend Tiger Tom. He helps me out and is a little under the weather. He was the first one I really met going to the Summer Shootout and he has been helping me since.
“He is the reason I am here. I’m fairly new to this game. He has just helped me throughout and all the credit goes to him.”
Legends Pro Results
1 # 19 Jordan Anderson
2 # 2 Ken Harris
Legends Masters Results
1 #33 James Stanton
2 #8 Larry Friddle
3 #12 Todd Spears
4 #28 Charles Kiser
Legends Semi-Pro Chargers
1 #28 Kyle Pierce
2 #78 Devin Layser
3 #29 Travis Payne
4 #25 Jeffrey Bolen
5 #1 Thomas Hatcher
6 #6 Chaz Krentz
Legends Semi-Pro
1 #63 Christian Pahud
2 #94 Zack Zimmerly
3 #38 Steven Ross
4 #11 Jimmy Kostarelos
5 #07 Chad Hackenbracht
6 #18 Dan Abee Valdese
7 #76 Jamie Smith
dns #48 Daniel Hemric
The Tilley Memorial bike ride was a success. (Tilley family photo)
Stanton at speed (FASTRAC IMAGES)
FATHER AND SON THE MAIN POINT IN WIN FOR ANDERSON
Jordan Anderson didn’t have much competition in the Pro class at Concord when the division returned to action. In fact, there was only one other Pro. However Anderson did beat the other car in his division, lapping him twice, and beat all the Masters drivers that were in the combined race for the win.
Jordan Anderson and his dad enjoy a special moment in Concord victory lane. (LN Photo)
“It’s good because it builds up my confidence,” said Jordan of the win. “I had to stay consistent and smooth all night. Being out there like that I wanted to test my self and see if I could stay fast and consistent. I was just praying that I wouldn’t make any mistakes and was pushing the car as hard as I could the final few laps.
“It won’t help us with points really. Our worst finish is a fifth place finish and this is equal to a fifth place finish tonight.”
The main point of Anderson’s win was that he did it with his father. That was something special to the South Carolina driver.
"I was having fun. Nick Pistone racing gave us a set up but we came out here by ourselves tonight. It was just me and my dad. My dad has supported me my whole life. He has tried to give me everything and teach me everything he knows. He has helped me with the bible learn how to act in certain situations. It’s just really neat to come out here with just him and our trailer and be able to bring this win home. My parents are always there for me. There are a lot of kids that their parents aren’t as involved in their careers and I have been blessed to have parents that are 100-percent behind me.”
GOOD START EQUALS GOOD RACE FOR PAHUD
“I had an awesome start,” said Pahud. “He went and he didn’t get a good run getting to the green. We went and had it going into turn-one. Then I was just trying to keep it up front and see how far and fast I could push it.”
Pahud has been on a roll in the Semi-Pro world. He came on strong at Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout and took advantage of the Sizzler’s craziness to win the championship. He carried that momentum into Concord winner’s circle.
“It’s an amazing run,” said Pahud. “Our cars are great. Ever since the shootout we have been on an amazing roll. It’s given me a major boost of confidence. I just hope we can do this well for the rest of the year and possibly get the national title. Then we can go on to the Winter Heat Series and try to get that title. I can’t thank Dan Snyder and Team Full Throttle enough for all the support they have given me.”
Pahud celebrates the win. (LN PHOTO)
Christian Pahud was slated to start fourth when the Legends Semi-Pro feature hit the pre-race grid. Daniel Hemric was supposed to start in front of Pahud on the outside of the front-row. But the #48 Ladyga Motorsports team withdrew from the race. Pahud slid up a row to start second and he took advantage of his fortune beating Steven Ross on the start.
