CONCORD LEGENDS - 9/16/07
By Jason Buckley
BANGED UP ANDERSON DRIVES TEAMMATE’S CAR TO PRO VICTORY
After Saturday night’s racing action at Lanier National Speedway (GA), most thought Jordan Anderson wouldn’t be racing Sunday at Concord Motorsport Park. A nasty wreck trashed his car and banged up the driver, but due to his own grit and determination as well as assistance from his Nick Pistone Racing teammate John Stancill, Anderson not only ran the combined Pro/Masters division race, but drove on to the victory over the field in spectacular fashion.
“I thought I was going to get my third straight win at Lanier,” said Anderson. “We qualified on the pole and Casey Roderick qualified second. Casey went on the start and I went after him. The car got a little sideways and I got hit from behind and got sideways. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. It was just a racing accident. I ended up hitting the wall head on. After the wreck I went into the ambulance. I ended up with cuts all over my knees. I am really sore today. It is hard to even stand on my knees.”
Since his car was destroyed, Anderson’s teammate John Stancill let him borrow his backup car to race both at Lanier and Concord.
“We raced at Lanier Saturday and unfortunately he got in a bad wreck and totaled his car,” said Stancill. “That night I let him go back out in my car because I brought both my primary and backup cars. I let him run it, but the bumper fell off. Since he raced it yesterday and we are teammates I let him run it here at Concord and he did a good job.”
With very little competition, Anderson drove on to take the checkered flag, celebrating in victory lane in Stancill’s #20 car.
“It is really incredible,” said Anderson. “Nick Pistone worked his butt off today to get this car ready. I have to thank John Stancill for letting me borrow his car. It was really gracious for them to do that for me. It was really cool to get that victory today.”
CHARLES KISER TAKES EASY MASTERS VICTORY
Another Concord race, another win for Jordan Anderson. (Fastrac Images)
Although Clay Hair wasn't there to battle with, Charles Kiser enjoyed taking home another winning trophy. (Fastrac Images)
This season, Charles Kiser has seen the good and the bad in the sport of Legends racing. Driving in the Masters division at multiple tracks throughout the Carolinas on a limited budget, Kiser has raced with a bent chassis and worn out parts, but has kept the faith alive, giving it his all on the track every week.
Sunday at Concord, Kiser’s will and determination drove him on to an easy Masters division victory in the combined Pro/Masters race.
In victory lane, Kiser was all smiles, but still wished he could have beat “the man”. Clay Hair, one of the best Masters drivers in the country, took the week off from the track.
“I will take this because a win is a win,” said Kiser. “I wish Clay was here, but I will get him down the road hopefully.
“The car was not as good as I wanted to be. The tires were worn out. I would like to thank Dan Snyder and Jim McClain for tuning on the car and making it better.”
Kiser’s might have been the best Masters in the combined-division race, but was third overall. His next goal, besides beating Hair on the track, is to beat all the Pro drivers as well for the overall race win.
“I just need to get my mind right,” said Kiser. “I usually ride back there and stay where I need to be. One of these days I will get one.”
ONCE AGAIN, LAYSER AND BLACKBURN BATTLE HARD FOR CHARGERS WIN
This season, Concord Motorsport Park has had some of the higher car counts in the Carolinas Legends and Bandolero racing action outside of the Summer Shootout at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. However, car counts have been down from past seasons in most divisions, forcing officials to run combined-division races or have races with just a few cars in them.
The Chargers division of Legends recently has suffered in car counts. During the feature event, only three cars turned laps around the track. While Johnny Lovero wasn’t a factor in the finish, Devin Layser and Cody Blackburn once again put on a show for the top spot. The two even made contact, causing each to spin out, however when the checkered flag was thrown, it was Layser coming out on top.
Layser and Blackburn enjoy racing hard on the track, even if the result is a wreck. (Fastrac Images)
“That is the most fun I have had in a race car,” said Layser. “Outside the track Cody and I are best friends. On the track we are just going to race each other hard.”
While Blackburn was forced to finish second, he enjoyed racing with his longtime friend.
“I would like to thank Chris Rogers Motorsports for a good car,” said Blackburn. “I had a real good race with Devon. I like him a lot. He is a good racer. He never took me out or anything. I am comfortable with him on the track.”
With only two races left in the Concord Motorsport Park season, the two former Go-Kart buddies will be looking to best each other on the track and hopefully not tear up their cars. Who will win the two races is still a mystery.
“I don’t know what is going to happen next weekend,” said Layser. “I hope there are more cars, but Cody and I will put on another good show.”
Cody Blackburn had an opinion on who will win both races, throwing down a challenge to Layser.
“We will be back next week,” said Blackburn. “I will get them both.”
STANCILL WINS SEMI-PRO RACE WHILE ANOTHER ROSS FINISHES SECOND
This season, John Stancill and Steven Ross have been fighting tooth and nail in the Semi-Pro Legends division races. Both have been strong at every track they show up to, and the rivalry between the two on the track has provided for some great racing.
John Stancill had Saturday Night Fever on Sunday after winning the Semi-Pro Legends race. (Fastrac Images)
Once again, Stancill and Ross put on show for the fans at a track, finishing in the top-two spots, but while it was John Stancill in the #20 Legends, it wasn’t Steven Ross in the #38, but his brother Jonathan that wheeled his car around the track for the first time since the Summer Shootout ended.
“This was my first race back,” said Ross. “My car was fast. I just got too far back to catch Stancill.”
In the last race of the Summer Shootout, Steven Ross was involved in a wreck that put his car out of commission. Showing what family is all about, Jonathan stepped out of his car to allow his brother to continue racing for wins and the national title. Now that Steven’s car is back together, Jonathan was able to get back in his car and immediately was back in contention to win.
“It is fun to be back,” said Jonathan Ross. “I am glad to be back racing. We will probably race here and Winter Heat.”
While Jonathan enjoyed being back in the seat again, Stancill enjoyed another trip to victory lane. This season has been a phenomenal year for the young driver, who is looking to wrap up the Semi-Pro national points championship as well as claim the victory in the Nationals at Las Vegas (NV) later this year.
“I think our success is because of everything combined,” said Stancill. “I did have a winning streak going on but I finished second at Lanier. I was so close, but sometime it is just not your turn.
“We are going to race next weekend for sure because of the National points. We have to get as many wins as possible. After that we will scale back a bit and get prepared for Vegas.”
