Langley Speedway - Hampton, VA- Race Report

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Langley Speedway PR

Ryan Crites bypassed a faltering Steve Keesee with half a lap to go and nabbed his second victory of the year in the 25-lap Peninsula Hardwood Mulch INEX Legends race.

Qualifying at 78.581 mph, Keesee claimed his third pole in four events. Crites was second-quickest, followed by Rette Causey, Brad Hancock and Don McLaughlin.

Keesee motored into the lead at the start of the event, pulling ahead of Crites as the field rolled off Turn 2 for the first time. McLaughlin, meanwhile, advanced from fifth to fourth place.

On lap 5, McLaughlin swiped the third spot from Causey. The shuffle allowed Keesee and Crites to open a five-length margin. Little by little, though, McLaughlin closed the gap, creeping into contention. On lap 17, however, he slowed, maintaining third, but losing touch with the lead duo.

Crites continued to stalk Keesee until the final circuit when he ducked low and shot past off the second corner. As Crites sped toward the checkers, it quickly became apparent that Keesee had suffered a mechanical failure as he was overhauled by one car after another.

At the stripe, Crites was the winner by 2.887 seconds over McLaughlin. Hancock was third, while Jamie Price and Causey completed the top five. After leading 24-1/2 laps, Keesee limped home in seventh.

PENINSULA HARDWOOD MULCH

INEX LEGENDS - 25 laps

Fin. Pos. (Car #) Driver; Laps Compl.

1.  (00) Ryan Crites; 25

2.  (21) Don McLaughlin; 25

3.  (17) Brad Hancock; 25

4.  (08) Jamie Price; 25

5.  (33) Rette Causey; 25

6.  (83) Casey Wyatt; 25

7.  (0)  Steve Keesee; 25

8.  (30) Joe Hendricks; 25

9.  (99) Sparky West; 25

10. (16) Chris Peterson; 25

11. (58) Lee Johnson; 25

12. (10) Danny Baker; 24

13. (31) Erik Hall; 23

14. (26) Jeremy Cook; 23

Pole: Steve Keesee - 78.581 mph.