8-26-16 - Williamsburg, OH - A field of 55 DRC.net Crazy Compacts signed in to challenge to become the “King of Compacts” at Moler Raceway Park. With the field separated into 6 heat races, the racers would have to race into feature events using the passing points format. Jerry Gibson III would win heat race #1 while Brad Miller would take the checkers in heat #2. In the 3rd heat, it was Kevin Stamper taking the win while Jessica Gibson was victorious in heat #4. The final two heats would see Brad Hoskins and Kyle Willoughby taking the wins. The top 8 cars in passing points would take part in the Alsip Masonry Dash event that would set the lineup for the first 4 rows of the feature event. In the Dash, it was Stamper from his 4th starting spot taking the win and the extra cash. There would be 2 B-Mains to round out the field and it was Kyle Eversole taking the win in B-main #1 while Adam Wheeler would win the second B-main event.
The 30 lap feature event would see Chris Shelton Jr out front at the green and he would lead the first 6 laps despite lots of pressure from Stamper. The feature event would be slowed numerous times for relatively minor issues early in the event. Lap 7 would see Jerry Gibson III climb to the top spot from his 10th starting position. A wild accident on lap 22 would see David Smith flip in turn #3 bringing the field to a stop.
On the restart, many of the top contenders would fall by the wayside and the leader Jerry Gibson III would begin slowing due to an overheating engine. Lap 26 would see Kyle Willoughby of Dry Ridge, KY take over the top spot and set sail to collect his first feature win in the biggest compact event in the region. In victory lane, the Willoughby Tree Service, AutoMasters, Finn Fabrication machine would not only get the trophy but he was also officially “crowned” King Kyle II” by last year’s winner Chris Shelton Sr. While in victory lane he would also receive the unofficial drink of the “King of Compacts” a bottle of Crown Royal as well as $500 bonus put up by the Hensley Family and the folks at Kentucky Auto Service. Chris Shelton Jr would come home in the second position with Jerry Gibson III, Blake Gibson, and Brandon Stephens completing the top five spots. In the “Jester 12” event for non-qualifiers, it was Bryson Clark of North Vernon, Ind taking the win.
Story by: Mike Goins
Photo Credit: Steve Alcorn
