SPARTA, Ky. - More than 100 cars packed the pit area for the 10th Annual Briggs and Stratton Bandolero and RACEceiver Young Lions Nationals at Kentucky Speedway Sunday afternoon.
When the final checkered flags waved, there were some new faces in victory lane. Kyle Benjamin, Chad Finchum and Chris McKinney all collected the top Bandolero prices in their respective classes while Daniel Hemric proved too tough to beat in the Young Lions division.
Bandoloreo Bandit Benjamin has spent the majority of the year in the shadow of Georgia drivers Kyle Plott and Davey Matthews, but Sunday was Benjamin's day to shine. Matthews took an early lead, but tangled with a lap car halfway through the race.
Plott, who'd been one of the most dominant drivers in the Bandits division this season, took advantage of Mattthews' misfortune, inheriting the lead. After such a dominant summer, many thought Plott would drive away for the victory, but as laps dwindled, Benjamin made his move. The nine-year old passed Plott, and drove to his fourth victory of the season and the biggest of his young career.
Plott held on to second with Blake Jones, Mason Massey and Stephen Bergh, Jr. following.
Chad Finchum only had one Bandolero Young Guns victory to his credit going in to Sunday's Nationals, but he has logged countless laps at Kentucky Speedway, racing at the track nine times in 2007. That experience paid off as Finchum notched the second victory of his season.
Point leader Ronnie Bassett, Jr., who won the Bandits feature at last year's Nationals, was second with Oklahoma's Kenzie Ruston third. Bryce Walker and Dylan Pack rounded out the top five.
Chris McKinney considers Kentucky Speedway to be his home track, and didn't want the Nationals trophy to leave with someone else. McKinney added his 10th victory of the season Sunday by winning the Outlaws feature. He beat point leader Kendall Sellers to the stripe with Nathan Rodgers, Emily Patton and Kayla Turner following.
The Young Lions Legends race may go down as one of the best races in Legends history. Christian Pahud jumped out to the early lead with Daniel Hemric on his back bumper. The two raced nose-to-tail through the entire 30 laps before Hemric dived low in turn three on the final circuit. The drivers drag raced down the frontstretch with Hemric winning by .002 seconds, the equivalent of his front bumper. Hemric, who recently switched teams, collected his fifth victory of the season.
Josh Williams, Kyle Lowry and Adam Roberts rounded out the top five.
The Finishes:
Bandolero Bandits: Kyle Benjamin, Kyle Plott, Blake Jones, Mason Massey, Stephen Bergh, Jr., Dillon Bassett, Jordan Stillwell, TJ Michaels, Layne Clifton, Justin Thomas, Tyler Poe, Brock Morris, Charlie Gresham, Zack Dunsmore, Corey Gordon, Sean Hosey, Ryan Eyer, Davey Matthews, Bayley Currey, Darius Garcia, Matthew Linker, Ty Rose, Alex Hickman, Brady Boswell.
Bandolero Young Guns: Chad Finchum, Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Kenzie Ruston, Bryce Walker, Dylan Pack, Dustin Sword, Devin Jones, Blake Eden, Kyle Nelson, Scott Hensley, Zac Carter, Jak Armstrong, Brandon Lynn, Clay Settles, Justin Campbell, Jake Dunsmore, Ryan Glenski, Rawlin West, Anthony Metallo, Jordan Coker, Aaron Moyer, Travis Robinson, Brandon Nelson.
Bandolero Outlaws: Christopher McKinney, Kendall Sellers, Nathan Rodgers, Emily Patton, Kayla Turner.
Legends Young Lions: Daniel Hemric, Christian Pahud, Josh Williams, Kyle Lowry, Adam Roberts, Dylan Presnell, Justin Lloyd, Justin Swilling, Jordan Penninger, Parker Hammons, Will Prance, Ryan Blaney, Chad Hackenbracht, Sloan Henderson, Tyler Armstrong, Gene Kirila, Sam McAuley, Austin Hill, Scott Menlen, Zach Zimmerly, Logan Ruffin, Jordan Webb, Matthew Stover, Dylan Ames.