Finishing among the elite

By Ken de la Bastide

ANDERSON – In professional or amateur sports there is pride when a former graduate or competitor takes that next step to the head of the class. In motor sports the progression starts with a beginning series, like the Kenyon Midget Series, and the next steps can be in a variety of directions. But when it comes to pavement sprint car racing the top event is the annual running of the Lucas Oil Little 500 at Anderson Speedway.

Although a former Kenyon Midget Series driver didn't win the Little 500, Dakoda Armstrong was knocking on the door finishing 1.12-seconds behind winner Tyler Roahrig. Aside for pit stops Armstrong ran within the top five for most of the 500 laps and took a turn on the point.

Former Kenyon Midget Series champion Kyle O'Gara finished fourth, only one lap off the pace and showed lots of patience advancing through the field.

Caleb Armstrong, always a strong contender in the Little 500, lost several laps when his car stalled, but still finished fifth, two laps down.

Shane Hollingworth drove to an eighth place finish and Dalton Armstrong came home ninth.

Dalton Armstrong earned rookie of the race and Fred Jones Hard Charger honors after starting 28th in the field.

Another Kenyon Midget racer Isaac Chapple finished 14th.

A year ago both Trey Osborne and Dameron Taylor earned starting spots in the 73rd running of the Little 500.