Houk claims Dick Jordan Classic
Ayrton Houk celebrates in Jeff Hill Trailer Sales Victory Lane. (Aaron Skillman photo)
By Ken de la Bastide
ANDERSON, IN – Former Kenyon Midget champion Ayrton Houk took advantage of lapped traffic on the final lap to win the Dick Jordan Classic.
Houk set fast-time, scored a KRJ heat win and started the 30-lap feature fifth in the 17-car field after the redraw.
Evan Hammond grabbed the lead at the start and led the first 29 laps before lapped traffic allowed Houk to score the victory.
“If not for the lapped traffic, I wouldn't be here,” Houk said of his victory Saturday at Anderson Speedway.
Houk didn't move into the second spot until lap 14 and quickly challenged Hammond for the top spot. The two ran nose to tail with Hammond able to maintain the edge. On the final lap when the two leaders encountered lapped traffic on the back straight, Houk went low and Hammond high, which resulted in the victory.
“I had a lot of practice there passing cars after starting fifth,” Houk said in the Hoosier Lottery victory lane. “Evan (Hammond) took everything out of me, just to keep up with him.”
Hammond said his car was fast the entire race. “Anderson is my Achilles heel,” he said. “I was super fast tonight and just couldn't get there. Second place to Ayrton is disappointing, but he's a really good race car driver.”
Third place went to Kyle Sheard, who started on the outside of the front row battled with Houk and Kyle Hamilton for the podium position. “It was a fun little restart early in the race and I overcooked the corner,” Sheard said. “I lost the car for a little bit, but I battled over the final two laps with Kyle (Hamilton).”
Four-time series champion Dameron Taylor had his night end on the first lap against the turn two wall.
Rookie contender Hunter Peri, a teammate to Houk, captured a heat race, but got caught up in a tangle on the sixth lap to end his night.
Driving the Little Red Door Cancer Agency sponsored Midget, Houk captured the K&K Marketing qualifying honors followed by teammate Peri and Jase Petty in the Touchupstore.com entry.
Houk and Perry captured both KRJ Racing Products heat race wins, both leading the entire distance.
Evan Patton took home the Advanced Racing Suspensions Hard Charger award by advancing six positions.
The BHR Performance rookie of the race was Seth Tozer who finished ninth on the lead lap.