Taylor, Brown score Salem wins

Dameron Taylor winner of feature #1. (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

SALEM, IN – Second year Kenyon Midget competitor Landon Brown has been the hottest driver with the series over the past two weekends. Brown scored his first career victory a week ago at Kalamazoo Speedway and challenged for the win late at Owosso Speedway before a mechanical problem short circuited the effort.

Landon Brown winner of feature #2. (Aaron Skillman photo)

At the Salem Speedway oval Brown scored his second career win and almost pulled off a sweep of the two events. Brown started from the pole position in the first feature event with Dameron Taylor on the outside with Trisdon Brown and Kyle Sheard in the second row. The initial start came under the yellow flag for a spin by Clayton Gaines and the second attempt was called back.

At the start Brown took the lead chased by Sheard, Taylor, Trisdon Brown and Eli Fox. The caution flag waved on lap two when Isaac Johnson and Jase Petty got together.

Taylor took the lead on a lap 11 restart with an outside move on Landon Brown, but five laps later Brown was back on the point.

Taylor got the jump on a green-white checker finish after Sheard crashed on the front straight ending his night. At the finish Taylor had scored his 38th career victory and extended his point lead over Johnson for the championship. Landon Brown finished second.

“It was an exciting race,” Taylor said in the winner's circle. “The start of the race was a little crazy. But I was able to get him on the last restart.”

In the second feature race, Landon Brown and Taylor started on the front row with Johnson and Petty making up the second row. Brown led the entire distance with Johnson recovering to finish second followed by Petty, Trisdon Brown and Taylor.

“I didn't get a good restart in the first race that cost me the win,” Brown said in the winner's circle. “The team did an awesome job in preparing the car tonight.”