8/24/2014
Key Doubles Down at Redd Davidson Classic
(Photo by Hale Photography)
SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. – Going into 2014, racers at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex knew that there would be a night featuring 100 lap main events. What they didn’t realize is that temperatures that day would also exceed 100 degrees. The racing action would prove to be just as hot as the temperatures for Warrensburg, MO shoe Kameron Key, who was in action in both his family-owned #21 Stallard/Yamaha as well as the Waters Motorsports #7jr Stallard/NPS Suzuki for the “Redd Davidson Classic.”
Key would run from the tenth and final grid spot to third in the first of two ten-lap nonwing heat races, and then finish third as well in the second outlaw heat after starting third.
As the field was set based off of point average, Key would roll off inside of row seven. When the green flag dropped, he wasted no time on his way to the front. A caution slowed the pace on lap four, and he had already passed four cars. The race would restart on lap eight, and Key again set sail. In two laps, he was into the top five, and took the lead on lap 15. He would click off 17 more laps before catching the tail end of the field with a straightaway lead on lap 32. The yellow waved after Key, dubbed "The Jackrabbit" by the Sweet Springs announcer for his prowess in lapped traffic, put five cars a lap down, just as the second place car was reaching the back of the field on the 39th circuit. A long caution period knocked out 11 more laps before finally going back green at the halfway mark. Two laps later, the caution flag would fly once more, but after the brief green flag stint, there was only two lapped cars remaining between Key and second place. A lap 58 restart saw him remain cool, calm, and collected in the waning laps. Padded by four more cautions adding up to 18 laps, Key was never challenged in the remaining 42 laps on his way to victory, leading 85 of 100 laps, and 50 of 61 green flag laps.
The celebration was brief, as the outlaw feature was soon to come, with the #7jr machine firing off in the sixth starting position. After four failed attempts at the original start (including one that would move Key up a row) taking in excess of 20 laps that wouldn’t count for race scoring, the fifth start got the race underway. He picked off one car before a caution on lap four. On the restart, he fell to fourth, but would later get that spot back when the yellow came out for the third place car that spun right in front of Key. The lap 22 restart saw a spirited battle develop for the second spot, with Key ultimately succeeding on lap 29, just as the leader began to put cars a lap down. He clung tight to the leader’s bumper through the slower cars, catching a yellow on lap 34 without any lapped cars between he and the leader. Lap 44 saw the field return to green, and the front of the pack quickly caught the back of the pack in just eight laps. Key would reach the leader’s rear bumper once again, only to see him pull back away. On lap 55, Key found the rubber that had begun to lay around the bottom of the speedway, and used it to his advantage. He quickly closed back in on the leader, making his move to the lead on lap 61. Key would pull away, only to have the car now in second position get back to the bumper of the #7jr, just as the yellow would wave. After going back green, a quick caution once again slowed the action, picking back up with 19 to go. In just six laps, Key was at the tail of the field with just over a half straightaway lead, and the win seemed to be in the bag. Unfortunately, passing was at a premium since everyone had moved to the low side of the track. In the last ten laps, the brakes began to fade, and by lap 97, the brakes wouldn’t slow the car at all, giving the car an extreme push. Coming to the white flag, the top two were separated by mere feet. Key would fend off his challenger through turns one and two before receiving contact down the back straightaway. The contact gave Key just enough room to guide the car through the corner, then drag race the front stretch to capture the checkered. Key led the final 39 trips around the 1/6th mile track, including 30 of the 71 laps completed under green in the nightcap, completing Key’s second two-win night of 2014, and the fourth of his career.
Key would like to thank Bybee Lawn Care for their continued support with his family’s #21 car.
Key is next scheduled to compete on August 30 in Sweet Springs, MO in the #21 600cc nonwing entry and the #7jr Waters Motorsports 600cc outlaw entry, and on August 31 in Warrensburg, MO in the Walton #93 360ci nonwing sprint car.
Quick Results
August 23 – Sweet Springs, MO – 600cc Nonwing – Heat: 3 (10); Feature: 1 (13)
August 23 – Sweet Springs, MO – 600cc Outlaw – Heat: 3 (3); Feature: 1 (6)
Season Stats
26 races, 7 wins, 12 top fives, 15 top tens, 9 DNFs
Social Media
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kameronkey_21
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kameron.key.9
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kameronkey_21
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
