BELLEVILLE, Kan. — Championship Night of the 9th Annual Belleville 305 Nationals lived up to its billing Saturday night as 39 of the nation’s best IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car competitors battled at the legendary Belleville High Banks for one of the sport’s most prestigious victories.
In the end, it was Nebraska’s Joey Danley who found victory lane after making a thrilling last-lap pass to claim the coveted Belleville 305 Nationals championship.
When the green flag waved on the A Feature, Justin Fifield immediately lived up to his earlier track-record performance. Starting from the pole position, the Mesquite, Texas driver controlled the race from the outset and appeared to have the Belleville crown firmly in his grasp.
Behind him, Joey Danley patiently kept pace while Jake Bubak, Garrett Benson, Jeremy Huish and the rest of the lead pack searched for an opportunity on the fast, high-banked half mile.
The race’s only caution slowed the field with 10 laps remaining, erasing Fifield’s advantage and setting up one final shootout for the Belleville championship.
Fifield executed a flawless restart and continued to lead as the laps wound down, but once the leaders caught heavy lapped traffic, Danley began to close. Working through slower cars, Danley found the opening he had been searching for throughout the night.
Coming to the white flag, Danley made his move and edged ahead for the first time all race. One final lap around the historic High Banks settled the outcome as Danley held off Fifield by an astonishing 0.077 seconds to complete the dramatic last-lap pass and capture one of the biggest victories of his career.
Fifield’s impressive evening ended with a heartbreaking runner-up finish after leading the first 29 laps and setting a new track record earlier in the night.
Garrett Benson completed a strong performance in third, while Jeremy Huish advanced to fourth. Jake Bubak rounded out the top five after opening the evening as the fastest qualifier in Group 1.
The finish:
Joey Danley, Justin Fifield, Garrett Benson, Jeremy Huish, Jake Bubak, Whit Gastineau, Kyle Jones, Bryant Wiedeman, Jeremy Campbell, Brandon Bosma, Tyler Drueke, Ty Williams, Jon Freeman, Owen Carlson, Jacob Gomola, Kaylee Bryson, Braxton Weger, Joe Bob Lee, Trevor Serbus, Ryker Pacee, Stuart Snyder, Trefer Waller, Danny Nekolite, Steven Richardson.
