ANDERSON, Ind. – Hunter Jack was able to hold off Steve Dorer for the victory in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Sport Clips 100 Saturday night at Anderson Speedway.
The Saturday night event marked the return of the pro late model series to Anderson Speedway after a two-year absence and it brought Jack his first win with the series.
Jack led twice for 74 laps, taking the point for the final time on lap 55 with an inside pass of Dorer on a restart Dorer had taken the lead on a previous restart but was unable to maintain the advantage.
For the next 45 laps Dorer stayed glued to Jack’s rear bumper, with fast qualifier Cody Coughlin waiting for a mistake by one of the front runners.
Jack won by 1.7-seconds at the finish after being able to pull away from Dorer over the final 10 circuits. Coughlin came home third.
Jack took the lead at the start following the inversion following qualifying and led the first 28 laps. The driver on the move early was Sammy Smith who took the lead on lap 29 after starting third in the field.
Smith led until lap 53 when he tangled with the lapped car of Tanner Jack in turn two. He spun a second time a lap leader after contact with Jaden Cretacci.
The race was red-flagged on lap 56 when Brandon Oakley got loose on the front straight while running fourth and slid up turn one where he was collected by Mandy Chick.
Jack said in the Star Financial Winner’s Circle that it was hard, close racing all night.
“Steve (Dorer) kept the pressure up on the restarts,” he said. “I just wanted to stay focused on running my line.”
While Jack was celebrating his first career win, Dorer and Coughlin were expressing frustration with the end result.
“I’m frustrated,” Dorer said of the second place showing. “The restarts were really difficult. He (Jack) gave me no room.
“I feel like I’ve had one taken away from me,” he said. “Take the second place finish and move on.”
Coughlin said there was tight racing all night between the front runners.
“I have to quit being so nice,” he laughed. “To be that nice and finish third is not a bad night.”
The finish:
Hunter Jack, Steve Dorer, Cody Coughlin, Sammy Smith, Cassten Everidge, Wes Griffith Jr., Dan Leeck, Scotty Tomasik, Trevor McCoy, Jaden Cretacci, Tyler Mackenzie, Tanner Jack, Brandon Varney, Anthony Danta, Mason Keller, Brandon Oakley, Mandy Chick, Kyle Ivey, James Kirby III, Jack Dossey III, Brett Robinson.