LAKE VIEW, S.C. – Dustin Mitchell withstood furious challenges from Willie Milliken and Christian Thomas to take the win in Saturday night’s third annual Sandra Miller Memorial for the late model class at Lake View Motor Speedway.
Mitchell was the fastest qualifier and outran Milliken and Shaun Harrell in the $600 to win Dash for Cash to start on the pole in the 19-lap main event. Mitchell jumped into the lead at the start over Milliken and Thomas. The preferred groove was down on the bottom in turns three and four as Millken and Thomas traded the second and third positions. Thomas would make a dive to the inside of Milliken on lap eight, but the two made contact sending Thomas spinning.
Following cautions for a couple of minor spins, Milliken stumbled on the restart, allowing Harrell a run on the outside. As Milliken fought for control, he and Harrell collided, resulting in Harrell spinning on the frontstretch and collecting Jeffrey Johnson and Matt Pridgen.
Mitchell continued to hold Milliken off when racing continued, while Thomas made his way back into third and in position to challenge for the win. In the end, Mitchell would take the win, increasing his haul for the night to $2,500, with Milliken following in second over Thomas, Johnny Pridgen and Dustin Perritt.
Greg Cain got the advantage over two-time winner Case Daniels and led every lap to score his first 602 Modified win of the season. Daniels finished second, in front of defending track champion, Josh Fields, Daniels, Dustin Parker, and Eric Bentley.
Points leader Ron Pope continued his Super Street domination, scoring his fourth win of the year at Lake View. With his win, the bounty for any driver that can defeat Pope increases to $500 heading into next Saturday night’s event. David Royal finished second, ahead of Benji Thompson, Michael Freeman, and Johnny Moore.
After a long dry spell, former track champion, Michael Butler, got the advantage at the start and would go on to cruise to his first Crate Racin’ USA Street Stock win of the season. On lap one, Donald Williams and Chuck Jackson collided and would both spin at the end of the frontstretch. Tom Lovette has dominated this season and was running second when his car snapped into the outside wall exiting turn four to end his night. Following Butler at the checkered flag were Ron Pope, Tim Lovette, Josh Herring, and Sam Hardee.
Jerry Johnson Jr.’s good fortune continued this year as he took advantage of the leader’s problems to win his third SCDRA Sport Compact race this year. Points leader Derek Kemper got the early lead and looked to be on the way to a win, but would fall out due to mechanical problems with six laps to go. Following Johnson at the checkered flag were Julio Cifuentes, Jr., Calvin Miller, Jason Brown, and Richard Seals.
Dustin Watkins got the lead after issues for Morghan Johnson and led the rest of the way for second Mod Lite win in-a-row. Rounding out the top five were Donovan Jackson, Steve Dunn, Jeff Bonema, and Anthony Messier.