WILLIAMSTON, S.C. – Brandon Lemke matched his best finish of the season with a second-place result Friday evening at Anderson Motor Speedway.
The 19-year-old, driving the No. 22 late model stock for Leicht Motorsports Driver Development, started the 50-lap event from the fourth position. An early caution flag for a car in front of him moved Lemke up to third for the restart.
Once racing resumed Lemke got back to work. He made up time during the long green-flag run, moving into second on lap 36. Lemke held the runner-up result until the checkered to score his fourth top-five finish of the season and his 10th top-10 finish.
The runner-up result allowed Lemke to unofficially move into second in the late model stock standings at the South Carolina facility. He’s also the highest ranked rookie in the late model stock car division at Anderson Motor Speedway. Point standings will be made official Tuesday.
“We’ve had some bad luck this year and we really needed a good finish and that’s what we got tonight,” Lemke said. “Between all the rain we’ve gotten plus a few incidents that were out of my control, we were really in need of a strong run and we got it tonight. The runner-up finish really felt good for everyone on the team.
“I have to thank Eugene Leicht and everyone who works at Leicht Motorsports Driver Development for their support. I also want to thank my family, Sparrow Ranch on the Island, Quickswim Inc. and MPM Marketing for all of the help. We’ve still got a few more races left this year and I think we can get this car into victory lane.”
Team owner Eugene Leicht continues to be impressed by Lemke’s performance at Anderson Motor Speedway.
“Brandon did a great job tonight,” said Leicht. “We’re excited that Brandon has moved into second in points and is the leading late model stock rookie. I’m sure he’ll be knocking down the door to victory lane before we know it.”