PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Kalib Henry battled his way to the lead and fended off a late-race challenge from Shane Hopkins and Ryan Robinson en route to his third sprint car victory at Placerville Speedway on Saturday night.
Henry’s triumph in the Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Car feature came aboard the always potent McColloch RV Repair and Storage No. 17 machine.
Early on in the sprint car feature it was J.J. Hickle who held command over the field at the helm of the Worden Family No. 63 mount. Track prep had taken place prior to the start of the 25-lap main event and gave a multi-groove surface to competitors, which lent to some fantastic racing all through the pack. Henry pressured Hickle from the outset, before blasting into the lead on lap-eight. Even though caution flags over the opening stages kept drivers out of traffic the action remained intense.
Hopkins worked the bottom side of the speedway to perfection and carved his way into second while having an entertaining race with Robinson. As the laps wound down the top-three closed up and put on an exciting show right down to the end for everyone watching on Flo Racing. Henry hit his marks and held off all challengers to cross the checkered flag for the victory over Hopkins, Robinson, Hickle and Chase Majdic.
Sharing victory lane with Henry at the Prelude to the Forni were Dan Jinkerson with the limited late models, Les Friend in the pure stocks, Mike Miller in the mini trucks and Joel Hannagan with the vintage hard tops.