Desoto Speedway | Sport Allen rallies from back of the field to win sprint feature
EAST MANATEE -- Sport Allen has accomplished a lot during his sprint car racing career, including wins on dirt and asphalt.
One thing Allen had never done before was come from the back of the field twice for a victory. He can now add that particular accomplishment to his list of accolades after recovering from two early spins and taking Saturday night's 40-lap Winged Sprint Car feature at Desoto Speedway.
"I was probably driving like a maniac and hopefully I didn't put anyone in danger," Allen said of his charges through the field. "When I get mad, I turn into a different driver."
There was no way Allen would be denied. He pulled out to a straightaway lead in less than three laps and cruised to the victory.
"I was extremely, extremely jealous when I saw Troy DeCaire come from last to first here last year," Allen said, referring to Decaire's drive from 27th to first in a TBARA race at Desoto last fall. "I saw him running up the top and keeping it in the gas and make three lanes around the track. I think I had a little of his skill with me tonight."
Teate finished second, with Scott Adema, Dave Retzlaff and Ernie Teed rounding out the top five. Joey Aguilar's car fell off the pace with two laps to go, resulting in a sixth-place finish.
In the LKQ Pick Your Part Pure Stocks 25-lap feature, a fiery accident took place involving the cars of Brad Tindal, Kyle Best and James Widner. Fire engulfed Tindal's and Best's cars, but all three drivers were able to escape the inferno without serious injury.
When racing resumed, it was Donny Funk who edged Best in a photo finish. Hillyer finished third. The 29 of Funk was disqualified in tech giving the win to Best, Hillyer second and Dean Butrum third place.
Bobby Mobley survived a challenge from Jonathan Heidenthal and Mike Karrivan in the 25-lap Take Aim Gun Range Street Stock feature and cruised to the victory. Karrivan finished second after a battle with Heidenthal over the final laps.
In other action Saturday night, Aaron Williamson kicked off the Sportsman season by leading from green to checker in the 40-lap feature event; Lee Davis survived a last-lap battle with Travis Barfield to win the 25-lap Modified Mini feature; and Dean Butrum won the 25-lap Bomber feature.
Pro Late Models, Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, Rookie 4s, Mini Stocks and the new 4-cylinder/V6 Strictly Stock class will be in action Saturday night at Desoto Speedway.
This story was originally published March 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Desoto Speedway | Sport Allen rallies from back of the field to win sprint feature."