9/7/2018
Silver Dollar Speedway
Eliason Wins Platinum Cup
Cory Eliason Wins Inaugural Platinum Cup
BY: Troy Hennig
(Chico, CA) 9/6/18…Kingsburg sprint car driver Cory Eliason piloted the McCollochs RV Repair No. 17 to the win during the 30-lap Platinum Cup main event Thursday night at Silver Dollar Speedway. Eliason picked up his second career win at Silver Dollar Speedway. His first win came in 2016.
Forty-six-winged sprint cars entered the second night of the Gold Cup. The 30-lap main event saw Jace Vander Weerd jump out to the early lead. On the third lap Tim Kaeding passed Vander Weerd for the top spot. Eighth place starting Kyle Larson quickly jumped into the third spot by lap seven. Unfortunately, five laps later, Larson tried to avoid a spinning car and clipped the curb in turn four that sent his car upside down. The red was needed. Larson was uninjured but done for the night.
On the ensuing restart, Eliason moved into the second spot and one lap later passed Kaeding for the lead. While the top two never changed the next 15 laps, behind them third on back was never settled until the final laps. Vander Weerd was trying to hold off a charging Tanner Thorson for third. On lap 17 Thorson drove around Vander Weerd. Two laps later, Thorson missed his line, and this allowed Vander Weerd back around. Thorson’s night ended on lap 25 when he pulled off the track and went back to the pits.
Bud Kaeding had earned the hard charger award the night before. During this main event, he was rocketing towards the front again after starting in the tenth position. Kaeding had maneuvered himself around Vander Weerd for third place on lap 23. Kaeding began to close in on brother Tim during the final five laps. Eliason was smooth up front. Neither of the Kaeding’s were close enough to challenge Eliason for the win. At the finish line it was Eliason, Tim Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Vander Weerd and Sanders.
Chase Johnson started 20th and finished sixth. An incredible drive for the VSR Motorsports No. 5v. Johnson beat 15th place starting Chelsea Blevins for the sixth spot. In fact, the two swapped positions the last three laps. Blevins came home seventh. Kalib Henry roared through the field and finished eighth. Colby Copeland finished ninth. Jodie Robinson rounded out the top ten.
Michael Ing won the 12-lap B main event. Ing started fourth and led the final seven laps. Colby Johnson, John Clark and Chase Johnson followed Ing into the main event.
The Menne Hay Ranch, Inc./Withrows Motorsports dash for cash saw Eliason win the race and pick up an extra $500. Thorson ran second followed by Tony Gualda. Gualda was running fifth in the main event until lap 18 when he slowed to a stop on the track.
Cody Smith led all 10 laps to win the C main event. Jimmy Stewart finished second and transferred to the B main.
All four heat race winners earned the right to start in the first two rows of the upcoming main event. Winners included Vander Weerd, Tim Kaeding, Jodie Robinson and Justin Sanders.
Gualda turned the nights fastest lap at a 12.680. Larson was second quick followed by Thorson.
Full Results available at https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/1586895
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