Robbie Dean title decided tonight at Kil-Kare


AREA SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

Kil-Kare Speedway: Robbie Dean 94; NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late models, modifieds, sport stocks, compacts. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Kil-Kare Dragway: Friday Night Lightz. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Eldora Speedway: Monster Jam trucks. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30.

SATURDAY

Kil-Kare Dragway: Super Saturday. Gates open at 9 a.m., time trials at 10.

Shadybowl Speedway: Late models (non-points), modifieds, sport stocks, tuners, pro-4s, dwarfs. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing at 7.

Waynesfield Raceway Park: Jack Hewitt Classif for nonwing sprints; UMP modifieds, mini sprints. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6, racing at 7.

Edgewater Sports Park: Quick 8; super pro, pro, sportsman, motorcycles, trophy, Jr. dragster. Gates open at 2 p.m., racing at 7.

Tri-State Dragway: Deuces Wild Weekend. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., eliminations at noon.

Eldora Speedway: Monster Jam trucks. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30.

SUNDAY

Tri-State Dragway: Deuces Wild Weekend. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., eliminations at noon.

After an accident took out Justin Alsip in the second late model race of the season at Kil-Kare Speedway, the late model points championship was almost decided before it had a chance to begin.

Almost.

Alsip and the crew wrenching the No. 28 had two options: They could work around the clock to repair the late model in time for the following week’s show or forget the Kil-Kare points and race around the region.

The Germantown driver returned to Kil-Kare the following week to score the first of his five late model victories this season. He goes for number six, and attempts to close the gap on points leader Don Mahaffey of Dayton, when Kil-Kare hosts the Robbie Dean 94.

The 94-lap memorial race is the final leg in a three-race series honoring the Grove City fan favorite who competed at Kil-Kare, Shadybowl Speedway and Columbus Motor Speedway. Troy’s Greg Stapleton leads the series with a five-point lead over Mahaffey. Chad Pendleton of Columbus and Brandon Oakley of Beavercreek are both tied for third, 23 points behind. Alsip is fifth and trails by 33.

Stapleton won the first race at Shadybowl. Oakley claimed the win at Columbus.

The Robbie Dean also counts as a points race for Kil-Kare. That means Alsip has to beat a tough field of drivers to make up ground on Mahaffey. Counting tonight there are seven points races left on Kil-Kare’s schedule.

“This Friday night is the big one and that’s one I’ve had marked on my calendar for awhile,” Alsip said. “If we could get the win Friday night and still not end up getting the championship, I’d be thrilled with the season.”

While Alsip has those five wins in 11 starts, he also has a ninth-place finish after that early-season accident and a fifth. Mahaffey hasn’t finished out of the top three in his 11 starts at Kil-Kare, including his three wins. After Alsip no other driver is within 126 points of Mahaffey.

“Between me and Don, as far as being there every week, it’d be nice for one of us to win it. I’d rather it’d be me than him,” Alsip said with a good-natured laugh.

“It’s a Catch-22 for us,” Alsip said of racing for the Robbie Dean title, but also keeping the Kil-Kare points in mind. “If he has a bad night and we have a good night, then the more cars that are there that’s a good thing and vice versa. But you don’t wish bad luck on anybody. The racing between me and Don, I think that’s been some of the best racing in the area.”

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