Kres VanDyke is crushing the competition these days at Kingsport Speedway.
The driver of the red No. 15 Chevrolet rolled to his fifth straight victory and sixth of the season Friday night in the Late Model Stock feature for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. Pulling away from runner-up Bryson Dennis on a lap-34 restart, VanDyke won by a full straightaway at the end of the 60-lap feature.
VanDyke, the two-time track champion from Abingdon, Va., has been nearly unstoppable on the 3/8-mile concrete oval since former champion driver Wade Day has taken over as his crew chief.
“The car is like a dream. I’ve never had a car run like this,” VanDyke said. “Wade and I discussed a lot of set-ups and the crew has worked their tails off. Everybody is giving 110 percent effort and all these wins are for them, my parents, my wife and all the fans here. All the way around, it’s just amazing to be a part of this. I’m just along for the ride.”
It’s a fast ride for sure.
Dennis, driving the No. 6 Chevrolet, usually piloted by Hayden Woods, emerged from a hard-fought battle to finish second. He started the race on the pole before surrendering the lead to Keith Helton on lap 4. VanDyke took the top spot over 10 laps later.
Although the race was slowed by a couple of caution periods, Dennis didn’t have anything for VanDyke.
“It was anybody’s race (after) the 15. He’s in a league of his own,” Dennis said. “I feel like all the other cars are pretty close and we can race them pretty good.”
The action was wild behind them and Abingdon teenager Chase Dixon captured the third-place spot after a battle with veteran Derrick Lancaster. Dixon charged through the field after spinning out early in the race to post the strong finish.
“It was hard racing early between me and the 88 (Brad Housewright). No hard feelings about the spin, just one of those things that happens between race car drivers,” Dixon said. “It knocked the tow out a little bit, but I’m thankful to come out of here in one piece. It was good, hard racing with everybody.”
Lancaster held on for fourth and North Carolina teenager Ashton Higgins rounded out the top-5.
RESULTS
- Kres VanDyke #15
- Bryson Dennis #6
- Chase Dixon #07
- Derrick Lancaster #25
- Ashton Higgins #9
- Wayne Hale #19
- Nik Williams #32
- Keith Helton #97
- Rick Pannell #33
- Robbie Henry #11
- Brad Housewright #88
- Matt Smith #27
- Chris Tunnell #57
- Royce Peters #38
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