Roahrig Dominates Elliott Classic

Roahrig Dominates Elliott Classic

By Ken de la Bastide

ANDERSON, IN – For the fourth time in eight races conducted by the 500 Sprint Car Tour, Tyler Roahrig pulled into the winner's circle.

Roahrig would be in a strong position to contend for the championship, but missed the race at Salem Speedway.

Roahrig sent fast time Saturday at Anderson Speedway for the 10th running of the Tony Elliott Classic.

The Plymouth, IN, driver posted the fast time around the hgih banked quarter-mile oval with a lap of 11.131-seconds followed by Jackson Macenko and Kody Swanson.

With no inversion for the start, Roahrig jumped into the lead chased by Macenko and Swanson.

Swanson was able to move into the second spot when Macenko was slowed by lapped traffic on the 12th circuit.

Point leader Dakoda Armstrong moved into the fourth position after 20 circuits with an inside pass of Derek Bischak.

The race was slowed twice on lap 39 for spins by Rylan Gray and Colin Grissom. But Roahrig was able to maintain the lead over Swanson with Macenko being pressed by Armstrong with Chris Neuenschwander running in fifth.

There was a debris caution on lap 52 and the lower caution flag waved on lap 77 for a Grissom spin in turn two.

Despite the restarts Roahrig was able to maintain his advantage over Swanson winning by 2-seconds with Macenko, Armstrong and Neuenschwander rounding out the top five.

It was Roahrig's fourth victory in the Tony Elliott Classic.

“My car was good, I thought it could have been better,” Roahrig said after the victory. “We put the car on the pole and was able to get through lapped traffic.”

Roahrig said finally something went his way at Anderson Speedway which hosted the Little 500 in May and the Glen Niebel Classic in April. He finished 18th in the Little 500 and fourth in the Niebel Classic.

Swanson said restarts and Roahrig took advantage of the opportunity to remain on the point.

“I want to win a race for these guys,” Swanson said the Nick Bohanon led team. “The team has worked really hard. We didn't finish in victory lane, but we gave it our best.”

Macenko, looking for his first win with the 500 Sprint Car Tour said his car was tight in the corners and needed to be a little freer on exit.

“I couldn't run as high as I wanted and had to stay low to protect my position,” he said. “We had a fast car in the final 25 laps, just needed a little bit more.”

The season concludes on Oct. 18 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.