ALLSTAR: Attica race report

ATTICA, OH - Byron Reed outran early leaders Kevin Huntley and Travis Rilat Saturday night at Attica Raceway Park to win the All Star Sprint Coors Nationals 40-lap feature on Sarah Fisher night. Reed, aboard his family owned Reebar Die Casting Maxim rode Hoosier Tires into victory lane.

"Once I got going in the open track I was a lot better than in traffic," Reed recalled. "I got a little more patient with the throttle and I was really good. I've got to thank my mom and dad, my wife and my father in law Jan, and Kurt Brewer who has really helped me out this year along with George Gillespie from PRO-shocks. We hit on a little different shock combination this year and it's really helped a lot."

Kevin Huntley started on the ButlerBuilt Hot Seat pole with Travis Rilat alongside. Huntley took the immediate lead with Reed second after starting third and Rilat running third ahead of Chad Kemenah. Huntley stretched his lead, running the high groove as Todd Gracey, after starting 12th, moved quickly up to fifth by the time Johnny Herrera spun for the first caution on lap seven.

It was a three car race for the lead following the restart, with Huntley leading Reed and Rilat. Rilat took second on lap ten, and dove low under Huntley to take the lead on lap 11. Two laps later Huntley rode the high groove back into the lead at the flagstand. Reed retook second from Rilat as Kemenah moved back into the battle for the lead, running a close fourth. Rilat and Kemenah then battled for third behind Huntley and Reed as Reed ducked low under Huntley to lead lap 17. Rilat and Kemenah made contact on lap 18, with Kemenah losing several positions as Rilat kept third. Two laps later Huntley moved Denny Ashworth's machine back into the lead in the high groove, but Reed retook the top spot for good on lap 20. Reed pulled away from Huntley, with Rilat third and Todd Gracey fourth. Kenny Jacobs was on the move now after starting 14th, and took over third on lap 26 ahead of Mark Keegan, Jerrod Hull and Rodney Duncan.

As Reed again maneuvered through heavy lapped traffic, Jody Keegan spun right in front of him on lap 28, with Reed narrowly avoiding disaster to keep the lead as the yellow flew. The lineup was now Reed, Huntley, Rilat, Jacobs, Keegan and Hull. Two laps later a red appeared when Jim Dayton took a nasty flip down the front stretch. Jason Johnson spun and backed into the stopped Dayton, with Kraig Kinser also involved.

Reed was once again on top when the green flew, with Rilat second and Huntley falling back in third. Jacobs took third from Huntley on lap 32, with Huntley regaining the spot one circuit later. Jacobs returned the favor the next lap, with Keegan now fourth. Kemenah rejoined the battle, with Huntley, Keegan and Kemenah three wide for the fourth spot on lap 35. Reed pulled to a half-straight lead over Rilat with Jacobs third and Kemenah passing both number 92's to take fourth at the finish.

In fifth place, Keegan earned the $100 TW Metals nightly bonus with Huntely sixth. Jerrod Hull finished seventh, winning the Team Simpson Racing Lucky Seven award ahead of Danny Smith, Ed Lynch, Jr. and Duncan. "The track was real nice tonight," Rilat said of second. "I moved my wing back near the end of the race and it helped."

"I made two horrible laps qualifying and got myself in a hole early," third place Jacobs stated. "The car was a pleasure to drive. We were a third place car tonight."

With 47 cars on hand, the K-T Equipment heat went to Jason Johnson, the JB Enterprise Racing Products heat to Greg Wilson, the Crown Battery heat to Jody Keegan and the Engler Machine & Tool heat fell to Kenny Jacobs. Nick Naber flipped in his heat and Bruce Robenalt flipped in the C, but both were okay. Brian Ellenberger won the Georgia Marketing & Promotions C Main and Travis Rilat the B Main. Byron Reed captured the Haulmark Dash. Fast time for Phil Gressman was worth $600 from sponsors Weld Racing, Ramsey Trucking, Classic Racing Products, L&L Paving and Snyder's Floor Covering.

HBO was on hand taping a special on Sarah Fisher, which will be aired at 10:00 p.m. on May 14.

-Scott Hall