Henson captures first win of season at XX-Speedway

At center is Derek Henson, Russellville, celebrating his feature win in the Street Stock Division with pit crew members including brother Cole Henson, at Derek's right, and friends Sunday night at the Double-X Speedway.
At center is Derek Henson, Russellville, celebrating his feature win in the Street Stock Division with pit crew members including brother Cole Henson, at Derek's right, and friends Sunday night at the Double-X Speedway.

Night number two of the 2013 racing season was fast-paced and full of excitement Sunday at the Double-X Speedway. With lightning in the western sky, Sunday Night Thunder saw close racing and exciting finishes.

The Street Stock feature saw defending point champion Derek Henson, Russellville, with an early lead, however, former track champion Harlan "Boy" Dowell, Tipton, gave Henson a run for his money as he challenged him on several laps and turns. Henson ultimately edged Dowell out to capture his first victory of 2013 at Double-X. Dowell finished second, while Curt Turpin, Jefferson City, placed third, Dylan Bias, Centertown, claimed fourth, and last week's feature winner Andrew Roark, Henley, finished fifth. The heat race victory was claimed by Henson. Point leaders are Roark, 174; Henson, 172; Turpin, 164; Keeth Strange, 92; and Joe Miller, 91.

When the 360 Winged Sprints took to the track, the field was led to the green by heat race winners Taylor Walton, Warrensburg, and California's Tyler Blank. Both had very convincing wins in their respective heat races and Walton was still riding high after claiming a non-winged feature win the night before, Saturday.

Blank moved out to a comfortable lead with Walton and Cody Baker, Lone Jack, in tow. Meanwhile, Bryan Grimes, Slater, and Kevin Whitworth, Ozark, were having a good battle for fifth place in the field, and California's Evan Martin joined in the fray. Grimes worked the bottom groove to get by Walton for second place on Lap 19 and moved by Blank to take the lead on Lap 23. Grimes led the remaining two laps to capture the win. Blank claimed second, while Martin finished third and TJ Muths, Sedalia, came in fourth. Whitworth finished fifth. The top five point leaders are Blank, 184; Grimes, 166; Martin, 160; Clarksburg's Lanny Carpenter, 138; and Baker, 136.

The 600cc Micro Sprints were again on the card and Columbia's Dean Hathman claimed his second feature win of 2013 at the Double-X. Cole Campbell, Mexico, took second place, while Corey Nelson, Eugene, finished third. Jefferson City's Kyle Schlotz and Ryan Marsch placed fourth and fifth, respectively. The heat race was claimed by Hathman.

The Hobby Stock feature event saw last week's feature winner Seth Jacobs, Centertown, take the lead early, with Chuck Coffey, Windsor, and Sedalia's Will Register right on his bumper. Jacobs would continue to lead until Lap 10, when Register moved to the point and would not be headed. Jacobs finished second, with Coffey finishing third. California's AJ Wirts and Kurtis Pace finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Point leaders are Jacobs, 186; Wirts and Coffey, 174; Register, 160; and Mike Schrader, 152.

Sunday night will feature the annual Tribute to Jesse Hockett as the ASCS Warrior stars will take to the track with the Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks. The Mid America Lightning Sprints will also join the competition. Gates will open at 5 p.m. with hot laps to begin at 7 p.m. and racing to follow at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.xxspeedway.com or like Double-X Speedway on Facebook.