BARBOURSVILLE, WV :: Jake Keaton made his first trip to Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn, VA a memorable one on Saturday night by clocking the fastest lap in qualifying and winning one of two Late Model features.
Keaton was the fastest qualifier on the day. The track sets the field for the first race by the first lap and the second race by the second lap after the pole winners roll a dice to determine what the invert will be. Keaton won the pole for the second race and rolled a two on the dice, moving him to a second place starting spot. There was no invert for the first race when the pole sitter for that race rolled a one on the dice, which he started third in. He battled a tight handling racecar in the first race, managing to finish in second.
“We were great all day,” said Keaton. “We were really fast in practice and qualifying. We were the overall fastest qualifier. I started third and got up to second in the first race. I got out front in the restarts and led a couple laps but the car was just too tight.”
Keaton started second in the second race and rocketed to the lead on the first lap, leading the race wire-to-wire to bring home the victory, his second Late Model Stock Car victory of the season and his first at Lonesome Pine Raceway.
“The car was good in the race. We were tight in the center. We got out front on the first lap, led every lap and won it. Next time out, if we can get the tightness out, we can be pretty good.”
Keaton does intend to return to Lonesome Pine Raceway. His next race will either be on July 27th at Motor Mile Speedway or August 3rd at Lonesome Pine Raceway.
