It proved to be the King and King show in the NeSmith Dirt Late Models class on Saturday night at the 411 Motor Speedway as these two unrelated drivers each scored wins in that division’s double features. Track owner Mitch McCarter opted for the twin 15-lap features for these crate engine machines in order to give drivers an opportunity to earn more points in the series’ national standings.
Entering this final night of points racing at 411, Ryan King and 2013 track champion Rusty Ballenger were tied for the lead in the standings.
Each car was given two laps of qualifying with the first of those circuits setting the lineup for the first NeSmith feature and second lap establishing the second race’s starting grid.
Chase King won the first NeSmith Late Models feature on Saturday night.
Ryan King posted the quick lap for the first feature when he toured the 3/8 mile clay oval in a time of 14.141 seconds. Just behind King in qualifying was Chase King, Brad Seagle, Rusty Ballenger and Marty Calloway.
At the start of the first feature, Chase King went to the lead from his outside front row starting spot with Ryan King and Ballenger just behind. Soon, however, the top-2 separated themselves from the pack in a race that would run caution free.
On virtually every lap, Ryan King took the low line against Chase King’s middle lane to challenge for the top spot on the leader board. But Chase would hold Ryan back at every turn.
On lap 12, the leaders caught slower traffic as they exited turn 4. Chase went low to move around the soon to be lapped machine while Ryan went even lower. The cars passed under the flag stand in three-wide formation but Chase was able to stave off the challenge when the cars hit turn one.
At the point, the outcome had been determined.
At the finish of the first feature it was Chase King winning out over Ryan King, Rusty Ballenger, Brad Seagle and Marty Calloway.
Ryan King won the second feature for the NeSmith Late Models and earned the track championship in so doing.
Ryan King also posted the fastest second lap in qualifying which gave him the pole for the second of the two NeSmith features. His time on the second lap was 13.960 seconds. He was followed by Rusty Ballenger, Chase King, Marty Calloway and Cruze Skinner.
This time, King would not be denied at the start of the feature as he won the race to turn one to establish himself as the early leader. From that point in the caution free event, the #30 car drew away from the pack and maintained a relatively comfortable margin throughout the duration of the race.
Ballenger found himself having to beat back the challenges of Calloway and Chase King as the laps ticked away.
At the finish of feature # 2, it was Ryan King taking the checkered flag ahead of Rusty Ballenger, Marty Calloway, Chase King and Brad Seagle.
As a result of the two finishes, Ryan King won the 2014 track championship at the 411 Motor Speedway.
