(Photos by Terry Ford and A to Z Photography)
CALIFORNIA, Mo. – Coming after numerous tries since late 2014, Kameron Key and the Waters Motorsports team were able to break through for their first victory at Double-X Speedway on Sunday night. After two runner-up finishes the past two weeks, Key improved one position to earn the checkered flag.
Before the assault on Double-X, the Warrensburg, Mo. driver was behind the wheel of the Helm Racing No. 12 for the second consecutive Saturday. This time at Valley Speedway just east of Kansas City, Key was among 19 drivers that signed in to compete in the nonwing sprint car division. From the tail of heat one, he powered forward three positions to a fourth-place result.
That heat finish put Key starting outside row four for the 25-lap main event. With the track still retaining a fair amount of moisture, Key’s ride was quick at the start, moving up as far as sixth in the opening laps. However, as the track began to dry out, the Wesmar-powered Eagle Chassis was losing grip. With the loose handling conditions, Key started to slip backward and ultimately finished in the ninth position.
On Sunday night at Double-X, a quarter-mile oval in California, Mo., Key would be starting the lone seven-car heat race from outside row three. The high-speed track let the Waters Motorsports No. 7jr’s NPS Suzuki engine eat, and Key raced forward to finish in second in six short laps.
A heads-up format and just one heat race meant that the starting lineup for the 12-lap feature would be identical to the heat finishing order. Key used his front-row position to battle for the lead on the start; unable to take the lead on lap one, he instead roared past the leader in turn two on the second circuit. For the next seven laps, Key built a full straightaway advantage, but a yellow flag negated the margin with nine laps complete. The restart gave the field one last attempt at Key, but he quickly drove away for the final quarter of the race to park the MRP Chassis in the winner’s circle.
Key would like to thank Everyday Energy, Bybee Lawn Care, and Mach 1 Chassis, as well as his family and all of his fans for their continued support.
Key is next scheduled to compete on May 28 at Sweet Springs (Mo.) Motorsports Complex and on May 29 at Double-X Speedway in the Waters Motorsports No. 7JR 600cc micro sprint entry.
Quick Results
May 21 – Grain Valley , MO – 410ci Wingless Sprint – Heat: 4th (7); Feature: 9th (8)
May 22 – California, MO – 600cc Micro Sprint – Heat: 2nd (6); Feature: 1st (2)
2016 Stats
14 races, 13 features, 2 wins, 6 podiums, 7 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 3 DNFs
Social Media
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kameronkey_21
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kameron.key.9
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kameronkey_21