August 29, 2015; LaSalle, IL – It was fitting that the completely unpredictable nature of the Bill Waite Jr. Memorial Night played into a dramatic last lap pass for victory. In a program challenged by weather a solid turnout of fans would witness Roger Crockett of Medford, Oregon ambush Brad Loyet of Sunset Hills, MIssouri with less than two laps to go in the 30 lap headliner.

With $4,000 on the line Crockett used lapped traffic, and a daring three wide outside pass to steal the lead from Loyett, and then fend off Loyet’s attacks the final circuit to capture the contest. Jeremy Schultz nailed down the final podium spot eight car lengths back .

Crockett, a multi-time ASCS Northwest champion, and a winner on the World of Outlaws tour drove the potent Hans Lien owned machine often wheeled by seven-time IRA champion. No stranger to dramatic finishes Crockett had won his first career World of Outlaw’s win last season after blowing a tire in the final turns and holding on for victory.

A field of 24 drivers accepted the green flag for the 30-lap Bill Waite Jr. Memorial A-main with polesitter Kody Kinser, a second cousin to the legendary Steve Kinser taking the opening lead. Fellow front row starter, and Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Marten quickly dropped back in the field.

Loyet found himself in the second spot, and had started to pressure Kinder for the lead when the race was halted for a grinding end over end flip by the evening’s fast qualifier Parker Price Miller on lap three. Miller had slammed the wall in turn one while running the high side tumbling several times before coming to a halt in turn two. He was able to be assisted from his car and was checked out at the track otherwise unhurt. Miller, who had a very fast car, won the B-main with a dramatic last lap pass.

Only two more laps went in the books when Trey Datweiler spun standing his car on end. His errant machine was unable to be avoided by Scott Uttech, and the impact resulted in heavy damage to both machines. Both drivers were unhurt in the second red flag incident of the event.

Action resumed with Kinser again showing the way and heavy pressure being applied by Loyet. Schultz ran solidly just behind the leaders in third followed by Scott Neitzel.

Deep in the field Crockett was charging from his 12th place starting spot reaching the top five by lap eight. He then maneuvered past Neitzel for the fourth position before the tenth circuit.

Out front Kinser had his hands full with Loyet as the leaders worked lapped machines. A miscue among lapped cars would involve Kinser dropping him from the lead when he spun in turn four on lap 12. The resulting caution was the final slowdown of the contest.

This put Loyet in the lead for the restart, and he quickly pulled away from the field as the green flag fell. Schultz was able to give chase from the second spot having to both fend off Crockett while trying to figure out how to close on Loyet.

Loyet was able to break away as the final ten laps arrived, and Schultz was no longer able to fend off Crockett who made is way into second with four laps to go.

Darting in and out of lapped machines Crockett quickly closed on Loyet, and with two laps to go he made a maneuver to the high side of both Loyet, and lapped car in turn two. Running in “no mans land” Crockett was able to maintain control of his car and power past both drivers with the lead taking the white flag in the top spot. Loyet attempted to go low in the next set of turns but was unable to find momentum to retake the lead. Crockett made it to the checker first by less than a car length. Loyet had to settle for second followed by Schultz.

Logan Forler had methodically chased the leaders all evening, and worked into the fourth spot near the mid-portion of the contest capping a solid night of racing.

Fifth place swapped hands between Blake Nimee, and Scotty Thiel on several occasions with Thiel gaining the upper hand during the final laps of the event to earn fifth. Nimee garnered the sixth spot followed by Neitzel. Marten finished best among the Rookie of the Year contenders with an eighth place performance. Wayne Modjeski, and Phillip Mock completed the top ten.

17 of the 24 starters were still running at the finish.

An impressive 20 car field fought for the final transfer spots in the B-main which ran 15 laps. Parker Price Miller made a surprise last lap pass on Crockett for the victory. Both drivers had difficulty passing in their heats but were in prime form in both main events. A.J. Bruns, and Todd King finished third and fourth respectively to make the show. Russel Borland made several attempts to wrestle the final transfer spot from King but had to settle for fifth and was the first alternate for the main event.

Heat races were captured by Modjeski, Forler, Paul Neinhiser and Thiel.
40 cars attempted to qualify in this evening with Price Miller sitting atop the standings with a blistering lap of 11.398 seconds. Crockett was second quick with a 11.403 second effort and King making the most of his limited appearances this year turned in an impressive third quick with a lap of 11.439 seconds.