Stratton tops POWRi/Badger Opener

By Bryan Gapinski
Lincoln, Ill., April 22-California's Danny Stratton avoided trouble and worked his way through the field to win the 25-lap O'Reilly-POWRi & Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned event at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday Night.
After two false starts for spun cars, Ricky Steinhouse moved under polesitter Jimi Quin to lead the opening laps before the first caution appeared on lap five for Harley Slotten's stalled car on the backstretch. On the restart Steinhouse led Brad Loyet and Brad Kuhn. 
After starting ninth Stratton moved in the top five for the first time on the eighth lap, and then into fourth place after a Teddy Beach spin one lap later. Stratton passed Kuhn on the restart for third place, while Steinhouse making only his third career midget start held off a determined Loyet for the lead.
On the 16th lap Steinhouse clipped the infield burm entering turn one, allowing Loyet to take the lead with Stratton and Kuhn closely following. Two laps later Stratton got a charge off of turn two to pass Loyet for the lead. The events final caution appeared one lap later, bunching up the field. On the restart Stratton easily pulled away from Loyet and Kuhn who waged a torrid battle for second the remainder of the event.
Stratton driving the Han Lein Spike-Esslinger finished 1.82 seconds ahead of Loyet, Kuhn, Steinhouse and ARDC Midget Champion Ray Bull. The victory was worth $2,000 to Stratton. A total of 47 cars participated in the event. Steve Knepper and Jason Dull escaped injury in a double-flip during the first heat race. 

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