Smith First Repeat Winner in Badger

By Bryan Gapinski
Beaver Dam, Wis., July 17--- Australian Matt Smith became the first repeat winner of the season capturing The Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series 20-lap feature Saturday Night at Beaver Dam Raceway. Smith's victory also ended a record streak of thirteen consecutive different feature winners in the last thirteen races dating back to August 2009.

Smith took the lead on the opening lap, from the outside front row starting position. On the second lap second and third place running Mike Hess and Daniel Robison made contact causing an accident which involved the next three position cars, with Davey Ray flipping, escaping injury.

On the restart Smith quickly opened up an advantage over the field. Hess who restarted in ninth position quickly moved through the field and into second place on lap 6. With both drivers running the cushion Hess began cutting into Smith's straightaway advantage. Hess closed to within two car lengths with five laps remaining. One lap later Smith became trapped behind several lapped cars, allowing Hess to challenge for the lead.

Hess took advantage of lapped cars to lead exiting Turn 4 on Lap 17. Less than one lap later Smith regained the lead. Smith, driving the Steve Smith owned Triple XXX/Hawk-Chevrolet No.1, held off Hess on the final lap to score a one-car length victory. Brandon Waelti, Daniel Robinson and David Budres completed the top five. Hess now holds a 143-point lead over Scott Hatton heading into the July 31 event at Beaver Dam Raceway.