Ryan Wells started on the pole for the Tundra 125 and held the point through the race’s first circuit before giving way to Gary Lewis. The lead would be brief as Wells went to the low side of Lewis exiting turn No. 2 and retook the top position in the running order on lap 12.
Hayley steadily made his way to the front of the field and held the runner-up position by lap 90. From there the Calgary, Alberta native and new series points leader stalked Wells to lap 104 before taking over the lead entering turn No. 1. Surviving two late race restarts, Hayley earned his first career late model victory at Montana Raceway Park and became the youngest winner in series history.
Earlier in the evening Hayley made NASCAR K&N Pro Series history by becoming the youngest driver to start a series event. Driving for Bill McAnally Racing, Hayley earned a second-place finish to Kwasniewski in the final NASCAR running order.
“What an incredible night,” Hayley said from the Best in the West Tundra 125 victory lane. “We came into this race without our best motor and had to put in the crate engine and (crew chief) Grant Edwards gave me a set-up that worked well. I had some doubts about how the car would respond by I have to thank my crew, my Dad, the fans and everyone who got behind me tonight to be part of this victory. We took over the points lead and now we need to keep chasing that championship in the final two races of the season.”
Wells knew that the hard racing early on in the event may have upset the balance of his race car.
“We drove it pretty hard like we’d said we were going to do at the beginning of the race and Cameron came on there at the end really strong. He earned a great win tonight and we’ll come back here in a few weeks and keep on pushing for one of those checkered flags.”
Lewis was all smiles in his second start of the season at Montana Raceway Park.
“This is a brand new car and we’re still working out the kinks,” he said. “At the Montana 200 we fought a loose condition and tonight it was just the opposite as she went tight there early on. We’re going to keep working on it and the potential of this car is really good.”
Saturday’s Rumble in the Rockies also featured a visit from two-time Daytona 500 champion, Michael Waltrip who thrilled the fans with a run as high as second place before dropping back to seventh in the final NASCAR K&N Pro Series running order.
Greg Pursley earned the Coors Light Pole Award in NASCAR K&N Pro Series quaoifying and held the point in the races first 51 laps. Kwasniewski took the lead from his teammate on lap 52 and never looked back en route to the victory.