KALISPELL, Mont. (August 24, 2011)-With just two races left in the chase for the 2011 Kalispell Toyota Late Model Series championship, all eyes will be on current points leader Cameron Hayley and his closest challenger-Ryan Wells-as the stars of Montana Raceway Park’s premier division prepare for the NAPA 125 Late Model Shootout to held Saturday, Aug. 27.
Both drivers scored top-2 finishes in the Aug. 13 Best of the West Tundra 125 with Hayley passing Wells late in the race for the victory. The pass netted Hayley the top spot in the championship chase by a mere 18 points over Wells with only two races remaining in the season.
Wells scored the Cold Smoke Fast Time Award at the Aug. 13 race and appeared to have the car to beat for the victory, but admits that being in front of the field may not have worked to his advantage.
“We came into the race saying we were going to drive the wheels off the car and get out front and we did just that. But in looking back at it going balls to the wall may have used up the tires and allowed (Hayley) to get around us there in the end,” Wells said.
“We’ll regroup and give’em hell at the (NAPA 12) that’s for sure.”
Hayley will also have to contend with a stellar field of entries this weekend if he hopes to maintain the championship lead. Heading the line-up will be David Garber, Mark Owens and defending series champion Bodie Morton as all three drivers are separated by 11 points in positions third through fifth in the standings with Morton only 46 points out of first place.