"Old Man" grabs his first win

PANDORA, Oh. — As American race fans return to tracks nationwide, the Trailway began it's 2020 season with its first race of the year, the Taco Bell 200 presented by Bill Griffith Racing. On a hot and sunny afternoon, track crews began their work on a track desperate to see cars. Rumors circulated that Governor DeWine might send in the national guard if social distancing measures were not followed, but no troops were spotted by the speedway's surveillance drone.

As qualifying got underway, it became apparent that the racers were eager to go. However, many new rookies struggled to find speed in a track that rapidly lost grip due to moisture leaving the track. Track owner Drew Meyer was the lone car to break the 13 second bracket, with lap times of 13.944 and 13.939 seconds. He declined to participate in the rest of the night's events, citing concerns about the competitive balance of the sport. "It just ain't fair to the rest of these guys, I can practice out here whenever I want", said Meyer. Matthew Hermiller was the next fastest qualifier, with a 14.204 second lap time.

Starting outside Row 1 in his heat race, "Old Man" Don Haley knew he had his work cut out for him. To complicate matters, Haley blew a brake line in his No. 3 car and had to switch to a backup car (the No. 32 car, qualified by Drew Meyer). All was well though, as Haley was able to work the top side of the track to get around Matthew Hermiller in Turns 1 and 2 well enough to establish a lead and never look back. 2019 track champion Jimmy O'Berry picked up where he left off last year with a Heat 2 win, and Lee Fackler picked up his first ever heat race win in Heat 3.

Garage rumors abounded before the 20 lap feature, with many saying that the polesitter Haley's car might not make it to the finish. This was somewhat a legacy of previous racing seasons, with Haley having several strong runs in feature events only to cut a tire or overheat the engine. That would not be the case today, though, as Haley found just enough in the No. 32 car to grab the first win of his career at Putnam International Trailway. "I finally won one of these things!" he said in his post race interview with the Voice of 7L. As the sun set on the banks of the Cranberry Creek, Haley hoisted the taco trophy, donated by Bill Griffith Racing, to a crowd estimated at two hundred people.

Haley will look to build on his victory at the upcoming Old Milwaukee 30 and Mama Selitas Jalapeño Ketchup 50, which will be held on June 26th and 27th. This will be Putnam International Trailway's first ever doubleheader weekend, as they look to get caught up on racing after statewide lockdowns.

Full race results can be found at the 2020 Taco Bell 200 Results site.