Jimmy Owens and Kyle Strickler crash on the Bristol Dirt track - World of Outlaws Late Model Series 3744
Wild Bristol Dirt crash for Kyle Strickler (Photos)
Shane Walters
Kyle Strickler lost a brand new race car and the point lead after a crash on the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt track
On Friday night, the Bristol Dirt Track welcomed the World of Outlaws Late Model Series along with DIRTcar UMP Modifieds. Kyle Strickler was set to compete in both divisions of the show.
View the Kyle Strickler crash photos below.
Kyle Strickler entered the event with two wins on the season. He sat at the top of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series point standings.
The driver jumped out of the gate, clocking quickest in late model hot laps. He continued, setting quick time overall in qualifying.
Kyle Strickler won heat race number three which would have placed him on the pole position for the main event. However, he was light at the scales, forcing him to a B Main.
He started at the tail of the 13 car LCQ and drove to 8th. Only the top 6 advanced. Strickler had to use a series provisional and start the main event at the tail of the field.
Kyle Strickler and Jimmy Owens crash
Jimmy Owens grabbed clean air early in the race and checked out from any driver in the 2nd position. But, by lap 5, Owens caught the tail of the field.
In dirty air, Josh Richards was closing on Owens. With dirty air on the nose of the leader, he was struggling with lap traffic.
The rough track caused headaches for many drivers in turn four. On lap 16, things got much worse for Owens.
As Owens hooked a rut, the left rear wheel came completely off. The race leader was on three wheels and the caution was out.
Owens had just put Kyle Strickler a lap down. As the wheel came off, Strickler drove right over it. That sent Strickler skyward.
The front end of the No. 8 machine was lifted completely off the ground. As Owens slowed in front of him, Strickler’s machine actually sat on the rear decklid of Owens.
Strickler was then sent into a barrel roll up the banking. The car was junked but he climbed from the machine under his own power.