(Salem IN July 18, 2018) – Justin Ball was just in time. The Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series veteran shook off the ghosts of past feature races to win his first ever A-Main Saturday night at Salem Speedway.
"It's been a long time coming!" Ball (#17) said. "I can finally put a rest to (Bandit announcer) Adam Otwell's question of ‘Is tonight going to be the night?' Well, Adam, tonight's the night!"
Ball held off current points leader Ricky Rude (#14), who finished second.
"I've still got a truck I can load on the trailer under its own power. That's a win!" Rude said. "Congrats to ‘Boost' (Ball). I'm really proud of him."
A caution flag on lap 15 led to an exciting finish between Ball, Rude and Mike Morgan (#88).
"We just kept passing people and passing people," Morgan said. "I'm feeling great at this point in the season."
Morgan also battled Ball in the finals of the Bandit Shoot Out, where ‘Boost' successfully defended his title. A young man named Camden drew Ball's number prior to the Shoot Out, meaning Camden picked up a $100 bill for the win. Word on the street says Camden is saving the cash for a Corvette.
The Bandits head to La Crosse Speedway on Saturday, July 28th . Less than 24 hours later, they'll be at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids to finish June's event postponed by severe weather.
"It's going to be a long but fun weekend," Bandit General Manager Jason Johnson said. "Who knows what the standings will look like in two weeks? A lot is on the line with two features races to be decided in one weekend."
Tickets for both events can be purchased online. Just $5 gets fans in the door at Hawkeye Downs.
"We'll be running the challenge races as well as the A-Main feature in Cedar Rapids," Bandit General Manager Jason Johnson said. "Fans who were there back in June can bring their tickets to the gate and get in free."
