What won the race: Second-starting Eli Beets of Knoxville, Tenn., led all 40 laps Saturday at Lake Cumberland Speedway to capture his second straight Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series feature. He pocketed $5,031 in winning the fifth annual Johnny Wheeler Memorial.
Key notes: The first-year Super Late Model driver picked up his second career open-motor victory, taking the checkers 2.986 seconds ahead of Campbellsville, Ky.'s Justin Rattliff. ... Despite being involved in an early caution, eighth-starting Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky. rounded out the podium while polesitter Stacy Boles of Clinton, Tenn., placed fourth. ... Shane Bailey, Kenny Cobble and Brady Lear were eliminated in a turn-two tangle on the first lap. ... A four-car pileup on the second lap included Chilton, Kirk Phillips, Dakotah Knuckles and Shane Irvin, who was eliminated. ... The event honored the second-generation racer from Campbellsville, Ky., who died May 29, 2018. A champion at a number of Kentucky tracks, including Lake Cumberland, Wheeler was also a six-time Battle of the Bluegrass winner.
On the move: Camaron Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., started 17th and finished sixth.
Winner's sponsors: Beets drives a Capital Race Car powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by TMC Transportation, C&C Specialized and Hoosier Tire South.
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 17
Fast qualifier: Stacy Boles
Time: 13.293 seconds
Polesitter: Stacy Boles
Heat race winners: Stacy Boles, Eli Beets, , , , ,
Next series race: May 30, 411 Motor Speedway (Seymour, TN) $10,052