Camargo, IL (5-23-09) by Kelly Brown - Public Relations Director – In racing terms 2 years is an eternity. Before tonight it had been almost two years since Danny Smith last visited Victory Lane in O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions competition, but that streak ended tonight as he celebrated his 29th career win at Fremont Speedway. 

On paper it may seem as if Danny Smith had an easy night after recording quick time and starting from the pole position, but the truth is it was a hard fought win for the 410 sprint car veteran. For him it took all the experience he had to maneuver through the traffic and the challenges he encountered tonight. 

On the drop of the Green Flag Smith took control of the event with Dave Harrison and Jody Keegan in his tire tracks. Jacobs would move into third on lap three, while Mayes stayed right on Smith's rear bumper .The first caution would fly on Lap 6 for a scuffle between Mike Linder and Phil Gressman in Turn 3. After the duo of spins Gressman was able to continue on, but the contact would end Linder’s night. 

Smith continued from that point with Mayes continuing his pursuit of the 4 car, but with a clear race track in front of him Smith opened up a big lead. Mayes and Jacobs were left to battle it out for the second position. Smith encountered lapped traffic on the 13th lap. Jacobs used the opportunity to apply pressure while Mayes and Shaffer battled for third. Smith and Jacobs would race side-by-side, making bold moves in traffic over the next portion of the race. Mayes would get to Smith's rear bumper by the 23rd lap as the two raced hard among the lapped machines. 

The final caution period of the night happened with 5 laps to go. The w20 of Greg Wilson slowed on track when his engine failed and was unable to pull off the course before the Yellow Flag flew. When the Green Flag was unfurled again it was Smith with Mayes, Tim Shaffer, and Lee Jacobs battling for position. At that point Jacobs changed his line and went to the top. This turned out to be an imperative move as he was able to make his way up to second before the Checkered Flag flew. It was Smith who would take it first with Jacobs, Mayes, Shaffer, and Dale Blaney, who started 14^th rounding out the top-five.  

This was Smith’s third win at Freemont Speedway. His first came in 2000 when he won an All Star event, and his last came in weekly competition at Fremont in 2003. The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions will be back on track next week at Eldora Speedway on Saturday, May 30. For the most up to date information on the All Star Circuit of Champions bookmark www.allstarsprint.com on your computer.   

Top Three Quotes  

First Place Danny Smith - "This was an old man's track tonight, I ran the bottom. We ran a set-up I haven't ran for 20 years and it worked...it just goes to show you that anything is possible.” 

Second Place Lee Jacobs – "I screwed up in lapped traffic...lapped traffic really hurt us. I think we had the car to beat. On that last caution I saw Andy (Potter, crew chief) on the back stretch telling me to get my butt to the top and it was a kind of a last desperation move. I pulled my wing back and it really went around there well. I wish this was a 50-lap race...might have had something for them. I wonder how many times you have to run second in one of these All Star shows before you get to win one. I've got to be getting close." 

Third Place Brock Mayes - "Danny was running where everyone wanted to. I wanted to move up on that  
last caution, but my front wing broke with about 15 laps to go and it was a handful. I wanted to try what Lee did...I didn't come here to run second.  I wanted to let it rip and it was going to be the win or the soft wall. I just didn't feel comfortable when it broke. I started blocking the last 10 laps...because that front wing made it hard to drive. Before that happened I was licking my lips...thought we had 'em.” 

Kistler Engines Qualifying

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