PC: 357 Studios/357's World of Dirt
Tonight is night one of the Showdown in Bean Town at Wayne County Speedway (IL). The event is featuring $1,500 to Win tonight with the top 4 transferring to the A-Main tomorrow night where $3,000 is up for grabs. Last year Frank Galusha got the win over Alex Owen and Andrew Peters. With a solid field of drivers last year I expect no less for this year's Showdown. Here is who I think will be fast this weekend.
Predictions
Aiden Purdue has winning experience at Wayne County Speedway, last year he won the Fall Non-Wing Brawl. Purdue is a former track champion at the highbanks of Southern Illinois Raceway for the Outlaw Wing class and does have a POWRi Micro win at Belle-Clair. The young star is competitive wherever he goes and I expect the same this weekend. Look for him to finish in the Top 4 tonight and transfer to the show tomorrow night.
Tyler Rust is another driver with winning experience at Wayne County. Last year he had two wins in Wing Outlaw and finished in the top 3 for the track points for wing and non-wing. Having valuable seat time at Wayne County and a fast car I believe he will have a good shot to transfer to the feature tomorrow night.
Austin Schaeffer has a really good shot as well tonight with lots of experience in a Wing micro. Schaeffer has three POWRi Micro wins and was runner up for the series in 2018. This year he has two wins at Southern Illinois Raceway. Last year at the Showdown in Bean Town he finished 3rd on night one and took home 4th on night two. Last weekend he was fast as well until he had some trouble and had to settle for a DNF. I say this weekend is his and he finds a win.
Reece Saldana is my sleeper for the weekend. Reece was the hard charger last weekend in the Wing Outlaw class at Wayne County after gaining 7 positions for a top 3. He found something towards the end of the race and if he finds it this evening I would not be surprised to see him take home the $1,500. The limited experience at the track may hurt him but last week he proved to me he can adapt quickly. I would look for Reece Saldana to be a threat this weekend.
Wrap Up
It is going to be phenomenal a weekend at Wayne County Speedway (IL). Hot Laps begin at 6:45, we will be there and ready to go. Who do you think has the best shot to become the 2020 Showdown in Bean Town champion?
-Lucas Halbert