Strayer is quickest at Quad City’s Reinhart Memorial

By Brad Hines

EAST MOLINE, Ill. (May 25) – Sunday was a night of firsts for Jake Strayer.
The IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified rookie made his first-ever visit to Quad City Speedway and won the 21st annual Gary Reinhart Memorial.

The $1,200 victory was his first in just eight career starts in the class and put Strayer on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.

“Going to East Moline was a spur of the moment thing,” he said. “We pulled off the heat win and then won the feature. Everything went in our favor. It was definitely a night I’ll never forget.”
Strayer started 10th in the 30-lapper and did most of his passing on the lower line coming out of the turns. He was in front just before midway and was pressured most of the way, holding off a late challenge from two-time defending track champion Greg Durbin, who had started 18th.

Jim Sandusky, who came of out retirement for the race, finished third followed by Leland Bushong and Jason Buss.

Strayer has a knack for getting first wins at big events: His career first Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod checkers came at Stuart Speedway’s Ron Little Memorial.

Feature results – 1. Jake Strayer; 2. Greg Durbin; 3. Jim Sandusky; 4. Leland Bushong; 5. Ja­son Buss; 6. Matt Werner; 7. Chris Lawrence; 8. Josh Starr; 9. Terry Rentfro; 10. Chad Tucker; 11. Todd Dykema; 12. Justin Veloz; 13. Brian Bushong; 14. Dan Hahn; 15. Scotty Powell; 16. Kevin Goben; 17. Rob Henry; 18. Doug Crampton; 19. Eric Barnes; 20. T.J. Patz; 21. Brandon Durbin; 22. Ray Cox Jr.

Heat winners were Cox, Strayer and Werner. “B” feature winners were Veloz and Lawrence.