right side Hoosiers and the concrete , taking back the lead as they exited turn two .
A rejuvenated Jon Stanbrough threw his hat in the ring of contenders after slipping past Ballou for 2nd at the flag stand on lap 10 . However , Ballou would reload and reclaim the second spot from Stanbrough , the 2002 “ Hulman Classic ” victor , one lap later and now found Meseraull clearly within sight on his radar .
Ballou and Meseraull engaged in an exhibition of sliders on laps 17 and 18 that put the sizable Wabash Valley crowd on its feet . The two exchanged the lead on three separate occasions in that lap and a half span , as they traded slide jobs at the end of the straightaways at the entrance of turns one and three , culminating with Ballou and Meseraull banging wheels at the exit of four on lap 18 as Mesearull reemerged at the head of the field .
On lap 22 , Ballou threw one last jab for good measure , executing a picture-perfect slider on Meseraull for the lead . From that point until the drop of the checkered flag , nobody was game for Ballou ’ s presence down the stretch as the Rocklin , California driver ultimately delivered the final knockout blow , pulling away for a 4.422-second margin of victory over Meseraull , Stanbrough , Bacon , Chris Windom ( from the 20th starting spot ), Chase Stockon , Shane Cottle , Dave Darland , Jerry Coons , Jr . and Justin Grant .
Ballou was able to add another rifle to his growing collection of “ Hulman Classic ” hardware after picking up his first series victory in three months in his Ballou Motorsports / MPHG Promotions – Blakesley ’ s Auto / Maxim / Ott . He joined Steve Butler ( 1987-88 ) and Levi Jones ( 2008-09 ) as one of just three drivers to win the classic event in consecutive years and also became just the fourth defending USAC National Sprint Car champ to win the race , adding his name to a list that includes Pancho Carter ( 1975 ), Steve Butler ( 1987-88 ) and Levi Jones ( 2009 )
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“ SALUTES TO INDY ”
Austin Williams drinks the chocolate milk in victory lane after winning last Saturday night ' s " Salute to Indy " at Perris ( Cal .) Auto Speedway . ( LOUDPEDAL PRODUCTIONS )
AUSTIN WILLIAMS WINS CRA ’ S “ SALUTE TO INDY ”
Perris , CA …….. Austin Williams of Yorba Linda , Calif . wheeled his John Jory Corporation / AMA Plastics Spike / Shaver to victory in Saturday night ’ s 30-lap “ Salute to Indy ” USAC / CRA AMSOIL Sprint race at Perris Auto Speedway . He led all 30 laps and beat Richard Vander Weerd , Jake Swanson , Mike Spencer and Damion Gardner to the checkered flag .
Backed In | Photo
JOHNSON SWEEPS PEORIA ' S " SALUTE TO INDY " WEEKEND
Peoria , AZ ........ Defending USAC Southwest Sprint Car Champion R . J . Johnson completed a " sweep " of this weekend ' s " Salute to Indy " events at Canyon Speedway Park , winning Sunday night ' s 30-lap feature event in the Kodiak Products / Beal ' s Auto Body Sherman / Ford . He Passed Josh