Racing legend Eddie Sachs once said, “If you can’t win, be spectacular,” and this certainly seems to be the case whenever Daron Clayton hits the track in his non-wing sprint car.  On Wednesday night Clayton made the trip to Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania to compete in the opening night of USAC’s annual “Eastern Storm.”  When the green flag waved for the 40-lap “Jesse Hockett Classic” feature event it was polesitter Levi Jones who darted out to an early lead.  Clayton quickly made the high groove work as he passed Jones for the lead on lap three.  The top three runners which included Clayton, Jones, and a hard charging Bryan Clauson from his 13th place starting position began a great battle for the top spot.  Jones and Clauson battled for the second position while Clayton seemed to stay just slightly ahead of them through many great laps of racing.

Daron Clayton Celebrates His Victory (Photo Source: Tom Angstadt Photo)

The last restart would come on lap 25 and set up a great 15 lap shootout for the win.  Jones would grab the lead on the bottom on lap 27 as Clayton pushed his sprint car to the edge on the top side.  Clayton would retake the top position on lap 29 and hold off a last ditch charge from Clauson to take the victory in his Merry Go Round Restaurant/Advantage Machine/#92 Spike Chassis sprint car.  An always excited Clayton spoke in victory lane, “I was as high as I wanted to be, and then I saw Levi peeking in there. I figured I needed to push it a little more and see how it goes. Then I saw Clauson coming at me at the end, and I already thought I was driving my ass off, but luckily I had enough tire left that I could run a little harder. Steve Petry has basically adopted me for the week and helped us race, and without him we wouldn’t be here, so I have to thank him a lot. This is gonna be a good check to cash.”  

Clauson would settle for the runner-up spot with Jones in third, Hunter Schuerenberg in fourth, and Chase Stockon rounded out the top-five.  The USAC “Eastern Storm” will continue Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway after being rained out Thursday night at Path Valley Speedway Park.