Waltz gets first 2015 win

Published 9:53 pm Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Matt Waltz takes the Checkered Flag Lap after his victory in the second of the twin 65-lap late-model stock car NASCAR All-American Series events at Langley Speedway on Saturday. (Bill Carr/MotorSports Photo News Service)

Matt Waltz takes the Checkered Flag Lap after his victory in the second of the twin 65-lap late-model stock car NASCAR All-American Series events at Langley Speedway on Saturday. (Bill Carr/MotorSports Photo News Service)

Lee Pulliam Matt Waltz took checkered flags in each of the two 65-lap late-model stock car NASCAR All-American Series events at Langley Speedway on Saturday.

Pulliam’s win in the first twin 65-lap races placed him on the pole for the second race. On the start, Pulliam bolted ahead of Waltz as they entered Turn 1, leaving the inside lane open for Tommy Lemons Jr. Waltz fought off Lemons, though, and pulled to the outside of Pulliam in Turn 4.

On Lap 2, Waltz surged into the lead on the backstretch, bringing Tyler Hughes along with him, to second. Pulliam regained the runner-up spot from Hughes on Lap 13, but surrendered the position to Lemons on Lap 29. Meanwhile, Waltz increased his advantage to better than half a straightaway.

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The only caution flag waved on Lap 52. Gathering for the restart, Waltz gambled and opted for the outside lane, ceding the low groove to Lemons. Back under green, Waltz eked out a slim margin over Lemons.

While Lemons was able to drive under him at the end of the straightaways, Waltz enjoyed the advantage off the corners. Behind the lead duo, Pulliam hounded Hughes for third, finally pulling ahead on Lap 61.

At the checkers, Waltz won by a car-length over Lemons. Pulliam, Hughes and Brenden Queen rounded out the top five.