ANDERSON, Ind. — Tyler Roahrig made it back-to-back victories in a race that saw many of the contenders fall by the wayside during the 74th Lucas Oil Little 500 at Anderson Speedway.
Roahrig started from the pole after setting new one and four-lap track records during qualifying and led a race high 219 laps.
Roahrig driver took the lead from Dakoda Armstrong on lap 375 and continued to pace the field to the finish on Saturday before a near capacity crowd.
But he had to survive a tangle just past the halfway point that could have ended his night.
The red flag waved on lap 260 when Shane Hollingworth made contact with leader Tanner Swanson.
Behind that incident Bobby Santos III checked up and made contact with and Tyler Roahrig with the end result Santos flipping over the back of Hollingsworth and rolling several times before coming to a stop in turn one.
“The wreck was in front of us,” Roahrig said. “I was trying to get a good run on the bottom and couldn’t slow down and climbed over Bobby (Santos).”
Tyler Roahrig takes the checkered flag in the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway. (Eli Kaiko photo)
Roahrig also made contact with Billy Wease on lap 271.
“I thought our race was over multiple times,” he said. “I thought we were running our of gas and the left shock was all bent up and probably so is the right one. I can’t believe how good the car drove after that.”
Roahrig turned the fastest laps in the 11.4-second range just past the 400-lap mark as he pulled away from Armstrong.
Ryan Newman brought out the 12th caution flag on lap 495 up against the turn two wall, which wiped out a comfortable lead for Roahrig and set up a five-lap shoot-out to the finish.
Roahrig beat Armstrong to the checkered flag by 1.129-seconds, the only cars on the lead lap, were C.J. Leary, Kyle O’Gara and Caleb Armstrong.
“The first win was way easier,” Roahrig said.
Dakoda Armstrong said he didn’t have anything for Roahrig on the final laps.
“The track was really free, you had to baby this thing,” he said. “Our brakes went out and up until we were running good entering the corners.
“After that I was in survival mode,” Armstrong said. “I pleased with the run.”
Leary lost a lap early in the race when he pitted before the pits were open.
“Not to bad for a dirt guy,” he said. “This was a brand new car and we had a good qualifying run, just made a pit mistake.”
Leary said the pace of the entire race was fast with no opportunity to just ride.
“The whole race was hammer down and get up on the wheel,” he said.
Dalton Armstrong garnered rookie of the year honors by finishing ninth after starting 28thand captured the Fred Jones Hard Charger Award in the process.
“We struggled during qualifying with a power steering problem,” he said. “Our goal was to make the race and finish in the top ten. We’re pleased with the result.
Tanner Swanson filling in for Aaron Pierce took the lead on lap 205 when the leaders pitted and prior to that brushed the turn four wall on lap 134.
Swanson started showing engine smoke on lap 298 and was black-flagged on lap 305, surrounding the lead to Dakoda Armstrong.
Tanner Swanson’s night ended with an oil leak.
Brian Gerster led the first 107 laps before being passed by Roahrig on lap 110.
Surrendered the lead for Tanner Swanson during the first round of pit stops.
Three-time winner Kody Swanson spun on the front straight on lap 198 while running second to Roahrig and lost several laps.
The finish:
1) Tyler Roahrig; 2) Dakoda Armstrong; 3) C.J. Leary; 4) Kyle O’Gara; 5) Caleb Armstrong; 6) Brian Gerster; 7) Kody Swanson; 8) Shane Hollingsworth; 9) Dalton Armstrong; 10) Emerson Axsom; 11) Ryan Newman; 12) Jacob McElfresh; 13) Aaron Willison; 14) Isaac Chapple; 15) Scott Hampton; 16) Bryan Gossel; 17) Larry Kingseed Jr.; 18) Shawn Bonar; 19) Travis Welpott; 20) Tanner Swanson; 21) Billy Wease; 22) Bobby Santos III; 23) Brady Bacon; 24) Ken Schrader; 25) Shane Butler; 26) Derek Bischak; 27) Tony Main; 28) Brian Tyler; 29) Davey Hamilton Jr.; 30) Jerry Coons Jr.; 31) L.J. Grimm; 32) Eric Gordon; 33) Justin Harper
Keyword: Roahrig Goes Back To Back In Little 500