06.26.15 Lightning Sprint Recap, presented by RydellCars.com

6/27/2015

Roland Bernard steals Lightning Sprint victory.

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (June 26) - A great field of 15 Lightening Sprints made up the starting grid for their 15 lap main event. Amber Balcaen and Wally Butler led the field to green flag.

Balcaen jumped out to a commanding lead as the race went green and drove away from the field. It looks as though the 2014 NOSA rookie of the year was deemed to park her Lightening Sprint in RydellCars.com Victory Lane, until the caution flew with three laps to go.

Balcaen pulled away from the field by a couple of car lengths on the Evergreen Insurance restart, but was soon reeled in by Roland Bernard. With two laps to go, Bernard was right on the rear nurf bar of Balcaen and the momentum.

As the two drivers came off of turn four, the white flag was displayed, and Bernard drove around Balcaen to assume the lead. Balcaen tried to come back with a crossover move, but was denied as they entered turn one. Bernard held off Balcaen around turns three and four and took the checkered flag.

The win was Bernard's third career Lightening Sprint victory.

Roland Bernard driving to a heat race win Friday night at River Cities Speedway. Photo by Mike Spieker.