Rooster Rises to the Top at Lakeside, Captures First 2008 Victory, Dan Close Behind in Third

By MICHAEL JONES
Eagle Racing Team PR

(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) -- Although Tom 'The Rooster' Charles has proven that it is indeed possible to capture a track championship at the ultra-competitive Lakeside Speedway without winning a single race all year, 'Mr. Consistent' decided to bump up his stock in the early standings by capturing his first 'A' Main victory of the year Sunday evening at the 1/2-mile facility.

The field for the 25-lap main event of the evening took the green with both Tom and Dan on the front row. Tom, looking to land his first victory at Lakeside of the year, lined up on the pole along side Dan, who was also very hopeful of capturing the checkered flag with his new team and owner, Jay Bro Motorsports.

A dry slick racing surface arose after a very moist and dark week in the Greater Kansas City area, which made it a tougher challenge for any driver in the cockpit of these open wheel monsters. Dan, and last week's winner and current points leader, Chad Lyle of Lone Jack, MO, gave a handful of hard attempts at getting by the No. 81 Dirt Works Genesis, but to no prevail as Tom led every single circuit in route to his first victory of the summer.

Chad Lyle settled for second, Dan ended up third with Scott Crystal fourth and Alan Lawrence capturing his first Top 5 in the modified division.

Eagle Racing and Jay Bro Motorsports Leave Opening Night at 'The Burg' with Top 10 and DNS

(WARRENSBURG, Mizz.) -- The always entertaining Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg, MO opened their doors to fans and racers alike for another season of exciting dirt track action Saturday evening. With most area tracks cancelling and postponing due to wet conditions, CMS Promoter Earl Walls, known for his keen ability to get a race in no matter how much rain the track has received, was able to pull off another one.

Although the excitement of opening night was in the air, things didn't get off on the right foot for Dan as he encountered a broken axle in the early on-going of his heat race, forcing him to head back to the shop to get things in order for Lakeside on Sunday. Tom qualified for the first 'A' Main of the year at CMS, however he would have to pass many cars if he hoped to capture the flag. A rough race track in turns 1 & 4 made for lots of bouncing around and drivers just trying to keep a handle on things, however Tom would exercise patience and not risk tearing up too much equipment, as he charged his way to a solid 10th place finish.

Tom and Dan Make Long Haul to 'The Hummer' for Friday Night Action

(HUMBOLDT, Kan.) -- Another rain-out policy weekend was in effect for Lakeside on Friday as thunderstorms slammed the Kansas City area for much of the week. Eager to get some racing in, Dan and Tom made the long haul down south to the high-banked oval known as 'The Hummer', Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, KS. Humboldt is famous for their always great racing surfaces, which in turn, gives the competitive and fast drivers that take to 'The Hummer' every Friday evening a chance to provide fans with better on-track action.

Both Dan and Tom ended up drawing for a starting position in Heat Race No. 3 with the always lightning-quick and eventual race winner, Johnny Bone, Jr. Johnny would take the checkers in first, with Danny behind him in second, Travis Smith took third and Tom came home in fourth.

With the competition present, it's hard to speculate what will become of your first night at a racetrack. Tom has been to Humboldt before, however, it was Dan's first attempt at the high-banked speed plant. However, that did not stop the young sensation as he captured a fourth place finish in the 'A' Main. Tom was involved in an early race accident, forcing him to restart from the back of the pack. However, Rooster was able to navigate his way through the field; securing an eighth place finish.