WEST SALEM — Matt Henderson was battling a number of things while trying to keep his rocket-speed but losing-traction-fast stock car on the track and off the wall.
As the laps ticked off during the Late Model feature race Saturday night at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, the likeable and popular driver from La Crosse was in the lead.
With four laps, then three in the 25-lap feature race, Henderson’s car broke loose, then snapped sideways coming out of Turn 4.
Henderson somehow white-knuckled his car enough to hold off Powell — who broke into a wry smile in a postrace interview when asked if he thought about a bump-and-run tactic — to snap an eight-year victory drought.
I saw the 23 car (Powell) up to third, and once I seen him behind me, I thought for sure he was going to get me,” said Henderson, who tried, but couldn’t hold back his excitement.
The top side got really slippery, otherwise I would have gone to the top side, but all the bite was on the bottom (of the track),” Powell said.
Wagner, another driver who has been knocking on victory’s door but yet to get an answer, led the first 13 laps before the race’s lone caution came out.
When a caution comes out, drivers must choose a top or bottom lane as they come back around the front stretch.
An orange cone is set up at the finish line, and as the drivers rumble around the track under caution, they must choose top or bottom.
I could ride around following him, right on his bumper, and I was just waiting for him,” Henderson said of Wagner.