Joe Hendricks Jr. grabbed the lead from four-time winner Brad Hancock on the 22nd circuit and sped to his first win of the year in the 25-lap Casey Cycle City INEX Legends feature, part of Saturday evening's Sysco Night program at Langley Speedway.
Steve Keesee qualified on the pole, lapping the .395-mile oval at 76.728 mph. Hancock started second, followed by Jamie Price, Cameron Patrick and Hendricks.
As the race got going, Keesee dashed ahead, leading the field into Turn 1. Price moved up to challenge Hancock for second, while Hendricks pulled to the inside of Patrick. Price took the runner-up spot from Hancock, while Hendricks got the better of Patrick to claim fourth.
Keesee, Price and Hancock circled the track in tight formation until lap 8 when Hancock stepped out of line off Turn 4, swiping second from Price at the end of the frontstretch. Hendricks, who had crept into the tussle, tagged along with Hendricks and took over third.
The first caution flag flew on lap 13 when Shawn Balluzzo spun off Turn 2.
Back under green, Keesee forged a slim margin over Hancock, only to see the gap disappear as they headed into Turns 1 and 2.
Hancock continued to stalk Keesee until lap 16 when he grabbed the lead off the fourth corner, bringing Hendricks along with him.
Six laps later, Hendricks launched his own bid for the lead, taking a look to the inside of Hancock in Turn 1. The leader fought off that move, but couldn't hold off Hendricks as they motored onto the backstretch. Exiting Turn 4, Hendricks moved atop the leaderboard.
The second, and final, caution flag waved on lap 23 when Hancock and Price tangled in Turn 2. They both retreated to the rear of the field for the restart.
Under green for the last time, Hendricks and Keesee pulled away from the pack, setting up a two-way duel for the win.
Hendricks held off Keesee over the closing laps and won by 0.106-second - barely a car-length. Spencer Saunders was third to the line, followed by Sparky West and Chris Raiford. West, though, failed to clear the post-race inspection and was disqualified. Raiford moved up to fourth in the official rundown, followed by Patrick.
JUNE 12 RACE RESULTS: 1. Joe Hendricks Jr.; 2. Steve Keesee; 3. Spencer Saunders; 4. Chris Raiford; 5. Cameron Patrick; 6. Brad Hancock; 7. Jamie Price; 8. Shawn Balluzzo; 9. Kim Forrester; 10. Gary Adams; 11. Bobby Gobble; DQ Sparky West. Pole: Keesee - 76.728 mph.