Sterling LaBatte picked a good time to get his first feature race victory at the Estevan Motor Speedway.
LaBatte, who hails from Weyburn, won the stock car invitational Saturday night at the track. Twenty-three drivers entered the race.
LaBatte, who won $2,000 for taking the feature, was the dominant driver all night. He started by winning his qualifying heat in convincing fashion.
The feature was divided into two 15-lap halves. LaBatte was the leader after the first 15 laps, with Austin Daae in second and Chris Hortness third.
Drivers then had 10 minutes to fuel up their vehicles and make any necessary adjustments.
Another 15 laps were contested to finish the program, with LaBatte holding on to first ahead of Hortness and Daae, who were second and third, respectively.
Since it was an invitational, the race wasn’t for points.
Hobby stocks and slingshots also raced on Saturday night. Leevi Runge of Lampman won the hobby stock feature, finishing ahead of Kruz Wilson of Manor and Richard Hiebert of Estevan.
Keenan Glasser won the slingshot class, edging out Ryder Raynard, who had won the first three slingshot features at the track this season. Jace Emmel came in third.
The next program at the speedway will be the 2 Strong Summer Dirt Series race on June 15. All five classes will be competing.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on the stock car invitational.
