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By: Eric "The Hammer" Huenefeld
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (May 17, 2013) - It had been four years since the Mid-American Stock Car Series visited Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As it turns out, the wait was well worth it.
Sixteen drivers from six states converged on the historic half-mile in Eastern Iowa Friday night, and when the dust settled on a caution-free 45 lap feature, it was Brad Keith standing tall above the rest.
Keith, who started in the seventh position, muscled to the front of the pack and stayed ahead of an experienced field to take his first Mid-American Stock Car Series checkered flag.
Rockford segment two winner Jack Stern would lead the field to green and race side-by-side with local favorite Brian Gibson for the early race lead. Gibson would wrestle the lead from Stern via the high side of the track and pace the pack through the opening laps. Following Gibson on the high side was Lyle Nowak. Nowak would take second from Stern on lap two, and immediately challenge Gibson for the lead. After a tight side-by-side battle, Nowak assumed the lead on lap six.

