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Larson continues playoff hot streak at Kansas Speedway

Kyle Larson (5) led William Byron (24), Chase Elliott (9), and Kurt Busch (1) into turn 1 after a restart at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Kyle Larson continued his hot streak Sunday at the Kansas Speedway, winning the Hollywood Casino 400, his third victory in a row. This is Larson’s second streak of three wins, and he has won 9 races in total this season, nearly matching the 10 races won in 2007 by Jeff Gordon.

A storm rumbling through the area delayed the race, which was red-flagged for about 20 minutes on the 11th lap. A heavy cross-wind picked up after the rain passed, and Larson admitted after the race that he had to alter his approach heading into turn 2 to account for the wind.

Larson overcame car damage suffered on an early brush with the wall, but led for 130 of the race’s 267 laps. Chase Elliott made a push for a win on the last 10 laps, but didn’t have the grip to pull off a move outside, making contact with the barrier and dropping back behind Larson.

Kevin Harvick also made a push for the lead with about 35 laps to go, but ended up in third place.

After the race, Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniels credited the car’s strong performance to adjustments made based on the team’s previous race at Kansas Speedway, giving up some short-run speed, but boosting the long-run performance.

Because of Larson’s run of success, three of the four remaining playoff spots remain up for grabs and will be decided next weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch hold those spots now. Ryan Blaney, who crashed out of the race late, dropped from second to fifth in the playoff standings.

Actor Eric Stonestreet, grand marshal for the race, sported a cap from Piper High School, his alma mater. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Night settled in over Kansas Speedway as the crowds headed home. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Race winner Kyle Larson pointed skyward in memory of Hendrick team members who died in a plane crash on this date in 2004, including team owner’s son Ricky Hendrick, known for wearing his ball caps backward. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

The Youth Chorus of Kansas City performed “God Bless America” before the race. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College, offered the invocation before the race. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Kyle Larson crossed the finish line as the winner of the Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

The front tire changer on Kyle Larson’s pit crew sprinted to the left side of the car. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Daniel Suarez (99), B.J. McLeod (78), and Austin Dillon (3) raced side-by-side heading into turn 1. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Erik Jones (43), Matt DiBenedetto (21), and Brad Keselowski (2), raced into turn 2. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Kyle Larson (5) and William Byron (24) powered past the lapped car of Chad Finchum (66) along the front stretch. Byron led 57 laps, but finished in 6th place. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Kyle Larson (5) took the inside line against Matt DiBenedetto (21) into turn 1. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Piper district prepares for future jobs

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by Murrel Bland

In 2033, half of the jobs that are available aren’t in existence today. It will be most important for students to be prepared to meet the challenge of these jobs.

That was the message from Dr. Jessica Dain, superintendent of the Piper School District, who was the keynote speaker at the Annual Membership Meeting of Business West Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Rowe Ridge Vineyard and Winery in the Piper community. A voluntary committee from the Piper community created a strategic plan so that students would have a competitive edge.

Dr. Dain said this plan has an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving, cross-cultural skills, self-reliance, communication skills, social and emotional well-being and creativity and innovation.

Dr. Dain said a program of academies starts in the eighth grade. Students are exposed to various areas of business including design, production and repair, entrepreneurship, fine arts, aeronautics, digital communication and graphic design, animal and plant science, health and life sciences, public services and information technology. Internships at area businesses are an important part of this program. A plurality of students has expressed an interest in entrepreneurship.

Dr. Dain came to the Piper School District about two years ago from the Olathe School District where she was an assistant superintendent. She received her bachelor and master’s degrees from Emporia State University and a doctorate from St. Louis University. She and her husband, Dr. Todd Dain, are the parents of two daughters and a son.

The Piper District can trace its history to 1920 when it opened with 65 students. Today it has more than 2,500 students. The district plans to seek a bond issue next January to meet growing student enrollment.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.

Piper defense holds off Chieftains’ late charge, 23-20

Senior defensive back Divante Herrig-Brittian (4) came down with an interception that sealed the Pirates’ 23-20 victory over Tonganoxie. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Piper held off a second half comeback attempt from the Tonganoxie Chieftains for a 23-20 win on Friday in Piper. Divante Herrig-Brittian was the late-game hero for the Pirates, making two game-saving defensive plays in the fourth quarter.

Herrig-Brittian’s first game-changer was a downfield tackle that kept Tonganoxie from a go-ahead touchdown. Tonganoxie receiver Sam Kleidosty broke away for a long run and was headed for the end zone, but Piper’s speedy senior gave chase and brought him down at the Piper 11-yard line.

The tackle proved decisive moments later when the Piper defense forced a fumble and kept Tonganoxie off the board.

Herrig-Brittian sealed the game with an interception after Piper punted the ball back to the Chieftains with just under two minutes remaining. He kept his position in front of Tonganoxie receiver Jesse Young and timed his leap to haul in the pass. From there, Piper ran out the clock from the victory formation.

Tonganoxie was able to challenge in the fourth quarter because of two Piper miscues in the third quarter. Piper held a 23-7 lead at halftime, but an extremely short punt let Tonganoxie start an early third quarter drive from the Piper 20. The Chieftains converted the touchdown but failed the 2-point conversion, trailing 23-13.

On the ensuing drive, Piper fumbled the ball back to Tonganoxie at the Pirates’ 21-yard line. Once again, the Chieftains seized the opportunity, and climbed within 3 points.

Senior reserve quarterback Blake Porter filled in for regular starter Logan Ladish, sidelined with an injury. Porter threw two touchdown passes to Colin Vigil, and scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. Porter was also effective with intermediate passes to Ethan Walker.

Kicker Zane Busick opened the scoring with a field goal when Tonganoxie’s defense forced a stop on the opening drive.

The win gives Piper a 4-1 record, and they remain undefeated at 4-0 in the Pioneer League. They have another conference home game at 7 p.m. next Friday against the 2-3 Paola Panthers.