HANFORD, Calif. — Bud Kaeding won the 35th annual Cotton Classic at the Peter Murphy-promoted Keller Auto Speedway on Saturday night.

The King of Thunder 360 Series 30-lap race served as the support event for the Tribute to Morie Williams Memorial.

Kaeding’s familiar black No. 69 Al’s Roofing sponsored Maxim easily distanced Dominic Scelzi and D.J. Netto at the King’s County Fairground’s dirt oval. J.J. Hickle and Mitchell Faccinto rounded out the top five finishers.

Kaeding’s car was the class of the field, however it was polesitter Scelzi, who led the first portion of the race having survived a red flag and two caution periods.

The red would come out on lap three when Michael Faccinto got upside down in the first turn. He was uninjured however his race night was over. The race’s first caution came out for Jared Faria who spun out in the fourth turn. The next caution was for a Nick Ringo spin in the fourth turn.

Scelzi had led up to this point, but the restart allowed Kaeding a shot at the lead which he took over after battling Scelzi side by side for two laps.

Once out front, Kaeding took off like a rocket while Netto, Faccinto and Hickle were closing in on Scelzi.  It was this trio who battled among themselves leaving Scelzi safe.

With Kaeding comfortably ahead, the race would stop again on lap 19 when Chase Majdic got upside down in the second turn.  The winner of the previous KOT event would not repeat and his night ended.  Ryan Robinson was also involved but returned to action after a stop in the work area.

After the restart, Netto gave Scelzi a wake-up call by showing his nose to the second-place runner. It was heavy lapped traffic which would hurt Netto’s effort but allowed Hickle to once again threatened to improve his position.  Netto was able to master the slower cars, keeping the third position.

At this point, Kaeding had distanced himself by a full straightaway and picked up his second series win of the season.

The finish:

Bud Kaeding, Dominic Scelzi, D.J. Netto, J.J. Hickle, Mitchell Faccinto, Andy Forsberg, Zane Blanchard, Bubba DeCaires, Joey Ancona, Max Mittry, Steven Kent, Jake Haulot, Jodie Robinson, Grant Duinkerken, Nick Ringo, Eric Humphries, Travis Coelho, Ryan Robinson, Jared Faria, Chase Majdic, Colby Johnson, Michael Faccinto