MARFC NIGHT AT WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY
By LJ Trinklein, 7/19/10
Kids Bike Race Winners
The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club awarded a sportsmanship award to Pierre Letienne, driver of the (#34) Limited Late Model. The MARFC was here also to recognize the Whittemore Speedway as a member of the club.
Before the main events we had the big bike give away and bike races for the kids. Good job to all the racers!
The first feature to hit the racing surface was for the Mini Stocks. Dewy Wetter (#69) and Cody LaFleur (#47) took the green from the front row. Before the first lap was over top qualifier Bobby Pauley (#88) came from the third row and took the lead. Ed Muckenthaler Jr. (#4), former track champion and back here on vacation, followed Pauley to the front. The yellow flew for debris on the track. The restart had heat winner Pauley, Muckenthaler Jr., C. LaFleur and Rob LaFleur (#25) on the front two rows. This race was dominated by the race between Pauley and Muckenthaler Jr. Another yellow flew for a spin by R. LaFleur. Mike Muckenthaler was sent to the rear. Muckenthaler Jr. took the lead from Pauley after the restart. While in hot pursuit Pauley’s throttle stuck and he drove off the turn three banking. The race ran the rest of the way to the checkers. Muckenthaler Jr. was the best tonight. Pauley raced back through the pack for second. C. LaFleur finished a strong third. Congratulations Ed Muckenthaler Jr. Good to have you back home for a visit.
The Lead Sleds rolled out next. Andy Freehling (#11) and Cody Dorman (#07) set the pace. Dorman grabbed the early lead with Steven Ulman (#32) trying to hold off father Mike Ulman Jr. (#23). Heat winner Ulman Jr. moved into the lead ahead of Dorman and top qualifier Derek Moe (#42). Moe passed Dorman for second. Ulman Jr. had a straight away lead over pursuit winner Moe, as rookie drivers Dorman and S. Ulman raced for third. Ulman Jr. held off Moe for the win as Luke Williams (#24) finished third.
The Modifieds came out next with heat winner Earl Myles (#73) and Mike Luberda Sr. (#30) on the front row. Pursuit winner Myles moved into the lead with Todd Matheson (#7) and Buck Harsen (#40) close behind. Luberda had problems and slipped to the rear as Matheson pressured Myles up front. Top qualifier Andy Hess (#37) came from the rear and worked on CJ Harsen (#x40) for fourth. Try as he might, Matheson could not get the job done as Myles got the win in a race that ran from green to checkers with no yellows. Matheson was second while B. Harsen took third. The win gave Myles the hat trick (heat win, pursuit win, and feature win) for the night. Rod Laney (#75) picked up a heat win.
Limited Late Models were last for the evening with pursuit winner Kent Swartz (#16) and Pierre Letienne (#34) brought the pack to the green. Letienne squeaked out an early lead with Swartz and Ryan Ostrander (#0) nipping at his heals. In some of the tightest racing we saw this evening Ostrander slipped into second while Nate Freel (#53) moved under Swartz for third. Bottom feeder Ostrander worked the inside like the master he is and took the lead away from Letienne. Top qualifier Cale Wiltse looped it coming off turn four and the yellow flew. The restart found Ostrander, Letienne, Freel and Brad Bilacic (#7) on the front two rows. The race for second was hot and Letienne, Freel and Bilacic tangled sending Freel and Bilacic to the pits. The restart had Ostrander and Kyle Tremble (#84) up front. Ostrander drove off to another win as Wiltse charged past Swartz for third behind second place Tremble.
Next week is Merchants Trophy Night #2.
THE JACK OF ALL TRADES MEMORIAL AT WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY
By LJ Trinklein, 7/12/10
The Skies Colors after the rains left
A few sprinkles hampered the preliminary races but the fans stayed. Before the mains were run, we were all treated to our second round of trash cart races. Junior winners were Parker Miles and Doug McDonald. Ryan Ostrander and Andy Hess won the senior race for the second straight time and now there is a bounty on their heads. Good job gang!
Limited Late Model action came out first for our merchant trophy feature. Heat winner Kent Swartz (#16) and Dan Holmes (#79) took the first green. Holmes grabbed the lead. The field raced side by side in the early stages of this race. Pursuit winner Swartz had his hands full trying to hold off Nate Freel (#53) and Perrier Letienne (#34). Holmes pulled out a small lead as top qualifier Tony Rosebrugh (#17) and Ryan Ostrander (#0) worked their way from the rear of the pack. Freel chased Holmes and that allowed Ostrander to close in with Kyle Tremble (#84) in tow. The yellow flew for a spin by Letienne grouped the field. Holmes drove away at the restart near the halfway point. Ostrander worked by Freel as Cale Wiltse (#12) passed Tremble for the number four spot. Wiltse moved into third while Ostrander chased down Holmes. Holmes maintained the lead as all of the racecars looked loose on the speedway. Ostrander caught Holmes but could not get the job done as the Vanderbilt driver picks up the green to checkers win. Wiltse ran a strong third.
The Factory Stock feature rolled out next with Dave Moore (#46) and Tim Lahar (#25) seeing the green first. Lahar took the lead as pursuit winner “Stormin‘” Jim Dorman (#00) charged on the outside. Heat winner Dorman grabbed the point as Terry Briggs (#44) and top qualifier Rick Spencer (#m65) passed Lahar to chase Dorman. Spencer drove around Briggs and Dorman to take the lead near the halfway point. Veteran driver Spencer made it look easy in this caution free feature. At the flag, it was Spencer, Briggs and a hard charging James Farley (#21) third.
Mini Stock action was next with Garry Wetter (#69) and Melvin Hottois (#x10) up front. By the end of lap, one top qualifier Bobby Pauley (#88) and heat winner Keith Lutes (#54) had passed the field and grabbed the top two spots. Pursuit winner Mike Muckenthaler (#17) worked his way passed Rich LaFleur (#20) for third. Halfway found Lutes and Pauley racing side by side, as Muckenthaler chased the leaders. Lutes squeaked out a small lead in this caution free feature. At the checkers, it was Lutes for his third win of the season. Pauley settled for second and Muckenthaler was third.
The Lead Sleds were next and two rookies were up front. Dan Gingerich (#33) and second-generation driver Cody Dorman (#07) saw the first green. Gingrich took the lead as Eric Evans (#33b) and Steve Ulman (#32) gave chase. Hard charging Troy Groff (#27) ran the out side and put the pressure on the leaders. Gingrich spun, and flattened a tire bringing out a yellow. The restart found Evans, Groff, S. Ulman and heat winner Derek Moe (#42) making up the front two rows. Groff and pursuit winner Moe passed Evans as top qualifier Mike Ulman (#23) charged from the back to challenge brother Steve for the fourth spot. The rookie S. Ulman spun and another yellow flew. The restart saw Groff and Moe seeing the green first. Ulman Jr. passed Moe for second and set his sights on Groff. Half-way we had Groff and Ulman Jr. racing side by side with Ulman getting the advantage. Groff left the speedway, because of overheating, giving second to Moe. At the flag, it was Tawas City driver Ulman Jr. with the win. Moe picked up second while Luke Williams (#24) got third. Ryan Haas (#91) picked up a heat win.
Next week July 17 is Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night.
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY CELEBRATES 4TH
By: LJ Trinklein, 7/4/10
A few of the fireworks shot off at intermission
The Lead Sled feature was first on the track. Dan Gingrich (#33G) and heat winner Troy Groff (#27) sat on the front row. After a couple of tries the field got under-way. Pursuit winner Groff grabbed the early lead with Gingrich and Eric Evans (#33) giving chase. The yellow flew for a spin by the (#33’s). Gingrich got his spot back while Groff left the speedway. The restart found heat winner Mike Ulman Jr. (#23) taking the lead. Adam Lowe (#55) moved into second as Gingrich fell to third. Lowe spun and positions changed. Groff came from the back to second place and Steve Ulman (#32) drove to third. S. Ulman’s motor went and he left the speedway as the laps wound down. At the finish Ulman Jr. took the win with Groff a close second and Evans third. Derek Moe (#42) was top qualifier.
Mini Stockers hit the track next with Cody LaFleur (#47x) and Ed Beckley III (#10) up front. As the green flew Beckley III jumped out front with Dirk VanAuken (#72) challenging on the outside. Mike Muckenthaler (#17) came up quickly and passed VanAuken and Beckley III for the lead. Heat winner Bobby Pauley (#88) and top qualifier Keith Lutes (#54) came from the back of the field to pressure Muckenthaler. A blown motor oiled the track and the yellow flew. The restart found Muckenthaler, Pauley, Lutes and VanAuken the front four. The front three broke away from the pack with Muckenthaler in the lead. Hard driving by pursuit winner Lutes moves him into first. Lap cars worked to Pauley’s advantage as it was his turn to lead. Gary Wetter (#69) took a ride off the turn four banking. The driver was fine and the race restarted. Muckenthaler retained the lead with Pauley close behind. Lutes got a flat tire and dropped to the rear of the field at the half-way. As the laps wound down a spin brought out the yellow and caused a green, white, checkers restart. Pauley inched out the lead at the line and won his second feature in a row. Muckenthaler got second and Lutes charged back to third. Rod LaFleur (#25) picked up a heat win.
FIREWORKS…FIREWORKS…FIREWORKS
Modified action was next and a fifty lap feature was in order for this pre-invite challenge. Heat winner Rod Laney (#75) and William Fortier (#13) sat on the front row. Laney took the early lead as the battle raged behind him. Fortier got a flat tire and had to towed off. Laney, Robbie Johnson (#21), Greg Fullerton (#05), and heat winner Buck Harsen (#40) restarted up front. Harsen found an opening and passed Fullerton on the inside for third. A crash between Karl Edmonds (#k2) and CJ Harsen (#41) grouped the field for a restart. Laney still had the lead with Johnson, Harsen and John King (#23) filling out the top four. Johnson slipped by Laney for the lead at half-way. Johnson drove to the win with Laney second and Harsen third. Top qualifier Andy Hess charged his way from the rear of the field to a fine fourth place finish.
The Factory Stock fifty was next with Jim Dorman (#00) and Bob Farley (#2) up front of this nineteen car field. B. Farley slipped to the lead with brother James Farley (#21) moving into second. Veteran drivers dominated the early stages of this race with B. Farley, J. Farley, top qualifier Rick Spencer (#m65) and Terry Briggs (#44) the front four. B. Farley ran by his self as the rest raced door handle to door handle, nose to tail for the runner up spot. Heat winner Ed Newman (#x5) stalled on the speedway bringing out a yellow. Yellows cause yellows, and after heat winner Joe Coleman (#6) crashed, the race went on. Heat winner Spencer drove B. Farley hard until his transmission exploded sending him to the pit. The restart had B. Farley, Robbie Johnston (#55), J. Farley and Briggs on the front two rows. Good hard racing went on until another yellow for a crash between Coleman and Michigan Motor sports Hall of fame driver Jay Woolworth (#50) ending Woolworth’s night. At the restart B. Farley showed his strength tonight as he drove to the win. J. Farley took second. Briggs was third. Nice fourth place finish for rookie driver Cory Robinson (#89).
The grand finale was Late Model action. Heat winner Robbie Johnson (#21) and Dan Holmes (#79) took the first green. Johnson took the lead and the race was for second between Holmes, Brad Bilacic (#7) and heat winner Danny Leek (#x12). Top qualifier Ryan Ostrander (#0) worked the field and was soon nipping at the leaders heals. Holmes got into the corner hot and spun Johnson bringing out a yellow. The restart found Johnson, Leek, Ostrander and Bilacic up front. Half-way we had Johnson, Leek, Ostrander and Nate Freel (#53) all so close together you could cover them with a wash cloth. Leek worked his way past Johnson and took the lead as the laps wound down. At the flag it was Leek with the win Johnson second and Ostrander third.
Next week is Merchant Trophy Night and The Jack of all Trades (Rob Castonguay) Memorial Night.
AUTOGRAPH NIGHT AT WHITTEMORE
By: LJ Trinklein, 6/28/10
The race fans got to get their favorite autograph from their favorite driver and then settled in for the feature races. The first race up was for the Lead Sleds with Gingerich (#33) and Andy Freehling taking the first green. Gingerich took the early lead. Luke Williams (#24), heat winner Mike Ulman Jr. (#23) and top qualifier Derek Moe (#42) quickly drove through the field making it three and four wide at times. An early yellow, for a minor crash by Gingerich grouped up the field. At the restart, Williams had the lead with Ulman Jr. and Moe nipping at his heals. While three wide racing Williams cut down a tire giving the lead to Moe. Ulman Jr. and pursuit winner Troy Groff (#27) took turns trying to get by Moe, but Moe’s power was too much to over come. Moe drove off to the win. Ulman Jr. was second. Groff was third.
The Factory Stocks came out next. Dave Moore (#46) and pursuit winner Joe Coleman (#6) brought the field to the first green. At the end of lap one top qualifier Rick Spencer (#m65) had driven around everybody to take the lead. Bob Farley (#2) chased Spencer as; Coleman tried to hold off heat winner James Farley (#21) for third. As the laps ran down B. Farley drove under Spencer and on to the win, while Coleman held off J. Farley for third, in this caution free feature.
Mini Stock action came to the track next. Ed Beckley III (#10) and Gary Koepke (#00) were up front. Beckley III held the early lead, but top qualifier Bobby Pauley (#88) slashed his way through the pack to put the pressure on. By lap four, heat winner Pauley had the lead and was driving away. Dirk VanAuken (#72) move into second around Koepke and Beckley III. Half way Mike Muckenthaler (#17) worked his way by heat winner Rob LaFleur (#25) to pressure Beckley III for third. As the laps wound down Pauley had lapped the field with the exception of second and third. With two laps to go VanAuken spun giving second to Muckenthaler. VanAuken was third as Pauley made a clean sweep on the night (TQ, heat, pursuit and feature). Good job Bobby.
The Modifieds ran last with first timer Tyler Noeske (#15) and heat winner Rod Laney (#75) up front. Laney took the lead as John King (#23) moved past Noeske for second. A hard charging CJ Harsen (#41) worked his way to Karl Edmonds (#k2) trying to take third. CJ Harsen moved into third and started working on King. Everyone ran nose to tail when a yellow flew for a spin. The restart had found Laney, King, CJ Harsen, Edmonds and top qualifier Buck Harsen (#40) the top five. Laney maintained the lead while CJ Harsen was sanctioned for aggressive driving and dropped to the rear. As King tried to find a way around Laney, Edmonds got to the inside leaving King hung out on the outside. B. Harsen and pursuit winner Andy Hess (#37) took the advantage and drove under King. This race ran in this order to the finish with Laney picking up his first mod feature win. Edmonds was second and B. Harsen finished third.
Next week is Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks, Pre-invitational challenge. Five classes Limited Late-Models, Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Lead Sleds and Mini Stocks.
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY SEES BEAUTIFUL NIGHT FOR RACING
By: LJ Trinklein, 6/20/10
Scholarship Recipients
The Bishop Performance Legends ran their feature before intermission. Skip Krassa (#9) took the early lead with Loren Short (#24) close behind. Garry Moorman (#4) and his son Andrew Moorman driving the (#74) tangled in turn three bringing out a yellow flag. Both cars were unable to continue. The green flew again with Krassa in the lead. Chris Metdepenningen (#186) ran second and with heat winner, Eddie Sachs III (#10) was third. Krassa ran the rest of the race unchallenged. Short finished second with C. Metdepenningen edging out Sacks for third.
Mini Stocks rolled next with Gary Limron Jr. (#6L) and Rich LaFleur (#20) took the first green. A first lap crash would send Dale Koepke (#13) to the pits and the race went on. It did not take long before Mike Muckenthaler (#17) worked his way up to challenge R. LaFleur and Limron Jr. for the lead. Top qualifier Bobby Pauley (#88p) and Keith Lutes (#54) ran inside and outside through the field chasing down the leaders. The front four ran nose to tail as Limron Jr. tried to hold off Muckenthaler, Lutes, and heat winner Pauley. Half way found Muckenthaler with the lead, and Lutes and Pauley looking for a way around him. As the race wound down Muckenthaler got a flat letting Lutes and Pauley move to the front. Pursuit winner Pauley did everything he could running inside and outside, shooting sparks off the front stretch wall trying to get by. At the flag, it was Lutes first. Pauley second and Limron Jr. third. Tom Rivers picked up a heat win.
Limited Late Models came out next for their first feature of the season. Pierre Letienne (#34) and pursuit winner Kyle Tremble (#84) showed the field to the green. Tremble grabbed the lead. Tony Rosebrugh (#17) jumped to second, as Letienne fell to third. Top qualifier Cale Wiltse (#12) and heat winner Nate Freel (#53) ran quickly through the pack to keep pressure on the leaders. Wiltse got by Letienne and Freel to put the heat on Tremble and Rosebrugh. Ryan Ostrander (#0) tangled with Freel in turn three and cut down a tire taking Ostrander out of contention. The restart found Tremble, Rosebrugh, Wiltse, and Letienne the front four. Rosebrugh passed Tremble, for the point, on the restart. Just passed half way Freel and heat winner Dan Leek (#x12) tangled bringing out a yellow Wiltse had the fast car this night as he worked his way by Rosebrugh for the lead. At the checkers, it was Wiltse the winner, with Rosebrugh and Letienne, second and third.
The Lead Sled feature had Andy Freehling (#11) and Paul McClaine (#77) setting the pace. Heat winner Eric Evans (#33) grabbed the early lead. Caution came out for a spin and the restart found Evans and heat winner Mike Ulman Jr. (#23) up front. Ulman Jr. took the lead while pursuit winner Derek Moe (#42) challenged Evans for second. Moe got by as Troy Groff (#27) and top qualifier Luke Williams (#24) worked on Evans. Half way it was Ulman Jr., Moe, and Groff, 1, 2, 3. A spin by Cody Dorman (#07) brought out the yellow flag. Rookie driver Dorman drove back to a forth place finish coupled with a second in his heat, for a very good night. Go Cody. On the restart, Williams got by Groff for third as Ulman Jr. kept the lead. A flat tire sent Ulman Jr. to the pits, giving the lead to Moe. Hard racing between Williams and Groff cut Groff’s tire taking him out. At the checkers, it was Moe, Williams, and Evans in the top three positions.
Factory Stock action came next. Dave Moore (#46) and Cory Robinson (#89) took the first green. Robinson got the lead as pursuit winner James Farley (#21) took second. Heat winner Terry Briggs (#44) made it three wide down the front stretch but that ended a turn one. Moore and Scott McClellan (#28) went over the banking and into the weeds. Every one was able to restart and Robinson was on the point. Farley got by Robinson for the lead, bringing Rick Spencer (#65) and Briggs with him. Spencer raced Farley hard for the rest of this race. In the end, it was Farley with the win. Spencer came in second. Dave Badour (#19) got by Briggs for third.
Next week, Autograph night. Fan Appreciation night for West Branch, Rose City and Alger. The Modifieds plus our regular show.
COOL NIGHT, HOT RACING AT WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY
By: LJ Trinklein, 6/12/10
Trash Cart Race Winners
The rain held off, and the racers came out for week number three. The first action came from the Factory Stocks. Dave Moore (#46) and Joe Coleman (#6) saw the first green. On the first lap rush for the lead, with cars three wide, heat and pursuit winner Scott McClellan (#28) got into Moore and caused a complete restart. As the green flew again Bob Farley (#2) and top qualifier Rick Spencer (#m65) shot to the front. Dave Badour (#19) and James Farley (#21) moved by Coleman, and into the front four. Spencer fought his way by the inside of B. Farley for the lead. Spencer drove away with lead until McClellan and Terry Briggs (#44) got together and brought out a caution. B. Farley tried to get the lead back, but could not. B. Farley's hood came loose with only two laps to go and took him out of contention. At the checkers it was Spencer with the win. J. Farley got by Badour for the number two spot. Badour was third.
Next on the track were the Lead Sleds with Adam Lowe (#55) and Kevin Strong (#75) bringing the field to the flag. Luke Williams (#24) made a bold move to the inside of Strong and Lowe for the lead, and brought pursuit winner Derek Moe (#42) along for the ride. Lowe and Strong got together and caused a yellow. The restart found Williams, Moe, Paul McClain (#77) and Cody Dorman (#07) the front four. Top qualifier and heat winner Mike Ulman Jr. (#23) blasted around the outside to put pressure on the leaders. As the lap wound down Moe got into Ulman Jr. and brought out another yellow. On the restart for a green white checkers finish we had Williams, Ullman Jr., Strong and Lowe the front four. Williams held off all challenges for the win. Strong edged out Ulman Jr. for second in a photo finish.
Next up were the Modifieds, with Bill Fortier (#13) and CJ Harsen (#41) up front. The green flew and CJ Harsen grabbed the lead with Fortier and heat winner John King (#23) in hot pursuit. The fast qualifiers were in the rear of the pack and made for great racing action. CJ Harsen drove away with this race. The race for second between Fortier and King was won by pursuit winner King. Heat winner Earl Miles (#73) moved up as far as fourth but no further. Buck Harsen (#40), with a good run, made it to third. Top qualifier Robbie Johnson (#21) drove his way to fourth as Fortier and Miles faded to the rear.
The Mini Stocks came out last but not least. Garry Wetter (#69) and Ed Beckley III (#10) were up front for the time being. The green flew and so did Bobby Pauley (#88) driving around the twelve car field and into fourth by the end of lap one. By the end of lap two Pauley was the leader. Top qualifier Keith Lutes (#54) and Dirk VanAuken (#72) got tangled up and the yellow flew. The restart saw Wetter the leader, Pauley, Bernie Murphy (#86), and Beckley III on the front two rows. Pauley jumped to the lead with pursuit winner Mike Muckenthaler (#17) took second and Wetter third. Heat winner Lutes, driving like a man possessed, came from the back to challenge the leaders in just two laps. Half way the leaders remained the same, but back in the pack the battle raged on. With three laps to go Pauley got a speeding ticket and had to go to the rear. On the restart Lutes took the lead, Muckenthaler was second, but the class of the field was Pauley, who drove inside and outside back to third. The finish was the same. Rob LaFleur (#25) picked up a heat win.
Next week: Red Cross Night. Fan Appreciation Night for Standish, Sterling and Pinconning residents. The Bishop Legends. The Limited Late Models along with our regular show.
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY RAINED OUT
By: LJ Trinklein 6/7/10
The Track Bus picking up young race fans and taking them around the track and through pits.
The rains came and washed the fun away. All we got in was qualifying.
The top three qualifiers in each class were:
Limited Late Models
1. Tony Rosebrugh ( No. 17 )
2. Ryan Ostrander ( No. 0 )
3. Kyle Tremble ( No. 84 )
Factory Stock
1. Rick Spencer ( No. M65 )
2. Bob Farley ( No. 2 )
3. Dave Badour ( No. 19 )
Lead Sled
1. Luke Williams ( No. 24 )
2. Mike Ulman ( No. 23 )
3. Derek Moe ( No. 42 )
Mini Stock
1. Bobby Pauley ( No. 88 )
2. Keith Lutes ( No. 54 )
3. Mike Muckenthaler ( No. 17 )
Next week 6/12/10 is Fan Appreciation Night #2. ( Tawas, East Tawas and Oscoda residents receive grandstand entry prices ). The Modifies are back. Trash Cart Races during intermission.
Whittemore Speedway Results
By: LJ Trinklein 5/28/10
It was a beautiful day in and around Whittemore Speedway, as we honored our fallen heroes, and opened the summer of 2010. From the lawnmower and bar stool races down town to the opening the oldest continually operating speedway in the state.
Bishop Performance Legends took to the track for the first feature of ’10. Heat winner B. Semlow #88, and Jake Dunsmore #94 brought the fourteen car field to the green. J. Dunsmore grabbed the lead as top qualifier Sean McPherson #13 charged into second. The first yellow came out for a spin by Dr. Kent Semlow #5 setting up the first restart of the season. J. Dunsmore and Garry Moorman #4 ran one and two at the restart as #3 Loren Short came around the outside and took the lead. McPherson got around J. Dunsmore and Moorman and put the pressure on Short for the lead. McPherson retook the point as the leaders came up on lap traffic. Short made a bold move to the inside to take back the lead as McPherson got held up by the lap car of rookie driver sixty-four year old Steve McNabb #86. McPherson got the black flag for aggressive driving and brought the race back to yellow. The restart had Short, B. Semlow, #9 Skip Krassa and Jeremy Metdepenningen #186, in the top four spots. Short drove away from the field for the win while pursuit winner twelve year old Zack Dunsmore #97 spun out on the last lap giving third place to B. Semlow. Krassa got second place. #911 Dr. Ron Semlow picked up a heat win.
Lead Sled action was next. Curt Olar #72 and heat winner #42 Derek Moe was up front with top qualifier Mike Unman Jr. #23 in the rear. Moe got the early lead as Ulman Jr. drove around the outside and brought #24 Luke Williams with him to put the pressure o the leader. Moe would lead most of this race but you could through a blanket over the top three. The win went to Moe. Ulman Jr. was second, Williams third in an exciting door handle to door handle finish to the first caution free feature of 2010.
The Modifieds rolled next with top qualifier #13 Bill Fortier and pursuit winner #41 CJ Harsen on the front row. CJ Harsen took the point with Fortier second. #90 Jay Palumbo and #x40 Robbie Johnson ran side by side for third. By half way CJ Harsen had his hands full as Johnson and Palumbo put the pressure on. As Fortier faded to the back, heat winner #37 Andy Hess and #73 Earl Miles moved past to challenge the leaders. Top qualifier #8 worked his way into the top five as the front of the field got crowded. At the half way Palumbo got by CJ Harsen for the lead and Hess moved into third. Hess would put pressure on Palumbo but couldn’t get the job done and the win went to Palumbo. Second were Hess and CJ Harsen held on for third.
Mini Stock action was next with thirteen cars taking the green. Rookie driver #16 Kyle Richardson and #69 Garry Wetter brought the field to the flag. #00 Gary Koepke took the lead from row two as Wetter and Richardson fell back. On a restart after a spin, pursuit and heat winner #54 Keith Lutes made a move through the middle to put the pressure on Koepke for the lead. #17 Mike Muckenthaler came along with Lutes and dropped into third. Top qualifier #3 Kevin Peek brought out a yellow with mechanical problems and set the stage for a restart. Lutes, Koepke, Muckenthaler and #72 Dick VanAuken were the front two rows. Lutes and Muckenthaler tried to drive away as #86 Bernie Murphy, Koepke and VanAuken raced side by side for third. Lutes and Muckenthaler got to lap traffic and the race was on. Just past half way Muckenthaler drove deep to the inside and grabbed the lead. Muckenthaler lead the rest of the way with Lutes in second and VanAuken third. Rookie driver #20 Rich LaFleur got a heat win.
Factory Stocks capped off this beautiful Saturday night with #6 Joe Coleman and #25 Tim Lahar took the green. Lahar got the lead as heat winner #19 David Badour tried to hold off #44 Terry Briggs for second. Badour and pursuit winner #65 Rick Spencer got together and brought out the yellow just after Briggs took the lead. On the restart it was Lahar and Briggs tacking the green. As soon as the green fell Briggs grabbed the lead with heat winner #2 Bob Farley second and Lahar under pressure from #31 James Farley and Spencer. Briggs had B. Farley on the outside with J. Farley and Spencer on his back bumper. B. Farley passed Briggs for the lead as J. Farley and Spencer got together and ended their race. At the restart it was B. Farley, Briggs, top qualifier #28 Scott McClellan and Badour up front. As the field went up the back stretch a power failure plunged us into darkness and the race was called Winner Bob Farley. Briggs second and McClellan third.
Next week Limited Late Model action.