What a change in the weather we had for racing on Friday night. Not only was it windy, but by the time racing was completed, most people....who had thought to bring one...had a sweatshirt or coat on! The racing action was anything but cool though, and one race was decided by less than a bumper, bringing the crowd to it's feet as the cars crossed the finish line.
The Sport Compact was won by a familiar face, just driving a different car. Merv Chandler, who has been driving his son Nathan's (or is it Brad's?) car as of late...his old #2 finally giving up the ghost, led by the time they hit corner one as the green fell. Last week's winner Dave Moorman hung close for several laps, but Chandler had no trouble in taking another of his numerous wins. Moorman kept the runner up spot, third was Alec Gill...driving the car normally piloted by John Gill, fourth was Chad Larson and fifth went to Joe Alday. This was win #7 for Chandler at the track this year.
The Mod Lite 15-lap feature went caution free. Dusty Masolini led the opening laps until "Busman" Mike Kennedy grabbed the lead by lap four. Meanwhile, it was Josh May charging hard from the back of the pack and getting to third on lap five. A couple of laps later, May made the pass for the lead and had no trouble in taking the win, his second in as many weeks at the speedway. Andy Hennigar followed May through the pack and took the runner up spot. Third went to Mike Kennedy, fourth was Mike Morrill and Dusty Masolini rounded out the top five. This was May's sixth win this year, tying him with Andy Hennigar as the two remain the only drivers with wins in the class.
There was a good battle in the 12-lap Hobby Stock Feature. Jacob Keiser held off Eric Stanton and Bill Bonnett in the opening laps. Stanton took over at lap four but continued to be dogged by Keiser and Bonnett. A yellow at lap eight, set up a shoot out to the finish. Stanton continued to lead but veteran Bill Bonnett was digging on the bottom hoping to make up ground. It wasn't to be on this night however, as Stanton took the win, and Bonnett had to settle for second. Keiser finished a close third, fourth was Gary Pfantz, and Jennifer Hulin, who rolled her car last week, took a top five finish. Stanton won for the second week in a row, his third over all.
The IMCA Northern SportMod feature was, as announcer Jerry VanSickle said, "action packed from the drop of the green, to the checkers". Veteran racer, Bill Hildreth led the first few laps but by lap four, Eric "Little E" Elliott had taken over from his fifth row starting spot. Elliott pulled away from the pack with Osky's Carter VanDenBerg now in second, giving chase. Not to be out done, Jenae Gustin now had her ride into the third spot and was doing battle with VanDenBerg as the laps wound down. The three cars crossed the finish line closely, but Elliott held his ground and took the win. VanDenBerg held off Gustin as they went second and third in that order. Fourth was Paul Nagle who came from starting fourteenth, and Ben Kates...who was listed on the line ups last night as "Kansas City Comb Over"...(there has to be a story behind that) hung around the front all night to finish in fifth. Elliott kept the repeat wins going by taking his second victory in as many weeks.
What an exciting IMCA Stock Car feature....as it often is. Tracy Gienger led the early laps but three others were on the hunt for that top spot...Derek Reimer, Jay Schmidt and Steve Meyer. All four drivers were seeking high and low for their best line, and Reimer found just that after a restart at lap eight. Reimer took the helm and now it was Gienger, Schmidt and Meyer jousting for second. Meyer dropped to the bottom and dug his way to the lead by lap twelve of the 18-lapper, Schmidt staying on the topside and taking second over Reimer. It wasn't over yet however, and as the two front runners came to the checkers, Schmidt made a last ditch effort, but fell just short by a bumper as Meyer took the win. Third went to Derek Reimer, Norm Chesmore came from row six to capture a fourth place finish, and Tracy Gienger completed the top five. Meyer got his second regular season win of the year, plus winning the Frostbuster.
The night's closer was the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. The "Ground Pounders" per announcer Jerry V. The "Angry Bird" car of Ronn Lauritzen took over the top spot from early leader David Brown at lap four. Shortly after a restart at lap five, Jon "The Top Side Terror" Snyder had gotten to Lauritzen's tail, and the two crossed the flagstand in a virtual dead heat at lap eight. Snyder took the advantage with his usual topside line and continued his run there. Then Lauritzen had his hands full fending off Cayden "Gasman" Carter as the laps wound down. It was all Snyder however, as he took the checkers for the third time in a row, adding another victory to the list after his recent debut of his 2014 Harris. Lauritzen took second, Carter finished a close third, Mike "The Flying Dutchman" VanGenderen came to play after his promoting duties at Donnellson were called off due to rain, and finished fourth, and David Brown hung around the front to score a fifth place finish.
There's still plenty of weekend racing to be found out there. Try and get to a track of your choice and support our great sport. Happy Racing!
No comments:
Post a Comment