John Grega Claims Dixie Cup Series Championship

Friday, November 17
John Grega Claims Dixie Cup Series Championship

Eleven time Winston Motor Speedway Late Model Championship recently claimed a championship on the Asphalt running in his Port City House Car Super Late Model.

The A+ Supply Dixie Cup Series delivered awesome edge-of-your-seat racing as the divisions big dogs came off the porch to play at Dixie . Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer John Grega out-chased the rest of the field to claim the coveted Dixie Cup Championship. Flushing’s John Doering, who officially hung up his helmet after a storied career, was 2nd followed by CRA and Winchester 400 Champion Scott Hantz from Angola, IN. Saginaw’s Norm Davis, had an outstanding year in the #24 Tom MacDonald-Plymouth, MI machine, finishing 4th just ahead of 3-time Toledo Glass City 200 Champion and Hall of Famer, Steve Sauve. Port City Racing and EMF Corp. were associate sponsors of the 5-race series while Burton , MI ’s A+ (Electrical) Supply was Sponsor of the Year.

Congratulations John!

Nelson Jr, Wilbern and Lynn are “Spectacular” at Winston Motor Speedway

Saturday, September 9
Nelson Jr, Wilbern and Lynn are “Spectacular” at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway concluded the 2006 season with their 4th annual “Fall Spectacular” on Friday September 8th and Saturday September 9th. The weekend started with a bang literally as Friday night qualifying and racing was interrupted more than once with lighting and rain. Qualifying, Fast Car Dashes and “Dash for Cash” races were the only events able to be run on Friday. The scheduled heat races were put off until Saturday. It was a weekend of camaraderie and great racing in Rothbury.

The Late Model feature saw two drivers battle up front for most of the 50-lap feature. Matt Pickard made what could have been seen as the move of the race as he entered turn one on the first lap. Pickard was able to get his car inside of pole sitter and former Fall Spectacular winner Tom Sprague Jr and take the point. Pickard pulled away from the field running right on the bottom of the track. Outside pole sitter Tom Dusen brought out a caution on lap ten when he was off pace in turn three resulting with his Late Model being spun to the infield. On the start fans were quick to notice that Kevin Nelson Jr was working his way through the field. By lap Twenty Nelson Jr had made his way to second working the inside groove past Spargue Jr and his father Kevin Nelson. As laps wound down Nelson and Pickard ran nose to tail in the second groove. Nelson was waiting for the slightest error or mishandle by Pickard. With four laps to go Nelson found it. Exiting turn two Pickard pushed high allowing Nelson Jr to get under him and complete the pass on the backstretch. Nelson Jr than pulled away slightly in his Nelson Speed Shop/ Village Hobbies sponsored Late Model and went on to take the win. Nelson Jr’s $1500 winners share was the largest of his racing career.

“I really thought I was just going to have to settle for second,” stated Nelson Jr. “Matt was very fast and we both shared the same line” “I noticed late in the race he was losing a little bit of handle but I did not know if I could make the pass” “It was a lot of fun”

Pickard, Tim Stott, Kevin Nelson, and Rich Neiser completed the top five for the main event. Friday Night saw Tom Dusen win Time Trails. Tom Sprague Jr won the “Dash for Cash” and Pickard won the Fast Car Dash. Denny Lynn Jr. and Kevin Nelson won Saturday Heat races. Australian Pursuit honors were taken by Nelson Jr.

The Modified division continued to see one driver exhibit a great deal of patience. It seemed all summer long Mike Wilbern found a racing groove and kept working it until he found his way to the front. Tonight was no different as Wilbern waited until lap 23 of their 40 lap main event to make a pass of then leader Andy Sprague. Wilbern’s win comes on the heals of winning the 2006 Michigan Modified State Points title as well as the Winston Motor Speedway Track Title. Wilbern’s Ruby Creek Tavern sponsored Modified visited victory lane at Winston for the 12th time this season. The runner-up position was not decided until the final straight away when John McCaul completed a pass of Sprague on the inside. Dan Dykman was fourth followed by Rich Neiser. Heat races were won by Randy Whitten and Sprague. “Dash for Cash” and Qualifying honors were taken by Sprague. Tim Tuttle won the Pursuit. Rich Neiser took the Fast Car Dash win.

The Sportsman/Street Stock division provided one of the best races of the weekend. Outside Pole sitter and Thunderbird Race Park manager Troy Marciniak set the pace from the early going. Youngster Kyle Borgman was right on Marciniak's bumper for the first half of the 40-lap feature. Multi-time Thunderbird Race Park Champion Mick Latch waited in the wings while Mike Lynn worked his way to the front from his 8th place starting position. A broken rear suspension part resulted in the demise of Borgman and helped Lynn into the runner-up position. With Seventeen laps remaining Lynn and Marciniak began to run side by side. Lynn raced in the low groove. Marciniak raced on the high line. It continued this way until the very end. It seemed as though they swapped the lead at the Flagstand every lap. The fans were on there feet for most of the event. Lynn finally led by a car length with one to go and went onto take the $500 winners share. Marciniak settled for second followed by Latch, Bob Shirk and Mike Anderson. Borgman won the “Dash for Cash” and Qualifying events. Anderson and Lynn won Heat races. Brian Juusola won the Pursuit. Marciniak won the Dash event.

Bomber drive Stan Dodd has had a great month of racing. Fresh off a Bomber Track Championship at Thunderbird Race Park and a season ending Championship Race win at Winston, Dodd’s proved he was the man to beat. Dodd used a fast car, a front row starting position and smart racing down the stretch to take home the $300 payday. While seemingly on an easy cruise to a win Dodds realized that the low groove was slowing and promptly slid up to the high side. It was the move of the race as Tony Weinrick and Sadie Klien were gaining ground and undoubtedly looking to make a pass for the win. Instead Weinrick and Klien were left battling for second. Weinrick earned the second spot over Klien. Fourth place went to Bill Delong followed by Robert Erickson. Tony Weinrick’s strong weekend runs included wins in the Dash, the “Dash for Cash” and Time Trial events. Delong won the Pursuit. Erickson won the Heat race.

Mini Stock driver Brad Bates will have bragging rights all winter long, as he was able to win three of the four events for the four-cylinder cars on the weekend. Bates wins included the Feature, Dash and Time Trail events. Bates battled with Zak Rounds in the Feature event before gaining the final advantage with 10 laps to go. Mark Farber and Jared Guinn rounded out the field. Farber won the Heat race.

Another race season has come and gone at Winston Motor Speedway. It will be remembered for having five first time track champions and one who repeated for the fifth time. It will also be remembered for an outstanding race surface that was aided by Wilkerson Excavating out of Muskegon. Most importantly it will be remembered as one that was safe, competitive and enjoyable for the drivers, crews and fans of Winston Motor Speedway. The 2006 Winston Motor Speedway Banquet will be held October 21st at Muskegon Harbor Holiday Inn. For ticket information contact owners Mike and Judy Goodwin at (231) 206-1508 For the best in Family Entertainment make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

It Was the “Fast” Way Around at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, September 1

It Was the “Fast” Way Around at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway fans were treated to the ASCS Sprints on Dirt Friday night September 1st. The crowd continued to make their way to Winston half way through the race program as an accident on US 31 had traffic backed up for miles. When the fans arrived they were not disappointed as the racing for all six divisions was great. When your last name is as a racecar driver is “Fast” you better be able to back it up and that is just what one SOD driver did. The other highlight of the night was the return of the title of Michigan Modified State Champion to a Winston driver.

Kevin Atkins and Grubaugh started on the front row of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz feature event. Grubaugh checked out early on while sixth-starter Gary Fast advanced to second in the opening five rounds via the topside of the track. Grubaugh's significant advantage was erased a lap later when Tom Miller spun off turn four, putting Fast on his rear nerf bar. Fast put the pressure on the leader by soon trying to pass Grubaugh on the low side of the track but was only able to pull alongside. On the 15th circuit, Grubaugh went to the bottom of the track to block Fast in turns three and four. Fast countered and ran the high line around Grubaugh to take command. Grubaugh tried to counter the move by ducking under Fast in the next corner, but could not make the move stick. From there, Fast opened up the lead through lapped traffic and held on for his first feature win of 2006. Grubaugh, Atkins, tenth-starter Tim Norman and Bill Johnson rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Ben Rutan, and Grubaugh.

Winston Motor Speedway fans have seen Michigan Modified driver Mike Wilbern go through the ups in downs in his racing career. From breaking both of his wrists in one season in two separate accidents to losing a State Points title as a result of a clerical error. Tonight some of those memories will fade for Wilbern as he wrapped up the 2006 Michigan Modified State Title. Wilbern did not just settle for the 4th place position he needed to win the title, he put an exclamation point on it by charging to the front and picking up his eleventh feature win at Winston Motor Speedway. Early leader Nate Bostrom was quite content pacing the field on the high side for the first fifteen of the twenty lap main event. Bostrom’s line was fast but did he did not realize that Wilbern was closing fast on the inside line. With five laps to go Wilbern took his Ruby Creek Tavern sponsored Modified to the inside of Bostrom coming out of turn two and slide in front of Bostrom grabbing the lead. From their Wilbern pulled away. Andy Sprague also mad his way by Bostrom to finish in the second position. Rich Neiser and Matt Sprague completed the top five. Heat races were won by 2006 Winston Sportsman Champion Greg Smith in his first time in a Modified. Rich Neiser won the Dash Event. Wilbern was the fastest in Time Trials.

Former fulltime racer and present Thunderbird Racepark manager Troy Marciank came out to Winston and showed he has not lost his touch. Marciniak and veteran Dan Borgman had the crowd on their feet as both of them showed all the tricks of the racing to stay out front. Marciniak held the point from start to finish with Borgman doing everything but spinning him to make a pass. Jamie Gilmore was also in the mix late in the race as they were three abreast on different occasions. When the checkered flag was waved it was Marciniak holding onto the win over Borgman. Dan Wilson nipped Gilmore at the line for third. Bob Shirk rounded out the top five. Gilmore and Borgman won Heat Races. Mike Anderson took Qualifying honors. Borgman won the Dash.

Bomber Driver Nathan Walton used his starting pole starting position to the fullest. Walton led every lap of the fifteen lap main event. Walton held off the hard charges of Sadie Klien, Jamie Woodring, Tony Weinrick and Jamie Lorenze. The win was Walton’s second of the season. Heat races were won by Bill Delong and Weinrick. Woodring took Dash event honors. Klien was the fast Qualifier.

Nathon Walton almost pulled off a Double Feature win. Nathon preceded his win in the Bomber Division by racing Luke Near bumper to bumper in the Mini Stock Division the entire only to come up a little bit short. Near has been a master a Winston over the years and tonight was no exception. Near’s Feature win was his fourth off the season while running part time. Brad Bates, Mike Lynn and April Spriggs completed the top five. Zak Rounds won the Heat race. Walton won the Dash event. Brad Bates was the Quick Qualifier.

Young Gun driver Kiley Kennedy was the top gun of the night. Kennedy picked up her third feature win of the season along with winning the Heat Race and Dash events. Kennedy led every lap beating in the Main event winning over Adam Spencer, Glen Parker and Eric Harrald. Spencer was the Fastest Young Gun in Qualifying.

Next Weekend Friday September 8th and Saturday September 9th mark the “Fourth Annual Fall Spectacular” at Winston Motor Speedway. Two days of exciting racing kicks off Friday night with Qualifying at 6:30 and Heat Races and Specials to follow. Saturday Night racing will start at 5:00 Late Models will be running a 50 lap $1500 to win main event to high light Saturday Nights Feature events. Michigan Modifeds, Sportsman, Bombers, Mini Stocks, and Young Guns will all have more money and laps to make it a Saturday night to remember. For the Best in Family entertainment make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Father Knows Best" at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, August 25
"Father Knows Best" at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway Champions were decided Friday August 25th.
It was the last night of points racing for all divisions. The Late Models and Bomber Season Championship races were the highlight events of the night. A father/son race team put on a show in the Late Model division that had the fans on their feet the entire event. The son was racing for the bragging rights and a trophy while the father was trying to secure his first championship at Winston. In the Bomber division all of the seasons front-runners had problems. The winner trailed by over 300 points entering the evening. Non-the less his Trophy will look good on the mantle.

Eight-teen Late Models were the main focus of the night as they raced their final regular season program. Kevin Nelson was on the pole based upon his top spot in the standings. Last weeks winner Rich Neiser flanked him to the right. Unfortunately a mishap earlier in the evening while packing the track took away the handle of Neiser’s car and quickly made him a non-factor for the main event. Nelson set the pace early in the event running the low line of the track. Matt Pickard was glued to Nelson’s bumper with Kevin Nelson Jr on his outside. Pickard and Nelson Jr waged the early war until lap ten when Nelson Jr finally gained the advantage and the runner-up position. At the half way mark the father and son began to race side by side. It continued until the checkered flag waved. Nelson Sr. who is renowned for running the high groove of area tracks was stuck on the bottom and his son held the topside. As laps wound down it became a guessing game of who was going to lead at the flag stand each lap. To say it was entertaining to the fans would be an understatement. When the white flag came out there was not a fan still in their seats. Nelson Jr’s attempt to drive it in deep into turn three caused him to push and ultimately gave his father the advantage at the finish line. Fans showed their appreciation for both drivers with a standing ovation. Kevin Nelson’s win was his ninth of the season. Nelson’s win put an exclamation point on his title as the 2006 Winston Motor Speedway Late Model Champion. Nelson Jr settled for second over Pickard, Tom Dusen and Rob Taylor. Heat Races were won by Darren Kane and Kevin Nelson. Nelson Jr was the Dash event winner. Sam Eddie was the fastest in Time Trials.

The Bomber Championship race could not have played out any better for winner Stan Dodds. The first five starters in the race suffered through accidents, spinouts, black flags and mechanical breakdowns. Dodds combined his Fast Qualyfing effort; his sixth place starting position and their bad luck to take the lead on lap eight and never look back. Dodds win was his third of the season. Bill Delong’s charge from the last row starting spot to second was an impressive one. Delong edged Robert Erickson, Jamie Lorenz, and Devin Vanderstelt in the running order. Heats were won by Delong and Sadie Klien. Nathon Walton won the Dash. Mike Epplett’s tenth place finish in a borrowed car helped his claim the 2006 Bomber Season Championship in a close battle with points runner-up Jerry Fairchild.

For sixteen of the twenty lap Michigan Modified main event Scott Presley held the lead. Fans were delighted to see the 30+ year racing veteran up front. Presley held an advantage by as much as ten car lengths during the event. As laps wound down Mike Wilbern was closing the gap on the high groove. Presley’s effort came up short. With four laps to go Wilbern gained the top spot on the backstretch and went on to win his ninth Feature of the season. The win helped Wilbern earn the Michigan Modified Association and Winston Motor Speedway Track Championship Titles for this season. Andy Sprague edged Presley for the runner-up spot on the last lap. Rich Neiser and John McCaul rounded out the top five. Julie Taylor won the first Heat Race. Sprague swept the fast Heat race, Dash, and Time Trial events.

The Sportsman Feature event came down to the final turn. Entering turn three on the last lap leader Bud Steinman came up on lap traffic. A slight hesitation by Steinman trying to clear a lapped car gave veteran Dan Borgman room to get underneath Steinman coming out of turn four. Steinman led 19 laps but it was Borgman who led the most important one. Borgman’s win was his first of the season in only his second night of racing this season. Greg Smith, Mike Anderson, and Mike Lynn completed the top five. Borgman and Smith were Heat Race winners. Mike Anderson won the Dash event. Mike Welch was the quick qualifier. Greg Smith’s third place finish on the night helped him wrap up his fifth consecutive Sportsman Track Championship at Winston.

In the Mini Stock division Zak Rounds won the battle and Carl McCann won the war. Rounds paced the field for the entire main event to pick up the win over Carl McCann, Mark Farber, Rob Carmean and Brad Bates. McCann’s runner-up finish secured his position as the 2006 Mini Stock Track Champion. Mark Farber won the Heat race. Rounds won the Dash. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.

Mini Stock driver Blake Meyering continued his season dominance with his thirteenth Feature win. Meyering’s feature win total led all divisions at Winston Motor Speedway. Andrew Bartozsek, Chris Rice, Glen Parker and Jordon Praay. Rice won the Dash and Heat Race. Meyering took Fast Time honors.

Winston Motor Speedway continues their race schedule with the Sprints on Dirt Series making their way to start the Labor Day weekend Friday September 1st. The Late Models will have the night off but five other classes of exciting racing will be on hand. For the Best in Family entertainment make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway Lead the Way

Friday, August 4, 2006
Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway Lead the Way

The divisional points leaders at Winston Motor Speedway showed why they are at the top of the standings on Friday August 4th. Four out of the six divisions saw drivers who entered the night at the top of the standings take the main event win for their respective class. This combined with one of the fan favorites making her way to victory lane and it proved to be another great night of racing.

Twenty-two Late Model started the Main event, but when the dust settled the same driver continues to make his way to the front. Point’s leader Kevin Nelson started in the sixth position, by lap three he was in the lead. By lap five Nelson was already lapping cars. Only a late caution saw his lead challenged. On the final restart with three laps to go ironically it would be his son Kevin Nelson Jr trying to take away his celebration in victory lane. Nelson Jr had started sixteenth and proved that he was not going to make it easy on his father. On the final start Nelson went to the high groove and Nelson Jr went low. Nelson began to pull away. Nelson Jr was suddenly in a battle for second. Tom Dusen had used the high groove all night to make his way from sixth and challenge for the runner-up spot. On the final lap Dusen completed the pass along the front stretch to grab the second spot. Tom Sprague Jr and Dean Huizenga rounded out the top five. The win for Nelson was his eighth of the season and secured his spot at the top of the point standings. Heat race winners were Tim Stott, Brain McQueen and Dusen. Rich Neiser took Dash race honors. Josh Slade was the fastest in Time Trails.

Andy Sprague dominated for eighteen of the twenty lap Michigan Modified feature. With only two laps remaining a caution was the last thing he wanted to see. Unfortunately a spin by a lapped car brought out the yellow and placed divisional points leader Mike Wilbern on his rear bumper. On the final start Wilbern made his way inside Sprague and his way to victory lane for the seventh time this season. Rich Neiser, Tim Tuttle and Nate Bostrom completed the top five. Heat race wins were garnered by Neiser and Wilbern. Sprague swept the Dash and Qualifying events.

Sportsman driver Greg Smith continued his quest for his fifth consecutive Sportsman championship. Starting in the fourth position the present Points leader and Fast Qualifier of the night made his way to the lead on lap three and never looked back. The win was the tenth of the season for Smith. The battle for second was won by Rob Sternberg over Mike Lynn. Mike Anderson and Bud Steinman rounded out the top five. Steinman and Chad Weinrick were Heat Race winners. Mike Peterson won the Dash event.

At less than five feet tall and weighing less than 100 pounds you would never guess that Sadie Klien was a racecar driver. Entering the tenth grade at Oakridge High School this fall she will be trading her driving suit for a cheerleading uniform. Don’t let the petite ness and cheerleader looks fool you. Starting on the outside of the front row she left no doubt in anyone’s mind she can drive. Klien led every lap to take her second feature win of the season. Mike Epplett held of a hard charging Tony Weinrick for second. Jerry Fairchild and Nathan Walton completed the top five. Stan Dodds and Walton won Heat races. Weinrick took Dash event honors. The fastest in Time Trials was Jerry Fairchild.

In the Mini Stock division Zak Rounds made a pass for the lead on lap three and never looked back. The win was Rounds second of the season. Mark Farber, Brad Bates and Carl McCann completed the rundown. McCann won the Heat race. Bates won the Dash event and Farber was the fastest in Qualifying.

Young Gun Driver Blake Meyering won the Feature, Heat and Dash events. Meyering's eleventh Feature win continued his dominance and padded his Points lead. Kiley Kennedy, Adam Spencer, Jordon Praay, and Eric Harrald rounded out the field. Kennedy was the fastest in Time Trials.

Next Friday August 11th kicks off a run of season championship races. The Sportsman and Young Gun divisions take center stage. Will anyone be able to knock Sportsman driver Greg Smith or Young Gun driver Blake Meyering off their winning pedestals? For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Dusen, Wilbern and Smith all Winners at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, July 28, 2006
Dusen, Wilbern and Smith all Winners at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway ended the month of July with some of the best racing this season. Word is traveling fast throughout the state about the two and three abreast racing that is able to take place every Friday Night. Steady crowds and car counts have made it a very entertaining season thus far. Four out of the six classes had winners who started their main events outside of the top five. Passing has become the norm instead of the exception for the 2006 season.

In the Late Model division Tom Sprague Jr was the top gun for much of the Main event. Sprague held the point for the first twenty laps and through three cautions and their restarts. Kevin Nelson was in the runner-up position during his reign up front. With five laps to go fans witnessed some of the best high side driving of the season by Tom Dusen. On the last caution restart of the feature event Dusen flew by both Sprague and Nelson to take the lead. Nelson immediately followed Dusen to the high grove to get by Sprague for second but could not real in Dusen. Dusen’s win would be his second of the season. Sprague held off a hard charging Brian McQueen for third. The hard charge of the event belonged to Rich Neiser who came from eighteenth place starting spot to fifth. Heat races were won by Eddie Reyes and McQueen. Sprague won the Dash. Nelson was the fastest in Time Trials.

The Michigan Modifieds put on one of the best Main event races of the season. With five laps to go drivers were side-by-side three rows deep. Derek Poland held the point but Rich Neiser, Mike Wilbern, and Nate Bostrom were all applying pressure. An outside move by Wilbern got him by Neiser for second with four laps to go. Wilbern then used the low grove to grab the lead from Poland with two laps left. Wilbern’s eighth place starting position was not a detriment as he motored to his sixth feature event of the season. Poland settled for second. Nate Bostrom powered his way to a third place finish ahead of Neiser and Fast Qualifier Andy Sprague. Heat Races were won by Ray Wiggers and Neiser. Wilbern won the Dash event.

Sportsman driver Chad Weinrick was three laps away from picking up his first feature event win at Winston. Until Sportsman points leader Greg Smith inside pass coming down the front stretch Weinrick had dominated the event. Smith’s patience and track experience from his sixth place starting position paid off for his ninth win of the season and padded his lead at the top of the standings. Weinrick held off Mike Lynn for second. Bud Stenman and Bean Falbe completed the top five. Heat race honors went to Steinman and Mike Anderson. Lynn won the Dash event. Weinrick tripped the clock as the fastest Sportsman in Qualifying.

A heated battle between Jamie Lorenz and Mike Epplett had the fans on their feet much of the event. Epplett got inside of Lorenz coming out of turn four and thought he had cleared Lorenz. Contact between Epplett’s right rear quarter panel and Lorenz’s left front steered Epplett into the wall and showed why Epplett is the Points leader for the Bomber Division. Epplett made one of the best saves of the year, bouncing of the wall and straightening out his car as he entered turn one. Epplett finished strong and picked up his fifth feature win of the season from his sixth place starting position. Lorenz was second over Sadie Klien, Tony Weinrick and Nathan Walton. Heat winners included Lorenz and Walton. Weinrick took Dash honors. Tim Jeffries was the fastest in Time Trials.

Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber was the best in the field for the four-cylinder division. Farber led every lap to take his sixth Feature win of the season. Zak Rounds, Jared Guinn and Carl McCann completed the run down. McCann won the Heat race. Guinn took Dash race honors. Guinn was the fast Qualifier.

In the Young Gun division Kiley Kennedy stopped Blake Meyering’s consecutive win streak at six. Kennedy led from start to finish. Kennedy’s win was her second of the season. Meyering was glued to Kennedy’s’ bumper at the finish line. Eric Harrald was third followed by Adam Spencer and Heat race winner Tyler Wagner. Meyering swept the Dash and Qualifying events.

A busy weekend takes place to start the month of August at Winston Motor Speedway. Friday August 4th will be six exciting classes of racing. Saturday August 5th the Lakeshore Demo Derby cars will be in action for part of their Summer Slam Series. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Reyes and Weinrick Garner Wins at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, July 21, 2006

Reyes and Weinrick Garner Wins at Winston Motor Speedway

It was “Kids Night” and “Fan Appreciation Night” at Winston Motor Speedway on Friday July 21st. Families came out to see great racing and children received gifts from local merchants, drivers, crewmembers and fans. It was Christmas in July. Every child walked away with something, including bicycles, Toys, and T-shirts. Children also had the chance to get autographs and photos from their favorite drivers on the front stretch an hour before the race program began. In racing action two dominate race leaders saw checkered flags taken away because of mechanical failures. Fans also were treated in witnessing two first time winners this season in the Late Model and Bomber divisions.

Kevin Nelson looked to keep his name at the top of the point standings in the Late Model division. For all but two laps Nelson held the point with Eddie Reyes chasing him from the runner-up spot. The unthinkable happened as Nelson drove down the backstretch coming for the white flag. A puff of smoke out of his #17 saw his car coast into turn three and bring out a caution. Nelson’s night was over and Reyes was now in the lead. With two laps left Reyes was able to hold off Brain McQueen who had charged his way to the front from his 9th place starting position. It was Reyes first main event win of the 2006 season at Winston Motor Speedway. Tom Sprague Jr., Tim Stott and Rich Neiser. The Heat race winners were Stott and Reyes. Kevin Nelson Jr won the Australian Pursuit event.

In the Michigan Modifieds cautions were the theme of the night. Eight times the yellow flag flew to reset the field. When the Main event reached the half waypoint Andy Sprague was dominating the field. Unfortunately his demise came the same way as Late Model driver Kevin Nelson. A puff of smoke out of #18 saw his car come to a rest in the infield. The lead was handed to Rich Neiser, but the man on the move was Mike Wilbern. Starting from the seventh position Wilbern sliced and diced his way to Neiser’s door with two laps to go. On the white flag lap Wilbern completed his mission with an inside pass down the front stretch. Wilbern’s win was his fifth of the season and will keep him at the top of the point standings. Neiser finished second. Nate Bostrom’s charge out of turn four saw him edge Ray Wiggers by a foot at the finish line to capture third. Derek Poland rounded out the top five. Julie Taylor and Sprague won heat races. Wilbern won the Australian Pursuit.

Sportsman drivers Greg Smith and Mike Lynn have been the two top drivers of late in this very tough class. The two drivers had the fans on their feet again this week in a close finish. Smith led the first ten laps of the main event. Out of nowhere Lynn had pulled door to door with the leader with five laps to go. A caution flag with two laps to go played into Smith’s hands. A single file restart gave Smith the edge he needed. Smith was able to hold onto pick up his seventh win of the season. Lynn was second followed by Chad Weinrick, Mike Anderson and Bud Steinman. Tom Sprague sported his 1957 Chevy to a Heat Race win. Smith was the winner of the Fast Heat. Weinrick won the Australian Pursuit.

In the Bomber Division Tony Weinrick has shown that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with the second half of the season. Weinrick started on the pole, but left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was the fastest Bomber on the night. Weinrick led every lap to pick up his first Feature win of the season. Mike Epplett, Jerry Fairchild, Tim Jeffries and Stan Dodds completed the top five. Heats were won by Weinrick and Fairchild. Dodds took Australian Pursuit honors.

In the Mini Stocks Mark Farber led every lap to take his fifth feature win of the season. Carl McCann was second followed by Zak Rounds and Brad Bates. McCann won the Heat Race.

In the Young Gun Division Blake Meyering bested the eight-car field to win his tenth Main event of the season. Tyler Wagner backed up his Heat Race win with a strong second place finish. Kiley Kennedy, Jordon Praay and Corey Davis rounded out the top five.

The Winston Motor Speedway racing family would like to thank all the volunteers, businesses, drivers and fans for making the 2006 “Kids Night” a success. There is nothing more special than seeing smiles and hearing laughter from children. Six classes of racing will be back in action next Friday night July 28th. For the best in Family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Friday July 7
Neiser and Tuttle Lead the Way at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday July 7th saw the return to victory lane by two longtime Winston Motor Speedway regulars. One veteran demonstrated that he can drive with or without a wing taking the win in the Great Lakes Outlaw Modified Series while the other veteran picked up his first win since his Late Model Track Championship last season. The weather was perfect and not enough can be said for the condition of the track. The addition of 3500 yards of clay and the grooming of the track by Wilkerson Excavating has drivers and fans raving about the side-by-side racing that takes place every week.

In the Late Model division three lanes of racing provided great action all over the track. Pole sitter Denny Lynn Jr set the pace for 25 lap main event in the early going. Tom Dusen jumped to the high side of the track and the early going and began to pick off cars from his 5th place starting position. On lap six Dusen was able to grab the point on the backstretch. Rich Neiser and Tim Stott also made their way by Lynn Jr. on lap ten with inside passes. With laps winding down Dusen and Neiser staged a battle at the front racing side by side with Stott looking for the fastest line behind them. With five laps to go Neiser, Winston’s 2005 Late Model Champion cleared Dusen and was on his way to his first Late Model win of 2006. Dusen was left battling Stott side by side for the remainder of the race. On the final turn Dusen got a little bit better bit coming out of turn four and was able to edge Stott for the runner-up position. Ricky Whipple captured the fourth spot. Kevin Nelson Jr. earned the hard charger of the event coming from his fifteenth starting position to earn a top five. Eric Spangler and Rob Taylor took Heat Race wins. Tim Stott garnered Dash event honors. Dusen was the fastest in Time Trials.

There were two distinct stories that took place in the Great Lakes Outlaw Modified main event. One was that of sixty-nine year old Earl Gerard and the other was that of local hot shoe Tim Tuttle. The winged Modified were led and dominated in the early going of the race by Gerard. At the half way point Gerard was half a track ahead of the closest competitor. Gerard’s Sunday cruise ended when Dan Dykman and John Hadley made contact in turn three resulting in the only caution of their 25 lap main event. An insurmountable lead by Gerard turned out to be a bumper-to-bumper restart. On the restart Tim Tuttle used his vast experience at Winston and made quick work of Gerard by turn one. Gerard’s fall back continued as he fell back to fifth at the end of the race. Once Tuttle grabbed the point there was no stopping him. Tuttle took home the $600 winners share. The race for second was won by Dave Pries, followed by Melvin Allen and John Horn. Heat Races were won by Horn and John Krusinsky. Tuttle was the quick Qualifier.

Chad Weinrick and Mike Welch had the fans attention in the Sportsman division in the early going. These two drivers raced door to door for eight laps until a caution flag was waved for a spinning car on the backstretch. During the caution laps bad luck hit Weinrick who was reported to have fuel leaking from his fuel cell and was waved into the pits. Welch looked steady holding the lead until lap fifteen of the twenty-lap event. Welch’s low line began to slow in the late going. Mike Lynn found the top of the track to his liking and made his way by Welch with five laps to go. The win was Lynn’s third of the season. Greg Smith muscled his way inside Welch two laps later in turn three to take the second spot. Welch, Jamie Gilmore and Mike Anderson completed the top five. Juusola and Smith took Heat race wins. Anderson won the Dash event. Joe Near tripped the clock as the fastest Sportsman in Qualifying.

Bomber driver Mike Epplett continued his winning ways. Epplett took advantage of a slip by leader and outside front row starter Jamie Woodring in turn three to grab the point three laps into the main event. Woodring fell back to sixth but by the end of the event was the fastest Bomber on the track. Epplett held of the early charges of Tim Jeffries and Nathan Walton before both of them were part of cautions. Fast Car Dash winner Tony Weinrick moved into the mix with six laps to go. A caution with one lap to go left set the stage for a great finish. On the final lap Epplett hit all of his marks to take his fourth win of the season. Weinrick held off the hard charging Woodring to capture second. Tim Jeffries and Sadie Klien rounded out the top five. Heat Races were won by Epplett and Walton. Kyle Borgman was the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.

The Mini Stock class was small in numbers but came up large in racing action. Carl McCann, Brad Bates and Jared Guinn put on a great show of car control as they raced three abreast at the half way point of their main event. All three drivers held the lead at some point during the Mini Stock feature. With one lap to go Bates was the leader. With one turn to go it was Guinn. At the finish line Guinn was credited with the win in a photo finish. Points Leader McCann was third followed by Zack Rounds, and Mark Farber. Bates was the winner of the Heat and Dash events. Guinn was the Quick Qualifier.

Young Gun Driver Blake Meyering continued his dominance with wins in the Feature, Heat Race and Time Trial events. The win was Meyering’s ninth of the season. Adam Spencer chased Meyering to a second place finish in the feature event. Eric Harald and Glen Parker completed the four-car field run down in the main event. Kiley Kennedy won a Heat race.

Next Friday night July 14th five classes will be in racing at Winston. The Late Model Division will be given the night off in respect to the drivers who want to qualify Friday night for Saturdays 18th Annual "Wood Tic 100" at Merritt Speedway. Michigan Modified will run at Winston but track points will not be given for the night. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

McQueen Tops Late Model Field at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, June 30 2006
McQueen Tops Late Model Field at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway started the 4th of July weekend with nice weather, great racing and a Fireworks program that filled the sky and had fans cheering with appreciation. One competitor will remember Friday June 30th as a confidence booster in his return to racing after a four- year layoff.

Late Model driver Brian McQueen has spent the last four years as a fabricator and spectator of the same cars he would be racing door to door in his return behind the steering wheel. McQueen’s well known in West Michigan racing circles for his ability to put a race car together, but tonight fans walked away in awe of his driving ability. McQueen’s layoff was not evident. Starting sixth in the18 car field McQueen jumped to the high side at the start of the race. By lap five McQueen was in third and in hot pursuit of leaders Tim Stott and Ricky Whipple. After a caution on lap six McQueen made another high groove pass of Whipple to put him in position for the win. Stott and McQueen had the fans on their feet as they ran side-by-side lap after lap. Stott raced in the low groove while McQueen ran on the very top groove of the track. McQueen finally gained the advantage with six laps to go with a great run off turn four to make the pass in front of a packed house at Winston. McQueen could not sigh a breath of relief as Whipple’s Late Model ride started to come alive with four laps to go. After dropping four spots earlier in the event, Whipple came within a fender of stealing the win coming out of turn four. Whipple was left hoping for one more lap as McQueen edged him at the line to pick up his first Feature Late Model win in almost five years. Tom Sprague Jr. was the hard charger of the Late Model feature coming from fourteenth to third. Kevin Nelson Jr. and Stott rounded out the top five. Sprague Jr and Stott won heats. McQueen won the Dash event. Shawn Reed was the fastest in Time Trials.

To say that Andy Sprague has figured out his new Bob Pierce 2006 racecar would be an understatement. Sprague became the first Modified driver of the season to pull off a sweep of every event he ran on the night. Sprague’s fast time in Qualifying was backed up with Dash, Heat Race and Main event wins. In the Main event he dominated from start to finish winning by fifteen car lengths. Mike Wilbern won the race for second over John McCaul, Ray Wiggers and Rich Neiser. McCaul won the other heat race.

In the Sportsman Division two drivers found the low groove to their liking and moved through the field quickly. Greg Smith went from third to first on lap three with inside passes of Vinny Homan and Chad Weinrick. Fast Qualifier Mike Lynn followed suit as he came from sixth to second by lap nine working the bottom groove. Unfortunately for Lynn, Smith was long gone and on his way to his 7th feature win of the season. Chasing Lynn finishing third was Chad Weinrick. Jamie Gilmore and Dave Wieten rounded out the top five. Gilmore and Keith Chrylser garnered Heat Race wins. Jeremy Holman took home Dash honors.

In the Bomber Division Kyle Borgman keeps combining the luck of the draw and great car control. Starting in the front row Borgman hit all of his marks to lead every lap of a caution filled main event. Hard charges from Stan Dodds and Jerry Fairchild fell short as Borgman claimed his third Main event in five attempts at Winston. Sadie Klien and Nathon Walton finished fourth and fifth in the finish order. Eric Wadkins, Alan Keister and Mike Epplett took checkered flags in Heat races. Borgman claimed Dash Honors. Tony Weinrick earned the top spot in Time Trials.

Although attrition during the evening resulted in a four-car field for the Mini Stocks, Mark Farber and Zak Rounds put on a show for the fans. These two drivers literally raced side by side for every lap of their ten-lap event. At the finish line Farber was able to edge ahead of Rounds by a fender to claim his fourth feature win of the season at Winston. Rounds, Carl McCann and Nathan Tarte completed the field. Farber swept the Dash and Heat races. Rounds was the quickest in Qualifying.

Blake Meyering started his holiday weekend with his eighth feature win of the season. Meyering lead every lap of the Young Gun main event. Tyler Wagner and Adam Spencer rounded out the finishing order of their three car main event. Meyering also won the Time Trial and Heat race events. Tyler Wagner took Dash honors.

Winston Motor Speedway continues its fun filled summer of racing next Friday July 7th with six divisions of racing. For the Best in Family Entertainment make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Smith and Epplett Take Home the Hardware at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, June 23, 2006

Smith and Epplett Take Home the Hardware at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway continued their run of Mid-season Championship races on Friday, June 23rd. The Sportsman and Bombers divisions were the headliners for the evening racing for trophies and summer bragging rights. A veteran in the Sportsman Division showed why he already has five track championships at Winston while a young gun in the Bomber division continues to stay at the top of the point stands with his aggressive style.The Sportsman Division for the last five years can be summed up with one name, Greg Smith. The quiet, mild mannered Smith does all of his talking with his right foot. Drivers in the Sportsman Division cannot wait for the day that Smith makes the move to a higher division. Smith’s Sportsman class dominance is reaching its fifth season. Smith started on the pole position based upon his top spot in the point standings. When the first caution flew on lap six Smith had already a fifteen-car length lead over second place runner Mike Lynn. No other caution flags were waved the rest of the race. Smith put an exclamation point on his 6th win of the season beating Lynn to the line by five car lengths. Chad Weinrick edged Mike Welch for third after the two had swapped the position on four different occasions. Jeremy Holman made an impressive run to the fifth position after starting last. Heats were won Bud Steinman and Welch. Lynn was the fastest in Time Trials. Smith won the Dash event.The Bomber Division continues to bring excitement in many forms to the fans of Winston Motor Speedway. This division has provided some of the most heated competition so far this season. The Bombers did not disappoint their fans. On the parade lap of their 20 lap Mid-Season Championship race front row starter Jerry Fairchild had his tire flattened by pole sitter and Points leader Mike Epplett as he swerved back in forth to heat up his tires. Track officials immediately Red Flagged the field while Fairchild made his way to the pits to get his tire changed and return to the starting position he had earned based upon the Point standings. When the field finally went to green all eyes were up front. Heading into turn one Epplett proved that eight tires are better than four as he put a power slide into Fairchild through turns one and two. Epplett came out in front coming out of turn two while Fairchild fell back in the field. Stan Dodds and Sadie Klien quickly moved to the second and third positions. A caution on lap seven for Justin Gilland’s encounter with the front stretch wall brought out a caution and reset the field. On the restart Epplett and Dodds battled for the top spot. Oakridge High School classmates Sadie Klien and Kyle Borgman also were putting on a great show for the fans in their effort to capture third. As laps wound down racing throughout the field was two and three abreast. With two laps to go Dodds made his way under Epplett in turn three only to see Epplett change his line to protect his lead pinching Dodds to the lowest part of the track. Epplett did everything in his power to protect his lead. At the finish line Epplett held Dodds off by a half car length for his third feature win of the season. Sadie Klien’s drive for the third position was just as close as she edged Borgman by a fender. Nate Walton rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Justin Gilmore, Eric Wadkins, and Borgman. Klien was the Dash event winner. Borgman was the fastest in Qualifying.Late Model driver Kevin Nelson continues to be pretty selfish when it come to victory circle at Winston Motor Speedway. Nelson did not let his fifth place starting position put a damper on his night. By lap four Nelson made his way by then leader Rob Taylor and put on a clinic. Nelson continues to have the rest of the Late Model drivers at Winston scratching their heads as he dominated the rest of the way to pick up his seventh feature event in nine tries. Tom Sprague Jr moved from his seventh place starting position to the runner-up position in a strong effort. Tom Dusen finished third and maintained his spot in the point standings with a car loaned to him by Jim Fairbanks for the night while his power plant is getting fixed. Rob Taylor and Matt Pickard completed the top five. The Father/Son duo of Fred and Scott Wenell won Heat races along with Sprague. Fred Wenell was also credited with the win of the “B” Feature after the four transfer spots into the “A” main. Tim Stott took Dash event honors. Dusen tripped the clock as the fastest Late Model in Time Trials.Michigan Modified driver John McCaul has had an up and down season based upon his previous two Championships seasons. McCaul hopes to turn his season around. He made great strides tonight with a Heat race win and a Feature win. McCaul led every lap of both races. In the Feature event Rich Neiser chased McCaul to a second place finish ahead of Mike Wilbern, Ray Wiggers and Derek Poland. Scott Presley was the fastest Qualifier. Poland won the Dash race.Zak Rounds won in impressive fashion in the Mini Stock Division. Starting up front Rounds was able to fend off the challenges of Brad Bates, Carl McCann, Mark Farber, and Jared Guinn to pick up his first win of the season. Rounds also won the Heat Race. Bates won the Dash event. McCann took home Time Trial honors.It was just a matter of time before Young Gun Driver Blake Meyering made a sweep of his divisions events. Meyering has been dominating all season long. Tonight was no different as Meyering took home his seventh feature win of the season and won the Dash, Heat Race and Qualifying events. Eric Harrald, Kiley Kennedy, Andrew Bartoszek, and Corey Davis rounded out the finishers.Next Friday night June 30th will again have all six divisions running. A fireworks show will also highlight the night’s events. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Kevin Nelson “ The Man” at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, June 16
Kevin Nelson “ The Man” at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway continued their run of Mid-Season Championship races Friday June 16th. The Late Model and Mini Stock divisions were the center of attention as they lined up for their championship races by points. A hot summer night brought out some great racing, a nice crowd and unfortunately a violent wreck that brought a hush over the crowd.In the thirty lap Late Model Midseason Championship race Kevin Nelson continued to shine. Nelson brought the field to the green lined up in the pole position. Tom Dusen was flanked to his right. Dusen’s own car had suffered motor problems in a heat race. In a great show of sportsman ship Scott Wenell gave up his ride to let Dusen have a shot for the win from his outside front row starting spot. At the Start of the race Dusen and Nelson were side by side until the first caution flew on lap three for Matt Pickard spinning in turn two. On the restart Dusen was off pace and quickly fell back to the fifth spot. Nelson was at the point with Rich Neiser, and Eddie Reyes on his bumper. Dusen’s night would get worse as he spun in turn four relegating him to the rear of the field on lap seven. At the half waypoint all eyes were on Rob Taylor as he was moving to the front from his eighth place starting position. Taylor rode on the highest point of the track picking off cars one by one. With ten laps to go Taylor was in second. The only question was there enough time for Taylor to catch Nelson who was still ten car lengths ahead. Nelson’s run into lapped traffic helped Taylor close the gap with five to go, but Nelson was able to hold on as he continues to be the man to beat in the Late Models at Winston. Nelson’s win was the sixth for him this season. Taylor’s run was the best for him this season and brought out a loud cheer for his efforts. Rich Neiser, Eddie Reyes and Kevin Nelson Jr completed the top five. Denny Lynn Jr. and Neiser won Heat Races. Tim Stott took Dash honors. Nelson tripped the clock as the fastest in Time Trials.

Mini Stock driver Mark Farber continues to work his way up the point standings at Winston. Farber entered the evening leading the points at Thunderbird Racepark and in the runner –up position at Winston. Starting on the outside of the front row, Farber was able to gain the advantage over points leader Carl McCann and never look back. McCann and Farber raced each other way out in front of the pack hard and clean the entire event. Ultimately McCann would have to settle for second. Farber’s Midseason Championship race win was his third of the season. Zak Rounds, Brad Bates and Carl Califf rounded out the top five. Rounds won the Heat Race. Bates took Dash event honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.

The Michigan Modified Division started out their evening on a rough note. Michigan Modified driver and fan favorite Julie Taylor was part of one of the most violent wrecks ever witnessed at Winston in her heat race. Coming out of turn four Taylor’s left front tire made contact with the outside front tire of Roger Flinn III causing her car to go airborne and then straight into the end of the turn four wall. Taylor’s car then flipped into oncoming traffic where she was narrowly missed by the rest of the field. You could have heard a pin drop until Taylor was safely removed from the car shaken but with no major injuries. Taylor’s car was not as fortunate as her 2006 Bob Peirce Chassis will need a lot of work before she races again. In the Michigan Modified feature Fast Qualifier and Dash event winner Andy Sprague made a pass of points leader Mike Wilburn for the lead on lap thirteen. Sprague’s decision to change lines half way through the race was the right one as he made high side passes to make his way to the front and capture his first main event win of the season. Wilburn held onto second over a hard charging Rich Neiser. Scott Presley and Harry Wilson completed the top five. Ray Wiggers and Wilburn won Heat races.

“Back to Front” was the theme of the Sportsman main event. Contact between Greg Smith and Jamie Gilmore in turn two saw Gilmore head to the pits on a wrecker and Smith put to the rear of the field. Leaders Vinny Homan and Mike Welch saw their lead evaporate as Mike Lynn had worked his way from his ninth place starting position to second with seven laps to go. With five to go Lynn took the lead from Welch. Charging through the field was Smith. A restart with three laps to go had the fans on their feet. In a sign of respect for both drivers’ fans gave a loud cheer as Mike Lynn held off the Four-time Sportsman track champion Smith for his second win of the season. Heat Race winner Welch held onto third followed by Chad Weinrick and Joer Near. Gilmore was the Dash winner. Lynn was the fastest in Time Trials.

The Bomber Division continues to provide some of the best racing action at Winston Motor Speedway. Kyle Borgman was the man of the hour this night as he won the Dash and Qualifying events and was able to hold off the field the entire fifteen-lap feature to capture his second main event win in three weeks. The race for second was exciting as Jerry Fairchild made his way from sixth to second. Point Leader Mike Epplett rough week continued. Epplett’s roll over last Saturday night at Thunderbird Race Park was followed tonight with a broken rear end. Epplett’s misfortune brought out the last caution of the night. On the final restart Fairchild headed a freight train of cars to the high side of the track making passes of then runner up Sadie Klien. Fairchild earned second followed by Stan Dodds, Nathan Walton and Klien. Heats were won by Keith Chrysler and Epplett.

Blake Meyering continues to be the “Bully on the Block” in the Young Gun Division. Meyering backed up his win in Time Trials with his sixth feature win. Kiley Kennedy finished a strong second ahead of Tyler Wagner, Adam Spencer, and Corey Davis. Wagner swept the Dash and Heat race events.

Friday June 23rd the Sportsman and Bombers will have their Mid-Season Championship races. Chad Weinrick, Mike Welch and Mike Lynn hope to prove that Greg Smith is really human win it comes to running at Winston. The five-time winner and four time Sportsman track champion will be on the pole for their championship race. The normal “Lets race and have fun” Bomber division has changed into “Rubbings Racing”. The gloves will be off as Points Leader Mike Epplett will try to change his recent string of bad luck and stay atop the point standing from his pole starting position. Jerry Fairchild, Sadie Klein, Nathan Walton and Stan Dodds will not be content to run second. It should make for some great racing. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Naida Wins a Wild One at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, June 9

Naida Wins a Wild One at Winston Motor Speedway

The American Sprint Car Series Sprints on Dirt made their way to Winston Motor Speedway Friday, June 9th. A packed house witnessed great racing and some violent wrecks. Hot tempers tuned out to be the other leading story of the night.

In the ASCS Sprints on Dirt Dain Naida survived to win Friday’s 25-lap Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt main event. Naida avoided an eight-car pile-up at the start that moved him from 13th starting spot up to the pole position. Naida took the lead from Joe Bares and then held off a late race surge from Brett Mann to capture the victory.

Defending ASCS Sprints on Dirt champion and last season’s winner at Winston, Tim Norman, and Bares were on the front row for the initial start. Norman spun in front of the field on the start in turn two and collected eight other cars. The red flag was displayed to clean up the crash. All of the drivers involved were able to restart.

Naida moved up to the pole for the second start, but it was Bares who took the lead going into turn one. While heading down the backstretch to complete the second lap, Tom Miller spun in turns three and four. A former winner at Winston and O’Reilly ASCS National Tour driver Dustin Daggett did not see the caution, rode over Gary Fast’s right rear wheel, and flipped end for end in turn three. Daggett was uninjured, but his racing at Winston was ended abruptly.

Late in the race Brett Mann was on the move passing Bares for the second spot. Mann also caught a break when Gregg Dalman clipped a marker tire coming off the fourth corner, broke the front end on his sprinter and crashed hard into the inside wall down the front stretch. Dalman was uninjured, but had to retire from the event due to significant front-end damage.

Mann was on Naida's back bumper for the restart, but Naida was up for the challenge. Naida pulled away from Mann on the restart and held on over the last ten laps to win the feature. Mann, Kevin Atkins, Bares, and Fast rounded out the top five. Norman, Bares and Atkins won heat races.

In Michigan Modified action Rich Neiser finally ended a run of three feature wins in a row for Mike Wilburn. Four cautions started the race. The last one was the most costly as front runners Scott Presley and Fast Car Dash winner Tim Tuttle tangled on the front stretch with both of them ending up against the front stretch wall. Neiser grabbed the point on the restart and stayed there. Wilburn made his way to second and did everything in his power to get to the front. A caution with one lap to go gave Wilburn one last opportunity to get by Neiser. On the start Wilburn chose the middle grove while Neiser stayed on the bottom line. Wilburn’s last ditch opportunity to get to the front backfired as John McCaul aggressively made his way inside of Wilburn in turn one to move to second. Neiser maintained his lead and went on to win his second Main event of the season at Winston. McCaul held off Wilburn for second. Nate Bostrom and Derek Poland rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Harry Wilson and McCaul. Wilburn was the fastest Modified in Qualifying.

Sportsman drivers continue to chase the #88 of Greg Smith in the Point Standings. Even a poor qualifying effort did not hurt the four-time Sportsman track champion. Fast Qualifier Bud Steinman’s inversion draw saw Smith placed on the front row for the main event. Smith was nothing less than smooth and fast hitting all of his marks winning by fifteen car lengths. The second place position was garnered by Denny Lynn Jr. The third place position was entertaining to watch as it changed hands many times during the event. Ultimately Mike Welch held off Chad Weinrick and Mike Lynn. In Heat race action Ken Fitzgibbon and Smith were winners. Weinrick took Dash honors.

The Bomber drivers looked like they were running for the Sprint Car payoff as nobody was giving an inch. The tone of the race was set from start as front row starter and Dash event winner Jerry Fairchild was put in the wall resulting in an eighteenth place finish. In a division where cautions have been few, tonight made up for the first seven weeks of racing. It should be an interesting lead into for the Bomber Championship in two weeks. Before the end of the Feature four out of the top five drivers in points were in the pits with damaged cars. After the entire melee it was Points Leader and the nights Fast Qualifier Mike Epplett as the last one standing in the top five of the standings. Epplett’s aggressive move at the start of the race put him on the point where he was untouchable. Fourteen-year old fan favorite Sadie Klien survived the carnage with composure beyond her years to finish second. Tony Weinrick had his best finish of the season with a strong third place. Roger Brooks and Kyle Borgman rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Stan Dodds and Angie Gilmore.

Mini Stock drivers who were not around when Luke Near was the most dominating Mini Stock Driver in West Michigan from 2001-2003 are quickly realizing that even though Luke races part-time these days, your better bring your “A” game to beat him when he shows up. For the second time in two weeks Near was the class of the field. Near made his way to the front quickly and pulled away from the field. Brian Bussing won the race for second over Carl McCann, Zak Rounds, and Mark Farber. Near won the Dash event. Farber garnered Heat Race honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.

The last lap for Blake Meyering last week was painful to watch. After leading the entire event of his Mid-Season Championship race his dreams literally went up in smoke. A mechanical failure resulted with his car catching on fire with one lap to go. To say there was redemption on his mind would be and understatement. Meyering eased last week’s disappointment by winning three out the four Young Gun events including the Feature, Dash, and Qualifying. Jordon Praay was the only one to put a nick in Meyering’s armor with a Heat Race win. Following Meyering to the line for the feature event was Praay, Adam Spencer, Andrew Bartoszek, and Kiley Kennedy.

Friday June 16th the Late Models and Mini Stock drivers take center stage for their Mid-Season Championships. The Question on many people’s minds is there anyone who can beat Kevin Nelson at Winston. Nelson’s currently has five feature wins. Front runners Tom Dusen, Rich Nesier, and Eddie Reyes all hope they are the drivers to put a stop to the “Kevin Nelson Show”. It should make for a great night of racing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Friday , June 2 2006

Wilbern and Kennedy Capture Mid-Season Championship Races at Winston

Winston Motor Speedway started a streak of Midseason Championship races that will take them to the end of June. The Michigan Modifieds and Young Guns were the two divisions running for Mid Season bragging rights on Friday June 2nd. Fans also were treated to witnessing two of the hottest Late Model drivers in the State of Michigan battle at Winston.

The Michigan Modifieds lined up for their Mid-Season Championship race by point standings. Mike Wilbern had earned the right to start on the pole and he made it pay off in a big way. Wilburn has dedicated his race season to long time racer and friend Tim Johnson who lost his life earlier this year. With Johnson’s son in the pits to root Wilbern on he was able to lead every lap and win his fourth Main event of the season. It did not come easy though as Rich Neiser and John McCaul pressured him throughout the race only to settle for the second and third positions. Veteran Scott Presley garnered the fourth position. Julie Taylor had the best run of her season finishing in the fifth position. Taylor also took home a Heat race win along with McCaul. Neiser took Qualifying honors. Wilbern won the Dash.

The Young Gun division saw the continued dominance from Blake Meyering. Meyering was the fastest in Qualifying, won the Heat race and for fourteen of the fifteen-lap Mid-Season Championship race looked unbeatable. Unfortunately heading for the white flag coming out of turn four Meyering’s car spun and caught on fire. Meyering was left scrambling out of his car to safety wondering what could have been. With one lap to go Kiley Kennedy and Dash winner Jordon Praay was now the center of attention. Kennedy assumed the point and held her line hitting all of her marks to take home the Trophy over a hard charging Praay. Adam Bartoszek finished third ahead of Meyering and Adam Spencer.

In the Late Model Division Kevin Nelson has been nothing less than spectacular at Winston Motor Speedway this season. Nelson last week alone took home wins from Winston and Crystal Motor Speedway. Eric Spangler’s appearance at Winston had the fans buzzing. Spangler’s season also has been top notch with wins at Thunderbird and I-96 Speedway recently. Twenty-one Late Models took to the track for the green flag. On the start Eddie Reyes was the early leader but it was Nelson who quickly moved to the point with a high side pass. Elex Leyton also powered his way to second only to see his hopes for a win dashed with mechanical failure on lap seven. It was obvious to fans that when all was said and done it was going to be Spangler or Nelson in the winner’s circle. Spangler had moved his way from his seventh place starting position to second by lap eight making passes high and low on the racetrack. With four laps to go a caution flag put the fans on the edge of their seats for the finish. On the final restart Nelson chose the high line and Spangler battled in the low line of the racetrack. When the checkered flag was waved Nelson had won his fifth feature at Winston. Spangler’s strong second place finish showed why he is one of the best Late Model drivers in the state of Michigan. The race for third was won by Tom Sprague Jr. over Kevin Nelson Jr and Rich Neiser. Heat Race honors were taken by Scott Wenell and Spangler. Brian McQueen’s absence from racing for four years did not show as he was clocked as the fastest Late Model in Time Trials. Spangler took home Dash event honors.

The Sportsman Division continues to provide great racing. Two and three abreast racing saw Mike Lynn battle his way to the front and hold off Mike Welch and Jamie Gilmore for his second Feature win of the season. Joe Near and Mike Peterson rounded out the top five. Bud Steinman took the checkered flag for the Heat race. Mike Peterson took home Qualifying honors. Greg Smith won the Dash.

The Bomber Division continues to be the most even leveled playing field. Another first time winner makes this division have only one two time winner this season. Kyle Borgman started his season with nothing but heartache. The seventeen-year-old driver suffered through two blown motors. Tonight his luck would change. After an inversion draw put his #72 Camaro on the outside pole Borgman was on a mission. Borgman was able to lead every lap and take the win. Stan Dodds chased Borgman to a second place finish. Mike Epllett and Jerry Fairchild each moved up six spots to capture the third and fourth place positions. Jamie Woodring completed the top five. Sadie Klien and Woodring were the Heat Race winners. Epplett won the Dash event. Fairchild tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.

Former Mini Stock track champion Luke Near let the rest of the field know that he can still turn the wheel. Near won every event of the night including the Dash, Heat, Qualifying and Main events. In the Main event Near started deep in the field but yet was able to grab the lead on lap six of the twelve lap main event. Near proceeded to pull away and pick up his first feature win in only his second appearance this season at Winston. Runner-up honors went to Mark Farber followed by Zak Rounds, Carl McCann, and Nathan Tarte.

Friday June 9th Winston Motor Speedway will host the Sprints on Dirt Series. If you want to see the fastest laps of the season mark your calendars. You will not want to miss it. Five other divisions (No Late Models) of racing will also be there to entertain the fans. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

No Crashing, Just Crushing

No Crashing, Just Crushing
Thursday, June 01, 2006
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

Exhaust isn't the only thing in the air this spring at Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury. Love is in the air, too. Nate Walton and Sadie Klein view each other as just another driver when they put on their race uniforms, strap on their helmets, hop into their cars and fasten their seat belts. But once the race is over, don't be surprised to see the two teenagers hanging out together at the movies or the beach. Walton, of Hudsonville, and Klein, of Muskegon, have been going steady for three months now. Racing has brought the two lovebirds together. "We met at the race track," Walton said. "We would always talk, and this is something that just worked out." Walton, 16, is sophomore at Hudsonville High School, while Klein, 15, is a freshman at Oakridge.

The two have been racing together at Winston since 2004, and they have both enjoyed success in their young careers. The two have emerged as major factors in the Bomber class. Walton won the track's Mini-Stock championship a year ago, beating out Klein for the title. Both made the jump to the Bombers this spring, and each has one feature victory. Walton was fifth and Klein sixth in the most recent point standings. Both come from racing families. Walton's cousins, Andrew and Travis Nylaan, are teenage racers, who compete in Berlin Raceway's Pro Stock division. "My dad asked me if I wanted to race a car," Klein said. "He used to race Michigan Modifieds, and he gave up racing for me." Don't think just because the two are an item that they take it easy on each other once the green flag drops. "I love it when I beat him," Klein said. Both drivers started racing go-karts before moving to Winston's dirt track. The two never have had an on-track incident between each other, and Klein said she wouldn't dump her boyfriend if he ever took her out of a race. "I would be mad at him, but I wouldn't do that," she said.

Nelson, Wilbern, Smith and Meyering Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, May 26

Nelson, Wilbern, Smith and Meyering Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway started the Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 25th with some of the best racing and weather so far this season. Fans, drivers and crews continue to appreciate the close racing action in all divisions. The addition of track maintenance by Wilkerson Excavating of Muskegon has proved to make a huge difference in the track surface. Two and three and abreast racing have become the norm and not just an exception. Repeat Main event winners in all classes except the Bomber division was the story of the night.In the Late Model Division 21 cars took to the track for their 25-lap Main event. Carl Ries was the early leader. Ries paced the field for the first 7 laps from his outside pole position. On Lap 8 Kevin Nelson powered his way by Ries on the backstretch to grab the point. Once out front Nelson left no doubt in anyone’s mind why he is the Late Model Points leader at Winston. Nelson proceeded to win his fourth feature event in six race programs. Tom Dusen proved that his feature win last week was no fluke as he moved up five spots to garner the runner-up position. Carl Ries held onto third place. Rob Taylor moved from tenth to fourth. Kevin Nelson Jr. rounded out the top five. Heat race winners included Nelson Jr and Taylor. Josh Slade was the fastest in Time Trials. Nelson won the Dash event.

The Michigan Modified division continues to bring the fans some of the best racing action from any division. Rich Neiser broke away early from the pack only to see Mike Wilbern real him in late in the race. With five laps to go Wilbern patiently put himself in position coming out of turn four on the high side to complete a pass in front of the grandstands. Wilbern maintained his lead at the front and went onto win his third feature of the season. Neiser held off Fast Qualifier Andy Sprague for the second spot. Veteran Scott Presley was fourth followed by Nate Bostrom. Heat race wins went to Bostrom and John McCaul. Derek Poland took Dash event honors.

The Sportsman division also saw a four-time main event winner. Fast Qualifier Rob Sternberg’s inversion draw put Greg Smith on the pole. Although Jamie Gilmore was able to grab the lead from the outside of the front row, it only took three laps before Smith was able to make an inside pass for the lead. From that point Smith pulled away from the field and picked up another feature win. The race for second was won by Gilmore over Sternberg. Mike Peterson and Mike Anderson completed the top five. Bud Steinman and Chad Weinrick were Heat Race winners. Smith won the Dash event.

Bomber Driver Jerry Fairchild finally made his way to victory lane. Fairchild had led previous features late in the race only to suffer mechanical failure and cut tires. Tonight Fairchild was able to put it all together. Starting on the front row Fairchild held off the hard charges of Fast Qualifier Mike Epplett to garner his first Main event win to the season. Nate Walton, Stan Dodds and Tony Weinrick rounded out the top five. Marvin Klintworth and Keith Chrysler won Heat Races. Sadie Klien took Dash Honors.

Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber made it two Feature wins in a row. Farber made his way to the lead from his fourth position starting spot in the early going and never looked back. Stephen Thebo edged Zak Rounds for the second spot by a fender. Carl McCann and Joe McCormick completed the top five. McCann won the Heat race as well as being the Fastest in Time Trials. Thebo took Dash event honors.Cadillac High School sophomore Blake Meyering continued his assault in the Young Gun Division. Meyering won all the nights events except the Dash event, which went to Kiley Kennedy. In the Main event Meyering won his fourth feature event by half the track. Eric Harrald was the runner-up over Glenn Parker, Andrew Bartoszek, and Adam Spencer.

Winston Motor Speedway will begin a run of Mid-Season Championships starting next Friday June 2nd. Young Guns and Michigan Modifieds will take center stage on the night. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Dusen, Wilbern and Welch Garner Honors at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, May 19 2006

Dusen, Wilbern and Welch Garner Honors at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway returned to racing Friday May 19th after a week off. Cold temperatures and steady rains have been the norm of late. Fans welcomed a sunny but cool evening to get their fill of some great racing action. Close finishes were the agenda of the night as two and three abreast racing continues to impress the fans and have the Winston Motor Speedway drivers excited to be at the track every Friday night.Muskegon Late Model driver Tom Dusen saw his stock rise in the point standings. Dusen put on a dominating performance leading every lap of the late model feature. Dusen used the high line the entire event to pick up his first feature win of the season. Point’s leader Kevin Nelson had terrible luck with a last place finish. A flat tire on lap one saw him take a huge hit in the standings. There was one highlight for the Nelson family as son Kevin Nelson Jr. made his way to a second place finish coming all the way from his eighth place starting position. Ed Reyes, Matt Pickard and Carl Ries rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Dan McCormick and Nelson Jr. The Dash event was won by Dusen. The fastest in Time Trials was Nelson.

Michigan Modified driver John McCaul dominated the entire event, but it was not enough to win. McCaul had cruised out front for nineteen laps with no one in sight. That all changed in the final two turns. Fast Qualifier Mike Wilbern never lifted off throttle for the last 200 yards nipping McCaul by a foot. Wilbern’s impressive run brought out a standing ovation for his efforts and aided his cause at the top of the point standings. McCaul’s second place finish in the main event was also combined with a Heat race and Dash event wins. Andy Sprague, Rich Neiser and Derek Poland completed the top five. Matt Sprague was also a Heat Race winner.

Sportsman Drivers Mike Lynn, Mike Welch and Greg Smith had the crowd on their feet for the last three laps of their main event. Welch and Smith had battled for ten laps far out front of the field until a caution with three laps to go brought Mike Lynn into the picture. All three drivers did their best to grab the point, but it was going to be Welch celebrating in victory lane. Welch had the drive of his career holding off Lynn to the inside and Smith to the outside. You cold have thrown a blanket over all three at the finish line. Welch’s win was a popular one as he beat last top gun Lynn and four-time Sportsman track champion Greg Smith for the win. Jamie Gilmore and Rob Sternberg completed the top five. Bud Steinman and Chad Weinrick were heat race winners. Smith won the Dash race. Sternberg tripped the clock as the fastest Sportsman.

Bomber driver Stan Dodds did not let a poor qualifying time and his eleventh place starting position in the main event over shadow his performance in the feature. Dodds hustled his way through the filed in the early going. A caution for Nathon Walton’s car being pole vaulted through the air because of a broken rear end was the caution that Dodds needed to complete his mission. With four laps to go Dodds was within striking distance. Dodds pass of Eric Wadkins with three laps to go was for the win. Wadkins did hold on to second by fighting off the hard charges of Mike Eplett and Jerry Fairchild. Angie Gilmore completed the top five. Dodds and Tim Jeffiries took checkered flags for Heat Race wins. Fairchild was the Dash Winner. Epplett was the fastest in Qualifying.

Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber raced his way into the winner’s circle twice during the evening. Farber started out the evening with a Heat race win and stayed in his rhythm for the main event. Once out front of the Main event Farber was able to hit all his marks to pick up the win. Stephen Thebo’s finished in the second spot followed by Carl McCann, Joe McCormick, and Jared Guinn. The fastest in Time Trials was McCann. Guinn was the Heat race winner. Young Gun driver Blake Meyering continues to be the man to beat. Meyering’s pass of Kiley Kennedy with three laps to go proved to be the move of the race. The win for Meyering was his third of the season. Kiley Kennedy was second followed by her younger sister Desiree Kennedy. The fourth and fifth positions belonged to Jordan Praay and Tyler Wagner. Praay was the Heat race winner. Wagner won the Dash. Meyering was the fastest in Time Trials.

Winston Motor Speedway returns next Friday night May 26th with a full program of racing and excitement. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Nelson, Smith and Guinn on a Roll at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, May 5th 2006

Nelson, Smith and Guinn on a Roll at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway fans were treated to some great two and three wide racing on Friday, May 5th. Mother Nature provided cool temperatures but the fans did not mind, as the racing action was fast and furious. Before the end of the night three drivers were three time feature winners on the season and three drivers were first time feature winners on the season.Kevin Nelson is six inches away from winning every feature race of the season in the Late Models. Nelson’s second place finish last week is his only kink in his racing armor at Winston Motor Speedway. Fast Qualifier Tim Stott’s inversion draw placed Nelson on the outside pole. Nelson went unchallenged leading every lap and pulling away from the field. The battle for second was entertaining as it seemed Rich Neiser and Tom Dusen swapped positions on every lap. At the flagstand Nesier edged Dusen for the runner-up spot. Matt Pickard and Rob Taylor completed the top five. Heat Races were won by Larry Passenier and Nelson. Dusen was the Dash event winner.

The Michigan Modifieds were paced early in their event by Fast Qualifier John McCaul. Mike Wilburn made an inside pass of McCaul to grab the lead on lap nine. A caution for Matt Sprague clipping the turn one wall one lap later put him on the wrecker hook and saw McCaul head to the pits for repair unrelated to Sprague’s demise. On the restart it was clear who the fastest car on the track was. Starting in the eighth position youngster Nate Bostrom was getting grip on the bottom line and picking off cars one by one. By lap sixteen of the twenty-lap event Bostrom had cleared the rest of the field and made a pass in turn three of leader Wilburn. Bostrom then began to pull away to pick up his first win of the season. Wilburn settled for second. McCaul made his way all the way back from the rear to finish third ahead of Rich Neiser and Derek Poland. Winners of the Heat Races were Julie Taylor and McCaul. Dash event honors went to Poland.

For seventeen laps Mike Welch looked like he was going to win his first event of the season in the Sportsman division. Welch was all alone out front as Mike Lynn and Greg Smith were in a heated battle for second. With five laps to go Smith finally cleared Lynn and set his sights on Welch. Smith’s car seemed to get better while Welch’s car seemed to slow. With two laps to go Smith made his way by Welch coming out of turn two grabbing the point. It would be Smith’s third feature win of the early season. Lynn also was able to make his way by Welch on the final lap to capture second. Welch, Chad Weinrick, and Mike Anderson rounded out the top five. Jamie Gilmore and Welch were heat race winners. Smith swept the Dash and Time Trial events.

The Bomber Division continues to be one to the most balanced classes. In four weeks there have been four different winners. This week Stan Dodds was the man of the hour as he held of the hard charges of Keith Chrysler and Nate Walton. Sadie Klien and Bob Shirk completed the top five. Fifteen-year-old Justin Gilmore picked up his first checkered flag of his career in the first Heat Race while Dodds won the second Heat Race event. Klien was the Dash event winner. Tim Jeffries was the Fastest in Time Trials but saw his motor sour as he went by the flagstand ending his racing evening.

Mini Stock Driver Jared Guinn became the third driver of the evening to pick up feature win number three on the season. Guinn used a great restart after a caution to pass two cars heading into turn one early in the race to take the lead and never look back. Mark Farber, Carl McCann, Stephen Thebo and Tom Guy rounded out the top five. Zak Rounds was the Heat Race winner. Guinn won the Dash event and Farber was the Quick Qualifier.Young Gun driver Tyler Wagner held off a hard charging Blake Meyering to pick up his first feature win on the season. Sisters Kiley and Desiree Kennedy were third and fourth. Eric Harrald completed the top five. Kiley Kennedy won the Heat race. Wagner won the Dash event. Meyering was the fastest in Time Trials.

Winston Motor Speedway will have the Great Lakes Outlaw Modified series on hand Friday May 12th along with a five of its regular racing divisions. The Michigan Modifieds will have the night off. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Pickard and McCaul take Wins at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, April 28

Pickard and McCaul take Wins at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway fans witnessed three wide racing, horrific crashes, and some of the closest finishes in recent history. Fans were out of their seats more than they were in them on this chilly Friday April 28th. The racetrack surface continues to improve and the fans and drivers have taken notice. A good car count and another great crowd has the 2006 season off to a great start.The Late Model division came down to a photo finish. Matt Pickard led from lap one, but lurking close behind were Kevin Nelson and Rich Neiser. Nelson and Nesier exchanged the second spot four times. Each made passes high and low of each other. Matt Pickard never left the low line in his quest for his first feature win of the season. With two laps to go the crowd was on their feet as Nelson had cleared Neiser and was on the high side reeling in Pickard. Coming out of the final turn Nelson never lifted off the gas pedal but came up a foot short, as Pickard was able to hold on for the win. Nelson’s quest to be the only Late Model Feature winner this season ended with an incredible runner-up finish. Rich Nesier held onto third over Ed Reyes and Dave Springer. In Heat race action Reyes and Nelson were the winners. Neiser won the Dash event. Ed Thirbly was the fastest Late Model in Time Trials.

Michigan Modified drivers provided the fans with a little of everything. Rich Neiser charged his way to the front on lap four only to spin out all by himself on lap five. A wild caution two laps later on the backstretch had some of the top runners including John McCaul. Derek Poland, Tim Tuttle and Andy Sprague going airborne over the embankment. McCaul was placed to the rear. Poland’s evening ended. Sprague and Tuttle were able to return laps down. On lap twelve youngster Roger Flinn III lost control coming out of turn four brushing the front stretch wall and leaving him door side into oncoming traffic. Andy Sprague probably wishes he had stayed in the pits after his first caution. Sprague hit Flinn III at full throttle in one of the most violent crashes ever at Winston Motor Speedway. You could have heard a pin drop. In tribute to their car builders both drivers were able to walk away. When racing resumed Mike Wilburn looked like he was well in command to pick up his second win of the season. Unfortunately for Wilburn someone forgot to tell John McCaul that it was impossible to win from the rear. McCaul’s placement in the rear earlier in the race after a caution brought out the best in him. Coming out of turn four McCaul powered his way to the inside and past Wilburn. The fans appreciated McCaul’s run with a standing ovation. Wilburn settled for second followed by Rich Neiser, Scott Presley, and Matt Sprague. Heat Race wins went to Poland and Flinn. Andy Sprague won the Dash. Neiser was the Quick Qualifier.

Fast Qualifier Greg Smith won for the second week in a row in the Sportsman division. Smith earned his win by making his way in dominating fashion to the front from the eighth place starting position. Mike Lynn, Mike Welch, Chad Weinrick, and Mike Anderson rounded out the top five. Welch and Jamie Gilmore won Heat Races. Lynn took Dash event honors.

The youngsters continue to shine in the Bomber division. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Klien led every lap to take her first feature win of the season. Klien was able to use her outside front row starting position to its fullest. Hard charging Mike Epplett was second followed by Stan Dodds, Keith Chrysler, and Jerry Fairchild. Heat race winners were Tony Weinrick, Bob Shirk, and Dodds. Chrysler took Dash honors. Epplett tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.

Mini Stock driver Jared Guinn continues his hot streak. Guinn won the Heat race and a caution filled feature. Guinn picked up his second main event of the season leading every lap to take the win. Tom Guy was second followed by Steven Thebo, Carl McCann, and Nathan Tarte. Zak Rounds won the Dash Event. McCann qualified the fastest.For the second week in a row Fast Qualifier Blake Meyering won the feature event by leading every lap. Chris Rice finished a strong second ahead of Jordan Praay, Tyler Wagner and Adam Spencer. Wagner was the Heat Race winner. Praay took Dash event honors.

The excitement will continue next weekend. Friday night, May 5th six classes of racing will provide the excitement while on Saturday night May 6th the first event of the Lake Shore Demolition Derby will take place. For the best in Family Entertainment along the lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Jeffrey A. Shackelford (1962-2006) Honored at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, April 21 2006

Jeffrey A. Shackelford (1962-2006) Honored at Winston Motor Speedway

West Michigan race fans came out to Winston Motor Speedway Friday April 21st to catch some great racing and pay their respect to one of our local racing heroes. Long time area racer and Michigan Modified driver Jeff Shackelford had lost his battle with cancer during the week. Jeff exemplified what we hope every driver and person should be. Jeff was a loving husband, father and son. Jeff’s courage, his caring attitude along with his competitiveness on the track is something we all learned from. The most important event of the night for The Winston Motor Speedway racing family was to celebrate and pay tribute to his life. The Michigan Modified feature was led out onto the track with Jeff’s father taking two laps around the track in Jeff’s #2 Modified before pulling into victory lane. With all of the Modified drivers out of their cars on the front stretch a moment of silence preceded the pouring of Jeff’s ashes around his car in victory lane. At the start of the race a parade lap had all of the drivers and fans waving two fingers in the air in his honor. Jeff’s wife Penny took the flag stand to start the Modified feature showing the same type of courage Jeff had shown during his trying time. In Dale Earnhardt eeriness a caution came out on lap two of the Modified event. Jeff had to be smiling from the heavens. We will miss Jeff but a part of him will be with us forever.

In racing action Late Model driver Tim Stott set the early pace from his pole position before his left front tire came off coming out of turn four and resting up against the front stretch wall. The point was taken by Ed Reyes who found himself racing door to door with Kevin Nelson for the next five laps. These two drivers had the fans on their feet as neither was going to give way. A slight bobble by Reyes gave the lead to Nelson on lap twelve. Nelson continued to hold the top spot and go onto win his second feature of the season in two weeks of racing at Winston. The race for second turned out to be a wild one as Tom Dusen went from fourth to second never lifting off the throttle using the high side to get around third place finisher Rich Neiser and fourth place finisher Reyes. Tom Sprague Jr. completed the top five. Heats were won by Rob Taylor and Sprague Jr. Reyes won the Dash event. Dusen was the fastest in Time Trials.

The Michigan Modified feature saw double duty racer Rich Nesier make his way to the front on lap five with an inside move on leader Ray Wiggers coming out of turn two. Neiser hit all of his marks for the rest of the evening picking up his first win of the season. The race for second was close as Mike Wilburn edged Roger Steig for the runner-up spot. Tim Tuttle and Nate Bostrom rounded out the top five. In Heat race action Roger Flynn III and Neiser took checkered flags. Tuttle took Dash honors. John McCaul was the quick qualifier.

Four time Sportsman champion Greg Smith took advantage of an early caution and some great driving to move from fifth to first in one lap in their main event. Out front Smith was on cruise control leading every lap and winning by twenty car lengths. The race for second was won by Mike Welch. Ken Fitzgibbon, Brian Juusola, and Vinny Homan completed the top five. The Heat race was won by Bud Steinman. Smith swept the Dash and Time Trial events.

The Bomber division provided the best main event of the night. Early leader Stan Dodds was pressured hard from Tim Jeffries in the early going. Before the end of the night Dodds would suffer mechanical problems ended his evening while Jeffries luck was not as good as Dodds. Contact with another car along the backstretch saw Jeffries on his roof over the backstretch banking. Jeffries was OK but his car was worse for wear. The new front- runners Jerry Fairchild and Nathan Walton had the fans on their feet. They exchanged the point three times in the last three laps before Walton secured the top spot and the win. Walton’s win was his first since moving up from the Mini Stock division after winning a track championship in 2005. Fairchild was second followed by Jamie Lorenze, Eric Wadkins, and Bob Shirk. Heat Races were won by Mike Epplett, Stan Dodds, and Tim Jeffries. The “B” feature earned transfer spots for Wadkins, Duane Townsend, Justin Gilmore and Justin Gilland. Rich Seymour was credited with the win for the “B” feature.

Carl McCann led from start to finish in the Mini Stock division. Jared Guinn raced his way to second only to run out of laps as he was right on McCann’s bumper at the finish line. Mark Farber was third followed by Tom Guy and Nathan Tarte. Tom Guy won the Heat race.

In the Young Gun Division it was all Blake Meyering. Every lap of the Young Gun Division on the night was led from Meyering as he swept both Main event and Heat races. Second in the feature belonged to Chris Rice who edged Tyler Wagner for the runner-up spot. Kiley Kennedy and Adam Spencer completed the top five.

The rave so far this season has been the two and three abreast racing. The new clay that was added has been paying dividends to both the drivers and fans. Back to back weeks of 90 plus racecars and stands packed with people has the West Michigan racing community buzzing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

Nelson Takes Opening Night Win at Winston Motor Speedway

Friday, April 14 2006

Nelson Takes Opening Night Win at Winston Motor Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway opened the 2006 season on Friday, April 14th. The rainy weather turned perfect bringing out 90 racecars and stands packed full of eager race fans. The drivers provided the fans with a great show on opening night. Owners Mike & Judy Goodwin had put a great amount of work into the racing surface bringing in over 2500 yards of clay. It proved worth it as the track provided side-by-side racing throughout the night.

The track curfew along with numerous cautions left the late models scrambling in a two-lap shootoutat the end of the race in their main event. Kevin Nelson’s quick move inside of his son Kevin Nelson Jr. on lap two along with front runner Dave Springer’s spin off from turn two a lap later turned out to give Nelson the winning advantage for the rest of the night. Tom Sprague Jr. and Tom Dusen chased Nelson across the line to complete the top three. A dive to the inside at the flagstand by Rich Neiser gave him the fourth spot over Nelson Jr. by a bumper. In Heat races Carl Ries and Matt Pickard took the wins. Sprague Jr. took Dash honors and Dusen was the fastest Late Model in Qualifying.

In the Michigan Modifieds front row starters John McCaul and Mike Wilburn put a side-by-side show on for the fans in the early stages. Wilburn finally got the edge on lap five. McCaul’s car faded and he ultimately pulled into the pits with mechanical problems. By the end of the race Wilburn staved off challenges by Rich Neiser and youngster Roger Flinn III to take home opening night honors. Derek Poland and Nate Bostrom rounded out the top five. Heat race wins went to Poland and Wilburn. McCaul was the fastest during Time Trials. Neiser took the Dash event honors.

The Sportsman feature provided the best race of the night. Fast Qualifier Chad Wenirick’s draw of a two put him on the outside pole next to veteran Dan Hekkema. They would race door to door during the opening laps. A pack of cars consisting of Greg Smith, Troy Marciniak, Rob Sternberg, Dave Tice and Vinnie Homan were close behind racing also door-to-door and bumper-to-bumper. With laps winding down Hekkema was the leader but the man on the move was Sternberg. Sternberg had used the inside line to reach the runner-up spot. On the last turn of the final lap Sternberg was able to slip inside and in front of Hekkema. Contact by Hekkema on the frontstretch left Sternberg spinning backwards across the finish line just ahead of Hekkema to take the win. There was not a fan in their seat as the checkered flag was waved while Sternberg’s car was spinning through a huge puddle of water just inside the racetrack. Hekkema settled for second. Chad Weinrick was a close third. Troy Marciniak and Dave Tice completed the top five. In earlier Heat race action Mike Anderson and Mike Welch were the winners. Marciniak took Dash honors.

Mike Epplett backed up his impressive 2005 Fall Spectacular weekend with a victory on opening night. Epplett held of a hard charging Keith Chrysler to take the checkered flag in the time shortened main event. Steve Russ, Nate Walton and Tim Jeffries complete the top five of the 20-car event. Heats were won by Tony Weinrick, Eric Wadkins and Epplett. Jerry Fairchild won the Dash event. Stan Dodds was the fastest Bomber car in Qualifying.

In Mini stock action Jared Guinn was the top gun leading from start to finish holding off Luke Near who had raced his way to second from his sixth place starting position. Carl McCann, Zak Rounds and Mark Farber completed the top five. The Heat race was won by Rounds. Near swept the qualifying and dash events.

Young Gun driver Jordon Praay started his season off on the right foot taking three of the four Young Gun events. Praay’s wins included the feature, Heat and Dash events. Fast Qualifier Blake Meyering was all over Praay at the finish line of their main event but it was to no avail as Praay held a steady race line the entire event. Chris Rice, Adam Spencer, and Eric Harris rounded out the top five.

As with many opening nights Winston Motor Speedway’s did not completely run without a glitch. Due to time restrictions the presentation of “Glamour Car” awards will be presented next Friday night. We look forward to seeing you next Friday night for six classes of racing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.