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.