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.