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.
