Neiser Wins on "Fan Appreciation Night" at Winston Speedway

Friday, August 1
Neiser Wins on "Fan Appreciation Night" at Winston Speedway

Friday August 3rd was “Fan Appreciation Night” at Winston Speedway. Part of the race program was dedicated to let the fans get an up close look at their favorite drivers and racecars. Fans were allowed on the front stretch of the track to a line of 100 racecars and drivers who aligned themselves four abreast. Photo opportunities and autographs were the main attraction for many. When the racing started it was non-stop action.


In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model division one driver continues to be the cream of the crop. Tom Sprague Jr continues to show that when you combine talent with a little luck you are going to be hard to beat. Sprague Jr promptly pulled a one chip for the Main Event inversion after his fast Qualifying efforts. Starting on the pole Sprague took the lead and began to pull away from the rest of the field. By lap 13 Sprague was in lapped traffic. Four cautions in the last ten laps were the only delay in Sprague’s third trip to victory lane at Winston. A restart with five laps did see Kevin Nelson put a power slide in front of Sprague in turn one only to see Sprague sling shot past him in turn two. Once Sprague was out front all attention was focused on the battle for second. Rob Taylor powered his way to the outside of Nelson and was able to beat Nelson for the runner-up spot by a bumper. Rich Neiser was fourth. Matt Pickard completed the top five. Heat races were won by Denny Lynn Jr, Kevin Nelson Jr, and Scott Wenell.


It has been eight weeks since a UMP Modified driver other than John McCaul or Andy Sprague has seen victory lane. Tonight their streak ended as Rich Neiser was able to lead every lap for the win. Sprague and McCaul were glued to Neiser’s bumper the entire event. One slip was all they needed to take another win but Neiser hit all his marks flying on the very top groove of the track. Much to the delight of the fans Neiser celebrated his win with victory donuts on the front stretch. Fresh of a win at Butler Motor Speedway Wednesday night Sprague settled for second. Points Leader John McCaul was third. Greg Smith was fourth followed by Dan Dykman. Heat Race winners were Jamie Woodring, Tim Tuttle, and Neiser. Derek Poland was the fastest Modified in Time Trials.


The Port City Racing Sportsman division had the fans to their feet for a number of reasons, the first being a violent crash. A restart after a caution on lap three found Mike Wiseman and Kody Weisner make contact on the frontstretch that caused their cars to become hooked and coast into the frontstretch wall. Weisner was left stalled in front of the flagstand with cars dodging to the inside of the track. Harvey Gould was almost at full speed as he hit Weisner in the rear pushing Wesiner’s fuel cell almost to the back of the drivers seat. Gould careened to the inside where he rode over the top of Mike Pickard’s front end causing Gould’s car to flip violently to the inside of the track. The red flag was waved immediately. All drivers were OK but it will take many hours of work to see the cars of Weisner and Gould on the racetrack again. After a lengthy clean-up period Jared Guiin was the leader. Ralph Sternberg was able to find bite on the high side of the track and made his way to the point on lap eight. Sternberg’s pass held on for the rest of the race and he went on to win his fourth feature of the season. Sternberg’s win ironically ties him with his brother Rob for the divisional lead in main event wins and places him at the top of the Point Standings for the first time this season. Guinn was second followed by Mike Wiseman, Chad Weinrick, and Larry Passenier. Garnering Heat race wins were Ralph Sternberg and Brain Lasak.


The Factory Stock division fell culprit to the track curfew. Because they have a 25 lap Invitational next Friday August 10th, drivers elected to run double features on August 17th as a make up to tonight’s main event. Heat races were won by Devin Vanderstelt, Jamie Lorenz, and Robert Erickson.


Car counts and excitement in the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division continue to grow. Luke Near’s front wheel drive Dodge continues to be at the front of the pack as of late. Near swept both the Feature and Heat races. Don Keech was second followed by Carl McCann. The race for fourth turned into a scramble as April Spriggs spun out in the last turn leaving Joe McCormick and Moorman dodging their way to the fourth and fifth spots.


Glen Parker was the winner in the Young Gun Division. Parker led every lap in besting Seth Moody, Andrew Bartoszek, CJ Rector and Eric Harrald for the win. Moody was the Heat Race winner.


The Factory Stock division will take center stage Next Friday Night August 10th. Port City Racing along with Integra Racing Shocks and Springs will be sponsoring a 25 lap $400 to win Factory Stock Invitational. Combine this with five other divisions of racing and it will be a Friday night of racing you will not want to miss. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.