Wilbern Crowned King of the "Fall Spectacular" at Winston Speedway

Saturday, September 6
Wilbern Crowned King of the "Fall Spectacular" at Winston Speedway

Over 150 racecars were on hand to entertain the fans and race their hearts out in the “Fall Spectacular” at Winston Speedway on Saturday September 8th. Drivers practically from every dirt track in the state of Michigan represented their track in a quest to become ‘Fall Spectacular” champion. By the end of the evening it was the Winston Speedway regulars who experienced the most success in sweeping five of the six racing divisions on the night. The term “Hired Gun” was also the talk of the night, as Mike Wilbern put on a performance in three different classes that would rank with one of the best nights in Winston Speedway history. Wilbern would have raced the water truck if someone had asked him. Wilbern won twice and finished fifth on the night earning close to $2,000 for his efforts.


Thirty-Eight Late Models were on hand for the “3rd Annual Keith Sokolowski Memorial” race sponsored by Grabe Excavating. Rich Neiser was on the verge of having his first season ever in a Late Model not winning a feature event since racing career began in the early nineteen nineties. Neiser worries were put to rest as he moved from his eight place starting position to the point passing Matt Pickard on lap 14 of the 40-lap event. Neiser used the high groove early in the event to move forward but his final pass of the night was right on the bottom after a caution restart.


“I had just stated to my crew before going out this could be the first season I have gone without winning a feature. The car was great. I was able to run high or low. What a great way to finish the season. I still cannot believe it,” stated Neiser. The $1500 win put Neiser’s earnings for the night to over two grand.


Tom Sprague Jr. continued his great season finishing a strong second. The “Hard Charger” awards went to Kevin Nelson Jr, and Elex Leyton who started 19th and 20th in the 22-car field. Not only did they race their way into the Main event through Consolation race wins, they charged to third and fourth place finishes. Mike Wilbern jumped in a Late Model for the first time this season and came from 13th to round out the top five. Pole sitter Matt Pickard finished sixth followed by Andy Sprague, Kyle Cole, Rob Taylor, and Paul Tucker. Heat races were won by Pickard, Rob Taylor, Tim Stott, and Sprague Jr.


Modified driver Mike Wilbern started third but was at the point before the end of the first lap. Rich Neiser was the only other driver to lead a lap as he and Wilbern swapped positions at the flagstand during the middle portion of their 40 lap event. By the end of the race it was all Wilbern as he pulled away to ten-car length lead win. Neiser was second followed by Andy Sprague, and Jacob Poel. Derek Poland was the Modified hard charger. After taking a “Promoters Choice” starting position to get into the field, Poland charged from dead last to fifth. John McCaul, Jeff Erickson, Dave Baker, Tim Dallman, and Rich Robinson Jr completed the top ten. Heat races were won by Jason Smith, Neiser, Wilbern, and Sprague.


How would you like to be the driver/car owner who loaned their car to a driver that beat your son for a main event win? That is exactly what happened in the Sportsman division. Veteran racer and former Multi Track Champion Dan Borgman still likes to race once in a while so he purchased a car in July. Borgman’s latest passion has been watching his son Kyle become one of the best Sportsman drivers in West Michigan. Unfortunately for Kyle his dad hired his friend Mike Wilbern to drive his car. While both drivers started on the front row, it was Wilbern who would lead every lap. Kyle Borgman was able to pull even with Wilbern with five to go, but Wilbern was too much at the end winning by five car lengths. All is OK in the Borgman family as much of the Winning purse will stay in the Borgman Race team budget. The Race for third was won by Rob Sternberg. Matt Sprague and Chad Weinrick rounded out the top five. Heat race winners were Borgman, Wilbern and Sprague.


Greg Smith’s disappointment because of a flat tire in the Modified division feature is not what he will remember about the “2007 Fall Spectacular”. Smith’s dominating win in the Factory Stock 30 lap main event easily eased the pain of him sitting in the infield waiting for a wrecker in the Modified main event. Driving a car normally driven by Brad Bates, Smith led from start to finish with out any serious challenges. The former 5 time Winston Speedway Sportsman champion proved he still can drive a stock car bringing back memories of his number 88 dominating the Sportsman class the previous five years. Bill Delong muscled his way from a transfer spot out of the Consolation feature all the way to a second place finish in the main. Modified driver Randy Whitten drove his fathers car to a third place finish over Tony Weinrick, and Kurt Woodard. Heat Races were won by Weinrick, Smith, Justin Gilmore and Scott Varney. A Make-up “B” feature from August 31st was won by Scott Erickson.


Mini Stock driver Luke Near waited until the last lap of their 20-lap feature to make his move. Don Keech had held the point for the previous 17 laps. Near was able to make his way under Keech in turn two and make it stick. Keech battled back only to spin all by himself in turns three and four allowing Crook to finish second. Paula Vanderstelt, Joe McCormick and Chris Rice completed the top five. The win was good for $300 and bragging rights for the fan favorite Near. Mark Farber and Near won heat races. In the Mini Mod class, driver Brad Wilson was the head of their five-car field. Wilson won both the Heat and Main event races.


Next Friday September 14th Winston Speedway will wrap up their season with the Late Model Championship event along with “Fun Day” activities including spectator drags, 4-cylinder reverse races, and Mechanic and Powder Puff events. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.