Friday, April 20, 2007
Weinrick’s Claim top Honors at Winston Speedway on Opening Night
Winston Speedway opened the 2007 season on Friday April 20th. Mother nature finally smiled upon West Michigan and at the end of opening night new owners Tom and Lois Sprague were all smiles. After spending the last three months working day and night they finally breathed a sigh of relief when the last checkered flag was waved at the end of the night. Not only were the fans treated to great weather they were treated to a spruced up facility and some great racing. A couple of brothers highlighted the night by visiting victory lane for their feature events.In the Intregra Shocks and Springs Late Model division Kevin Nelson Jr started out the season exactly where he ended it; in victory lane. Nelson Jr proved his win at the Fall Spectacular in 2006 was no fluke. Fast Qualifier Dean Huizenga, lost the lead to Tom Sprague Jr on the backstretch who would also lose his lead to Nelson Jr on the front stretch. Once Nelson Jr was out front he was able to work his way through lapped traffic and take home the win. Sprague Jr finished second over Eddie Reyes, Kevin Nelson and rookie Mick Latch. In heat races Keven Juusola and Nelson Jr were winners. Bill McCormick won the “Glamour Car” award for the best-looking Late Model.
If you would have seen Tim Tuttle’s UMP Modified earlier in the week you would have said he would never make it to Winston for their opening night. A viscous wreck the previous Saturday at Thunderbird Race Park left his car in pieces. Tuttle wrenched on his car all week and proved everybody wrong. Not only was he ready, Tuttle’s car was a rocket. Using the low line Tuttle went from seventh to first on lap twelve of their twenty lap main event. Mike Wilbern chased Tuttle to the runner-up spot. Dan Dykman edged Randy Whitten for third. Jacob Poel’s fifth place finish was impressive after he started dead last in the twenty-two car field after a spin in qualifying. Heats were won by Poel and Derek Poland. Greg Smith was voted the Integra Shocks and Springs Glamour car for the Modified Division.
In the Port City Racing Sportsman division driver Chad Weinrick proved he does not want to be a bridesmaid this season. After finishing second in the standings last year to five time Sportsman Champion Greg Smith last season, Weinrick came out and made a statement. Weinrick made it perfectly clear that he is the man to beat this year. Weinrick dominated the evening by winning his heat race and leading every lap of the feature event. Kyle Borgman finished second ahead of Bud Steinman, Ralph Sternberg and Mike Anderson. The Glamour car Sportsman winner was Mike Epplett.
Bragging rights became a family affair for the Weinrick family. Bomber Driver Tony Weinrick could not let his brother out do him on opening night. Tony matched his brother’s efforts by leading every lap to take home the feature win in the Port City Racing Bomber division and was voted the Glamour Car award winner. Tim Epplett, Jamie Lorenze, Chad Dehaan and Mitch Smith chased Weinrick across the finish line. Lorenze and Bill Delong were heat race winners.
2006 Mini Stock Track Champion Carl McCann showed why he earned those honors. McCann won the Sprague’s Auto Parts main event in convincing fashion over April Spriggs, Nate Tarte, Adam Spencer and Amanda Roland. Luke Near won the Heat race. Jerry Meyering took home Glamour Car honors.Young Gun driver Eric Harrald was smiling from ear to ear in victory lane as he earned the checkered flag for Sprague’s Auto Parts feature. Coming for the checkered flag it looked like Kiley Kennedy might be celebrating in victory lane but contact between Harrald and Kennedy left Harrald spinning and Kennedy being placed to the rear. Harrald’s sophomore season at Winston looks to be a good one as he was placed at the point and held off Seth Moody for the win. Kennedy drove her way back to third ahead of Glenn Parker and Heat race winner Andrew Bartoszek. Kennedy was selected as the Glamour Car award winner.
Next week Friday April 27th will be the Integra Shocks and Springs “Player Hater 50” Late Model Invitational. Bonus money for the Fast Qualifier, Half Way leader as well as racers who use Integra Shocks are all part of this exciting event. This event is combined with five other divisions of exciting racing. For the best in Family entertainment make your way to Winston Speedway.
