Friday, May 30, 2007
Nelson Leads the Way at Winston Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway fans were treated to a trip down memory lane Friday June 1st. Veteran Late Model drivers Kevin Nelson and John Grega have battled each other on West Michigan racetracks since the early 80’s. It was dejavu for many fans as these two drivers found them selves at the front of the pack battling door to door for the win in the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs 25 lap Late Model Feature.
In the early going of the Late Model feature it looked like Kevin Nelson Jr was going to lead every lap from his pole starting position. Nelson Jr was on cruise control until a drive train mechanical problem brought his car to a stop on the backstretch with eleven laps to go. The lead was handed over to Points Leader Tom Sprague Jr. who had raced his way to Nelson Jr’s bumper before his demise. John Grega was second for the restart followed by Kevin Nelson, Rob Taylor and Tom Dusen. With the high side groove the place to be Nelson was able to make his way around Grega for the second spot one lap later. With nine laps to go Nelson pulled even with Sprague Jr down the front stretch. As they entered turn one Nelson and Sprague battled for the high groove. Contact resulted in Nelson going over the embankment bringing out the caution. Sprague was subsequently put to the rear while Nelson was placed at the point. One lap later it was Tom Dusen losing grip and spinning off turn two from his third place in the running order. For the next nine laps and two more caution restarts long time West Michigan race fans could do nothing but grin. Nelson and Grega had been through this scenario many times over the last 25 years. Both of them showed they still can turn the wheel with the best of them. Nelson raced the high line with Grega to his inside. Grega could pull even to Nelson’s door going into turns one and three but Nelson pulled away coming out of turns two and four. When the checkered flag was waved Nelson was the winner. Grega was second followed by Rob Taylor and Matt Pickard. The fifth spot went to a man on a mission. After being placed in the rear of the field Sprague Jr charged from 20th to fifth in 10 laps to round out the top five. In Heat race action Roger Brooks, Scott Wenell, and Rob Taylor were winners. The Consolation feature saw Brooks and Latch transfer. Eddie Reyes was credited with the Consolation Feature win. Nelson took Dash event honors. Bob Finlay was the quick qualifier.
It took until lap eight for Fast Qualifier John McCaul to make his way to the lead in the Modified main event. Once McCaul was up front there was no stopping him. Not even a broken tie rod on the left front with one lap to go could slow McCaul. The win for McCaul was his second in as many weeks. Mike Wilbern earned the runner-up spot over Andy Sprague, Tim Tuttle, and Derek Poland. Fran Couch and Wilbern were the Heat race winners. Rich Neiser won the Dash event.
Sportsman driver Rob Sternberg continues to be the hottest driver at Winston Motor Speedway. Sternberg started up front in Port City Racing 20 lap Sportsman feature and stayed there. The win was Sternberg’s third of the season. The closet challenger was Kyle Borgman who edged Chad Weinrick for the runner-up position. Kurt Woodard was fourth. Jamie Gilmore was fifth. Sportsman heat race winners were Stan Dodds and Jared Guinn. Borgman took Dash event honors.
The Bomber division saw a hard charging Tony Weinrick come up a little bit short in his attempt to take the win from pole sitter Jamie Lorenz. The win for Lorenz was no fluke as he visited victory circle for the third time this season. While Weinrick was putting on a show for the fans moving through the field it was Lorenz who was hitting all of his marks and making no mistakes. Tim Epplett, Bill Delonge, and Derek Passeneir completed the top five. Epplett and Lorenze were Heat race winners. Robert Erickson won the Dash race.
Mini Stock driver Carl McCann returned after taking a week off and dominated the night’s events for the four-cylinder class. McCann swept all three events taking wins in the Feature, Heat, and Dash events. Don Keech was second in the main event followed by Jerry Meyering, Kurt Hulett and Nate Tarte.
The Young Gun drivers continue to get laps under their belt. This 12-15 year old class gets better each week. Seth Moody was the Feature winner followed by Andrew Bartoszek, Eric Harrald, CJ Rector, and Glen Parker. Bartoszek won the Heat Race. Harrald took Dash event honors.
June 8th will be the “Kids Night” at Winston Speedway. This annual event has become one of the most popular among fans. There is something very special about bringing a smile to a youngsters face. Six classes of racing will also entertain the fans. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
