Friday, June 13
Irwin’s Garner wins at Winston Speedway
A near capacity crowd came out to witness the inaugural visit of the Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series at Winston Speedway on Friday June 15th. Although this wingless sprint car series is new it was a familiar sprint car name taking top honors at the end of the night. The “Irwin” family name rings a bell to many sprint car enthusiasts in Michigan. Father Mark and brothers Joe and Steve did not let the family name down as two of the three were in victory lane before the end of the night.
Like any other new series, the Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series is doing their best to build a driver, and fan base. Fifteen sprint cars made the trip to Winston in their second event of the 2007 season. Although the car count was low the excitement for the return of sprint car action was high. The MTSCS did not disappoint the fans as they put on a good show.
For half of the 20 lap MTSCS main event, Heat race winner Mike Astrouskas looked like he was going to run away from the field from his pole position. Astrouskas lead at the halfway point was ten-car lengths. Astrouskas early efforts were all for naught as a caution flag on lap ten brought Steve Irwin to his rear bumper. Steve Irwin had made his way from his sixth place starting position to the runner-up spot by picking off cars on the low line. Steve Irwin’s last pass before the caution was of his brother and Heat race Joe Irwin on lap eight. It was apparent to all the fans that Steve Irwin was the man on the move. The caution turned out to be Astrouskas demise, as Steve Irwin was able to make a pass two turns into the restart and never look back. Steve Irwin has had success at Winston Speedway in previous years running with a wing. Tonight he proved winged or non-winged he knows his way around Winston. Steve Irwin has been the only main event winner in the young MTSCS for 2007. A win at Merritt Speedway combined with tonight’s win make Steve Irwin perfect on the MTSCS season. Astrouskas was the runner-up followed by Joe Irwin. Rookie and former Winston Modified driver Nate Bostrom finished in the fourth spot edging Tim Eviliser.
In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs UMP Modified division Andy Sprague was the man of the hour. Sprague started up front and stayed there. By lap ten Sprague was lapping cars and had a half track lead over the rest of the competition. The #1 car of Sprague was challenged late in the race after a caution with four laps to go. John McCaul made a race of it as him and Sprague broke away form the field. McCaul raced Sprague hard for the win but came up a little short to finish in the runner-up spot. Dan Dykman, Rich Neiser and Fast Qualifier Tim Tuttle completed the top five. Heat Races were won by Dean Wilkerson and Neiser.
Port City Racing Sportsman driver Ralph Sternberg showed just how important it is to use the front row to your advantage. Front row starters Sternberg and Kyle Borgman did not give each other an inch in the early going as they raced side by side. It was not until lap three did the fans get to see Sternberg gain an advantage over Borgman a recent Oakridge High School graduate. It was a lead that Sternberg never gave up in taking his third main event of the season. Borgman finished second followed by Rob Sternberg, Mike Anderson and Jared Guinn. Heat Races were won by Borgman and Ralph Sternberg.
For fourteen laps youngster Derek Passenier passed the flagstand first in the Factory Stock division. Unfortunately their feature is fifteen laps long. As Passenier saw the white flag he also saw Jamie Lorenz to his inside. Passenier had fought through seven caution restarts but this was going to be his greatest challenge. They raced side by side down the backstretch but it was Lorenz proving why he already had three main event wins under his belt before the start of the evening. Lorenz made it stick on the bottom through turns three and four going on to pick up his fourth Feature event win. Passenier’s runner-up spot was his best finish of the season. Robert Erickson, Tim Epplett and Justin Gilland rounded out the top five. Lorenz, Epplett and Bill Delong won Heat Races.
Sprague’s Auto parts Minis Stock Drivers Carl McCann and Don Keech continue to be the class of the field. McCann won the Feature event. Keech won the Heat race. In their main event McCann went from sixth to first in one lap. Keech was able to reel him in late in the race but was not able to make the pass for the win. Paul Rice, Jerry Meyering, and Kyle Hullett made up the rest of the top five.
Winning your first feature event is something you always remember. Tonight was such the case for 13-year-old driver CJ Rector. Rector’s win was one of the most exciting finishes of the season in the Young Gun Division. Rector waited patiently the entire race to make his move for the lead. Entering turn three on the last lap Rector dove to the inside of Glen Parker and made it stick. Coming out of turn for Rector was at the point and took home his first Main event win of his stock car career. Parker settled for second followed by Andrew Bartoszek, Eric Harrald, and Cody Moorman. Bartozsek won the Young Gun Heat race.
Next Friday June 22nd will be Mid-Season Championship races for all divisions. The point battles for all divisions are tight and bragging rights are on the line. Look for the action to be fast and furious. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
