Friday, June 22
Mid Season Championship Night at Winston Speedway
Winston Speedway Mid Season Championship night was filled with lots of action, drama, and a violent crash in the Late Models that brought a hush over the crowd. Six divisions raced for Mid-Season bragging rights, trophies and championship payoffs. Two and three wide racing continues to be the norm and not the exception. Good car counts and great crowds have new owners Lois and Tom Sprague pleasantly surprised. With the price of gas and a slow economy their worst of fears have not come to light. The Sprague’s are providing a racing environment that fans and drivers are enjoying. In turn the fans and drivers are supporting Winston Speedway.
In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model Mid Season Championship it took three attempts before the first lap was taken off the scoring tower. A three-car spin off turns three and four was followed by a violent snap roll in turn three on the next restart. One of Winston’s fan favorites Eddie Reyes entered turn three catching an inside tire barrier causing his #25 Late Model to snap roll twice pushing his roll cage down to the top of his helmet. Reyes was briefly knocked out. The Red flag was waved and racing action was halted for 30 minutes. Every precaution was taken and ultimately Reyes walked to the ambulance to a standing ovation. When racing action resumed a single file start was in order. Points Leader Tom Sprague Jr would hold the point followed by 2006 Track champion Kevin Nelson. For the rest of the race including four more cautions Sprague and Nelson broke away from the field to stage their own little war. Sprague drove the highline while Nelson’s efforts came on the bottom edge of the track. The last caution came with five laps to go. Sprague did a tremendous job of hitting his marks and holding off Nelson for the win. Sprague padded his point lead and earned his second feature win of the 2007 season. Nelson was followed by Rob Taylor, Kevin Nelson Jr, and Tom Dusen. Heat races were won by Tim Stott and Rob Taylor. The fast qualifier on the night was Sprague.
The UMP modified class proved it is not how many laps you lead, but it is the last lap that is the most important. Front row starters Andy Sprague and John McCaul showed why they are the top two drivers in the point standings. For much of the race the first six cars drove side by side just like they had started. It was not until lap fifteen that fans saw a clear leader. Andy Sprague was credited with leading every lap up until a caution with one lap to go. Sprague had near misses working his way through lapped traffic and was looking to match his brother Tom Sprague Jr’s efforts. It was not to be as Sprague’s line on the high side had lost its grip. John McCaul had worked the bottom of the track the entire event. On the last lap as they came out of turn three it was apparent that Sprague was spinning his tires while McCaul was closing the gap. Through turns three and four it was too close to call. The crowd was brought to their feet as McCaul edged Sprague by a foot to take the win and trophy honors. Fast Qualifier Rich Neiser third won the race for over Greg Smith and Mike Wilbern. Brandon Tiaplolas and Neiser won Heat Races.
Port City Racing Sportsman driver Kyle Borgman continues to flex his muscle. Borgman made quick work of Points Leader Chad Weinrick at the start of the race and never looked back. Borgman was on a Sunday cruise up front while six drivers battled for the second position. In one of the best moves of the night Stan Dodds jumped to the high side and went from 5th to second in the last lap to garner the runner up spot. Ralph Sternberg was third followed by Weinrick and Rob Sternberg. Borgman also claimed the Heat Race win.
The Factory Stock class had the most drama on the night. Two drivers saw a run of emotions in the night. Robert Erickson thought he had his night ended in a Heat race crash. Erickson’s crew was replacing front suspension parts and tires right up until feature time so he could start in his fourth place starting spot. Points leader Jamie Lorenz also saw a roller coaster ride of emotions. At the start of the race Tim Epplett held the point. Erickson’s car looked worse for wear but his crew had done a great job. Erickson took the lead on lap seven. Lorenz began to challenge for the lead with six to go when the unthinkable happened. As Erickson and Lorenz battled side by side a lapped car determined their fate. Entering turn three a lapped car was well off the pace. As Lorenz an Erickson passed the lapped car it suddenly began to accelerate taking out Lorenz as Erickson narrowly escaped his demise. Erickson ended his Cinderella story in victory lane while Lorenz was left wondering what might have been. Tim Epplett finished second. Bill Delonge charged his way from his 12th place starting position to finish third. Tony Weinrick and Derek Passenier rounded out the top five. Lorenz and Devin Vanderstelt captured Heat race wins.
The Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division will have their Mid Season Championship race next Friday night. They will run two features on the night. The lengthy delay in the Late Model event caused the race program to reach its 11:30 PM curfew before the Mini Stocks could run their main event. Carl McCann won the Heat Race earlier in the race program.
The Young Gun Division saw its Point Leader Seth Moody make his way to victory lane. Moody held off Heat Race winner and hard charger CJ Rector for the top spot. Andrew Bartoszek was third followed by Eric Harrald, and Cody Moorman.
Next Friday night June 29th Winston Speedway will be back in full force. Six classes of racing will provide the action. For the best in Family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
