"Air Neiser" wins "Player Hater 50" at Winston Speedway

Friday, May 16

"Air Neiser" wins "Player Hater 50" at Winston Speedway

Forty of the best Late Model drivers in Michigan made their way to Winston Speedway for the “Player Hater 50” Invitational on Friday May 16th. This Port City Racing and Integra Racing Shocks and Springs sponsored event has become a tradition that the racing community looks forward to every year. A total of one-hundred four racecars were on hand for the nights activities but it was one driver who took the spotlight claiming the largest amount of race winnings in Winston Speedway history. The “Player Hater 50” main event did not disappoint fans as they were treated to one of the most unusual endings ever witnessed at Winston.
In the early going of the 50 lap main event Roger Wing showed his strength moving from his fourth place starting position to take the lead from Rich Neiser on lap four with a high groove pass coming out of turn two. Wing began to pull away. By lap ten Wing was already dealing with lapped traffic. Because of this Neiser was able to catch Wing. Both drivers dealt with lapped traffic that was running two abreast. Neiser stayed in the high groove while Wing raced him door to door in the low groove. While Neiser and Wing battled each other Kevin Nelson was making his way to their bumpers. Nelson appeared to be the fastest at the half way point but slipped coming out of turn four going over the embankment and ending his chance for the win. Nelson’s caution put Neiser out front. Wing now had to contend with Rusty Seaver. Neiser was able to pull away as Wing and Seaver battled side by side. Neiser’s gap up front kept getting larger. With five laps to go Neiser held a half track lead. What appeared to be an anticlimactic finish as the white flag waved, turned into a nightmare for Neiser. As Neiser accelerated coming out of two his right rear tire went over the embankment. Neiser’s entire car followed over the top edge of the track. With his car completely out of site to the grandstands what happened next looked like a scene out of “Dukes of Hazard”. Neiser never lifted off the throttle and drove back up onto the track with all four tires catching air as he used the embankment as a ramp. Neiser had no idea that his lead was so great that he would still be out front. Once on the track Neiser straightened out his car, kept his composure, and earned his second feature win of the season.
Neiser’s win was the third for him that night. Earlier in the evening he had won his heat race and took top honors in the Port City Racing Dash for Cash. By nights end Neiser had earned over $3300 in cash and prizes. It was the largest amount ever taken by a driver at Winston.
“All I could think of going off two was that I blew it” stated Neiser. “I was so mad at myself. I was just hoping I was going to have a decent finish after such a stupid mistake. I had no idea that I was so far ahead. I swear I could hear a car right behind me” laughed Neiser.
The race for second was won by Seaver who put on a show for the fans with Wing right to the very end. Rob Taylor captured the fourth. Curtis Roberts charged his way all the way from his seventeenth place starting position to round out the top five. Kevin Nelson Jr, Zach Ogler, Matt Pickard, Billy Trueblood and Kevin Juusola completed the top ten. Heat races were won by Neiser, Bob Findlay, Pickard, and Seaver.

In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs UMP Modified action Greg Smith recovered from an early race spin to take his first feature win of the season. Smith’s winning pass came after a restart on lap three. Coming out of turn two Smith made his way by Scott Fisk and then leader Dan Dykman. Out front it looked like Smith was on a Sunday cruise. Smith maintained the point for the entire race hitting all his marks, but by the end of the feature Jeremy Ferguson was the fastest Modified on the track. Ferguson had used the high side groove to pass five competitors in the last four laps. Ferguson was in second with two laps to go but ultimately ran out of time and settled for second. Jeff Erickson, Derek Poland and Mike Wilbern completed the top five. Heat races were won by Randy Whitten and Smith. Darrell Woodring garnered top honors in the Dash for Cash event.

The last time Port City Racing Sportsman driver Cody Weisner visited Winston Speedway he was in one of the most violent accidents ever witnessed at Winston. Weisner was stalled on the front stretch and hit at full throttle by a competitor. It destroyed his car and took the breath away from everyone who witnessed the crash. Weisner showed no fear of being back at Winston. Starting sixth Weisner was able to take the point on lap three and win in dominating fashion. Needless to say this was a much happier night. Chad Weinrick was the best of the rest followed by Rob Sternberg, Bean Falbe and Barry Mendendorp. In Heat race action Tim Tuttle and Dan Wilson were the winners.

The Factory Stock division keeps providing Winston fans with some great racing action. This division continues to have 30 plus cars battle every week for bragging rights. Youngster Derek Passenier looked stout early leading the first portion of their 15 lap event. Veteran Dean Wolever showed his patience and made a high groove pass for the lead on lap seven. Once out front Wolever’s experience showed as he took the win over Passenier. Seventy-six year old Mel Whitten moved up 8 positions to finish a strong third. Justin Gilmore and Justin Gilland made up the rest of the top five. Heat races were won by Passenier, Tony Weinrick and Wolever. Jerry Fairchild earned “B” feature top honors after charging his way from dead last to the top spot.
Next Friday May 23rd all five divisions of racing will be back in action. A $300 to win Four Cylinder event will be the main event of the evening. On Saturday May 24th Winston Speedway will have their first Demolition Derby of the season along with an Off Road Scramble event. Monster Truck “Little Miss Dangerous” will also be on hand to entertain the fans. For the best in Family entertainment along the lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway