Wilbern and Near Take Home the Hardware at Winston

Friday, August 18
Wilbern and Near Take Home the Hardware at Winston

Winston Motor Speedway continued their string of Season Championship races Friday, August 19th. A veteran driver continued his quest for his first Michigan Modified Track Championship in honor of his former car owner in friend. In the Mini Stock Championship race a veteran part time driver took top honors in dominating fashion showing that he has not lost his edge.

Michigan Modified driver Mike Wilbern has been on a mission all season long. When Wilbern’s former car owner and friend Tim Johnson lost his life earlier this year, Wilbern dedicated his race season in Johnson’s memory. With Johnson’s wife, son, daughter, grandson and many other family members present Wilbern used his pole position to the fullest. Wilbern left no doubt from start to finish he was going to walk away with the five foot tall winners trophy. Wilburn led every lap of the 25 lap main event earning his eight-feature win of the season. Rich Neiser was second followed by Fast Qualifier and Dash Winner Andy Sprague. Fourth place finisher Bill Bray charged from his last place starting position in an impressive run towards the front. Nate Bostrom completed the top five. Wilbern also won the heat race.

Mini Stock Point leader Carl McCann led the first four laps of their Championship event from his pole position, but after that it was all Luke Near. The former three-time Winston Motor Speedway Mini Stock Champion earned his third feature event win. Near might be only competing part time, but when he is present look for him to be in the winner’s circle. Mark Farber made his way by McCann late in the race to earn the runner-up position. Brad Bates and Tom Guy rounded out the top five. Near won the Heat race. McCann swept Dash and Fast time honors.

Twenty-four Late Models started their Main event. Early leader Eric Spangler used a bobble out of turn two by pole sitter Kevin Nelson to grab the early lead and pull away.
Nelson was able to reel back in Spangler on the high side but eight laps into the feature made a daring move that ended the evening for both Spangler and Nelson. Going into turn one Nelson’s attempt to get under Spangler saw his car literally drive over the top of Spangler’s front end and send his car airborne. It was a scary sight to fans but both drivers were OK. Jeff Kohn inherited the lead on the restart with Tom Sprague Jr running second. Lap ten saw Kevin Nelson Jr make one of the best passes of the season as he was able to split Kohn and Sprague while running three abreast coming out of turn two. Fans quickly took notice as laps wound down that Rich Neiser was passing cars on the high side of the track. With eight laps to go Neiser had made his way by Sprague and Kohn. Nelson’s low line set up a show down that saw Neiser and him swap the lead at the flag stand four times in the last six laps. Neiser’s last lap was the most important one and he made it count winning a tight finish over Nelson. The win was Nesier’s second in a row and his third on the season. Sprague finished third over Troy Vanderveen and Matt Pickard. Heat race winners were Scott Wenell and Pickard. Nelson won the Dash. The fastest in Qualifying was Kohn.

The fans of the Sportsman Division were treated to two of the best in the State at their craft racing wire to wire. Ten-time Thunderbird Race Park feature winner made his first appearance at Winston Motor Speedway a successful one. Latch backed up his Fast Time in qualifying with an outside front row winning effort in the Sportsman main event. Twelve- time Winston feature winner did not lose any credibility as he was on Latch’s rear from lap three on. These two drivers raced each other hard and clean and both showed why they are most likely their respective track champions for this season. Dan Borgman came from his twelfth place starting position to earn the third spot over Mike Anderson and Mike Lynn. Borgman and Chad Weinrick won Heat Races. Rob Sternberg won the Dash event.

In the Bomber Division Devin Vanderstelt found his way to victory lane to pick up the win. Vanderstelt led from start to finish, but it was not easy. Jamie Lorenze pressured Vanderstelt the entire event along with Bill Delong. Divisional points leader Mike Epplett from his fourth spot in the running order in his attempt to get to the front drove his car off from turn two setting up a three lap showdown to the finish. Vanderstelt hit all of his marks the rest of the way to pick up his first Bomber feature win of his career. Lorenze and Delong finished second and third. Jerry Fairchild and Tim Epplett rounded out the top five. Frank Harris picked up his first checkered flag at Winston winning a Heat race along with Jerry Fairchild. Mike Epplett won the Dash event. Sadie Klien tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.

Young Gun driver Jordon Praay was happy to see the winner’s circle. Praay won on opening night but has had an up and down season. Tonight Praay put it altogether and picked up the Young Gun main event by leading every lap. Kiley Kennedy was second followed by Andrew Bartoszek, Glen Parker and Adam Spencer. Kennedy was the Fastest in Time Trials. Adam Spencer swept the Heat Race and Dash events.

Next Friday night August 25th the Late Model Division & Bomber Championship races will wind down their season. Late Model Point Leader Kevin Nelson will be trying to hold onto win his first Track Championship at Winston. Look for Rich Neiser, Tom Dusen and Kevin Nelson Jr to put out all the stops in their attempt to make it to victory lane for Championship race bragging rights. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.