Friday, June 13
Winston Speedway Defies the Weather
Give credit to Winston Speedway owners Tom and Lois Sprague along with the fans, and drivers for their patience. Mother Nature has not been kind to Friday night race tracks in Michigan. Winston has lost five race dates already this season. The Winston Speedway racing family was not about to let another race night fall victim to the weather on "Friday the 13th". After battling the rain and a track that looked like it would never be race ready, a standing room only crowd witnessed some of the fastest laps turned at Winston in recent years. The first race did not start until 9:15 but it was worth the wait. Praxair Welding Supply was the sponsor of the night’s events. Their employees, patrons and families made up a large contingency of the huge Friday night crowd.
Nineteen Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model drivers weathered the storm and had the opportunity to turn the fastest laps of the season. Front row starter Kyle Borgman started the main event with a bang as he hit the front stretch wall ending his evening and bringing out the red flag before lap one was in the record books. Pole sitter Tim Stott was the early leader, but it did not last long. One car was the class of the field. Starting in the sixth position Tom Sprague Jr put on a clinic. By races end Sprague’s nearest competitors were a half track behind. Sprague’s win was his second of the season. Earning the runner-up position was Stott. Andy Sprague’s charge from 17th to 3rd was impressive. Matt Pickard and Rich Neiser completed the top five. Heat Race winners were Sprague Jr and Rob Taylor.
Sportsman driver Ralph Sternberg leap frogged his brother Rob in the Point Standings of the Port City Racing Sportsman division. Rob’s night was cut short with mechanical problems while Ralph flourished. Ralph Sternberg’s sixth place starting position was not a deterrent as he powered his way to the front within 4 laps and stayed there. Tim Tuttle was able to pull even with Sternberg late in the race but his charge from tenth ended with a second place finish. Mike Lynn’s first race of the season ended with a third place finish ahead of Larry Passenier and Cody Weisner. Heat race winners included Weisner and Robert McDonald.
In the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division it was veteran Luke Near and youngster CJ Rector who battled bumper to bumper the entire main event. Near’s three track championships did not intimidate the 14 year old Rector. Both drivers raced each other hard and clean with Near being the winner and Rector gaining respect from his competitors and the fans. Andrew Bartoszek, Mark Farber and Carl McCann completed the top five. Heats were won by Farber and Seth Moody. Derek Dykema won the Warrior division four cylinder race.
The Modifed and Factory Stock divisions were not able to run their main events as the tracks 11:30 curfew was met. Both divisions will run double features on June 20th. Modified Heat winners were John McCaul and Derek Poland. Factory Stock heat races were won by Brad Bates, Chuck Smith and Paul TenBrink.
Friday June 20th will be our annual “Kids Night” Every child will receive a ticket for a free hotdog, bag of chips and juice. There will be games for the kids from 4PM to 7PM. Door prizes along with over 60 bicycles will be part of a ticket drawing that every child will have the opportunity to be part of. It is one of the most rewarding nights for the drivers and fans. There is nothing better than seeing the faces of children light up with excitement and laughter. For the best in Family Entertainment along the lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
