Friday, June 20 2008
McCaul is the King of "Kids Night" at Winston Speedway
Winston Speedway’s June 20th race program saw a little bit of everything. The crowds at Winston continue to be strong. It was standing room only for the second week in a row. Look for more bleachers to be added as part of owners Tom & Lois Sprague’s plans for the future. The pits were also full with 120 racecars taking part in the night’s events. It was “Kids Night” and close to 500 children under the age of 12 took part in a variety of prerace activities. Every child walked away with something including over 60 bicycles. One driver showed why he owns multiple track championships and once again the weather was unpredictable. The evening started with sunshine and clear skies and ended with rain showers. Ludington Late Model driver Frank Morrison’s car was being cleared off the track when the rains hit. Morrison rolled his car over three times on the front stretch when he snagged his right front tire on the wall. The “Happy go lucky” Morrison has been battling cancer for over a year. Tonight’s accident was just a bump in the road for him. The Winston Speedway racing family looks forward to seeing his return.
There were two performances on the night that stood out. They both just happen to be by the same driver. The UMP Modifieds held two features on the night. Thirty cars were in the pits for this respective division. Both events were won by John McCaul . In the $1000 dollar to win Invitational McCaul showed why he is one of the best Modified drivers in the state. McCaul found the high groove to his liking and stayed there for the entire event. Drivers were able to race side by side as a mist in the air made the track very racey. Todd Feutz looked like a man on a mission early as he powered his way by Mark Anderson for the second position. Feutz’s challenge of McCaul ended with him spinning out in turn two with nine laps remaining. Anderson’s strong hold on the runner-up position was also put in jeopardy late in the race. Greg Smith might have been the fastest driver on the track when the checkered flag was waved. Smith charged from tenth to third before running out of laps. Dave Baker and Randy Whitten completed the top five. In the June 13th makeup feature McCaul took just three laps to make his way to the front. In the caution free feature McCaul hit all his marks. Strong runs by Jason Ferguson, Greg Smith, Walt Wisnewski, and Jeremy Ferguson garnered them top five finishes. Heat races were won by Feutz, Baker and Jeremy Ferguson. Todd Cowan earned the top transfer spot out of the consolation feature and later finished a respectable 6th in the Invitational “A” main.
The Factory Stock division also had double features. Thirty cars were on hand for this tough division. In the make-up event the race started with some excitement. Pole sitter Brad Bates and Paul TenBrink swapped the lead, shared the same space and ultimately shared some paint before Bates brought out a caution in his attempt to get under TenBrink coming out of turn two on lap three. TenBrink remained strong out front for the rest of the event to take the win. Longtime driver Bill May’s return to racing at Winston was stout. After breaking an axle in the heat race and having to race his way into the “A” main through the consolation feature, May finished in the runner-up spot. Bill Delong, Scott Erickson and Tony Weinrick completed the top five. In the nights main event Tony Weinrick made the move of the race getting by Paul Tenbrink and Bill May who were holding down the top two spots with just six laps to go. Weinrick went on to win over TenBrink, May, Delong, and Chuck Smith. Scott Erickson earned the top Transfer spot in the “B’ feature for the night while Bill Delong earned it for the make-up event from June 13th. Heats were won by Dennis Bringedal, Bill May, Tony Weinrick and Paul TenBrink.
The twenty car Mini Stock feature had trouble making consecutive laps without a caution. Eight cautions made their feature reach the time limit. Pole sitter CJ Rector was credited with the win over Luke Near, Seth Moody, Cody Moorman, and Brandon Tramper. Heats were won by April Spriggs and Rector. Cody Dykman won the 3 car front wheel drive Warrior division race.In the Sportsman division Rob Sternberg and Chad Weinrick were heat race winners.
In the Late Model division Rich Neiser, Steve Fairbanks and Kevin Nelson Jr all took checkered flags. Both the Sportsman and Late Model divisions will have double features in a future race program.
Next week is Mid-Season Championship night for all divisions. Hopefully “Mother Nature” will be kind as there is no doubt that the drivers, crews and fans are excited to be at Winston Speedway on Friday nights. For the best in Family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
