Wing Wins at I-96

Lake Odessa, MI.
7/18/09
By Richard Bila

2004 Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame inductee racer Roger Wing took home the 50 lap $2,000 to win feature race on Saturday night at I-96 Speedway. Wing drove his Rocket chassis, Bert’s Glass and Tom Benson Remax Nesmith Ultimate Champion Late model. For the Middleton driver it was his second win of the year at I-96.

“The yellow flags came out at the right time for me, I was catching lapped traffic and passing some cars”, stated Wing of the lap 17 and lap 42 yellow flags for Gary Vandermark and Dan Hubble. “I was not sure where to run, and where they were running behind me”, speaking of second place finisher Kris Patterson and third place John McClure.

After another great looking four wide salute and with fireworks going off, Mike Nugent and Patterson brought the field down to the green flag, and Patterson jumped into the early lead. The sixth starting wing moved up quickly to the second spot and on lap two, dove under Patterson in turn four, but had to let off as he did not have enough room to make the pass.

The fourth lap ended up being the money lap, as once again Wing dove under Patterson in turn four and made the car stick this time to take the lead he would not surrender. That left Patterson and McClure to battle for second and they exchanged that position several times, with Patterson finally over taking McClure during the lap 42 restart. Nugent, Bill Bray, Rick Stout, Trevor Sloan, Bill Trueblood Jr., Christian Rayburn and Scott Ehlert rounded out the top ten.

“I want to thank Andy and Mike for bringing this series to Michigan. This series gives late model drivers an affordable way to continue to race”, stated Wing in victory lane. Patterson was driving his Rocket as well, sponsored by Tom Benson Remax and St. John’s KFC.

Third place finisher McClure, drove his Stealth chassis, Glen’s glass and welding and IDI late model to one of his best finishes in the UCLMS. “When the race started, I really thought I had the car to beat. I was feeling real good running up front. Then about half way, the car got a little hot, so I had to back off a little”, stated third place McClure.
Bray, Patterson and Jay Vandyke won heat races.

The street stocks were also in action and Clarksville racer Aaron “the lone” Wolf started on the pole and led the entire 20 lap feature, in a race that was yellow flag city. After each yellow flag and double file restart, Wolf would pull away to leave the rest of the field to race for second.

Ronald “the magic man Wiers would pull along side Wolf a couple of times, but could not make the pass. Cody Denny, AJ Ward, Hilary Smith, Tim Hegner, Cort Skoog, Ronnie Mathis, Randy Adams, Ronald Wiers and Wayne Parkhurst rounded out the top ten. With Wolf’s fifth win of the year, the point race really tighten even more! Terry Humphreys and Wiers won the heat races.

The road beaters were also in action on the 3/8 mile track, and Vermontville’s Scott Rumsey won his first feature of the year. It was not easy for Rumsey, who had to hold off the “Dominator” Rob Nieman, who has won seven features so far this year. John Primm nosed out Nieman for second at the finish line. Brad Harbenski, Nikki Primm, Colee Ruesink, Ben Fust, Khris Twigg, Steve Wawiernia and James Harbenski rounded out the top ten.

The red flag came out during the 17th lap for a three car accident that found Terry Henderson up side down in turn three. All drivers were ok. Primm and Rumsey won the heat races.

Michigan Center’s Nick Nelson won the 20 lap mini sprint feature for his first of the year. Jason Holibaugh, Derek Donaldson, AL Halbert, Jay Steinebach and Mike Higdon rounded out the field. Donaldson won the heat.

Next week, July 25, the regular five divisions will be back in action. The UCLMS and UMP mods racing on the ½ mile, and the street stocks, road beaters and mini sprints on the 3/8 track.

Also, $5.00 admission tickets are available, that will put you in a drawing for a chance to win $2,500. For more information contact the track at 616-642-0555.

Coming on August 1, at I-96, will see the last visit of the Sprints on Dirt for the 2009 season.

And just a side note, the stars and cars of the UCLMS will be racing at the MT. Pleasant Speedway Friday night July24 for a rain delayed night of racing.