Local auto racing notes 7/8

Local auto racing notes 7/8

Shawn Liverance
Muskegon Chronicle

Share Sandy TenBrink loved racing and was instrumental in putting together the annual “Kids Night” at Thunderbird Raceway every year,In October, TenBrink of Montague passed away at the age of 55 from cancer, but her memory will live on at Thunderbird on Saturday night.

Thunderbird will host “Sandy TenBrink Kids Night” along with running a 20-lap bomber class feature race in her honor.

“For 20 years she ran the kids night program and I took over for her five years ago,” said Missy Barnhard. “This is a good way to recognize Sandy for all the work she did to put the night on.”The special night devoted to TenBrink and kids 12 and under begins when the gates open at 3 p.m. with games and a bike registration.
Over 33 bikes will be raffled off throughout the evening and each child will receive a free goodie bag and toy along with games and food. Along with the special bomber feature race in TenBrink’s memory, a full lineup of racing in six other classes will be run.

Gates open at 3 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Thunderbird Raceway
The Late Model Invitational race highlighted the racing action at Thunderbird on Saturday night. Kevin Nelson Jr. beat an 18-car field to win the race and he was followed across the finish line by Alan Vochaska, Rich Neiser, Eric Spangler and Mike Nichols. Also winning feature races were Stan Dodds (Modifieds), Rob Sternberg (Bombers-Factory Stocks), Mike Lynn (Street Stocks), Mel Whitten (Thunder Stocks), Rich Lieb (Warriors) and Nick Curtis (4 Cylinders).

Winston Speedway
Winston celebrated its 30th Anniversary by running a full program on Friday night in six different classes. Winning feature races were Rich Neiser (Late Models), Jeff Erickson (Modifieds), Dan Dykman (Street Stocks), Spike Grega (Factory Stocks-Bombers), Brandon Tramper (4 Cylinders) and Dan Reimserma (Warriors).
This week’s racing action, includes a a full racing card in six classes with racing action beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Sprints on Dirt series will make their only appearance at Winston on July 16.

West Michigan Sand Dragway
Several local drivers won their classes at the July 4th Shootout at West Michigan Sand Dragway in Mears on Friday and Saturday.
Grand Haven’s Kip Martin (Pro Truck), Fremont’s Dave Weaver (Sportsman 1) and Mears’ Tom Bray (Sportsman 2) all won their respective classes.
The WMSD will host the US Sand Nationals warm-up point series event on July 17 and the 18th annual US Sand Nationals and Pro Truck Nationals on July 23-25.