Mike Garvey Breaks the Streak, Johanna Long Takes Title

Mike Garvey Breaks the Streak, Johanna Long Takes Title

September 28, 2014 • Archives, Late Models, Top Stories

Pensacola, Florida – To say that Senoia, Georgia’s Bubba Pollard has been dominant in Pro Late Model competition this year would be an understatement. A perfect eight-for-eight dating back to March in PLM races, Pollard had a birds-eye view, from second, as that streak came to an end Saturday at Florida’s Five Flags Speedway in the Allen Turner Tune-Up 100.

When the checkered flag flew, it was veteran Mike Garvey who found himself back on top as he captured his third win in the annual event, after a year that has provided more downs than ups.

“We’ve been working and working and working at it,” said Garvey. “For the last year we’ve been terrible so about a month ago we just changed everything completely. We made wholesale changes.”

Behind the race leaders, the battle for the 2014 Champion came to a thrilling conclusion as Garrett Jones came up just one spot short of securing his second-consecutive Pro Late Model title at Five Flags.

Former track champion Johanna Long used a model of consistency to capture the Pro Late Model title which was her second of her career, and third overall counting her Blizzard title in the Super Late Models.

“This feels good. It’s finally over with,” said Long.  “Garrett Jones had an awesome year. He was tough to beat. We were way to tight at the end of the race, I definitely thought I was gonna lose the Championship.”

Long and Jones swapped the point lead during the race as they each gained and lost positions along the way.  In the end Jones’ fifth wasn’t enough to overcome Long’s seventh-place run.

“We had a really good car,” said Jones.  “We just had to go a little bit harder than we wanted to at the beginning just to get to Johanna. I was trying not to think about the Championship. We were trying to save as much of the tires as we could. We just missed it a little bit.”

Garvey took the lead on a lap 41 restart and his only competition the rest of the way came from Pollard, who set fast-time in qualifying, but would start sixth after the invert.

“I knew we were good but you never know how good Bubba is. He just runs so good here.” said Garvey.

A lap 67 restart was as close as Pollard would get and he held the lead briefly before Garvey showed his hand.

“You don’t ever know how much each of us are saving until it’s time to throw it down there,” added Garvey.  “I know I was saving a little, I know he was trying to save. It was time to just throw down there at the end and we just both went after it.  Luckily we had enough this time.”

Johanna Long won her second Pro Late Model track title at Five Flags. (Speed51.com photo)

“The car would run for a couple of laps (on restarts) and then it was done,” explained Pollard.  “We started the race tight, we finished tight.”

Pollard was not as disappointed as one might think after seeing and impressive 2014 Pro Late Model streak coming to an end.

“We had a good run there but you get into that comfort zone,” said Pollard. “You get into a box and you don’t wanna change it. These guys have all caught up now and we gotta go to work.”

The next time the Pro Late Models hit the track will be for the annual Snowflake 100 as part of the 47^th Annual Snowball Derby. After a trying year for Garvey, he feels like his program is right where it needs to be heading into the year-end event.

“I don’t know how I could make the car any better than it was right there. That package right there, that’s what we’re coming to the Snowflake with.” Garvey added with a big smile, “We finally got that little bit we need.”

As for Pollard, it looks like it will be a busy eight weeks in preparation of the Snowflake, “We’ve got a lot of work to do. We just gotta do our homework.”

“We’re fighting the same thing in the Super (Late Model) that we’re fighting in the Pro (Late Model). I think it’s our front-end geometry, the whole front-end package.  The shock and bump stop package. But we’ll figure it out and we’ll be back.”

By Mark Keeler – Speed51.com / Speed51.com photos 

Allen Turner Tune-Up 100
Five Flags Speedway (FL)
Official Results

1. #1        Mike Garvey
2. #26      Bubba Pollard
3. #43      Justin South
4. #99      Wayne Niedecken Jr
5. #88      Garrett Jones
6. #18      Korey Ruble
7. #11      Johanna Long
8. #14      Ryan Luza
9. #51      Perry Patino
10. #21      Riley Thornton
11. #30      Bobby Knox Jr
12. #66      Ryan Redmon
13. #89      Bobby Reuse
14. #55      Ronnie Osmer
15. #5        Bret Holmes
16. #4        Elliott Massey
17. #05      Bayley Currey
18. #42      Steven Davis
19. #11      Willie Allen
20. #30      Rusty Sanford
21. #91      Madison Schneider
22. #3        Brennan Willard
23. #41      Troy Grisaffi
24. #21      Larry Blount

Mike Garvey Wins at Montgomery Motor Speedway

2014 Press Releases

by Jason Mayhan

August 23, 2014 Montgomery Ala:

Multiple story lines unfolded last night as Montgomery Motor Speedway presented the Saturday of Speed. 220 laps of hard charging action thrilled the fans as they witnessed a strong field of Pro Late Models, 22 strong competed on the historic oval.

Budweiser fast time qualifying started the evening as Dennis Reno Jr. scooted his x2 pro late model around the track for a time of 19.133. The next 3 competitors posted times that were only 1 thousands of a second apart. Pensacola’s Mike Garvey was timed at 19.166, Jasper Alabama’s John Bolen 19.167 and Leeds Alabama driver Justin South at a 19.168.

The race started with a brisk pace as the Buddy’s Home Furnishing, triple K Construction, Beef O’ Brady’s #1 of Garvey led the field. Challenges from the x2 of Reno, #88 Garrett Jones from Mooresville, N.C.and R.S. Senter From Flowery Branch Ga. Just could not overtake the machine of Garvey.

Trouble brought out the caution on lap 1 as the #30 of Rusty Sanford Jr from Seminary, MS., #61 of Goodlettesville, TN. driver T.W. Fisher and the 5n of Shane Nalley all were caught up on the back stretch. Contact on lap 12 between #13 Bill Bethea III and #3 of Jordan McCallum saw the yellow fly again. The race hit its rhythm as things went well till a hard hit by #3 McCallum ended the Lizello, Georgian’s night on lap 41. Korey Ruble in the #18 Pitboxes.com Ronnie Sanders machine worked his way to the front after an early pit stop but just didn’t have enough and posted a second place finish. R.S. Senter #10 drove his way to a 3rd place podium finish and contended for the lead during the contest and local driver Perry Patino had a great showing in his first pro late model race at Montgomery Motor Speedway finishing 4th. The Last caution flew on lap 92 and it was an 8 lap shootout to the end. Mike Garvey was able to hold off the stiff competition for his first win of the 2014 season at Montgomery Motor Speedway.


Pensacola’s Mike Garvey takes the Checkers in the Pro Late Model race at MMS… could we see Garvey in Victory lane in 2 weeks at the ALABAMA 200?

Saturday of Speed 100

1st Mike Garvey #1g

2nd Korey Ruble #18

3rd R.S. Senter #10

4th Perry Patino #51

5th Garrett Jones #88

6th Kyle McCallum #2

7th Bobby Knox Jr. #30

8th Johnny Brazier #71

9th Bill Bethea Jr. #13

10th Chuck Tuck #17

11th Jr Bolen #24

12th Warren Mobley #95

13th Shane Nalley #5n

14th Justin Ashburn #98

15th Dennis Reno Jr. x2

16th Justin South #43

17th Jordan McCallum #3

18th John Bolen #2

19th Darin Cronin #5c

20th T.W. Fisher #61

21st Rusty Sanford Jr #30

22nd DNS Chase Oliver #5

Curtis Roberts Enjoys Dream Night at I-96 Speedway, Scores First World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory

Curtis Roberts Enjoys Dream Night at I-96 Speedway, Scores First World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory

Michigan Driver Thrills Home-State Crowd in Claiming the NAPA Lake Odessa 50 Presented by Keyser

LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - Aug. 22, 2014 - Curtis Roberts lived his dream Friday night at I-96 Speedway.

A regional racer for more than 20 years, Roberts, 47, of Coleman, Mich., took the lead when Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., suffered a flat right-rear tire on lap 42 of the NAPA Lake Odessa 50 Presented by Keyser A-Main and held off a furious charge by Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., through the race's finale eight laps to claim his first career World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory.

Roberts earned and career-high $10,550 for his breakthrough victory and thrilled a large crowd of his home-state fans as the 3/8-mile oval hosted the national tour first time since 2007.

"I've been racing a lot of years and this is definitely my biggest win," said Roberts, who became the fourth first-time winner on the WoO LMS this season. "To come in here and beat these guys - the best drivers in the country - it's a dream come true. This is really just unbelievable."

Surrounded by a pack of WoO LMS stars, Roberts turned in the performance of his life inFriday's A-Main. Starting from the pole, Roberts slipped into second behind Clanton on the race's opening lap and turned back challenges from series veteran Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., through the first half of the 50-lapper.

After pulling away from Frank after the halfway point, Roberts appeared to be headed for a runner-up result until Clanton's demise put him out front. Roberts continued his impressive performance by holding off Lanigan in a tense battle that saw the two-time series champion and current points leader pull even with Roberts with a hard charge into the final turn.

"I could hear (Lanigan)," Roberts said. "I didn't know for sure who it was, I just said, 'Hey, keep hitting your marks, you've been doing good the whole race. Just keep it up. Don't mess up.' "

Just as he had all race, Roberts remained steady and pulled back ahead down the homestretch, forcing Lanigan to settle for the runner-up finish in his self-designed Club 29 Race Car. Frank, who claimed the only previous WoO LMS stop at I-96 in 2007, was third in the Sorbera Chiropractic Rocket, while 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., took fourth in the Sweeteners Plus Rocket ahead of leading series rookie Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., in the Heckenast Racing Club 29 car.

After taking second from Frank on the race's final restart on lap 42, Lanigan followed Roberts' line around the track's top groove before moving lower on the track to make his bid for the lead though the final corner. Lanigan crossed the finish line a mere 0.408 seconds behind Roberts, notching his 26th top-five finish in 30 WoO LMS A-Mains this season.

"He was super good around the top," Lanigan said, describing how Roberts mastered the tricky cushion that kept drivers on their toes throughout the event. "I gave it a last-lap effort there to try to get it done, but he did a good job. Starting sixth and to come home second, I'm definitely happy. He did a great job to get his first win - super job."

After lowering the track record in time trials and dominating his heat race, Clanton appeared headed for victory in dominating the majority of the main event. He built leads of more than a straightaway at times and continued to pull away from his chasers even in traffic. But his bid to end his year-long WoO LMS winless streak came to an early end when he slowed in turn two with 42 laps completed.

"It's heartbreaking, but that's racing," said Clanton, who debuted a new Capital Race Car inFriday's event. "This being a brand new race car, as good as it was you can't ask for much more. Set a new track record, won the heat, led every lap that we were on the racetrack - that's a pretty good night. It just sucks that Lady Luck got us."

Restarting second after the lap-42 caution for Clanton, Frank was aiming to end a winless streak even longer than Clanton's, but he was unable to challenge Roberts as the race went back green and Lanigan drove by for the second spot.

"We just weren't any good on the restarts," said Frank, whose winless stretch on the WoO LMS reached exactly five years on Friday. "I don't know why - if it was tires or what. I just needed a few laps to get going and just could not get going on the restarts."

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., drove the Rocket Chassis house car to a sixth-place finish, while Morgan Bagley of Longview, Texas finished seventh in the P&W Sales Rocket. Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., was eighth in the Todd Wood Racing Rocket with Eric Wells ninth in the Wells Motorsports Rocket and Mike Spatola 10th in a Warrior Race Car.

The race was slowed by four cautions, the first appearing when Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio had mechanical issues with 23 laps complete. The next yellow flag waved on lap 35 when WoO LMS rookie contender Chase Junghans of Manhattan, Kan., slowed on the front straightaway, collecting Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., spun to bring out a lap-36 caution, and Clanton's flat tire caused the final caution on lap 42.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series completes its doubleheader weekend with a visit to Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., on Saturday for the NAPA Merritt 50. Gates open at 4 p.m. at the 3/8-mile oval with qualifying scheduled for 6 and racing to follow at 7. General admission prices are $30 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-15. Additional information is available on the track's website at www.merrittspeedwaymi.com

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com. Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook atFacebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .

Results of World of Outlaws Late Model Series NAPA Lake Odessa 50 Presented by Keyser at I-96 Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Curtis Roberts/50 $10,550
2. (6) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,650
3. (3) Chub Frank/50 $3,550
4. (5) Tim McCreadie/50 $3,200
5. (4) Frank Heckenast Jr./50 $2,800
6. (12) Rick Eckert/50 $1,350
7. (15) Morgan Bagley/50 $1,950
8. (7) Clint Smith/50 $1,900
9. (9) Eric Wells/50 $1,800
10. (17) Mike Spatola/50 $1,200
11. (18) Jeep Van Wormer/50 $1,050
12. (16) Brandon Thirlby/50 $1,000
13. (10) Boom Briggs/50 $1,550
14. (22) Eric Spangler/50 $950
15. (2) Shane Clanton/42 $1,400
16. (8) Tim Fuller/35 $800
17. (11) Chase Junghans/34 $1,320
18. (20) Casey Noonan/24 $750
19. (13) Rusty Schlenk/23 $730
20. (23) Herb Reich/21 $700
21. (19) Ryan VanderVeen/20 $700
22. (20) Bry Sloan/7 $700
23. (24) Bill Bray/3 $700
24. (14) Brady Smith/1 $725

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 26 Mins. 54 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.408 seconds
Yellow Flags: 4 (laps 23, 35, 36 & 42)
Lap Leaders: Clanton (1-42); Roberts (43-50)
Provisional Starters: Reich, Bray
WoO LMS 'Bonus Bucks' Winner: Curtis Roberts ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

Group A
1. 89-Mike Spatola, Manhattan, Ill., 16.159
2. 9r-Curtis Roberts, Coleman, Mich., 16.499
3. 99jr-Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill., 16.501
4. 44-Clint Smith, Senoia, Ga., 16.628
5. 91-Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio, 16.816
6. 23v-Ryan VanderVeen, Six Lakes, Mich., 16.857
7. 18-Eric Wells, Hazard, Ky., 16.910
8. 1*B-Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, Pa., 16.943
9. 39-Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y., 17.015
10. 2-Brady Smith, Solon Springs, Wis., 17.420
11. 94-Bill Bray, Spring Lake, Mich., 17.596
12. 22-Kevin Juusola, Muskegon, Mich., 17.603
13. 52A-Brad Harden, Ovid, Mich., 17.932
14. 87-Rich Neiser, Fruitport, Mich., 17.987
15. 2s-Bry Sloan, Lowell, Mich., 18.436
16. 66-Kurt Mesman, Wyoming, Mich., 19.551
17. 41-Jason Playter Jr., Saranac, Mich., no time

Group B

1. 25-Shane Clanton, Zebulon, Ga., 16.000
2. 29-Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky., 16.224
3. 1*-Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa., 16.435
4. 19-Tim Fuller, Watertown, N.Y., 16.482
5. 55-Jeep Van Wormer, Piconning, Mich., 16.543
6. 1-Rick Eckert, York, Pa., 16.559
7. 18c-Chase Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., 16.606
8. 1N-Casey Noonan, Sylvania, Ohio, 16.613
9. 14m-Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, 16.653
10. m14-Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, Mich., 16.785
11. 34-Herb Reich, Ann Arbor, Mich., 17.076
12. 21-Tom Sprague, Muskegon, Mich., 17.555
13. 1G-Greg Gokey, Buckley, Mich., 17.650
14. 27-Eric Spangler, Lake City, Mich., 17.884
15. 28-John McDonald, North Muskegon, Mich., 18.963
16. 8G-Keith Gentz, Grant, Mich., 19.484
17. 21t-Derek Thebo, Ionia, Mich., no time 

Heat No. 1 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Heckenst, McCreadie, Wells, Schlenk, Spatola, Sloan, Bray, Harden, Playter.

Heat No. 2 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Roberts, C. Smith, Briggs, B. Smith, VanderVeen, Neiser, Juusole, Mesman.

Heat No. 3 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Frank, Junghans, Bagley, Van Wormer, Reich, Gokey, Thebo, McDonald.

Heat No. 4 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Fuller, Eckert, Thirlby, Noonan, Spangler, Sprague, Gentz.

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Spatola, VanderVeen, Sloan, Juusole, Bray, Neiser. Did not start: Harden, Playter, Mesman.

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Van Wormer, Noonan, Spangler, Reich, Gokey, Thebo, Gentz, McDonald.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners (awards presented to noted finisher/qualifier or next highest displaying decal):

Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash to fast qualifier): Mike Spatola
Comp Cams ($50 certificate to A-Main winner): Curtis Roberts
MSD Ignition ($50 cash to A-Main winner): Curtis Roberts
Quartermaster ($100 certificate to A-Main winner): Curtis Roberts
Wrisco (three sheets of aluminum/certificate to A-Main winner): Curtis Roberts
STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place finisher in A-Main): Darrell Lanigan
Penske Racing Shocks ($50 to 3rd-place finisher in A-Main): Eric Wells
Roush-Yates ($50 cash to 4th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim McCreadie
Mobile 1 ($50 cash to 4th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim McCreadie
JE Pistons ($50 cash to 5th-place finisher in A-Main): Frank Heckenast Jr.
Lincoln Welders ($50 cash to 6th-place finisher in A-Main): Morgan Bagley
American Racing Wheels ($50 cash to 7th-place finisher in A-Main): Clint Smith
VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to 8th-place finisher in A-Main): Clint Smith
Edelbrock ($50 cash to 9th-place finisher in A-Main): Eric Wells
Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10th-place finisher in A-Main): Mike Spatola
Cometic ($50 cash to 12th-place finisher in A-Main): Boom Briggs
JRI Shocks ($50 cash to 13th-place finisher in A-Main): Boom Briggs
Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 14th-place finisher in A-Main): Eric Spangler
Quartermaster ($25 certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main): Shane Clanton
JE Pistons (one set of rings certificate to 16th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim Fuller
Roush-Yates ($50 certificate to 18th-place finisher in A-Main): Casey Noonan
Quartermaster ($50 certificate to 19th-place finisher in A-Main): Herb Reich
Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 certificate to 20th-place finisher in A-Main): Herb Reich
Mobil 1 (20% off gift certificate to 20th-place finisher in A-Main): Herb Reich
JE Pistons (one set of rings certificate to 21st-place finisher in A-Main): Ryan VanderVeen
Roush-Yates ($50 certificate to 22nd-place finisher in A-Main): Brady Smith
MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24th-place finisher in A-Main): Brady Smith
Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO driver): Curtis Roberts
Reliable Painting award (one free tire): Rick Eckert

2014 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 22 - 30 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Darrell Lanigan 4,254
2. Rick Eckert 3,984 (-270)
3. Tim McCreadie 3,946 (-308)
4. Morgan Bagley 3,786 (-468)
5. Chub Frank 3,764 (-490)
6. Eric Wells 3,722 (-532)
7. Shane Clanton 3,682 (-572)
8. Frank Heckenast Jr. 3,658 (-596)
9. Clint Smith 3,514 (-740)
10. Chase Junghans 3,398 (-856)
11. Rick 'Boom' Briggs 3,264 (-990)
12. Tim Fuller 2,530 (-1,724)

Rookie of the Year Standings as of Aug. 14 (27 A-Mains completed; best 25 races counted)

1. Frank Heckenast Jr. 3,286
2. Chase Junghans 3,048 (-238)
3. Boom Briggs 2,946 (-340)

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: American Racing Custom Wheels (Official Custom Wheel), Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Lincoln Welder (Official Welder), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors: Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Mobil 1, MSD, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Penske Shocks, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos and Wrisco Aluminum; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, Jake's Carts, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, and TNT Rescue.

Jeremy Wood and Steve Irwin take wins at Cherry Raceway

Jeremy Wood Wins Out in Ron Doberstein Sr. Memorial For $500 Pay Day

Steve Irwin Dominates in MTS Second Visit of the Season

Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 22nd, 2014): The Michigan Traditional Sprints were the headlining attraction over the weekend at the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile high banked dirt oval of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan. The Davison, Michigan based series brought in the best “wingless’ sprint car drivers in the state to compete in their second and final visit to northern Michigan’s fastest dirt track. The night was also highlighted by the $500 to win Four-Cylinder Warrior Special in memory of Ron Doberstein Sr. the Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts were also on hand.

The Factory Stocks held their 15-lap main event feature.17-year old Robert Hittle and Tony Williams led out the field. Williams was the early lead after the drop of the green flag. He would stay there until lap 6 where he would be overtaken by the 2011 track champion Emery Smith. Smith would go on from there to pick up the victory.

This was the third win of the year for the 42-year old Fife Lake, Michigan resident driver of the Pro Build / Chevrolet. Williams would take second. Richard Cebula Jr., Peni LaLonde, and Dan Wireman made up the top five. The heat race was won by Wireman.

Next, it was the Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts 15-lap A-Main. The front row consisted of 17-year old Rheanna Doberstein and 2011 track champion 15-year old Autumn Beeman. Once the green flag was dropped Beeman wasted little time in getting out front and holding the lead. She was able to hold that position through some late-race restarts and go on to pick up the win.

This was the second win of the season for the Buckley, Michigan driver of the WTCM 103.5 / Ford. 2012 track champion Chris Casey finished just behind in second. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger rounded out the top five. Casey also won the heat.

The Stock Cars made their way out for their feature event consisting of 20 laps. Kim Wagner and Thomas Poley led the field down to the green flag. The leader of the opening circuit was Dave Park he remained out front until lap 3. This was when Jeremiah Woebbeking made the pass for the lead. Things would not heat up again until lap 18 when Brian Abernathy powered his way to the front and was able to score the big win.

This was the first win of the season for the 31-year old Kalkaska, Michigan driver of the G.J.’s Pizza / Chevrolet. Kevin Newberry finished in the second position. Woebbeking, two time and de

fending track champion Allen Oyer and Joe Fisher capped off the top five. Oyer was the winner of the lone heat race.

The Michigan Traditional Sprints hit the raceway for a thrilling 25-lap main event. Fenton, Michigan native Mike Galajda and Jenison, Michigan native Joe Bares led the field down to the green. However the driver taking the early advantage was the driver who started third which was Steve Irwin. He would pull out to very healthy advantage and lead the entire show green to checkered in a caution free A-main. He won driving the DWR sponsored #0. Galajda finished second, and Chris Probanz completed the podium finish.

Finally, the Four-Cylinder Warriors made their way out for the 40-lap Ron Doberstein Sr. Memorial for $500 to win. Jim Luhtanen and Alicia Vanimen led the stacked field out for the start. Luhtanen managed to lead lap one. However Jeremy Wood would take over as the leader on the very next circuit. Despite what the rest of the competitors would try to do there was no stopping Wood from going all the way to the checkered flag, getting crowned the winner.

Wood the 31-year old from Manton, Michigan went to victory lane in his A&W Racing / Chevrolet earning his fourth win of the year. Vannimen was the runner up. Charlie Doberstien, Arlie Cooper, and 16-year old Jacob Flickinger completed the top five. Brian Carson and Bob Craycraft won the heats.

This Friday August 29th will be Dash for Cash Night at Cherry Raceway. The show will be headlined by the Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. The Lightning Sprints, Factory Stocks, Stock Cars, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts will be in action as well.

Ticket Prices for Friday August 22nd are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1-(231)-468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com you can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

Steve Irwin Wins at Mt. Pleasant

Steve Irwin picks up second win of the 2014 season Sunday at Mt Pleasant Speedway over pole sitter Joe Bares. Cooper Clouse finished 3rd. Nick Landon charged from deeper in the field to finish 4th and Mark Irwin Rounded the top 5. Joey Irwin, Joe Bares and Cooper Clouse won heat races

Amain results -

1 Steve Irwin 2 Joe Bares 3 Cooper Clouse 4 Nick Landon 5 Mark Irwin 6 Joey Irwin 7 Tyler Hewitt 8 Craig Karazim 9 Gary Hayward 10 Mike Astrauskas 11 Gregg Dalman 12 Bill Murowski 13 Ralph Brakenberry 14 Dave Ockerman 15 Mark Strpko 16 Jim Girard 17 Eric Smith 18 Chris Pobanz 19  -DNS

MTS  Sprint Car Series

Bob Baldwin Captures 40-lap Dirt Cup Feature at Cherry Raceway For $1500 Payday

Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 8th, 2014): The Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour was the lead attraction this past Friday night at the Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan. The traveling series brought the best UMP DIRTcar Modified driver in and around the state of Michigan to the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile high banked dirt oval. They were joined by the Factory Stocks, Stock Cars, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.

The Factory Stocks squared off in a 15-lap feature event to start the night off. Peni LaLonde took the early advantage. She would hold a steady line throughout the race, until there would be a late race protest for the lead by Richard Cebula Jr. The two drivers would make contact and Lalonde would end up flipping upside down to end the race, but however getting the win.

Lalonde, the 40-year old from Lake City, Michigan picks up her third win of the year in the P&J Racing / Chevrolet. Karl McClellan finished in the second spot. Dan Wireman, 2011 track champion Emery Smith, and Robert Hittle rounded out the top five. Smith was the winner of the heat race.

The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts made their way out next for their 15-lap feature event. 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey would take the lead after the drop of the green flag. He would hold the lead until on lap 12 he would make contact with lap traffic and be involved in a caution which sent him to the tail of the field, and surrendered the lead to the 2011 track champion 15-year old Autumn Beeman who would go on to pick up the win.

The Buckley, Michigan driver of the WTCM 103.5 / Ford gets her first win of the year. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger finished second. Casey, 17-year old Rheanna Doberstein, and 13-year old Amber Beeman completed the top five. Flickinger was the winner of the heat race.

The 15-lap main event for the Stock Cars was up next. Off the start Jeremiah Woebbeking jumped out front with the lead. However on lap 4 Kevin Newberry would power his way to the front and was able to overtake Woebbeking for the lead and was able to go on from there to pick up the win.

The 49-year old Gaylord, Michigan driver of the Diamond Performance / Chevrolet picked up his sixth victory of the year. He picked up the win over Joe Fisher who was second. Woebbeking, Dan Wilson, and Roger McQueen finished off the top five. Fisher won the lone heat race.

The Four-Cylinder Warriors went head to head in a 15-lap A-Main. Bob Wood took the early advantage. He led the race until lap 9 when he would faulter giving enough room for Jeremy Tulick to make the pass, taking the lead and going on from there to get the win.

This was the first win of the year for the 35-year old Cadillac, Michigan driver of the Sonny’s Garage / Dodge. Arlie Cooper was the second place finisher. Bob Wood, Jeremy Wood, and Jim Luhtanen made up the top five. Jeremy Wood was the winner of the heat race.

The Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour featuring the best UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers from in around the state made their way out for their 40-lap feature event. Colin Thirlby and the defending Dirt Cup tour champion David Mielke led the field down to chief starter Steve Sherwood’s green flag. Mielke was able to take the lead off the start. He would actually stay there until lap 30 where Bob Baldwin would challenge for the lead and would overtake Mielke for the top spot. There was a late race caution giving a restart with three laps remaining. However there would be no stopping Baldwin as he would sail on to get the win.

Baldwin, the 26-year old Hartford, Michigan native picks up the big win in the Baldwin Construction / Impressive Racecar. Mielke was the runner up. Thirlby, Steve McClees, and Travis Stemler completed the top five. McClees, Baldwin, and Mielke won the preliminary heat races. The B-Main was won by Paul Johnson.

This Friday August 15th will be Kid’s Nickel Night at the Cherry Raceway featuring Bike Give-A-Way’s and more. The racing program will be headlined by the Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They will be joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Lightning Sprints, Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.

Ticket Prices for Friday August 15th are: Adults (13-59): $12.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $9.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1-(231)-468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com you can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

Cherry Raceway Crown’s Six Feature Winners

Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday August 1st, 2014): It was Hoosier Free Hat Night at the Cherry Raceway Friday night where the first hundred people that arrived received free Hoosier hats. The fast 3/8ths (0.375) high-banked dirt oval located in Fife Lake, Michigan welcomed their fans back after a one week hiatus. The racing program was headlined by the high-powered Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They were joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.

The Factory Stocks made their way out first for a 15-lap main event feature. Once the dust settled on the early stage of the race it would be Richard Cebula Jr. finding his way to the front of the pack to pack. He would remain there through the end and pick up the win.

Cebula the 52-year old from Grawn, Michigan earned his third win of the season in the Dick’s Repair Shop / Oldsmobile. Dan Wireman finished second. 15-year old Drew Wilkerson, Karl McClellan, and Peni LaLonde rounded out the top five. 2011 track champion Emery Smith won the lone heat race.

The Stock Cars made their way out next for a 15-lap A-Main. Joe Fisher took the lead off the start. He stayed there until on lap 13 he would be passed by current point leader Kevin Newberry. However on lap 14 Newberry and Fisher would be caught up in a late race caution together and neither one could continue. This gave the lead to Roger McQueen the lead, and he was able to hold his spot for the win.

This was the 26-year old Mancelona, Michigan native first win of the season in the Art’s Place / Chevrolet. J.J. Arbour finished second. Newberry, Fisher, and Mark Neinhouse made up the top five. Newberry won the lone heat race.

The Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts held their 15-lap Feature event. 16-year old Jacob Flickinger was the leader after lap 1. He would hold the top spot until on lap five the 2012 track champion 15-year old Chris Casey powered his way to the front for the lead. However Casey would be involved in a caution putting him to the rear which saw 15-year old Dalton Bouschor take the lead with two laps to go. Bouschor was able to remain there and crossed the finish line first to pick up the win.

This was the Traverse City, Michigan driver’s second win of the year in the Van’s Auto Sales / Porsche. Casey was able to battle back to a second place finish. 17-year old Calvin Ingeston, 12-year old Andrea Taghon, and 13-year old Amber Beeman finished off the top five. Casey won the heat race.

The Auto Value UMP DIRTcar Late Models came out for a 20-lap Feature. Steve Niewenhuis took the advantage after the opening lap. 18-year Andy Nickerson III would then charge to the front and steal the lead away. However on lap five the five time track champion Eric Spangler would make the pass for the lead and would go on from there to get the victory.

This was the 45-year old Spangler’s fifth win of the season in the Spangler Heating & Cooling / Masterstbilt Racecar. J.T. Anderson was the runner up. Nickerson, Niewenhuis, and Scott Phillips completed the top five. Spangler won the heat race.

Next was the 20-lap feature for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. Jeremy Tulick jumped out with the lead on lap one. The next lap would be led by Nick Taghon. Then, on the defending track champion Dennis Taghon took the lead on lap three. Taghon would remain there despite what his opponents tried to do he held on for the win and made the trip to victory lane.

This was the 48-year old Empire, Michigan native’s second win of the year behind the wheel of the Taghon’s Garage / Dirt Werx Racecar. 2011 track champion Joe Rokos finished just behind in second. Nick Taghon, Billy Scott, and Tulick rounded out the top five. Dennis Taghon also won the heat race.

Finally, it was the 20-lap Four-Cylinder Warriors feature event. Defending track champion Andrew Austin took the early advantage. He would be able to go on from there to lead from green to checkered and pick up the win.

This was the 30-year old Austin’s third win of the season, driving out of Manton, Michigan in the A&W Racing / Chevrolet. Jeremy Tulick finished second. Bob Wood, Arlie Cooper, and Russ Carrier capped off the top five. Jeremy Wood and Jim Luhtanen were the winners of the heat races.

This Friday August 8th the Cherry Raceway will open its doors to welcome back the always entertaining Michigan Dirt Cup Tour, bringing the most talented UMP DIRTcar Modified drivers to the great north for their seventh event of their season. The show will also feature the Stock Cars, Factory Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Crossroads Chevrolet Compacts.

Ticket Prices for Friday August 8th are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $30.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also starts at 6:00pm. Then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins approximately at 7:30pm.

Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1-(231)-468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com you can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway

Johnny VanDoorn Proves He Is Not All Business

Coopersville's Johnny VanDoorn pounces early, late to win Battle at Berlin

Battle at Berlin 251 winner Johnny VanDoorn of Coopersville fields questions from track announcer Chris Danielson prior to Saturday night's action. (Eli Kaminski | MLive.com)

By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com 
on July 19, 2014 at 11:15 PM, updated July 19, 2014 at 11:21 PM

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MARNE – Coopersville driver Johnny VanDoorn finished what he started Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway.
VanDoorn dominated the first half of Saturday’s Battle at Berlin 251, and while he lost a bit of his edge during the race’s second half, he was ready to pounce when the money was on the line.
VanDoorn overtook leader Andrew Pollard of Georgia on a lap 241 restart, then drove away in his LisaThomassalon.com Chevrolet for the win. VanDoorn earned $10,000 for the victory after beating Pollard to the stripe by 1.824 seconds.
"I can't thank my crew guys enough for giving me such a great car," VanDoorn said. "They made good adjustments the whole race. I knew I had to be a little patient there after getting shuffled back after the first stop. In the past, I would get a little too aggressive, so I waited until it was right, and when I got inside of him on the restart, we had really good traction off the corner. Once we got underneath Bubba, it was game over from there.
"Once I got into clean air, the handling of the car came back."
Saturday’s race has 37 qualifiers, with 26 making the starting field. VanDoorn, a three-time series champion and Saturday’s defending race winner, served notice early that he was the driver to beat when he set fast time in the afternoon’s qualifying session with a lap of 97.195 mph. That put him on the pole alongside Cutlerville’s Jay Niewiek (96.956), and when the green flag dropped more than three hours later, VanDoorn’s domination began. VanDoorn had lapped all but seven cars when caution waved at lap 139.
The race’s second half proved to be much more competitive, with Pollard, Terry Senneker Jr. and Brian Campbell all taking turns lead the way, while Ross Meeuwsen and Brandon Hermiller remained in the hunt. But the race came down to the final restart with 10 laps to go.
The race was only the third start of the season for VanDoorn. He and his brother, Butch VanDoorn, opened their own race shop this past November, so he has been busy on the fabrication side of the sport.

Senneker had the lead on the lead when cars started spinning on the backstretch on lap 226. Senneker slowed up before caution waved and was overtaken by Daniel Hemric. He never did regain the lead and eventually finished fourth behind runner-up Pollard and third-place Meeuwsen.
“Up in the spotter’s stand they called the caution,” Senneker said. “My spotter immediately said, ‘Caution, caution.’ Before they hit the trigger on the flag stand to trigger the yellow, I let off and got passed. I feel it was partially their fault because they called the caution up there. The drivers can’t see the lights all the times because there is such a gap, so you go by the spotter’s call. I guess it was an unlucky break.”
Berlin’s Sportsman division served on Saturday’s undercard, and Garrison Jewett, making his start of the season, won the 40-lap main after taking the lead from Allen Davis on lap 12. Jewett pulled away to a comfortable lead, only to see it wiped out when caution fell with two laps to go. But Jewett nailed the restart and went on to beat out Brian Thome and Tyler Nawrocki.
Jewett shares the driving duties with his brother, Weston Jewett, who has already won twice this year.
“We are just doing this for fun, so it typically stays in the trailer,” Jewett said. “Whoever wants to race that weekend races it, so we share it. We don’t do it for points. We want the checkered flags, but more than anything, we do it for weekend fun.”
Berlin will celebrate its 64th anniversary program next Saturday with a program of Outlaw Late Models, Sportsman, 4 Cylinders and the traveling Vintage Racing Organization of America.