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
