Friday, May 26
Nelson, Wilbern, Smith and Meyering Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway started the Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 25th with some of the best racing and weather so far this season. Fans, drivers and crews continue to appreciate the close racing action in all divisions. The addition of track maintenance by Wilkerson Excavating of Muskegon has proved to make a huge difference in the track surface. Two and three and abreast racing have become the norm and not just an exception. Repeat Main event winners in all classes except the Bomber division was the story of the night.In the Late Model Division 21 cars took to the track for their 25-lap Main event. Carl Ries was the early leader. Ries paced the field for the first 7 laps from his outside pole position. On Lap 8 Kevin Nelson powered his way by Ries on the backstretch to grab the point. Once out front Nelson left no doubt in anyone’s mind why he is the Late Model Points leader at Winston. Nelson proceeded to win his fourth feature event in six race programs. Tom Dusen proved that his feature win last week was no fluke as he moved up five spots to garner the runner-up position. Carl Ries held onto third place. Rob Taylor moved from tenth to fourth. Kevin Nelson Jr. rounded out the top five. Heat race winners included Nelson Jr and Taylor. Josh Slade was the fastest in Time Trials. Nelson won the Dash event.
The Michigan Modified division continues to bring the fans some of the best racing action from any division. Rich Neiser broke away early from the pack only to see Mike Wilbern real him in late in the race. With five laps to go Wilbern patiently put himself in position coming out of turn four on the high side to complete a pass in front of the grandstands. Wilbern maintained his lead at the front and went onto win his third feature of the season. Neiser held off Fast Qualifier Andy Sprague for the second spot. Veteran Scott Presley was fourth followed by Nate Bostrom. Heat race wins went to Bostrom and John McCaul. Derek Poland took Dash event honors.
The Sportsman division also saw a four-time main event winner. Fast Qualifier Rob Sternberg’s inversion draw put Greg Smith on the pole. Although Jamie Gilmore was able to grab the lead from the outside of the front row, it only took three laps before Smith was able to make an inside pass for the lead. From that point Smith pulled away from the field and picked up another feature win. The race for second was won by Gilmore over Sternberg. Mike Peterson and Mike Anderson completed the top five. Bud Steinman and Chad Weinrick were Heat Race winners. Smith won the Dash event.
Bomber Driver Jerry Fairchild finally made his way to victory lane. Fairchild had led previous features late in the race only to suffer mechanical failure and cut tires. Tonight Fairchild was able to put it all together. Starting on the front row Fairchild held off the hard charges of Fast Qualifier Mike Epplett to garner his first Main event win to the season. Nate Walton, Stan Dodds and Tony Weinrick rounded out the top five. Marvin Klintworth and Keith Chrysler won Heat Races. Sadie Klien took Dash Honors.
Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber made it two Feature wins in a row. Farber made his way to the lead from his fourth position starting spot in the early going and never looked back. Stephen Thebo edged Zak Rounds for the second spot by a fender. Carl McCann and Joe McCormick completed the top five. McCann won the Heat race as well as being the Fastest in Time Trials. Thebo took Dash event honors.Cadillac High School sophomore Blake Meyering continued his assault in the Young Gun Division. Meyering won all the nights events except the Dash event, which went to Kiley Kennedy. In the Main event Meyering won his fourth feature event by half the track. Eric Harrald was the runner-up over Glenn Parker, Andrew Bartoszek, and Adam Spencer.
Winston Motor Speedway will begin a run of Mid-Season Championships starting next Friday June 2nd. Young Guns and Michigan Modifieds will take center stage on the night. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Dusen, Wilbern and Welch Garner Honors at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, May 19 2006
Dusen, Wilbern and Welch Garner Honors at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway returned to racing Friday May 19th after a week off. Cold temperatures and steady rains have been the norm of late. Fans welcomed a sunny but cool evening to get their fill of some great racing action. Close finishes were the agenda of the night as two and three abreast racing continues to impress the fans and have the Winston Motor Speedway drivers excited to be at the track every Friday night.Muskegon Late Model driver Tom Dusen saw his stock rise in the point standings. Dusen put on a dominating performance leading every lap of the late model feature. Dusen used the high line the entire event to pick up his first feature win of the season. Point’s leader Kevin Nelson had terrible luck with a last place finish. A flat tire on lap one saw him take a huge hit in the standings. There was one highlight for the Nelson family as son Kevin Nelson Jr. made his way to a second place finish coming all the way from his eighth place starting position. Ed Reyes, Matt Pickard and Carl Ries rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Dan McCormick and Nelson Jr. The Dash event was won by Dusen. The fastest in Time Trials was Nelson.
Michigan Modified driver John McCaul dominated the entire event, but it was not enough to win. McCaul had cruised out front for nineteen laps with no one in sight. That all changed in the final two turns. Fast Qualifier Mike Wilbern never lifted off throttle for the last 200 yards nipping McCaul by a foot. Wilbern’s impressive run brought out a standing ovation for his efforts and aided his cause at the top of the point standings. McCaul’s second place finish in the main event was also combined with a Heat race and Dash event wins. Andy Sprague, Rich Neiser and Derek Poland completed the top five. Matt Sprague was also a Heat Race winner.
Sportsman Drivers Mike Lynn, Mike Welch and Greg Smith had the crowd on their feet for the last three laps of their main event. Welch and Smith had battled for ten laps far out front of the field until a caution with three laps to go brought Mike Lynn into the picture. All three drivers did their best to grab the point, but it was going to be Welch celebrating in victory lane. Welch had the drive of his career holding off Lynn to the inside and Smith to the outside. You cold have thrown a blanket over all three at the finish line. Welch’s win was a popular one as he beat last top gun Lynn and four-time Sportsman track champion Greg Smith for the win. Jamie Gilmore and Rob Sternberg completed the top five. Bud Steinman and Chad Weinrick were heat race winners. Smith won the Dash race. Sternberg tripped the clock as the fastest Sportsman.
Bomber driver Stan Dodds did not let a poor qualifying time and his eleventh place starting position in the main event over shadow his performance in the feature. Dodds hustled his way through the filed in the early going. A caution for Nathon Walton’s car being pole vaulted through the air because of a broken rear end was the caution that Dodds needed to complete his mission. With four laps to go Dodds was within striking distance. Dodds pass of Eric Wadkins with three laps to go was for the win. Wadkins did hold on to second by fighting off the hard charges of Mike Eplett and Jerry Fairchild. Angie Gilmore completed the top five. Dodds and Tim Jeffiries took checkered flags for Heat Race wins. Fairchild was the Dash Winner. Epplett was the fastest in Qualifying.
Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber raced his way into the winner’s circle twice during the evening. Farber started out the evening with a Heat race win and stayed in his rhythm for the main event. Once out front of the Main event Farber was able to hit all his marks to pick up the win. Stephen Thebo’s finished in the second spot followed by Carl McCann, Joe McCormick, and Jared Guinn. The fastest in Time Trials was McCann. Guinn was the Heat race winner. Young Gun driver Blake Meyering continues to be the man to beat. Meyering’s pass of Kiley Kennedy with three laps to go proved to be the move of the race. The win for Meyering was his third of the season. Kiley Kennedy was second followed by her younger sister Desiree Kennedy. The fourth and fifth positions belonged to Jordan Praay and Tyler Wagner. Praay was the Heat race winner. Wagner won the Dash. Meyering was the fastest in Time Trials.
Winston Motor Speedway returns next Friday night May 26th with a full program of racing and excitement. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Dusen, Wilbern and Welch Garner Honors at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway returned to racing Friday May 19th after a week off. Cold temperatures and steady rains have been the norm of late. Fans welcomed a sunny but cool evening to get their fill of some great racing action. Close finishes were the agenda of the night as two and three abreast racing continues to impress the fans and have the Winston Motor Speedway drivers excited to be at the track every Friday night.Muskegon Late Model driver Tom Dusen saw his stock rise in the point standings. Dusen put on a dominating performance leading every lap of the late model feature. Dusen used the high line the entire event to pick up his first feature win of the season. Point’s leader Kevin Nelson had terrible luck with a last place finish. A flat tire on lap one saw him take a huge hit in the standings. There was one highlight for the Nelson family as son Kevin Nelson Jr. made his way to a second place finish coming all the way from his eighth place starting position. Ed Reyes, Matt Pickard and Carl Ries rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Dan McCormick and Nelson Jr. The Dash event was won by Dusen. The fastest in Time Trials was Nelson.
Michigan Modified driver John McCaul dominated the entire event, but it was not enough to win. McCaul had cruised out front for nineteen laps with no one in sight. That all changed in the final two turns. Fast Qualifier Mike Wilbern never lifted off throttle for the last 200 yards nipping McCaul by a foot. Wilbern’s impressive run brought out a standing ovation for his efforts and aided his cause at the top of the point standings. McCaul’s second place finish in the main event was also combined with a Heat race and Dash event wins. Andy Sprague, Rich Neiser and Derek Poland completed the top five. Matt Sprague was also a Heat Race winner.
Sportsman Drivers Mike Lynn, Mike Welch and Greg Smith had the crowd on their feet for the last three laps of their main event. Welch and Smith had battled for ten laps far out front of the field until a caution with three laps to go brought Mike Lynn into the picture. All three drivers did their best to grab the point, but it was going to be Welch celebrating in victory lane. Welch had the drive of his career holding off Lynn to the inside and Smith to the outside. You cold have thrown a blanket over all three at the finish line. Welch’s win was a popular one as he beat last top gun Lynn and four-time Sportsman track champion Greg Smith for the win. Jamie Gilmore and Rob Sternberg completed the top five. Bud Steinman and Chad Weinrick were heat race winners. Smith won the Dash race. Sternberg tripped the clock as the fastest Sportsman.
Bomber driver Stan Dodds did not let a poor qualifying time and his eleventh place starting position in the main event over shadow his performance in the feature. Dodds hustled his way through the filed in the early going. A caution for Nathon Walton’s car being pole vaulted through the air because of a broken rear end was the caution that Dodds needed to complete his mission. With four laps to go Dodds was within striking distance. Dodds pass of Eric Wadkins with three laps to go was for the win. Wadkins did hold on to second by fighting off the hard charges of Mike Eplett and Jerry Fairchild. Angie Gilmore completed the top five. Dodds and Tim Jeffiries took checkered flags for Heat Race wins. Fairchild was the Dash Winner. Epplett was the fastest in Qualifying.
Mini Stock Driver Mark Farber raced his way into the winner’s circle twice during the evening. Farber started out the evening with a Heat race win and stayed in his rhythm for the main event. Once out front of the Main event Farber was able to hit all his marks to pick up the win. Stephen Thebo’s finished in the second spot followed by Carl McCann, Joe McCormick, and Jared Guinn. The fastest in Time Trials was McCann. Guinn was the Heat race winner. Young Gun driver Blake Meyering continues to be the man to beat. Meyering’s pass of Kiley Kennedy with three laps to go proved to be the move of the race. The win for Meyering was his third of the season. Kiley Kennedy was second followed by her younger sister Desiree Kennedy. The fourth and fifth positions belonged to Jordan Praay and Tyler Wagner. Praay was the Heat race winner. Wagner won the Dash. Meyering was the fastest in Time Trials.
Winston Motor Speedway returns next Friday night May 26th with a full program of racing and excitement. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Saturday, May 6, 2006
Nelson, Smith and Guinn on a Roll at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, May 5th 2006
Nelson, Smith and Guinn on a Roll at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway fans were treated to some great two and three wide racing on Friday, May 5th. Mother Nature provided cool temperatures but the fans did not mind, as the racing action was fast and furious. Before the end of the night three drivers were three time feature winners on the season and three drivers were first time feature winners on the season.Kevin Nelson is six inches away from winning every feature race of the season in the Late Models. Nelson’s second place finish last week is his only kink in his racing armor at Winston Motor Speedway. Fast Qualifier Tim Stott’s inversion draw placed Nelson on the outside pole. Nelson went unchallenged leading every lap and pulling away from the field. The battle for second was entertaining as it seemed Rich Neiser and Tom Dusen swapped positions on every lap. At the flagstand Nesier edged Dusen for the runner-up spot. Matt Pickard and Rob Taylor completed the top five. Heat Races were won by Larry Passenier and Nelson. Dusen was the Dash event winner.
The Michigan Modifieds were paced early in their event by Fast Qualifier John McCaul. Mike Wilburn made an inside pass of McCaul to grab the lead on lap nine. A caution for Matt Sprague clipping the turn one wall one lap later put him on the wrecker hook and saw McCaul head to the pits for repair unrelated to Sprague’s demise. On the restart it was clear who the fastest car on the track was. Starting in the eighth position youngster Nate Bostrom was getting grip on the bottom line and picking off cars one by one. By lap sixteen of the twenty-lap event Bostrom had cleared the rest of the field and made a pass in turn three of leader Wilburn. Bostrom then began to pull away to pick up his first win of the season. Wilburn settled for second. McCaul made his way all the way back from the rear to finish third ahead of Rich Neiser and Derek Poland. Winners of the Heat Races were Julie Taylor and McCaul. Dash event honors went to Poland.
For seventeen laps Mike Welch looked like he was going to win his first event of the season in the Sportsman division. Welch was all alone out front as Mike Lynn and Greg Smith were in a heated battle for second. With five laps to go Smith finally cleared Lynn and set his sights on Welch. Smith’s car seemed to get better while Welch’s car seemed to slow. With two laps to go Smith made his way by Welch coming out of turn two grabbing the point. It would be Smith’s third feature win of the early season. Lynn also was able to make his way by Welch on the final lap to capture second. Welch, Chad Weinrick, and Mike Anderson rounded out the top five. Jamie Gilmore and Welch were heat race winners. Smith swept the Dash and Time Trial events.
The Bomber Division continues to be one to the most balanced classes. In four weeks there have been four different winners. This week Stan Dodds was the man of the hour as he held of the hard charges of Keith Chrysler and Nate Walton. Sadie Klien and Bob Shirk completed the top five. Fifteen-year-old Justin Gilmore picked up his first checkered flag of his career in the first Heat Race while Dodds won the second Heat Race event. Klien was the Dash event winner. Tim Jeffries was the Fastest in Time Trials but saw his motor sour as he went by the flagstand ending his racing evening.
Mini Stock Driver Jared Guinn became the third driver of the evening to pick up feature win number three on the season. Guinn used a great restart after a caution to pass two cars heading into turn one early in the race to take the lead and never look back. Mark Farber, Carl McCann, Stephen Thebo and Tom Guy rounded out the top five. Zak Rounds was the Heat Race winner. Guinn won the Dash event and Farber was the Quick Qualifier.Young Gun driver Tyler Wagner held off a hard charging Blake Meyering to pick up his first feature win on the season. Sisters Kiley and Desiree Kennedy were third and fourth. Eric Harrald completed the top five. Kiley Kennedy won the Heat race. Wagner won the Dash event. Meyering was the fastest in Time Trials.
Winston Motor Speedway will have the Great Lakes Outlaw Modified series on hand Friday May 12th along with a five of its regular racing divisions. The Michigan Modifieds will have the night off. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Pickard and McCaul take Wins at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, April 28
Pickard and McCaul take Wins at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway fans witnessed three wide racing, horrific crashes, and some of the closest finishes in recent history. Fans were out of their seats more than they were in them on this chilly Friday April 28th. The racetrack surface continues to improve and the fans and drivers have taken notice. A good car count and another great crowd has the 2006 season off to a great start.The Late Model division came down to a photo finish. Matt Pickard led from lap one, but lurking close behind were Kevin Nelson and Rich Neiser. Nelson and Nesier exchanged the second spot four times. Each made passes high and low of each other. Matt Pickard never left the low line in his quest for his first feature win of the season. With two laps to go the crowd was on their feet as Nelson had cleared Neiser and was on the high side reeling in Pickard. Coming out of the final turn Nelson never lifted off the gas pedal but came up a foot short, as Pickard was able to hold on for the win. Nelson’s quest to be the only Late Model Feature winner this season ended with an incredible runner-up finish. Rich Nesier held onto third over Ed Reyes and Dave Springer. In Heat race action Reyes and Nelson were the winners. Neiser won the Dash event. Ed Thirbly was the fastest Late Model in Time Trials.
Michigan Modified drivers provided the fans with a little of everything. Rich Neiser charged his way to the front on lap four only to spin out all by himself on lap five. A wild caution two laps later on the backstretch had some of the top runners including John McCaul. Derek Poland, Tim Tuttle and Andy Sprague going airborne over the embankment. McCaul was placed to the rear. Poland’s evening ended. Sprague and Tuttle were able to return laps down. On lap twelve youngster Roger Flinn III lost control coming out of turn four brushing the front stretch wall and leaving him door side into oncoming traffic. Andy Sprague probably wishes he had stayed in the pits after his first caution. Sprague hit Flinn III at full throttle in one of the most violent crashes ever at Winston Motor Speedway. You could have heard a pin drop. In tribute to their car builders both drivers were able to walk away. When racing resumed Mike Wilburn looked like he was well in command to pick up his second win of the season. Unfortunately for Wilburn someone forgot to tell John McCaul that it was impossible to win from the rear. McCaul’s placement in the rear earlier in the race after a caution brought out the best in him. Coming out of turn four McCaul powered his way to the inside and past Wilburn. The fans appreciated McCaul’s run with a standing ovation. Wilburn settled for second followed by Rich Neiser, Scott Presley, and Matt Sprague. Heat Race wins went to Poland and Flinn. Andy Sprague won the Dash. Neiser was the Quick Qualifier.
Fast Qualifier Greg Smith won for the second week in a row in the Sportsman division. Smith earned his win by making his way in dominating fashion to the front from the eighth place starting position. Mike Lynn, Mike Welch, Chad Weinrick, and Mike Anderson rounded out the top five. Welch and Jamie Gilmore won Heat Races. Lynn took Dash event honors.
The youngsters continue to shine in the Bomber division. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Klien led every lap to take her first feature win of the season. Klien was able to use her outside front row starting position to its fullest. Hard charging Mike Epplett was second followed by Stan Dodds, Keith Chrysler, and Jerry Fairchild. Heat race winners were Tony Weinrick, Bob Shirk, and Dodds. Chrysler took Dash honors. Epplett tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.
Mini Stock driver Jared Guinn continues his hot streak. Guinn won the Heat race and a caution filled feature. Guinn picked up his second main event of the season leading every lap to take the win. Tom Guy was second followed by Steven Thebo, Carl McCann, and Nathan Tarte. Zak Rounds won the Dash Event. McCann qualified the fastest.For the second week in a row Fast Qualifier Blake Meyering won the feature event by leading every lap. Chris Rice finished a strong second ahead of Jordan Praay, Tyler Wagner and Adam Spencer. Wagner was the Heat Race winner. Praay took Dash event honors.
The excitement will continue next weekend. Friday night, May 5th six classes of racing will provide the excitement while on Saturday night May 6th the first event of the Lake Shore Demolition Derby will take place. For the best in Family Entertainment along the lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Pickard and McCaul take Wins at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway fans witnessed three wide racing, horrific crashes, and some of the closest finishes in recent history. Fans were out of their seats more than they were in them on this chilly Friday April 28th. The racetrack surface continues to improve and the fans and drivers have taken notice. A good car count and another great crowd has the 2006 season off to a great start.The Late Model division came down to a photo finish. Matt Pickard led from lap one, but lurking close behind were Kevin Nelson and Rich Neiser. Nelson and Nesier exchanged the second spot four times. Each made passes high and low of each other. Matt Pickard never left the low line in his quest for his first feature win of the season. With two laps to go the crowd was on their feet as Nelson had cleared Neiser and was on the high side reeling in Pickard. Coming out of the final turn Nelson never lifted off the gas pedal but came up a foot short, as Pickard was able to hold on for the win. Nelson’s quest to be the only Late Model Feature winner this season ended with an incredible runner-up finish. Rich Nesier held onto third over Ed Reyes and Dave Springer. In Heat race action Reyes and Nelson were the winners. Neiser won the Dash event. Ed Thirbly was the fastest Late Model in Time Trials.
Michigan Modified drivers provided the fans with a little of everything. Rich Neiser charged his way to the front on lap four only to spin out all by himself on lap five. A wild caution two laps later on the backstretch had some of the top runners including John McCaul. Derek Poland, Tim Tuttle and Andy Sprague going airborne over the embankment. McCaul was placed to the rear. Poland’s evening ended. Sprague and Tuttle were able to return laps down. On lap twelve youngster Roger Flinn III lost control coming out of turn four brushing the front stretch wall and leaving him door side into oncoming traffic. Andy Sprague probably wishes he had stayed in the pits after his first caution. Sprague hit Flinn III at full throttle in one of the most violent crashes ever at Winston Motor Speedway. You could have heard a pin drop. In tribute to their car builders both drivers were able to walk away. When racing resumed Mike Wilburn looked like he was well in command to pick up his second win of the season. Unfortunately for Wilburn someone forgot to tell John McCaul that it was impossible to win from the rear. McCaul’s placement in the rear earlier in the race after a caution brought out the best in him. Coming out of turn four McCaul powered his way to the inside and past Wilburn. The fans appreciated McCaul’s run with a standing ovation. Wilburn settled for second followed by Rich Neiser, Scott Presley, and Matt Sprague. Heat Race wins went to Poland and Flinn. Andy Sprague won the Dash. Neiser was the Quick Qualifier.
Fast Qualifier Greg Smith won for the second week in a row in the Sportsman division. Smith earned his win by making his way in dominating fashion to the front from the eighth place starting position. Mike Lynn, Mike Welch, Chad Weinrick, and Mike Anderson rounded out the top five. Welch and Jamie Gilmore won Heat Races. Lynn took Dash event honors.
The youngsters continue to shine in the Bomber division. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Klien led every lap to take her first feature win of the season. Klien was able to use her outside front row starting position to its fullest. Hard charging Mike Epplett was second followed by Stan Dodds, Keith Chrysler, and Jerry Fairchild. Heat race winners were Tony Weinrick, Bob Shirk, and Dodds. Chrysler took Dash honors. Epplett tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.
Mini Stock driver Jared Guinn continues his hot streak. Guinn won the Heat race and a caution filled feature. Guinn picked up his second main event of the season leading every lap to take the win. Tom Guy was second followed by Steven Thebo, Carl McCann, and Nathan Tarte. Zak Rounds won the Dash Event. McCann qualified the fastest.For the second week in a row Fast Qualifier Blake Meyering won the feature event by leading every lap. Chris Rice finished a strong second ahead of Jordan Praay, Tyler Wagner and Adam Spencer. Wagner was the Heat Race winner. Praay took Dash event honors.
The excitement will continue next weekend. Friday night, May 5th six classes of racing will provide the excitement while on Saturday night May 6th the first event of the Lake Shore Demolition Derby will take place. For the best in Family Entertainment along the lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Jeffrey A. Shackelford (1962-2006) Honored at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, April 21 2006
Jeffrey A. Shackelford (1962-2006) Honored at Winston Motor Speedway
West Michigan race fans came out to Winston Motor Speedway Friday April 21st to catch some great racing and pay their respect to one of our local racing heroes. Long time area racer and Michigan Modified driver Jeff Shackelford had lost his battle with cancer during the week. Jeff exemplified what we hope every driver and person should be. Jeff was a loving husband, father and son. Jeff’s courage, his caring attitude along with his competitiveness on the track is something we all learned from. The most important event of the night for The Winston Motor Speedway racing family was to celebrate and pay tribute to his life. The Michigan Modified feature was led out onto the track with Jeff’s father taking two laps around the track in Jeff’s #2 Modified before pulling into victory lane. With all of the Modified drivers out of their cars on the front stretch a moment of silence preceded the pouring of Jeff’s ashes around his car in victory lane. At the start of the race a parade lap had all of the drivers and fans waving two fingers in the air in his honor. Jeff’s wife Penny took the flag stand to start the Modified feature showing the same type of courage Jeff had shown during his trying time. In Dale Earnhardt eeriness a caution came out on lap two of the Modified event. Jeff had to be smiling from the heavens. We will miss Jeff but a part of him will be with us forever.
In racing action Late Model driver Tim Stott set the early pace from his pole position before his left front tire came off coming out of turn four and resting up against the front stretch wall. The point was taken by Ed Reyes who found himself racing door to door with Kevin Nelson for the next five laps. These two drivers had the fans on their feet as neither was going to give way. A slight bobble by Reyes gave the lead to Nelson on lap twelve. Nelson continued to hold the top spot and go onto win his second feature of the season in two weeks of racing at Winston. The race for second turned out to be a wild one as Tom Dusen went from fourth to second never lifting off the throttle using the high side to get around third place finisher Rich Neiser and fourth place finisher Reyes. Tom Sprague Jr. completed the top five. Heats were won by Rob Taylor and Sprague Jr. Reyes won the Dash event. Dusen was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Michigan Modified feature saw double duty racer Rich Nesier make his way to the front on lap five with an inside move on leader Ray Wiggers coming out of turn two. Neiser hit all of his marks for the rest of the evening picking up his first win of the season. The race for second was close as Mike Wilburn edged Roger Steig for the runner-up spot. Tim Tuttle and Nate Bostrom rounded out the top five. In Heat race action Roger Flynn III and Neiser took checkered flags. Tuttle took Dash honors. John McCaul was the quick qualifier.
Four time Sportsman champion Greg Smith took advantage of an early caution and some great driving to move from fifth to first in one lap in their main event. Out front Smith was on cruise control leading every lap and winning by twenty car lengths. The race for second was won by Mike Welch. Ken Fitzgibbon, Brian Juusola, and Vinny Homan completed the top five. The Heat race was won by Bud Steinman. Smith swept the Dash and Time Trial events.
The Bomber division provided the best main event of the night. Early leader Stan Dodds was pressured hard from Tim Jeffries in the early going. Before the end of the night Dodds would suffer mechanical problems ended his evening while Jeffries luck was not as good as Dodds. Contact with another car along the backstretch saw Jeffries on his roof over the backstretch banking. Jeffries was OK but his car was worse for wear. The new front- runners Jerry Fairchild and Nathan Walton had the fans on their feet. They exchanged the point three times in the last three laps before Walton secured the top spot and the win. Walton’s win was his first since moving up from the Mini Stock division after winning a track championship in 2005. Fairchild was second followed by Jamie Lorenze, Eric Wadkins, and Bob Shirk. Heat Races were won by Mike Epplett, Stan Dodds, and Tim Jeffries. The “B” feature earned transfer spots for Wadkins, Duane Townsend, Justin Gilmore and Justin Gilland. Rich Seymour was credited with the win for the “B” feature.
Carl McCann led from start to finish in the Mini Stock division. Jared Guinn raced his way to second only to run out of laps as he was right on McCann’s bumper at the finish line. Mark Farber was third followed by Tom Guy and Nathan Tarte. Tom Guy won the Heat race.
In the Young Gun Division it was all Blake Meyering. Every lap of the Young Gun Division on the night was led from Meyering as he swept both Main event and Heat races. Second in the feature belonged to Chris Rice who edged Tyler Wagner for the runner-up spot. Kiley Kennedy and Adam Spencer completed the top five.
The rave so far this season has been the two and three abreast racing. The new clay that was added has been paying dividends to both the drivers and fans. Back to back weeks of 90 plus racecars and stands packed with people has the West Michigan racing community buzzing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Jeffrey A. Shackelford (1962-2006) Honored at Winston Motor Speedway
West Michigan race fans came out to Winston Motor Speedway Friday April 21st to catch some great racing and pay their respect to one of our local racing heroes. Long time area racer and Michigan Modified driver Jeff Shackelford had lost his battle with cancer during the week. Jeff exemplified what we hope every driver and person should be. Jeff was a loving husband, father and son. Jeff’s courage, his caring attitude along with his competitiveness on the track is something we all learned from. The most important event of the night for The Winston Motor Speedway racing family was to celebrate and pay tribute to his life. The Michigan Modified feature was led out onto the track with Jeff’s father taking two laps around the track in Jeff’s #2 Modified before pulling into victory lane. With all of the Modified drivers out of their cars on the front stretch a moment of silence preceded the pouring of Jeff’s ashes around his car in victory lane. At the start of the race a parade lap had all of the drivers and fans waving two fingers in the air in his honor. Jeff’s wife Penny took the flag stand to start the Modified feature showing the same type of courage Jeff had shown during his trying time. In Dale Earnhardt eeriness a caution came out on lap two of the Modified event. Jeff had to be smiling from the heavens. We will miss Jeff but a part of him will be with us forever.
In racing action Late Model driver Tim Stott set the early pace from his pole position before his left front tire came off coming out of turn four and resting up against the front stretch wall. The point was taken by Ed Reyes who found himself racing door to door with Kevin Nelson for the next five laps. These two drivers had the fans on their feet as neither was going to give way. A slight bobble by Reyes gave the lead to Nelson on lap twelve. Nelson continued to hold the top spot and go onto win his second feature of the season in two weeks of racing at Winston. The race for second turned out to be a wild one as Tom Dusen went from fourth to second never lifting off the throttle using the high side to get around third place finisher Rich Neiser and fourth place finisher Reyes. Tom Sprague Jr. completed the top five. Heats were won by Rob Taylor and Sprague Jr. Reyes won the Dash event. Dusen was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Michigan Modified feature saw double duty racer Rich Nesier make his way to the front on lap five with an inside move on leader Ray Wiggers coming out of turn two. Neiser hit all of his marks for the rest of the evening picking up his first win of the season. The race for second was close as Mike Wilburn edged Roger Steig for the runner-up spot. Tim Tuttle and Nate Bostrom rounded out the top five. In Heat race action Roger Flynn III and Neiser took checkered flags. Tuttle took Dash honors. John McCaul was the quick qualifier.
Four time Sportsman champion Greg Smith took advantage of an early caution and some great driving to move from fifth to first in one lap in their main event. Out front Smith was on cruise control leading every lap and winning by twenty car lengths. The race for second was won by Mike Welch. Ken Fitzgibbon, Brian Juusola, and Vinny Homan completed the top five. The Heat race was won by Bud Steinman. Smith swept the Dash and Time Trial events.
The Bomber division provided the best main event of the night. Early leader Stan Dodds was pressured hard from Tim Jeffries in the early going. Before the end of the night Dodds would suffer mechanical problems ended his evening while Jeffries luck was not as good as Dodds. Contact with another car along the backstretch saw Jeffries on his roof over the backstretch banking. Jeffries was OK but his car was worse for wear. The new front- runners Jerry Fairchild and Nathan Walton had the fans on their feet. They exchanged the point three times in the last three laps before Walton secured the top spot and the win. Walton’s win was his first since moving up from the Mini Stock division after winning a track championship in 2005. Fairchild was second followed by Jamie Lorenze, Eric Wadkins, and Bob Shirk. Heat Races were won by Mike Epplett, Stan Dodds, and Tim Jeffries. The “B” feature earned transfer spots for Wadkins, Duane Townsend, Justin Gilmore and Justin Gilland. Rich Seymour was credited with the win for the “B” feature.
Carl McCann led from start to finish in the Mini Stock division. Jared Guinn raced his way to second only to run out of laps as he was right on McCann’s bumper at the finish line. Mark Farber was third followed by Tom Guy and Nathan Tarte. Tom Guy won the Heat race.
In the Young Gun Division it was all Blake Meyering. Every lap of the Young Gun Division on the night was led from Meyering as he swept both Main event and Heat races. Second in the feature belonged to Chris Rice who edged Tyler Wagner for the runner-up spot. Kiley Kennedy and Adam Spencer completed the top five.
The rave so far this season has been the two and three abreast racing. The new clay that was added has been paying dividends to both the drivers and fans. Back to back weeks of 90 plus racecars and stands packed with people has the West Michigan racing community buzzing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
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