Anderson Wins Sportsman Invitational at Winston Speedway

Friday, July 4 2007
Anderson Wins Sportsman Invitational at Winston Speedway
The Port City Racing Sportsman Invitational highlighted the events at Winston Speedway on Friday July 6th. Another near capacity crowd was treated to great racing and an awesome display of “Fireworks”. The pit area was packed with 108 racecars. For many on hand the biggest highlight of the night was watching one of Winston’s true gentlemen pick up his first career main event win at the youthful age of sixty. Mike Anderson not only won his first main event, it came in biggest race of the season for Sportsman division. Anderson started racing at the seasoned age of fifty-four. Anderson’s reputation is nothing less than one of the most well liked and respected drivers in the pit area. Anderson proved tonight that “Nice Guys” can finish first.

The twenty-five laps of the Sportsman Invitational main event had to seem like a hundred to Mike Anderson. Starting on the pole Anderson was able to hold off some of the best Sportsman drivers in the state to pick up the $500 Port City Racing winners check. The win did not come easy. Anderson was pressured early by last week’s feature winner Jamie Gilmore. Late in the race Anderson would have to hold off three- time “Great Lakes Nationals” winner Ralph Sternberg. In both cases Anderson rose to the occasion. Anderson raced a perfect line from start to finish. Ralph Sternberg finished in the second spot followed Gilmore, Rob Sternberg, and Brian Lasak. The transfer spots from the Consolation Feature were won by Kyle Borgman and Larry Passenier. The Consolation Feature win and the TenBrink Motorsports $175 winners check went to Justin Gilmore. Heats were won by Chad Weinrick, Ralph Sternberg, and Lasak.

In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model division Matt Pickard used the low line the from his seventh place starting position to pull even with leader Kevin Nelson Jr with four laps to go. Nelson had paced the field running the high line most of the event but with five laps to go went to the bottom of the track to look for better traction and protect his lead. What transpired coming out of turn two was one of those racing deals. If you were a Nelson Jr fan you would say Pickard spun Nelson Jr coming out of turn two. If you were a Pickard fan you would say that Nelson Jr came down into Pickard and spun himself. Ultimately Nelson Jr was placed to the rear of the field and Pickard was left at the point. With three laps to go Pickard held off a hard charging Jim Fairbanks to pick up his second third Feature win of the season. Tim Stott, Tom Sprague Jr, and Dean Huizenga completed the top five. Heat race wins went to Kevin Juusola and Elex Leyton. The fastest Late Model in Time Trial was Sprague Jr with a time of 15.517 seconds around the 3/8th’s oval.

UMP Modified driver Andy Sprague did not want a “Dejavu’ moment. Two weeks ago Sprague was beaten at the line after a restart with one lap to go. Sprague had dominated that entire event only to lose to John McCaul in the last ten feet of the race. Tonight nineteen laps went without a caution. During this time Sprague had made his way from fifth to first and was pulling away from the field on the high side. Then the unthinkable happened. As Sprague powered out of turn two of the last lap the caution would fly. John McCaul would be placed on his bumper just as he was two weeks ago. Sprague’s short-term memory kicked in. Unlike two weeks ago where he stayed at the top of the track for the one lap shoot out, this time moved to the bottom of the track. McCaul was able to stay glued Sprague’s bumper but could not complete the pass. Sprague’s win was his third of the season and showed his fast qualifying effort in Time Trials was no fluke. The race for third was a wild one as Dan Dykman, Derek Poland and Mike Wilbern were left spinning and crashing on the front stretch as the checkered flag was waved. When the dust cleared Tim Tuttle was third followed by Dykman and Poland. Dean Wilkerson and Wilbern won Heat Races.

In the Factory Stock main event driver Robert Erickson picked up another main event win. It only took Erickson five laps to make his way to the front and go onto take the win. The race for second turned into a dodge fest as a lapped car caused a spin of the front-runners in turn four of the last lap left. Jerry Fairchild was the first to maneuver his way through the melee to second followed by Tony Weinrick, Devin Vanderstelt, and Tim Epplett. Heat Races were won by Erickson, Weinrick and Bill Delong.

Mini Stock drivers Don Keech and Luke Near swapped the lead back and forth throughout the Sprague’s Auto Parts main event. The last pass by Keech caused Near to catch an inside tire sending Near’s car airborne but still running. Fans were brought to their feet as Near battled back closing a gap of twenty car lengths to only lose by two feet at the finish line. John Foss, Joe McCormick and Kyle Hulett rounded out the top five. Keech also won the Heat Race.

Andrew Bartoszek continued his fine season sweeping the Main Event and Heat race in the Young Gun division. Seth Moody, CJ Rector, Glenn Parker and Cody Moorman completed the top five of the main event.

Next Friday July 13th hopes to be lucky for some drivers as the Point standings are tight in all racing divisions. All six classes of racing will be in full force as the second half of the season is under way. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

Taylor, Gilmore and McCann Win at Winston Speedway

Friday, June 27
Taylor, Gilmore and McCann Win at Winston Speedway

Winston Speedway fans saw two drivers make it into victory lane for the first time this season and also witnessed one diver win two main events on the night. The weather was perfect for another great crowd and the 85 drivers who entertained them Friday June 29th.

Nineteen cars were on hand in the Integra Shocks and Springs Late Model division to take the green flag for their main event. For five laps the front row of Rob Taylor and Tom Sprague Jr rode side by side. It was not until lap six that fans saw a clear leader in Taylor. The low side had gained bite and Taylor began to pull away. By lap ten Taylor was fighting his way through lapped traffic. All the stars aligned right for Taylor as he combined a fast car with a caution free main event. When he received the checkered flag runner-up Sprague Jr was twenty car lengths behind. The win was Taylor’s first main event win of the season. Matt Pickard, Tom Dusen and Kevin Nelson rounded out the top five. John McDonald and Nelson won heat races. Taylor was the quickest in Time Trials with a time of 15.647 seconds around the 3/8ths mile oval of Winston Speedway.

UMP Modified driver John McCaul continued his strong hold on the top of the Point Standings. Starting seventh McCaul was able to track down leader Rich Neiser on lap seven and pass him on the front stretch on lap eight. From there McCaul was untouchable. Andy Sprague muscled his way by Neiser entering lapped traffic with four laps to go to gain the runner-up spot. Neiser held onto third over Greg Smith and Derek Poland. Sprague and Tim Tuttle won Heat races. McCaul was the quick qualifier.

In the Port City Racing Sportsman division Jamie Gilmore found himself on the point after pole sitter Mike Peterson brought out the caution with a spin in turn two. Gilmore had been applying pressure to Peterson at the time and proved it was not if he was going to be the leader but when was he going to be the leader. Gilmore has been steady all season long but tonight once he was out front he was not going to be caught. Gilmore was the winner by ten-car lengths when the checkered flag was waved. The Main event win was the first of the season for Gilmore. Points Leader Chad Weinrick showed his strength by coming from eighth to second. Bob Shirk, Mike Wiseman and Ralph Sternberg completed the top five. Sternberg and Stan Dodds won Heat Races.

Factory Stock driver Jamie Lorenz continued his winning ways. After a tough loss in the mid-season championship race last Friday night Lorenz again proved why he is at the top of the point standings. Lorenz led every lap of their fifteen lap main event to win his fourth feature event of the season. Tim Epplett held off a hard charging Jerry Fairchild for the second spot. Duane Townsend and Devin Vanderstelt were credited with fourth and fifth place after two drivers were docked positions for jumping restarts during the race. Frank Harris and Fairchild won Heat Races.

It is not to often a driver has bragging rights of winning two features in one night. Sprague's Auto Parts Mini Stock driver Carl McCann did exactly that. McCann went from sixth to first on lap one of their make-up Mid Season Championship. Once out front McCann hit all of his marks and took home Trophy honors. Don Keech was second followed by April Spriggs, Jerry Meyering and Don England. The second Mini Stock feature of the night again saw McCann flex his muscle. This time Keech was glued to his bumper for most of the event but was not able to make the pass. April Spriggs again finished third followed by Don England and Randy Larabee. Spriggs was the Heat Race Winner.

Next weekend Winston Speedway is packed full of entertainment. Friday night July 6th Port City Racing will be sponsoring an Invitational for the Sportsman Division along with our regular racing division action. Saturday night the Lakeshore Demolition Derby Association will be holding their third event of the summer. Both Friday and Saturday programs will also be highlighted with “July 4th” Fireworks. For the best in family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

Mid Season Championship Night at Winston Speedway

Friday, June 22
Mid Season Championship Night at Winston Speedway

Winston Speedway Mid Season Championship night was filled with lots of action, drama, and a violent crash in the Late Models that brought a hush over the crowd. Six divisions raced for Mid-Season bragging rights, trophies and championship payoffs. Two and three wide racing continues to be the norm and not the exception. Good car counts and great crowds have new owners Lois and Tom Sprague pleasantly surprised. With the price of gas and a slow economy their worst of fears have not come to light. The Sprague’s are providing a racing environment that fans and drivers are enjoying. In turn the fans and drivers are supporting Winston Speedway.

In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model Mid Season Championship it took three attempts before the first lap was taken off the scoring tower. A three-car spin off turns three and four was followed by a violent snap roll in turn three on the next restart. One of Winston’s fan favorites Eddie Reyes entered turn three catching an inside tire barrier causing his #25 Late Model to snap roll twice pushing his roll cage down to the top of his helmet. Reyes was briefly knocked out. The Red flag was waved and racing action was halted for 30 minutes. Every precaution was taken and ultimately Reyes walked to the ambulance to a standing ovation. When racing action resumed a single file start was in order. Points Leader Tom Sprague Jr would hold the point followed by 2006 Track champion Kevin Nelson. For the rest of the race including four more cautions Sprague and Nelson broke away from the field to stage their own little war. Sprague drove the highline while Nelson’s efforts came on the bottom edge of the track. The last caution came with five laps to go. Sprague did a tremendous job of hitting his marks and holding off Nelson for the win. Sprague padded his point lead and earned his second feature win of the 2007 season. Nelson was followed by Rob Taylor, Kevin Nelson Jr, and Tom Dusen. Heat races were won by Tim Stott and Rob Taylor. The fast qualifier on the night was Sprague.

The UMP modified class proved it is not how many laps you lead, but it is the last lap that is the most important. Front row starters Andy Sprague and John McCaul showed why they are the top two drivers in the point standings. For much of the race the first six cars drove side by side just like they had started. It was not until lap fifteen that fans saw a clear leader. Andy Sprague was credited with leading every lap up until a caution with one lap to go. Sprague had near misses working his way through lapped traffic and was looking to match his brother Tom Sprague Jr’s efforts. It was not to be as Sprague’s line on the high side had lost its grip. John McCaul had worked the bottom of the track the entire event. On the last lap as they came out of turn three it was apparent that Sprague was spinning his tires while McCaul was closing the gap. Through turns three and four it was too close to call. The crowd was brought to their feet as McCaul edged Sprague by a foot to take the win and trophy honors. Fast Qualifier Rich Neiser third won the race for over Greg Smith and Mike Wilbern. Brandon Tiaplolas and Neiser won Heat Races.

Port City Racing Sportsman driver Kyle Borgman continues to flex his muscle. Borgman made quick work of Points Leader Chad Weinrick at the start of the race and never looked back. Borgman was on a Sunday cruise up front while six drivers battled for the second position. In one of the best moves of the night Stan Dodds jumped to the high side and went from 5th to second in the last lap to garner the runner up spot. Ralph Sternberg was third followed by Weinrick and Rob Sternberg. Borgman also claimed the Heat Race win.

The Factory Stock class had the most drama on the night. Two drivers saw a run of emotions in the night. Robert Erickson thought he had his night ended in a Heat race crash. Erickson’s crew was replacing front suspension parts and tires right up until feature time so he could start in his fourth place starting spot. Points leader Jamie Lorenz also saw a roller coaster ride of emotions. At the start of the race Tim Epplett held the point. Erickson’s car looked worse for wear but his crew had done a great job. Erickson took the lead on lap seven. Lorenz began to challenge for the lead with six to go when the unthinkable happened. As Erickson and Lorenz battled side by side a lapped car determined their fate. Entering turn three a lapped car was well off the pace. As Lorenz an Erickson passed the lapped car it suddenly began to accelerate taking out Lorenz as Erickson narrowly escaped his demise. Erickson ended his Cinderella story in victory lane while Lorenz was left wondering what might have been. Tim Epplett finished second. Bill Delonge charged his way from his 12th place starting position to finish third. Tony Weinrick and Derek Passenier rounded out the top five. Lorenz and Devin Vanderstelt captured Heat race wins.

The Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division will have their Mid Season Championship race next Friday night. They will run two features on the night. The lengthy delay in the Late Model event caused the race program to reach its 11:30 PM curfew before the Mini Stocks could run their main event. Carl McCann won the Heat Race earlier in the race program.

The Young Gun Division saw its Point Leader Seth Moody make his way to victory lane. Moody held off Heat Race winner and hard charger CJ Rector for the top spot. Andrew Bartoszek was third followed by Eric Harrald, and Cody Moorman.

Next Friday night June 29th Winston Speedway will be back in full force. Six classes of racing will provide the action. For the best in Family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

Irwin’s Garner wins at Winston Speedway

Friday, June 13
Irwin’s Garner wins at Winston Speedway

A near capacity crowd came out to witness the inaugural visit of the Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series at Winston Speedway on Friday June 15th. Although this wingless sprint car series is new it was a familiar sprint car name taking top honors at the end of the night. The “Irwin” family name rings a bell to many sprint car enthusiasts in Michigan. Father Mark and brothers Joe and Steve did not let the family name down as two of the three were in victory lane before the end of the night.

Like any other new series, the Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series is doing their best to build a driver, and fan base. Fifteen sprint cars made the trip to Winston in their second event of the 2007 season. Although the car count was low the excitement for the return of sprint car action was high. The MTSCS did not disappoint the fans as they put on a good show.

For half of the 20 lap MTSCS main event, Heat race winner Mike Astrouskas looked like he was going to run away from the field from his pole position. Astrouskas lead at the halfway point was ten-car lengths. Astrouskas early efforts were all for naught as a caution flag on lap ten brought Steve Irwin to his rear bumper. Steve Irwin had made his way from his sixth place starting position to the runner-up spot by picking off cars on the low line. Steve Irwin’s last pass before the caution was of his brother and Heat race Joe Irwin on lap eight. It was apparent to all the fans that Steve Irwin was the man on the move. The caution turned out to be Astrouskas demise, as Steve Irwin was able to make a pass two turns into the restart and never look back. Steve Irwin has had success at Winston Speedway in previous years running with a wing. Tonight he proved winged or non-winged he knows his way around Winston. Steve Irwin has been the only main event winner in the young MTSCS for 2007. A win at Merritt Speedway combined with tonight’s win make Steve Irwin perfect on the MTSCS season. Astrouskas was the runner-up followed by Joe Irwin. Rookie and former Winston Modified driver Nate Bostrom finished in the fourth spot edging Tim Eviliser.

In the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs UMP Modified division Andy Sprague was the man of the hour. Sprague started up front and stayed there. By lap ten Sprague was lapping cars and had a half track lead over the rest of the competition. The #1 car of Sprague was challenged late in the race after a caution with four laps to go. John McCaul made a race of it as him and Sprague broke away form the field. McCaul raced Sprague hard for the win but came up a little short to finish in the runner-up spot. Dan Dykman, Rich Neiser and Fast Qualifier Tim Tuttle completed the top five. Heat Races were won by Dean Wilkerson and Neiser.

Port City Racing Sportsman driver Ralph Sternberg showed just how important it is to use the front row to your advantage. Front row starters Sternberg and Kyle Borgman did not give each other an inch in the early going as they raced side by side. It was not until lap three did the fans get to see Sternberg gain an advantage over Borgman a recent Oakridge High School graduate. It was a lead that Sternberg never gave up in taking his third main event of the season. Borgman finished second followed by Rob Sternberg, Mike Anderson and Jared Guinn. Heat Races were won by Borgman and Ralph Sternberg.

For fourteen laps youngster Derek Passenier passed the flagstand first in the Factory Stock division. Unfortunately their feature is fifteen laps long. As Passenier saw the white flag he also saw Jamie Lorenz to his inside. Passenier had fought through seven caution restarts but this was going to be his greatest challenge. They raced side by side down the backstretch but it was Lorenz proving why he already had three main event wins under his belt before the start of the evening. Lorenz made it stick on the bottom through turns three and four going on to pick up his fourth Feature event win. Passenier’s runner-up spot was his best finish of the season. Robert Erickson, Tim Epplett and Justin Gilland rounded out the top five. Lorenz, Epplett and Bill Delong won Heat Races.

Sprague’s Auto parts Minis Stock Drivers Carl McCann and Don Keech continue to be the class of the field. McCann won the Feature event. Keech won the Heat race. In their main event McCann went from sixth to first in one lap. Keech was able to reel him in late in the race but was not able to make the pass for the win. Paul Rice, Jerry Meyering, and Kyle Hullett made up the rest of the top five.

Winning your first feature event is something you always remember. Tonight was such the case for 13-year-old driver CJ Rector. Rector’s win was one of the most exciting finishes of the season in the Young Gun Division. Rector waited patiently the entire race to make his move for the lead. Entering turn three on the last lap Rector dove to the inside of Glen Parker and made it stick. Coming out of turn for Rector was at the point and took home his first Main event win of his stock car career. Parker settled for second followed by Andrew Bartoszek, Eric Harrald, and Cody Moorman. Bartozsek won the Young Gun Heat race.

Next Friday June 22nd will be Mid-Season Championship races for all divisions. The point battles for all divisions are tight and bragging rights are on the line. Look for the action to be fast and furious. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

Fairbanks, Wilbern and Weinrick take Top Honors at Winston Speedway

Friday, June 7
Fairbanks, Wilbern and Weinrick take Top Honors at Winston Speedway

Winston Speedway’s annual “Kids Night” was the center of attention for all the youngsters and race fans at the beginning of the June 8th race program. By the end of the night it was the two and three abreast racing along with the close finishes that was all the rave as they headed to the exits at the for their trip home. The give away of Bicycles to over 60 youngsters along with other gifts and prizes make this event one of the most enjoyable to the drivers, crews, and fans of Winston Speedway. There is nothing more special than to see a smile and hear the laughter of children.

In the Integra Racing Shocks & Springs Late Model division Jim Fairbanks and Rob Taylor had the fans on their feet for most of the race. Each driver had the lead on three different occasions. Taylor found the low line to his liking while Fairbanks cruised the high line the entire event. They raced side by side for almost the entire race. When the white flag was waved it was anybody’s guess of who was going to be the winner. As they headed down the backstretch Fairbanks held the advantage going into turn three. Fairbanks tried to slam the door coming out of turn four to not allow Taylor to his inside. As they went by the Flagstand for the win Fairbanks advantage was less than a foot. It was a great run for both drivers as their finishes were their best at Winston this season. Fairbanks has become a recent regular at Winston and has found it to his liking. Two and three abreast racing along with success will do that to you. The race for third was one by Tom Sprague Jr followed by Rich Neiser and Kevin Nelson. The consolation feature transfer spots went to Eddie Reyes and Scott Wenell. Kevin Juusola was credited with the win. Heat races were won by Andy Chester, Kevin Nelson Jr, and Rob Taylor. Matt Pickard won the Dash. CJ Heskett was the quick qualifier.

The Modified division feature turned into a four car shootout. Greg Smith grabbed the early lead from the outside pole before giving way to Mike Wilbern on lap three. By lap five Andy Sprague and John McCaul were in the mix. These four drivers were the class of the field but it was Wilbern’s night to shine. A restart after a caution with seven laps to go had Wilbern hitting all his marks, as he was able to slightly pull away and take the win. Andy Sprague powered his way to the runner up spot ahead of Smith and McCaul. Dan Dykman completed the top five. Heat races were won by Wilbern and Tim Tuttle. Sprague took Dash Race honors. John McCaul was the fastest Modified in Time Trials.

The Sternberg brothers winning streak was finally halted in the Port City Racing Sportsman division. Chad Weinrick looked like he was going to let victory slip through his hands. After leading the first eighteen laps Weinrick let Ralph Sternberg make his way inside of him down the frontstrech for the lead. Weinrick drove his Chevy hard into turn one and was able to diamond the corner coming out of turn two to regain the lead. A lead Weinrick did not relinquish as he picked up his second Feature win of the season and increased his points lead. Ralph Sternberg settled for second followed by Jamie Gilmore, Mike Anderson and Rob Sternberg. Gilmore and Kyle Borgman were the Heat Race winners. Rob Sternberg won the Dash event.

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. In the Bomber division Jamie Lorenze and Tony Weinrick raced side by side on the last lap. Entering turn three Weinrick had to have a smile on his face as rode the high line and was able to use a lapped car as a pick to gain the lead entering turn three. The only problem was that same lapped car would slide in his high line groove in turn four. Lorenze did not let the opportunity slip away as he charged to the inside of both cars and took the win. When Weinrick was finally able to get by the lapper he came up a half a car length short to finish second. Seventeen-year-old Justin Gilmore finished a season best third followed by Tim Epplett and Robert Erickson. Epplett captured a Heat race. Weinrick swept his Heat race and Dash race events.

Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock driver Don Keech pulled off a perfect night. Keech won every event including the Feature, Heat Race and Dash event. In the feature Randy Larabee was second followed by John Foss, Adam Spencer and Jerry Meyering.

Some of the same youngsters who were eligible for winning a bike were also putting their foot to the floor in their Young Guns cars. Seth Moody won the charge of these 13 to 15 year old drivers in their Feature event. Andrew Bartozsek was second followed by CJ Rector, Eric Harrald and Glen Parker. Bartozsek was the Dash winner. Parker was the Heat race winner.

On Friday Night June 15th look for some the fastest laps of the season. The Michigan Traditional Sprints will be on hand to add to the excitement of five other racing divisions. The Late Models will have the night off. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

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