Friday , June 2 2006

Wilbern and Kennedy Capture Mid-Season Championship Races at Winston

Winston Motor Speedway started a streak of Midseason Championship races that will take them to the end of June. The Michigan Modifieds and Young Guns were the two divisions running for Mid Season bragging rights on Friday June 2nd. Fans also were treated to witnessing two of the hottest Late Model drivers in the State of Michigan battle at Winston.

The Michigan Modifieds lined up for their Mid-Season Championship race by point standings. Mike Wilbern had earned the right to start on the pole and he made it pay off in a big way. Wilburn has dedicated his race season to long time racer and friend Tim Johnson who lost his life earlier this year. With Johnson’s son in the pits to root Wilbern on he was able to lead every lap and win his fourth Main event of the season. It did not come easy though as Rich Neiser and John McCaul pressured him throughout the race only to settle for the second and third positions. Veteran Scott Presley garnered the fourth position. Julie Taylor had the best run of her season finishing in the fifth position. Taylor also took home a Heat race win along with McCaul. Neiser took Qualifying honors. Wilbern won the Dash.

The Young Gun division saw the continued dominance from Blake Meyering. Meyering was the fastest in Qualifying, won the Heat race and for fourteen of the fifteen-lap Mid-Season Championship race looked unbeatable. Unfortunately heading for the white flag coming out of turn four Meyering’s car spun and caught on fire. Meyering was left scrambling out of his car to safety wondering what could have been. With one lap to go Kiley Kennedy and Dash winner Jordon Praay was now the center of attention. Kennedy assumed the point and held her line hitting all of her marks to take home the Trophy over a hard charging Praay. Adam Bartoszek finished third ahead of Meyering and Adam Spencer.

In the Late Model Division Kevin Nelson has been nothing less than spectacular at Winston Motor Speedway this season. Nelson last week alone took home wins from Winston and Crystal Motor Speedway. Eric Spangler’s appearance at Winston had the fans buzzing. Spangler’s season also has been top notch with wins at Thunderbird and I-96 Speedway recently. Twenty-one Late Models took to the track for the green flag. On the start Eddie Reyes was the early leader but it was Nelson who quickly moved to the point with a high side pass. Elex Leyton also powered his way to second only to see his hopes for a win dashed with mechanical failure on lap seven. It was obvious to fans that when all was said and done it was going to be Spangler or Nelson in the winner’s circle. Spangler had moved his way from his seventh place starting position to second by lap eight making passes high and low on the racetrack. With four laps to go a caution flag put the fans on the edge of their seats for the finish. On the final restart Nelson chose the high line and Spangler battled in the low line of the racetrack. When the checkered flag was waved Nelson had won his fifth feature at Winston. Spangler’s strong second place finish showed why he is one of the best Late Model drivers in the state of Michigan. The race for third was won by Tom Sprague Jr. over Kevin Nelson Jr and Rich Neiser. Heat Race honors were taken by Scott Wenell and Spangler. Brian McQueen’s absence from racing for four years did not show as he was clocked as the fastest Late Model in Time Trials. Spangler took home Dash event honors.

The Sportsman Division continues to provide great racing. Two and three abreast racing saw Mike Lynn battle his way to the front and hold off Mike Welch and Jamie Gilmore for his second Feature win of the season. Joe Near and Mike Peterson rounded out the top five. Bud Steinman took the checkered flag for the Heat race. Mike Peterson took home Qualifying honors. Greg Smith won the Dash.

The Bomber Division continues to be the most even leveled playing field. Another first time winner makes this division have only one two time winner this season. Kyle Borgman started his season with nothing but heartache. The seventeen-year-old driver suffered through two blown motors. Tonight his luck would change. After an inversion draw put his #72 Camaro on the outside pole Borgman was on a mission. Borgman was able to lead every lap and take the win. Stan Dodds chased Borgman to a second place finish. Mike Epllett and Jerry Fairchild each moved up six spots to capture the third and fourth place positions. Jamie Woodring completed the top five. Sadie Klien and Woodring were the Heat Race winners. Epplett won the Dash event. Fairchild tripped the clock as the fastest Bomber in Time Trials.

Former Mini Stock track champion Luke Near let the rest of the field know that he can still turn the wheel. Near won every event of the night including the Dash, Heat, Qualifying and Main events. In the Main event Near started deep in the field but yet was able to grab the lead on lap six of the twelve lap main event. Near proceeded to pull away and pick up his first feature win in only his second appearance this season at Winston. Runner-up honors went to Mark Farber followed by Zak Rounds, Carl McCann, and Nathan Tarte.

Friday June 9th Winston Motor Speedway will host the Sprints on Dirt Series. If you want to see the fastest laps of the season mark your calendars. You will not want to miss it. Five other divisions (No Late Models) of racing will also be there to entertain the fans. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.

No Crashing, Just Crushing

No Crashing, Just Crushing
Thursday, June 01, 2006
By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

Exhaust isn't the only thing in the air this spring at Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury. Love is in the air, too. Nate Walton and Sadie Klein view each other as just another driver when they put on their race uniforms, strap on their helmets, hop into their cars and fasten their seat belts. But once the race is over, don't be surprised to see the two teenagers hanging out together at the movies or the beach. Walton, of Hudsonville, and Klein, of Muskegon, have been going steady for three months now. Racing has brought the two lovebirds together. "We met at the race track," Walton said. "We would always talk, and this is something that just worked out." Walton, 16, is sophomore at Hudsonville High School, while Klein, 15, is a freshman at Oakridge.

The two have been racing together at Winston since 2004, and they have both enjoyed success in their young careers. The two have emerged as major factors in the Bomber class. Walton won the track's Mini-Stock championship a year ago, beating out Klein for the title. Both made the jump to the Bombers this spring, and each has one feature victory. Walton was fifth and Klein sixth in the most recent point standings. Both come from racing families. Walton's cousins, Andrew and Travis Nylaan, are teenage racers, who compete in Berlin Raceway's Pro Stock division. "My dad asked me if I wanted to race a car," Klein said. "He used to race Michigan Modifieds, and he gave up racing for me." Don't think just because the two are an item that they take it easy on each other once the green flag drops. "I love it when I beat him," Klein said. Both drivers started racing go-karts before moving to Winston's dirt track. The two never have had an on-track incident between each other, and Klein said she wouldn't dump her boyfriend if he ever took her out of a race. "I would be mad at him, but I wouldn't do that," she said.

Nelson, Wilbern, Smith and Meyering Top Guns at Winston Motor Speedway

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.

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.

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.