Friday, June 23, 2006
Smith and Epplett Take Home the Hardware at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway continued their run of Mid-season Championship races on Friday, June 23rd. The Sportsman and Bombers divisions were the headliners for the evening racing for trophies and summer bragging rights. A veteran in the Sportsman Division showed why he already has five track championships at Winston while a young gun in the Bomber division continues to stay at the top of the point stands with his aggressive style.The Sportsman Division for the last five years can be summed up with one name, Greg Smith. The quiet, mild mannered Smith does all of his talking with his right foot. Drivers in the Sportsman Division cannot wait for the day that Smith makes the move to a higher division. Smith’s Sportsman class dominance is reaching its fifth season. Smith started on the pole position based upon his top spot in the point standings. When the first caution flew on lap six Smith had already a fifteen-car length lead over second place runner Mike Lynn. No other caution flags were waved the rest of the race. Smith put an exclamation point on his 6th win of the season beating Lynn to the line by five car lengths. Chad Weinrick edged Mike Welch for third after the two had swapped the position on four different occasions. Jeremy Holman made an impressive run to the fifth position after starting last. Heats were won Bud Steinman and Welch. Lynn was the fastest in Time Trials. Smith won the Dash event.The Bomber Division continues to bring excitement in many forms to the fans of Winston Motor Speedway. This division has provided some of the most heated competition so far this season. The Bombers did not disappoint their fans. On the parade lap of their 20 lap Mid-Season Championship race front row starter Jerry Fairchild had his tire flattened by pole sitter and Points leader Mike Epplett as he swerved back in forth to heat up his tires. Track officials immediately Red Flagged the field while Fairchild made his way to the pits to get his tire changed and return to the starting position he had earned based upon the Point standings. When the field finally went to green all eyes were up front. Heading into turn one Epplett proved that eight tires are better than four as he put a power slide into Fairchild through turns one and two. Epplett came out in front coming out of turn two while Fairchild fell back in the field. Stan Dodds and Sadie Klien quickly moved to the second and third positions. A caution on lap seven for Justin Gilland’s encounter with the front stretch wall brought out a caution and reset the field. On the restart Epplett and Dodds battled for the top spot. Oakridge High School classmates Sadie Klien and Kyle Borgman also were putting on a great show for the fans in their effort to capture third. As laps wound down racing throughout the field was two and three abreast. With two laps to go Dodds made his way under Epplett in turn three only to see Epplett change his line to protect his lead pinching Dodds to the lowest part of the track. Epplett did everything in his power to protect his lead. At the finish line Epplett held Dodds off by a half car length for his third feature win of the season. Sadie Klien’s drive for the third position was just as close as she edged Borgman by a fender. Nate Walton rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Justin Gilmore, Eric Wadkins, and Borgman. Klien was the Dash event winner. Borgman was the fastest in Qualifying.Late Model driver Kevin Nelson continues to be pretty selfish when it come to victory circle at Winston Motor Speedway. Nelson did not let his fifth place starting position put a damper on his night. By lap four Nelson made his way by then leader Rob Taylor and put on a clinic. Nelson continues to have the rest of the Late Model drivers at Winston scratching their heads as he dominated the rest of the way to pick up his seventh feature event in nine tries. Tom Sprague Jr moved from his seventh place starting position to the runner-up position in a strong effort. Tom Dusen finished third and maintained his spot in the point standings with a car loaned to him by Jim Fairbanks for the night while his power plant is getting fixed. Rob Taylor and Matt Pickard completed the top five. The Father/Son duo of Fred and Scott Wenell won Heat races along with Sprague. Fred Wenell was also credited with the win of the “B” Feature after the four transfer spots into the “A” main. Tim Stott took Dash event honors. Dusen tripped the clock as the fastest Late Model in Time Trials.Michigan Modified driver John McCaul has had an up and down season based upon his previous two Championships seasons. McCaul hopes to turn his season around. He made great strides tonight with a Heat race win and a Feature win. McCaul led every lap of both races. In the Feature event Rich Neiser chased McCaul to a second place finish ahead of Mike Wilbern, Ray Wiggers and Derek Poland. Scott Presley was the fastest Qualifier. Poland won the Dash race.Zak Rounds won in impressive fashion in the Mini Stock Division. Starting up front Rounds was able to fend off the challenges of Brad Bates, Carl McCann, Mark Farber, and Jared Guinn to pick up his first win of the season. Rounds also won the Heat Race. Bates won the Dash event. McCann took home Time Trial honors.It was just a matter of time before Young Gun Driver Blake Meyering made a sweep of his divisions events. Meyering has been dominating all season long. Tonight was no different as Meyering took home his seventh feature win of the season and won the Dash, Heat Race and Qualifying events. Eric Harrald, Kiley Kennedy, Andrew Bartoszek, and Corey Davis rounded out the finishers.Next Friday night June 30th will again have all six divisions running. A fireworks show will also highlight the night’s events. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Kevin Nelson “ The Man” at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, June 16
Kevin Nelson “ The Man” at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway continued their run of Mid-Season Championship races Friday June 16th. The Late Model and Mini Stock divisions were the center of attention as they lined up for their championship races by points. A hot summer night brought out some great racing, a nice crowd and unfortunately a violent wreck that brought a hush over the crowd.In the thirty lap Late Model Midseason Championship race Kevin Nelson continued to shine. Nelson brought the field to the green lined up in the pole position. Tom Dusen was flanked to his right. Dusen’s own car had suffered motor problems in a heat race. In a great show of sportsman ship Scott Wenell gave up his ride to let Dusen have a shot for the win from his outside front row starting spot. At the Start of the race Dusen and Nelson were side by side until the first caution flew on lap three for Matt Pickard spinning in turn two. On the restart Dusen was off pace and quickly fell back to the fifth spot. Nelson was at the point with Rich Neiser, and Eddie Reyes on his bumper. Dusen’s night would get worse as he spun in turn four relegating him to the rear of the field on lap seven. At the half waypoint all eyes were on Rob Taylor as he was moving to the front from his eighth place starting position. Taylor rode on the highest point of the track picking off cars one by one. With ten laps to go Taylor was in second. The only question was there enough time for Taylor to catch Nelson who was still ten car lengths ahead. Nelson’s run into lapped traffic helped Taylor close the gap with five to go, but Nelson was able to hold on as he continues to be the man to beat in the Late Models at Winston. Nelson’s win was the sixth for him this season. Taylor’s run was the best for him this season and brought out a loud cheer for his efforts. Rich Neiser, Eddie Reyes and Kevin Nelson Jr completed the top five. Denny Lynn Jr. and Neiser won Heat Races. Tim Stott took Dash honors. Nelson tripped the clock as the fastest in Time Trials.
Mini Stock driver Mark Farber continues to work his way up the point standings at Winston. Farber entered the evening leading the points at Thunderbird Racepark and in the runner –up position at Winston. Starting on the outside of the front row, Farber was able to gain the advantage over points leader Carl McCann and never look back. McCann and Farber raced each other way out in front of the pack hard and clean the entire event. Ultimately McCann would have to settle for second. Farber’s Midseason Championship race win was his third of the season. Zak Rounds, Brad Bates and Carl Califf rounded out the top five. Rounds won the Heat Race. Bates took Dash event honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Michigan Modified Division started out their evening on a rough note. Michigan Modified driver and fan favorite Julie Taylor was part of one of the most violent wrecks ever witnessed at Winston in her heat race. Coming out of turn four Taylor’s left front tire made contact with the outside front tire of Roger Flinn III causing her car to go airborne and then straight into the end of the turn four wall. Taylor’s car then flipped into oncoming traffic where she was narrowly missed by the rest of the field. You could have heard a pin drop until Taylor was safely removed from the car shaken but with no major injuries. Taylor’s car was not as fortunate as her 2006 Bob Peirce Chassis will need a lot of work before she races again. In the Michigan Modified feature Fast Qualifier and Dash event winner Andy Sprague made a pass of points leader Mike Wilburn for the lead on lap thirteen. Sprague’s decision to change lines half way through the race was the right one as he made high side passes to make his way to the front and capture his first main event win of the season. Wilburn held onto second over a hard charging Rich Neiser. Scott Presley and Harry Wilson completed the top five. Ray Wiggers and Wilburn won Heat races.
“Back to Front” was the theme of the Sportsman main event. Contact between Greg Smith and Jamie Gilmore in turn two saw Gilmore head to the pits on a wrecker and Smith put to the rear of the field. Leaders Vinny Homan and Mike Welch saw their lead evaporate as Mike Lynn had worked his way from his ninth place starting position to second with seven laps to go. With five to go Lynn took the lead from Welch. Charging through the field was Smith. A restart with three laps to go had the fans on their feet. In a sign of respect for both drivers’ fans gave a loud cheer as Mike Lynn held off the Four-time Sportsman track champion Smith for his second win of the season. Heat Race winner Welch held onto third followed by Chad Weinrick and Joer Near. Gilmore was the Dash winner. Lynn was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Bomber Division continues to provide some of the best racing action at Winston Motor Speedway. Kyle Borgman was the man of the hour this night as he won the Dash and Qualifying events and was able to hold off the field the entire fifteen-lap feature to capture his second main event win in three weeks. The race for second was exciting as Jerry Fairchild made his way from sixth to second. Point Leader Mike Epplett rough week continued. Epplett’s roll over last Saturday night at Thunderbird Race Park was followed tonight with a broken rear end. Epplett’s misfortune brought out the last caution of the night. On the final restart Fairchild headed a freight train of cars to the high side of the track making passes of then runner up Sadie Klien. Fairchild earned second followed by Stan Dodds, Nathan Walton and Klien. Heats were won by Keith Chrysler and Epplett.
Blake Meyering continues to be the “Bully on the Block” in the Young Gun Division. Meyering backed up his win in Time Trials with his sixth feature win. Kiley Kennedy finished a strong second ahead of Tyler Wagner, Adam Spencer, and Corey Davis. Wagner swept the Dash and Heat race events.
Friday June 23rd the Sportsman and Bombers will have their Mid-Season Championship races. Chad Weinrick, Mike Welch and Mike Lynn hope to prove that Greg Smith is really human win it comes to running at Winston. The five-time winner and four time Sportsman track champion will be on the pole for their championship race. The normal “Lets race and have fun” Bomber division has changed into “Rubbings Racing”. The gloves will be off as Points Leader Mike Epplett will try to change his recent string of bad luck and stay atop the point standing from his pole starting position. Jerry Fairchild, Sadie Klein, Nathan Walton and Stan Dodds will not be content to run second. It should make for some great racing. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Kevin Nelson “ The Man” at Winston Motor Speedway
Winston Motor Speedway continued their run of Mid-Season Championship races Friday June 16th. The Late Model and Mini Stock divisions were the center of attention as they lined up for their championship races by points. A hot summer night brought out some great racing, a nice crowd and unfortunately a violent wreck that brought a hush over the crowd.In the thirty lap Late Model Midseason Championship race Kevin Nelson continued to shine. Nelson brought the field to the green lined up in the pole position. Tom Dusen was flanked to his right. Dusen’s own car had suffered motor problems in a heat race. In a great show of sportsman ship Scott Wenell gave up his ride to let Dusen have a shot for the win from his outside front row starting spot. At the Start of the race Dusen and Nelson were side by side until the first caution flew on lap three for Matt Pickard spinning in turn two. On the restart Dusen was off pace and quickly fell back to the fifth spot. Nelson was at the point with Rich Neiser, and Eddie Reyes on his bumper. Dusen’s night would get worse as he spun in turn four relegating him to the rear of the field on lap seven. At the half waypoint all eyes were on Rob Taylor as he was moving to the front from his eighth place starting position. Taylor rode on the highest point of the track picking off cars one by one. With ten laps to go Taylor was in second. The only question was there enough time for Taylor to catch Nelson who was still ten car lengths ahead. Nelson’s run into lapped traffic helped Taylor close the gap with five to go, but Nelson was able to hold on as he continues to be the man to beat in the Late Models at Winston. Nelson’s win was the sixth for him this season. Taylor’s run was the best for him this season and brought out a loud cheer for his efforts. Rich Neiser, Eddie Reyes and Kevin Nelson Jr completed the top five. Denny Lynn Jr. and Neiser won Heat Races. Tim Stott took Dash honors. Nelson tripped the clock as the fastest in Time Trials.
Mini Stock driver Mark Farber continues to work his way up the point standings at Winston. Farber entered the evening leading the points at Thunderbird Racepark and in the runner –up position at Winston. Starting on the outside of the front row, Farber was able to gain the advantage over points leader Carl McCann and never look back. McCann and Farber raced each other way out in front of the pack hard and clean the entire event. Ultimately McCann would have to settle for second. Farber’s Midseason Championship race win was his third of the season. Zak Rounds, Brad Bates and Carl Califf rounded out the top five. Rounds won the Heat Race. Bates took Dash event honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Michigan Modified Division started out their evening on a rough note. Michigan Modified driver and fan favorite Julie Taylor was part of one of the most violent wrecks ever witnessed at Winston in her heat race. Coming out of turn four Taylor’s left front tire made contact with the outside front tire of Roger Flinn III causing her car to go airborne and then straight into the end of the turn four wall. Taylor’s car then flipped into oncoming traffic where she was narrowly missed by the rest of the field. You could have heard a pin drop until Taylor was safely removed from the car shaken but with no major injuries. Taylor’s car was not as fortunate as her 2006 Bob Peirce Chassis will need a lot of work before she races again. In the Michigan Modified feature Fast Qualifier and Dash event winner Andy Sprague made a pass of points leader Mike Wilburn for the lead on lap thirteen. Sprague’s decision to change lines half way through the race was the right one as he made high side passes to make his way to the front and capture his first main event win of the season. Wilburn held onto second over a hard charging Rich Neiser. Scott Presley and Harry Wilson completed the top five. Ray Wiggers and Wilburn won Heat races.
“Back to Front” was the theme of the Sportsman main event. Contact between Greg Smith and Jamie Gilmore in turn two saw Gilmore head to the pits on a wrecker and Smith put to the rear of the field. Leaders Vinny Homan and Mike Welch saw their lead evaporate as Mike Lynn had worked his way from his ninth place starting position to second with seven laps to go. With five to go Lynn took the lead from Welch. Charging through the field was Smith. A restart with three laps to go had the fans on their feet. In a sign of respect for both drivers’ fans gave a loud cheer as Mike Lynn held off the Four-time Sportsman track champion Smith for his second win of the season. Heat Race winner Welch held onto third followed by Chad Weinrick and Joer Near. Gilmore was the Dash winner. Lynn was the fastest in Time Trials.
The Bomber Division continues to provide some of the best racing action at Winston Motor Speedway. Kyle Borgman was the man of the hour this night as he won the Dash and Qualifying events and was able to hold off the field the entire fifteen-lap feature to capture his second main event win in three weeks. The race for second was exciting as Jerry Fairchild made his way from sixth to second. Point Leader Mike Epplett rough week continued. Epplett’s roll over last Saturday night at Thunderbird Race Park was followed tonight with a broken rear end. Epplett’s misfortune brought out the last caution of the night. On the final restart Fairchild headed a freight train of cars to the high side of the track making passes of then runner up Sadie Klien. Fairchild earned second followed by Stan Dodds, Nathan Walton and Klien. Heats were won by Keith Chrysler and Epplett.
Blake Meyering continues to be the “Bully on the Block” in the Young Gun Division. Meyering backed up his win in Time Trials with his sixth feature win. Kiley Kennedy finished a strong second ahead of Tyler Wagner, Adam Spencer, and Corey Davis. Wagner swept the Dash and Heat race events.
Friday June 23rd the Sportsman and Bombers will have their Mid-Season Championship races. Chad Weinrick, Mike Welch and Mike Lynn hope to prove that Greg Smith is really human win it comes to running at Winston. The five-time winner and four time Sportsman track champion will be on the pole for their championship race. The normal “Lets race and have fun” Bomber division has changed into “Rubbings Racing”. The gloves will be off as Points Leader Mike Epplett will try to change his recent string of bad luck and stay atop the point standing from his pole starting position. Jerry Fairchild, Sadie Klein, Nathan Walton and Stan Dodds will not be content to run second. It should make for some great racing. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, June 9, 2006
Naida Wins a Wild One at Winston Motor Speedway
Friday, June 9
Naida Wins a Wild One at Winston Motor Speedway
The American Sprint Car Series Sprints on Dirt made their way to Winston Motor Speedway Friday, June 9th. A packed house witnessed great racing and some violent wrecks. Hot tempers tuned out to be the other leading story of the night.
In the ASCS Sprints on Dirt Dain Naida survived to win Friday’s 25-lap Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt main event. Naida avoided an eight-car pile-up at the start that moved him from 13th starting spot up to the pole position. Naida took the lead from Joe Bares and then held off a late race surge from Brett Mann to capture the victory.
Defending ASCS Sprints on Dirt champion and last season’s winner at Winston, Tim Norman, and Bares were on the front row for the initial start. Norman spun in front of the field on the start in turn two and collected eight other cars. The red flag was displayed to clean up the crash. All of the drivers involved were able to restart.
Naida moved up to the pole for the second start, but it was Bares who took the lead going into turn one. While heading down the backstretch to complete the second lap, Tom Miller spun in turns three and four. A former winner at Winston and O’Reilly ASCS National Tour driver Dustin Daggett did not see the caution, rode over Gary Fast’s right rear wheel, and flipped end for end in turn three. Daggett was uninjured, but his racing at Winston was ended abruptly.
Late in the race Brett Mann was on the move passing Bares for the second spot. Mann also caught a break when Gregg Dalman clipped a marker tire coming off the fourth corner, broke the front end on his sprinter and crashed hard into the inside wall down the front stretch. Dalman was uninjured, but had to retire from the event due to significant front-end damage.
Mann was on Naida's back bumper for the restart, but Naida was up for the challenge. Naida pulled away from Mann on the restart and held on over the last ten laps to win the feature. Mann, Kevin Atkins, Bares, and Fast rounded out the top five. Norman, Bares and Atkins won heat races.
In Michigan Modified action Rich Neiser finally ended a run of three feature wins in a row for Mike Wilburn. Four cautions started the race. The last one was the most costly as front runners Scott Presley and Fast Car Dash winner Tim Tuttle tangled on the front stretch with both of them ending up against the front stretch wall. Neiser grabbed the point on the restart and stayed there. Wilburn made his way to second and did everything in his power to get to the front. A caution with one lap to go gave Wilburn one last opportunity to get by Neiser. On the start Wilburn chose the middle grove while Neiser stayed on the bottom line. Wilburn’s last ditch opportunity to get to the front backfired as John McCaul aggressively made his way inside of Wilburn in turn one to move to second. Neiser maintained his lead and went on to win his second Main event of the season at Winston. McCaul held off Wilburn for second. Nate Bostrom and Derek Poland rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Harry Wilson and McCaul. Wilburn was the fastest Modified in Qualifying.
Sportsman drivers continue to chase the #88 of Greg Smith in the Point Standings. Even a poor qualifying effort did not hurt the four-time Sportsman track champion. Fast Qualifier Bud Steinman’s inversion draw saw Smith placed on the front row for the main event. Smith was nothing less than smooth and fast hitting all of his marks winning by fifteen car lengths. The second place position was garnered by Denny Lynn Jr. The third place position was entertaining to watch as it changed hands many times during the event. Ultimately Mike Welch held off Chad Weinrick and Mike Lynn. In Heat race action Ken Fitzgibbon and Smith were winners. Weinrick took Dash honors.
The Bomber drivers looked like they were running for the Sprint Car payoff as nobody was giving an inch. The tone of the race was set from start as front row starter and Dash event winner Jerry Fairchild was put in the wall resulting in an eighteenth place finish. In a division where cautions have been few, tonight made up for the first seven weeks of racing. It should be an interesting lead into for the Bomber Championship in two weeks. Before the end of the Feature four out of the top five drivers in points were in the pits with damaged cars. After the entire melee it was Points Leader and the nights Fast Qualifier Mike Epplett as the last one standing in the top five of the standings. Epplett’s aggressive move at the start of the race put him on the point where he was untouchable. Fourteen-year old fan favorite Sadie Klien survived the carnage with composure beyond her years to finish second. Tony Weinrick had his best finish of the season with a strong third place. Roger Brooks and Kyle Borgman rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Stan Dodds and Angie Gilmore.
Mini Stock drivers who were not around when Luke Near was the most dominating Mini Stock Driver in West Michigan from 2001-2003 are quickly realizing that even though Luke races part-time these days, your better bring your “A” game to beat him when he shows up. For the second time in two weeks Near was the class of the field. Near made his way to the front quickly and pulled away from the field. Brian Bussing won the race for second over Carl McCann, Zak Rounds, and Mark Farber. Near won the Dash event. Farber garnered Heat Race honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.
The last lap for Blake Meyering last week was painful to watch. After leading the entire event of his Mid-Season Championship race his dreams literally went up in smoke. A mechanical failure resulted with his car catching on fire with one lap to go. To say there was redemption on his mind would be and understatement. Meyering eased last week’s disappointment by winning three out the four Young Gun events including the Feature, Dash, and Qualifying. Jordon Praay was the only one to put a nick in Meyering’s armor with a Heat Race win. Following Meyering to the line for the feature event was Praay, Adam Spencer, Andrew Bartoszek, and Kiley Kennedy.
Friday June 16th the Late Models and Mini Stock drivers take center stage for their Mid-Season Championships. The Question on many people’s minds is there anyone who can beat Kevin Nelson at Winston. Nelson’s currently has five feature wins. Front runners Tom Dusen, Rich Nesier, and Eddie Reyes all hope they are the drivers to put a stop to the “Kevin Nelson Show”. It should make for a great night of racing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Naida Wins a Wild One at Winston Motor Speedway
The American Sprint Car Series Sprints on Dirt made their way to Winston Motor Speedway Friday, June 9th. A packed house witnessed great racing and some violent wrecks. Hot tempers tuned out to be the other leading story of the night.
In the ASCS Sprints on Dirt Dain Naida survived to win Friday’s 25-lap Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt main event. Naida avoided an eight-car pile-up at the start that moved him from 13th starting spot up to the pole position. Naida took the lead from Joe Bares and then held off a late race surge from Brett Mann to capture the victory.
Defending ASCS Sprints on Dirt champion and last season’s winner at Winston, Tim Norman, and Bares were on the front row for the initial start. Norman spun in front of the field on the start in turn two and collected eight other cars. The red flag was displayed to clean up the crash. All of the drivers involved were able to restart.
Naida moved up to the pole for the second start, but it was Bares who took the lead going into turn one. While heading down the backstretch to complete the second lap, Tom Miller spun in turns three and four. A former winner at Winston and O’Reilly ASCS National Tour driver Dustin Daggett did not see the caution, rode over Gary Fast’s right rear wheel, and flipped end for end in turn three. Daggett was uninjured, but his racing at Winston was ended abruptly.
Late in the race Brett Mann was on the move passing Bares for the second spot. Mann also caught a break when Gregg Dalman clipped a marker tire coming off the fourth corner, broke the front end on his sprinter and crashed hard into the inside wall down the front stretch. Dalman was uninjured, but had to retire from the event due to significant front-end damage.
Mann was on Naida's back bumper for the restart, but Naida was up for the challenge. Naida pulled away from Mann on the restart and held on over the last ten laps to win the feature. Mann, Kevin Atkins, Bares, and Fast rounded out the top five. Norman, Bares and Atkins won heat races.
In Michigan Modified action Rich Neiser finally ended a run of three feature wins in a row for Mike Wilburn. Four cautions started the race. The last one was the most costly as front runners Scott Presley and Fast Car Dash winner Tim Tuttle tangled on the front stretch with both of them ending up against the front stretch wall. Neiser grabbed the point on the restart and stayed there. Wilburn made his way to second and did everything in his power to get to the front. A caution with one lap to go gave Wilburn one last opportunity to get by Neiser. On the start Wilburn chose the middle grove while Neiser stayed on the bottom line. Wilburn’s last ditch opportunity to get to the front backfired as John McCaul aggressively made his way inside of Wilburn in turn one to move to second. Neiser maintained his lead and went on to win his second Main event of the season at Winston. McCaul held off Wilburn for second. Nate Bostrom and Derek Poland rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Harry Wilson and McCaul. Wilburn was the fastest Modified in Qualifying.
Sportsman drivers continue to chase the #88 of Greg Smith in the Point Standings. Even a poor qualifying effort did not hurt the four-time Sportsman track champion. Fast Qualifier Bud Steinman’s inversion draw saw Smith placed on the front row for the main event. Smith was nothing less than smooth and fast hitting all of his marks winning by fifteen car lengths. The second place position was garnered by Denny Lynn Jr. The third place position was entertaining to watch as it changed hands many times during the event. Ultimately Mike Welch held off Chad Weinrick and Mike Lynn. In Heat race action Ken Fitzgibbon and Smith were winners. Weinrick took Dash honors.
The Bomber drivers looked like they were running for the Sprint Car payoff as nobody was giving an inch. The tone of the race was set from start as front row starter and Dash event winner Jerry Fairchild was put in the wall resulting in an eighteenth place finish. In a division where cautions have been few, tonight made up for the first seven weeks of racing. It should be an interesting lead into for the Bomber Championship in two weeks. Before the end of the Feature four out of the top five drivers in points were in the pits with damaged cars. After the entire melee it was Points Leader and the nights Fast Qualifier Mike Epplett as the last one standing in the top five of the standings. Epplett’s aggressive move at the start of the race put him on the point where he was untouchable. Fourteen-year old fan favorite Sadie Klien survived the carnage with composure beyond her years to finish second. Tony Weinrick had his best finish of the season with a strong third place. Roger Brooks and Kyle Borgman rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Stan Dodds and Angie Gilmore.
Mini Stock drivers who were not around when Luke Near was the most dominating Mini Stock Driver in West Michigan from 2001-2003 are quickly realizing that even though Luke races part-time these days, your better bring your “A” game to beat him when he shows up. For the second time in two weeks Near was the class of the field. Near made his way to the front quickly and pulled away from the field. Brian Bussing won the race for second over Carl McCann, Zak Rounds, and Mark Farber. Near won the Dash event. Farber garnered Heat Race honors. McCann was the fastest in Time Trials.
The last lap for Blake Meyering last week was painful to watch. After leading the entire event of his Mid-Season Championship race his dreams literally went up in smoke. A mechanical failure resulted with his car catching on fire with one lap to go. To say there was redemption on his mind would be and understatement. Meyering eased last week’s disappointment by winning three out the four Young Gun events including the Feature, Dash, and Qualifying. Jordon Praay was the only one to put a nick in Meyering’s armor with a Heat Race win. Following Meyering to the line for the feature event was Praay, Adam Spencer, Andrew Bartoszek, and Kiley Kennedy.
Friday June 16th the Late Models and Mini Stock drivers take center stage for their Mid-Season Championships. The Question on many people’s minds is there anyone who can beat Kevin Nelson at Winston. Nelson’s currently has five feature wins. Front runners Tom Dusen, Rich Nesier, and Eddie Reyes all hope they are the drivers to put a stop to the “Kevin Nelson Show”. It should make for a great night of racing. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Motor Speedway.
Friday, June 2, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
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.
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.
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