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.

For complete results and news visit: www.winstonmotorspeedway.com

Nelson Leads the Way at Winston Speedway

Friday, May 30, 2007
Nelson Leads the Way at Winston Speedway

Winston Motor Speedway fans were treated to a trip down memory lane Friday June 1st. Veteran Late Model drivers Kevin Nelson and John Grega have battled each other on West Michigan racetracks since the early 80’s. It was dejavu for many fans as these two drivers found them selves at the front of the pack battling door to door for the win in the Integra Racing Shocks and Springs 25 lap Late Model Feature.

In the early going of the Late Model feature it looked like Kevin Nelson Jr was going to lead every lap from his pole starting position. Nelson Jr was on cruise control until a drive train mechanical problem brought his car to a stop on the backstretch with eleven laps to go. The lead was handed over to Points Leader Tom Sprague Jr. who had raced his way to Nelson Jr’s bumper before his demise. John Grega was second for the restart followed by Kevin Nelson, Rob Taylor and Tom Dusen. With the high side groove the place to be Nelson was able to make his way around Grega for the second spot one lap later. With nine laps to go Nelson pulled even with Sprague Jr down the front stretch. As they entered turn one Nelson and Sprague battled for the high groove. Contact resulted in Nelson going over the embankment bringing out the caution. Sprague was subsequently put to the rear while Nelson was placed at the point. One lap later it was Tom Dusen losing grip and spinning off turn two from his third place in the running order. For the next nine laps and two more caution restarts long time West Michigan race fans could do nothing but grin. Nelson and Grega had been through this scenario many times over the last 25 years. Both of them showed they still can turn the wheel with the best of them. Nelson raced the high line with Grega to his inside. Grega could pull even to Nelson’s door going into turns one and three but Nelson pulled away coming out of turns two and four. When the checkered flag was waved Nelson was the winner. Grega was second followed by Rob Taylor and Matt Pickard. The fifth spot went to a man on a mission. After being placed in the rear of the field Sprague Jr charged from 20th to fifth in 10 laps to round out the top five. In Heat race action Roger Brooks, Scott Wenell, and Rob Taylor were winners. The Consolation feature saw Brooks and Latch transfer. Eddie Reyes was credited with the Consolation Feature win. Nelson took Dash event honors. Bob Finlay was the quick qualifier.

It took until lap eight for Fast Qualifier John McCaul to make his way to the lead in the Modified main event. Once McCaul was up front there was no stopping him. Not even a broken tie rod on the left front with one lap to go could slow McCaul. The win for McCaul was his second in as many weeks. Mike Wilbern earned the runner-up spot over Andy Sprague, Tim Tuttle, and Derek Poland. Fran Couch and Wilbern were the Heat race winners. Rich Neiser won the Dash event.

Sportsman driver Rob Sternberg continues to be the hottest driver at Winston Motor Speedway. Sternberg started up front in Port City Racing 20 lap Sportsman feature and stayed there. The win was Sternberg’s third of the season. The closet challenger was Kyle Borgman who edged Chad Weinrick for the runner-up position. Kurt Woodard was fourth. Jamie Gilmore was fifth. Sportsman heat race winners were Stan Dodds and Jared Guinn. Borgman took Dash event honors.

The Bomber division saw a hard charging Tony Weinrick come up a little bit short in his attempt to take the win from pole sitter Jamie Lorenz. The win for Lorenz was no fluke as he visited victory circle for the third time this season. While Weinrick was putting on a show for the fans moving through the field it was Lorenz who was hitting all of his marks and making no mistakes. Tim Epplett, Bill Delonge, and Derek Passeneir completed the top five. Epplett and Lorenze were Heat race winners. Robert Erickson won the Dash race.

Mini Stock driver Carl McCann returned after taking a week off and dominated the night’s events for the four-cylinder class. McCann swept all three events taking wins in the Feature, Heat, and Dash events. Don Keech was second in the main event followed by Jerry Meyering, Kurt Hulett and Nate Tarte.

The Young Gun drivers continue to get laps under their belt. This 12-15 year old class gets better each week. Seth Moody was the Feature winner followed by Andrew Bartoszek, Eric Harrald, CJ Rector, and Glen Parker. Bartoszek won the Heat Race. Harrald took Dash event honors.

June 8th will be the “Kids Night” at Winston Speedway. This annual event has become one of the most popular among fans. There is something very special about bringing a smile to a youngsters face. Six classes of racing will also entertain the fans. For the Best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.

McCaul Claims “Integra Racing Shocks & Springs”

Friday, May 23
McCaul Claims “Integra Racing Shocks & Springs” Invitational Title

The Integra Racing Shocks & Springs UMP Modified Invitational highlighted a great night of racing on Friday, May 25th at Winston Speedway. A couple of former Michigan Modified track and state champions proved that they are still the drivers to beat in this open wheeled division on the 3/8ths clay oval of Winston. 2006 champion Mike Wilbern and 2005 champion John McCaul had the fans on their feet with their efforts to take home the $750 winners share from Integra. It was thirty laps of white knuckle racing as these two drivers put on a great show.

Modified driver Derek Poland earned the right to draw for the inversion after being the fastest in qualifying. Poland’s lap of 16.81 seconds also earned him a contingency award for a new set of racing springs from Integra. Poland’s inversion draw put Wilbern on the pole and himself on the outside of the front row. At the start it looked as Wilbern was going to run away from the field as he gained a ten-car advantage over Poland by lap four. A caution for a spinning car on lap five tightened the field. On the restart all eyes were drawn to John McCaul who had his car hooked up and flying on the outside groove. By lap eight McCaul had cleared Poland and was running side by side with Wilbern as they passed the flagstand. For the next three laps McCaul and Wilbern raced side by side. McCaul led for the first time on lap eleven by a foot. At the half way point McCaul started working his way through lapped traffic. With just three laps to go McCaul was running three abreast with lapped cars when a caution was waved for Andy Sprague spinning off the backstretch. Starting single file from the second position Mike Wilbern made great move on the restart getting under McCaul to take the apparent lead. Wilbern’s pass was nullified as Jeremy Holman and Steve McCleese tangled in turn three before a lap was completed. Wilbern had showed his hand and McCaul was not going to let it happen again. McCaul moved down from the high side groove and hugged the inside of the track for the last three laps to take the win. In Wilbern’s efforts to get by McCaul he jumped to the high side losing a spot to runner-up Rich Neiser who was waiting in the wings for McCaul or Wilbern to make a mistake. Greg Smith and Poland completed the top five. Dave Baker, Steve Hilliker, Tim Tuttle, Jeremy Holman and Eddie Reyes made up the rest of the top ten. Dan Dykman and Julie Taylor earned the transfer spot from the Consolation feature. Randy Whitten was credited with the Consolation Feature win. Heat Race winners were won by Taylor, Ricky Whipple, and Tuttle. The Dash event was won by Poland.

In the Integra Racing Shocks & Springs Late Model Division Kevin Nelson Jr picked up his second feature win of the season. Starting in the third spot Nelson Jr made his way by pole sitter Jim Fairbanks on lap four and never looked back. By lap seven Nelson Jr was putting on a clinic of how to get through lapped traffic. Nelson Jr was able to put his car in the high and low grooves as he maneuvered his way through the 21-car field. Nelson’s final two laps were the toughest. Nelson could not breath a sigh of relief until the checkered flag was waved. Hard charging Points leader Tom Sprague made his way to his bumper and drove it as hard as he could on the last lap but came up three foot short to finish in second place. Fairbanks, Matt Pickard, and Kevin Nelson completed the top five. Heat Race honors went to Bob Findlay and Fairbanks. Nelson won the Time Trial and Dash Events.

The Sternberg brothers continue to share the winner’s circle in the Port City Racing Sportsman division. This week it was Rob Sternberg. Not only did Rob Sternberg win the Dash and Heat Race, he came from his eighth place starting position in the main event to take the win. Rob Sternberg win was hard earned as he and Chad Weinrick raced each other hard and clean lap after lap door to door before Rob Sternberg edged his way to the lead. The win was Rob Sternberg’s third main event win of the season. Weinrick held onto second over Ralph Sternberg, Kyle Borgman and Mike Anderson. Borgman was the other Heat race winner.

Port City Racing Factory Stock driver Tim Epplett has found victory lane to his liking. After picking up his first feature win in 31 years of racing last week Epplett retuned to victory circle this week. For most of the race Points leader Robert Erickson looked like he had things well under control pacing the field. It was not until the white flag lap that Erickson realized Epplett was to his outside and determined not to finish second. As they crossed the finish line Epplett held the advantage by less than two feet. Jamie Lorenze, Devin Vanderstelt, and Tony Weinrick made up the rest of the top five. Bill Delonge and Erickson garnered heat race wins. Weinrick too Dash event honors.

Nathon Walton made the best of his return visit in the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division. Walton has taken his talents to the asphalt of Berlin recently but could not pass up the opportunity to drive the 2006 Track Championship car of Carl McCann. Walton showed his diversity as he led every lap taking the win in this four-cylinder division. Hard charger Mark Farber finished second followed by Don Keech, Adam Spencer, and Hullett. Farber won the Dash and Heat race events earlier in the evening.

Young Gun Driver Eric Harrald led the way in the main event and heat race leading every lap to take the wins. In the Main event Andrew Bartoszek was second followed by Seth Moody, Moorman and Glen Parker. Moody took Dash honors.

Next Friday night Winston Speedway returns with six classes of racing. The weather is getting hot and so is the racing action at Winston. For the best in Family entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.