Grand Rapids' Johnny Benson Jr. cracks top-five in his return to Berlin Raceway
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com
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MARNE – A crew from the Charlotte-based Speed network packed up its cameras and headed to Berlin Raceway this weekend for Saturday night’s program to film a piece on Johnny Benson Jr.
Benson will be the subject of a Where Are They Now segment to be aired on Race Hub later this summer, and what they found out is that the Grand Rapids native is still racing and still having a blast.
Benson returned to his home track and ran with the traveling International Supermodified Association, which made its annual visit to the Marne half-mile and finished fourth in the 50-lap main. Benson is 49, and he said chances are that he will be retired five years from now.
“Five years? My kids will be out of school and I hope to spend some time traveling with my wife,” Benson said.
But Benson has no plans of slowing down just yet.
Benson hasn’t raced full-time on the NASCAR circuit since 2008 when he won the Camping World Truck Series championship. But that competitive spirit still burns for Benson.
“I would like to win an ISMA championship before I retire,” Benson said. “That would give me championships in five different series. I’m real proud of the four that I have, but it would be real cool to get one in an open wheel car.”
Berlin hosted the Open Wheel Spectacular Saturday night, which included the Must See Racing Extreme Sprints. The program was delayed for nearly an hour after veteran driver Jeff Bloom of Bangor slid his Sprinter backwards into the retaining wall between turns three and four during the opening lap of a heat race.
Bloom’s car caught fire, however, Bloom was able to escape serious injury. Series officials reported that Bloom was alert and talking before he was transported to the hospital via ambulance for treatment after suffering burns on his arms.
Benson participated in an ISMA race Friday night at Sandusky, Ohio. However, he dropped out of the event due to an engine problem. Benson was ready to go when the green flag dropped Saturday, though.
He said the Supermodifieds are one of the most challenging types of cars he has driven in his career.
“These cars are really, really hard to drive,” Benson said. “I have driven cars that are hard to drive, and all cars are challenging. But these things, holy smokes. They are an extreme handful. But when they are right, they are a blast to drive. When they are off a little bit, they are tough to drive.
“You have to give these guys who drive them a lot of credit. But I have been around so long and have driven on so many different tracks, it helps me run with these guys. These guys are very good, so we have been fortunate to have won three races. We were leading the points championship at one point, but we had a couple of DNFs, so that has taken us out of it. But we can at least still get second.”
Feature winners Saturday included Tom Thomas and Tim DeVos, who won the Late Model and Super Stock feature races, respectively. Lou Ciccone Jr. was first in the ISMA main, and JoJo Hellberg won the 30-lap Sprint feature and clinched the season championship.
Saturday night results
LATE MODELS (60 LAPS) – 1. Tom Thomas, 2. Ross Meeuwsen, 3. Ray Clay, 4. Terry Senneker, 5. Tim DeVos, 6. Steve Needles, 7. Terry VanHaitsma, 8. Mike Lichty, 9. Jeff Ganus, 10. Brian Maxim, 11. Monte Tolan, 12. Scott Thomas, 13. Mike Root, 14. Barry Hartwell, 15. Justin Schroeder, 16. Kristopher Fewless, 17. Dave Stehouwer, 18. Leroy Magoon, 19. Lee VanDyk, 20. Tim Yonker
SUPER STOCKS (30 LAPS) – 1. Tim DeVos, 2. Bob Bliss, 3. Jeremy Munniksma, 4. Seth Moody, 5. Justin Ryan, 6. Denny Anderson, 7. Nate Walton, 8. Andrew Nylaan, 9. Josh Slade, 10. Dave Hull, 11. Will Olmsted, 12. Weston Jewett, 13. Joel Baker, 14. Brett DeKraker, 15. Jerry Groenveld, 16. Brian VanZalen, 17. Cole Roelofs, 18. Trever McCoy, 19. Dennis Mann
HEAT WINNERS – Troy DeCaire, Dave Baumgartner, Billy Wease (Sprints); Justin Ryan, Joel Baker, Andrew Nylaan (Super Stocks)
FAST CAR SLASH – Mike Larrison (Sprints)
FAST QUALIFIERS – Ross Meeuwsen (Late Models) 102.703 mph; JoJo Helberg (Sprints); Bob Bliss (Super Stocks)
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
I-96 Speedway Crowns Four 2012 Track Champions At The 5th Annual Dirt Gold Cup
Lake Odessa, Michigan (Saturday, August 25th, 2012): I-96 Speedway, located west of Lansing and east of Grand Rapids in Lake Odessa, Michigan hosted the 5th annual Dirt Gold Cup Championship Extravaganza / 2012 Season Championships for ALL FOUR weekly divisions within the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Racing Series! It was also Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night as well as the 4th annual Relay for Life Celebration which benefitted the American Cancer Society.
The 2012 Track Champions as well as the 2012 Rookies of the Year were crowned in the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models, Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds, Rudd's Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts as the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval was action packed night throughout the night and the great crowd on hand was treated to a great night of racing.
Congratulations to the 2012 Track Champions at I-96 Speedway and they are: m14 Brandon Thirlby – Traverse City, Michigan – Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models ---- 0x Zack Olger – St. Johns, Michigan – Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds ---- 44 Josh Frye – Coopersville, Michigan – Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks ---- 14 Rick Peck – Hastings, Michigan – Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
In addition, the 2012 Rookies of the Year were also honored and they were: 5 Brook Brasington – Evart, Michigan – Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models ---- 46 Dave Schmidt - Grand Haven, Michigan – Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds ---- 1c Calvin Stemler – Ionia, Michigan – Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks ---- 44 Nick Jenema – Wyoming, Michigan – 18 & Over Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts ---- 11 Tony Taylor – Portland, Michigan – 17 & Under Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
The first Championship to be decided would be for the Rudd's Septic Service UMP Street Stocks as their 25-Lap Feature would see Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Current UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Points Leader Dan Dykman starting on the front row. Dykman would edge out Brandt Jr., who had another battle of his own with Current Points Leader Josh Frye for the 2012 Track Title.
Dykman paced the field for the first 21 laps before an axle broke going into turns three and four bringing out the caution flag. This gave the lead to Frye and the Coopersville, Michigan driver would make no mistake the last four laps as the driver of the #44 Driftwood Bar & Grill / Chevrolet would win his fourth Feature Win of the year and the 2012 Track Championship in the process!
Jim Beltz finished second ahead of Brandt Jr., who pitted for a flat tire and make a valiant effort before coming home third. 2009 Track Champion Aaron Wolf and 16-year-old Carlind Forsythe completed the top five. Randy Wellman finished sixth as Joel Hummel, Trey Cotter, Bill Brandt Sr., and Dykman were the final top 10. Frye, Brandt Jr., and Dykman won the Heat Races.
The Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts were next for their 25-Lap Championship Feature as 2012 18 & Over Rookie of the Year Nick Jenema and Ryan Hamm brought the field to Chief Starter Brett Farmer's green flag. Hamm set a torrid early pace for the first five laps before slowing on the front stretch to bring out the yellow flag. This handed the lead to Current UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Eastern States Points Leader Paul Namey who tried to check out on the field.
Defending Track Champion Rick Peck who clinched his second straight Track Championship earlier in the afternoon to go with his 2011 crown simply by pulling into the pits, challenged Namey over the remainder of the race before taking the lead with just two laps to go and from there, his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn would walk away with his fifth Feature Win and Repeat as UMP Sport Compacts Track Champion!
Namey settled for second while 18-year-old Terry Henderson Jr., Chad Tomczak, and 11-year-old Christopher Joyce finished up the top five. Fellow 11-year-old driver, Tony Taylor, who earlier in the night wrapped up the 17 & Under Rookie of the Year title finished sixth while Colee Ruesink, 14-year-old Harper Hotchkiss, Jackson Walker, and Jenema were the top 10. Henderson Jr., and Namey won the Heats.
The premier division within the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series, the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models were next for their 25-Lap Season Championship Feature as going into the night, three drivers; Brandon Thirlby, Rich Neiser, and Zack Olger were all within sight of each other for the 2012 Track Championship. Alan Vochaska and Bry Sloan led the field to the green and it would be Vochaska beating Sloan and the rest of the first to the first corner.
Within just four laps, Thirlby, Neiser, and Olger were all running together and an epic battle ensued for not only position on the track, but for the 2012 Track Championship. With just four laps to go, Vochaska collided with a lapped car which forced the field behind to take evasive action. It would be Neiser who would pass Thirlby, Vochaska, and the lapped car to take over the lead and from there the Fruitport, Michigan veteran held off Vochaska and Thirlby and steer his #87 Baker Engineering / Mastersbilt Race Cars into victory lane after winning his first Feature of the Season.
Vochaska finished second and Thirlby finished third and it would be Thirlby and Neiser sitting on top of the Final Points Standings Tied for the title. The first tie-breaker edge would go to Thirlby (Most Feature Wins: Thirlby-3 / Neiser-1) to give the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars machine his first career Track Championship off of that all important tie-breaker. This is the first of a potential four titles for Thirlby as he also leads the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan / Wisconsin / Canada States Points, Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Points, and Cherry Raceway Track points as well.
Dab Hubbell finished fourth in the main ahead of Dale Sheehy who would complete the top five. Chris Nash, Sloan, Olger, and Randy Whitten Jr., rounded out the top 10. Thirlby and Vochaska would score the Heat Race triumphs.
The final race of the night would be the 2012 Season Championships for the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds and although disappointed with the outcome of the UMP Super Late Models Feature, Zack Olger wouldn't go home empty handed as the driver of the #0x Racer's Speed Shop / Xtreme Racecars entry took the green flag in the 25-Lap Feature to Officially clinch his first Track Championship of his stellar career.
The front row of the main would be John McClure and Collin Thirlby and it was Thirlby slipped by McClure in the early going to grab the lead. A scary incident involving Mark Anderson resulted in the veteran barrel rolling several times off the backstretch. He was fine, but the car was destroyed and he was done for the night. Thirlby maintained the advantage up front for all 25 Laps as the Traverse City, Michigan standout in his #47 Thirlby Automotive / Diamond Racecars ride would score his second Feature Win of the season.
Outgoing Track Champion Jacob Poel finished second while Travis Stemler, Former Two-Time Track Champion (2008 & 2009) Todd Feutz, and McClure were the top five. 2012 Track Champion Olger was sixth in the main while Tim Stemler, Kevin Cavanaugh, 2007 Track Champion Shannon Fisk, and Justin Fleming completed the top 10. McClure, Travis Stemler, and Anderson were the Heat Race victors.
I-96 Speedway will now take an extended vacation in preparation for the 2012 Season Finale on a special Sunday afternoon, October 14th as the cars and stars of the United States Auto Club (USAC) AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series will make the return trip to West Michigan and race on the famed ½ (0.500) mile high-banked dirt oval after getting rained out back on August 10th.
Superstars like Five Time & Defending Series Champion Levi Jones as well as Indy 500 starter Bryan Clauson, Current Points Leader Jon Stanbrough, Veterans Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, and many more will make the trip north in the series' first appearance at I-96 since 1996.
Joining the USAC AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series on the famed 1/2 mile will be the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds as well as a "Run What You Bring" division featuring any type of car such as Limited Late Models, Pro Stocks, Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, and more (excluding Super Late Models) The Schedule of Events and Starting Times for this event are also “To Be Announced.”
Race Fans who already purchased Advance Tickets will still be able to use those in October and now there’s plenty of time to still get tickets for this event for those that haven’t at the link below: http://www.showclix.com/event/226174 and for more information about the USAC AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series, go to their website at: www.usacracing.com
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can even follow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedway and “Follow” us today.
The 2012 Track Champions as well as the 2012 Rookies of the Year were crowned in the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models, Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds, Rudd's Septic Service UMP Street Stocks, and Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts as the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval was action packed night throughout the night and the great crowd on hand was treated to a great night of racing.
Congratulations to the 2012 Track Champions at I-96 Speedway and they are: m14 Brandon Thirlby – Traverse City, Michigan – Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models ---- 0x Zack Olger – St. Johns, Michigan – Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds ---- 44 Josh Frye – Coopersville, Michigan – Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks ---- 14 Rick Peck – Hastings, Michigan – Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
In addition, the 2012 Rookies of the Year were also honored and they were: 5 Brook Brasington – Evart, Michigan – Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models ---- 46 Dave Schmidt - Grand Haven, Michigan – Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds ---- 1c Calvin Stemler – Ionia, Michigan – Rudd’s Septic Service UMP Street Stocks ---- 44 Nick Jenema – Wyoming, Michigan – 18 & Over Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts ---- 11 Tony Taylor – Portland, Michigan – 17 & Under Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts.
The first Championship to be decided would be for the Rudd's Septic Service UMP Street Stocks as their 25-Lap Feature would see Defending Track Champion Bill Brandt Jr., and Current UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Northeastern States Points Leader Dan Dykman starting on the front row. Dykman would edge out Brandt Jr., who had another battle of his own with Current Points Leader Josh Frye for the 2012 Track Title.
Dykman paced the field for the first 21 laps before an axle broke going into turns three and four bringing out the caution flag. This gave the lead to Frye and the Coopersville, Michigan driver would make no mistake the last four laps as the driver of the #44 Driftwood Bar & Grill / Chevrolet would win his fourth Feature Win of the year and the 2012 Track Championship in the process!
Jim Beltz finished second ahead of Brandt Jr., who pitted for a flat tire and make a valiant effort before coming home third. 2009 Track Champion Aaron Wolf and 16-year-old Carlind Forsythe completed the top five. Randy Wellman finished sixth as Joel Hummel, Trey Cotter, Bill Brandt Sr., and Dykman were the final top 10. Frye, Brandt Jr., and Dykman won the Heat Races.
The Smyrna Bar & Restaurant UMP Sport Compacts were next for their 25-Lap Championship Feature as 2012 18 & Over Rookie of the Year Nick Jenema and Ryan Hamm brought the field to Chief Starter Brett Farmer's green flag. Hamm set a torrid early pace for the first five laps before slowing on the front stretch to bring out the yellow flag. This handed the lead to Current UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Eastern States Points Leader Paul Namey who tried to check out on the field.
Defending Track Champion Rick Peck who clinched his second straight Track Championship earlier in the afternoon to go with his 2011 crown simply by pulling into the pits, challenged Namey over the remainder of the race before taking the lead with just two laps to go and from there, his #14 Frisbee & Sons Plastering / Saturn would walk away with his fifth Feature Win and Repeat as UMP Sport Compacts Track Champion!
Namey settled for second while 18-year-old Terry Henderson Jr., Chad Tomczak, and 11-year-old Christopher Joyce finished up the top five. Fellow 11-year-old driver, Tony Taylor, who earlier in the night wrapped up the 17 & Under Rookie of the Year title finished sixth while Colee Ruesink, 14-year-old Harper Hotchkiss, Jackson Walker, and Jenema were the top 10. Henderson Jr., and Namey won the Heats.
The premier division within the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series, the Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models were next for their 25-Lap Season Championship Feature as going into the night, three drivers; Brandon Thirlby, Rich Neiser, and Zack Olger were all within sight of each other for the 2012 Track Championship. Alan Vochaska and Bry Sloan led the field to the green and it would be Vochaska beating Sloan and the rest of the first to the first corner.
Within just four laps, Thirlby, Neiser, and Olger were all running together and an epic battle ensued for not only position on the track, but for the 2012 Track Championship. With just four laps to go, Vochaska collided with a lapped car which forced the field behind to take evasive action. It would be Neiser who would pass Thirlby, Vochaska, and the lapped car to take over the lead and from there the Fruitport, Michigan veteran held off Vochaska and Thirlby and steer his #87 Baker Engineering / Mastersbilt Race Cars into victory lane after winning his first Feature of the Season.
Vochaska finished second and Thirlby finished third and it would be Thirlby and Neiser sitting on top of the Final Points Standings Tied for the title. The first tie-breaker edge would go to Thirlby (Most Feature Wins: Thirlby-3 / Neiser-1) to give the Traverse City, Michigan driver in his #m14 Thirlby Automotive / Mastersbilt Racecars machine his first career Track Championship off of that all important tie-breaker. This is the first of a potential four titles for Thirlby as he also leads the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan / Wisconsin / Canada States Points, Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Points, and Cherry Raceway Track points as well.
Dab Hubbell finished fourth in the main ahead of Dale Sheehy who would complete the top five. Chris Nash, Sloan, Olger, and Randy Whitten Jr., rounded out the top 10. Thirlby and Vochaska would score the Heat Race triumphs.
The final race of the night would be the 2012 Season Championships for the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds and although disappointed with the outcome of the UMP Super Late Models Feature, Zack Olger wouldn't go home empty handed as the driver of the #0x Racer's Speed Shop / Xtreme Racecars entry took the green flag in the 25-Lap Feature to Officially clinch his first Track Championship of his stellar career.
The front row of the main would be John McClure and Collin Thirlby and it was Thirlby slipped by McClure in the early going to grab the lead. A scary incident involving Mark Anderson resulted in the veteran barrel rolling several times off the backstretch. He was fine, but the car was destroyed and he was done for the night. Thirlby maintained the advantage up front for all 25 Laps as the Traverse City, Michigan standout in his #47 Thirlby Automotive / Diamond Racecars ride would score his second Feature Win of the season.
Outgoing Track Champion Jacob Poel finished second while Travis Stemler, Former Two-Time Track Champion (2008 & 2009) Todd Feutz, and McClure were the top five. 2012 Track Champion Olger was sixth in the main while Tim Stemler, Kevin Cavanaugh, 2007 Track Champion Shannon Fisk, and Justin Fleming completed the top 10. McClure, Travis Stemler, and Anderson were the Heat Race victors.
I-96 Speedway will now take an extended vacation in preparation for the 2012 Season Finale on a special Sunday afternoon, October 14th as the cars and stars of the United States Auto Club (USAC) AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series will make the return trip to West Michigan and race on the famed ½ (0.500) mile high-banked dirt oval after getting rained out back on August 10th.
Superstars like Five Time & Defending Series Champion Levi Jones as well as Indy 500 starter Bryan Clauson, Current Points Leader Jon Stanbrough, Veterans Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, and many more will make the trip north in the series' first appearance at I-96 since 1996.
Joining the USAC AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series on the famed 1/2 mile will be the Accurate Engines UMP Modifieds as well as a "Run What You Bring" division featuring any type of car such as Limited Late Models, Pro Stocks, Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, and more (excluding Super Late Models) The Schedule of Events and Starting Times for this event are also “To Be Announced.”
Race Fans who already purchased Advance Tickets will still be able to use those in October and now there’s plenty of time to still get tickets for this event for those that haven’t at the link below: http://www.showclix.com/event/226174 and for more information about the USAC AMSOil National Sprint Cars Series, go to their website at: www.usacracing.com
I-96 Speedway is located at 3823 Portland Road in Lake Odessa, Michigan. For more information about the on-going 2012 racing season, please call: 1 (616) 642-0555 or visit the website at: www.i96speedway.com You can also follow along all season long by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com/i96speedway and click on “Like” button. You can even follow us on Twitter as well, just go to: www.twitter.com/i96speedway and “Follow” us today.
Mike Garvey Races to a Perfect Weekend!
Muskegon's Mike Garvey backed up his win yesterday at Five Flags with another win tonight at South Alabama Speedway. Storyline will follow Sunday.
Copperhead 100 UNOFFICIAL Results
1. 1 - Mike Garvey
2. 18 - Hunter Robbins
3. 43 - Justin South
4. 41 - Chris Davidson
5. 91 - Zak Hausler
6. 81 - Brandon Odom
7. 1 - Josh Adkins
8. 1 - Cody Coughlin
9. 79 - Kyle Bryant
10. 17 - Shanky Smith
11. 66 - Korey Ruble
12. 31 - Cole Fancher
13. 19 - Ray Black, Jr.
14. 2 - Brady Boswell
15. 66 - Ryan Redmon
16. 29 - Spencer Davis
17. 36 - Lance Blacker
Copperhead 100 UNOFFICIAL Results
1. 1 - Mike Garvey
2. 18 - Hunter Robbins
3. 43 - Justin South
4. 41 - Chris Davidson
5. 91 - Zak Hausler
6. 81 - Brandon Odom
7. 1 - Josh Adkins
8. 1 - Cody Coughlin
9. 79 - Kyle Bryant
10. 17 - Shanky Smith
11. 66 - Korey Ruble
12. 31 - Cole Fancher
13. 19 - Ray Black, Jr.
14. 2 - Brady Boswell
15. 66 - Ryan Redmon
16. 29 - Spencer Davis
17. 36 - Lance Blacker
Friday, August 24, 2012
Cherry Raceway Results for Friday August 24th, 2012
Cherry Raceway Results for Friday August 24th, 2012
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, August 24th, 2012): Fans entered the gates of the Cherry Raceway Friday night for the final appearance made by the fire breathing winged warriors of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP. The sprint cars were joined by the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors and the Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The first main event of the evening consisted of competition from the Cruiser Bomber class, and their 15-lap main event. The front row was made up of Alicia Roszczewski and Charlie Woebbeking, they would lead the field to chief starter Tim Beebe’s green flag. 2010 track champion Roger McQueen would be the leader of the opening lap. However the defending track champion Emery Smith would answer right back and take the lead on lap-2. This would stay the same until lap-11 where Jimmy Hiller would manage to charge his way to the front and take the lead, and he would go on to get the big win.
This was the seventh trip to Engine Pro victory lane for the #95 Forest Area Car Company / Chevrolet driven by the 14-year old Kalkaska, Michigan native. Smith would end up in the runner up spot, followed by Jeremiah Woebbeking who settled for third, Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbeking finished the top five. The lone heat race and four-car dash went to Hiller.
In the Four-Cylinder compacts 15-lap feature it would be 13-year old Chris Casey and 15-year old Ricky Wilson on the front row. Wilson started things off with the early advantage. However defending track champion Autumn Beeman would take the lead right after that on lap-2, she would lead until around five to go, where she would be forced to go pit-side, that would give the lead to Casey and there would be no stopping the 13-year old Williamsburg, Michigan driver as he would go on to the checkers for the victory.
The #00 Wilson’s Plumbing / Mercury XR7 Cougar would make the trip to the winners circle for the seventh time this season. Wilson would be the runner up finisher, Dalton Bouscher wound up in third, Beeman, and James Hittle would round out the top five. Casey also picked up wins for the dash and the lone heat race.
The Four-Cylinder warriors were out next for their 15-lap feature. Andrew Austin and Bob Craycraft would make up row 1 and have the pleasure of leading the pack to green. It was Craycraft who take the early advantage as the leader. However he would face mechanical problems about a third of the way through, and was forced to retire for the evening which gave the lead to Andrew Austin who jumped out front and never looked back as he would be crowned the winner.
Austin Picked up his third win of the year in the #20 Joe’s Garage / Chevrolet driven by the Manton, Michigan native who finished ahead of Jeremy Tulick, Arlie Cooper, and Nick Old who made up the rest of the top five.
Andy Nickerson III & T.J. Erickson would bring the field of Street Stocks out of the pits and to the green flag. Erickson would lead the opening lap. The field would go head to head in a hard fought 15-lap feature. However when it was all said and done, it was Erickson, who battled his way from the rear of the field after being deemed the caution car after a yellow, and picked up the win.
The #19 Erickson Service / Chevrolet would with the Traverse City, Michigan native at the helm would make its first trip to the winners circle, with Nickerson finishing second, overall and rookie of the year point leader Allen Oyer, James Clem, and Bob Green completed the top five. Green was the winner of both the heat and dash.
Closing out the show with the main event of the night was the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP 25-lap feature. Jared Horseman and Greg Dalman made up the front row of the 20 car field. Everyone battled to find the grove thak worked best for them, and around the halfway point 2011 SOD champion Dustin Daggett would make an incredible move to take the lead and go on to get the season sweep at Cherry Raceway.
This Friday August 31st is season championship night at the Cherry Raceway. All of the weekly divisions will be on hand to go head to head in a Labor Day weekend battle. The show will be headlined by the appearance of the winged outlaw late models, who will be joined by the UMP Modfieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The Labor Day weekend racing will continue on Sunday September 2nd as this will be the make-up show for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour presented by Lane Automotive that was originally scheduled for July 27th but was rained out. This show will bring the best modified drivers in the state to the “great white north”. The Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts will also be in completion.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 31st and Sunday September 2nd are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at approximately 7:15p.m.
Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com You can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway
Fife Lake, Michigan (Friday, August 24th, 2012): Fans entered the gates of the Cherry Raceway Friday night for the final appearance made by the fire breathing winged warriors of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP. The sprint cars were joined by the Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors and the Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The first main event of the evening consisted of competition from the Cruiser Bomber class, and their 15-lap main event. The front row was made up of Alicia Roszczewski and Charlie Woebbeking, they would lead the field to chief starter Tim Beebe’s green flag. 2010 track champion Roger McQueen would be the leader of the opening lap. However the defending track champion Emery Smith would answer right back and take the lead on lap-2. This would stay the same until lap-11 where Jimmy Hiller would manage to charge his way to the front and take the lead, and he would go on to get the big win.
This was the seventh trip to Engine Pro victory lane for the #95 Forest Area Car Company / Chevrolet driven by the 14-year old Kalkaska, Michigan native. Smith would end up in the runner up spot, followed by Jeremiah Woebbeking who settled for third, Roszczewski, and Charlie Woebbeking finished the top five. The lone heat race and four-car dash went to Hiller.
In the Four-Cylinder compacts 15-lap feature it would be 13-year old Chris Casey and 15-year old Ricky Wilson on the front row. Wilson started things off with the early advantage. However defending track champion Autumn Beeman would take the lead right after that on lap-2, she would lead until around five to go, where she would be forced to go pit-side, that would give the lead to Casey and there would be no stopping the 13-year old Williamsburg, Michigan driver as he would go on to the checkers for the victory.
The #00 Wilson’s Plumbing / Mercury XR7 Cougar would make the trip to the winners circle for the seventh time this season. Wilson would be the runner up finisher, Dalton Bouscher wound up in third, Beeman, and James Hittle would round out the top five. Casey also picked up wins for the dash and the lone heat race.
The Four-Cylinder warriors were out next for their 15-lap feature. Andrew Austin and Bob Craycraft would make up row 1 and have the pleasure of leading the pack to green. It was Craycraft who take the early advantage as the leader. However he would face mechanical problems about a third of the way through, and was forced to retire for the evening which gave the lead to Andrew Austin who jumped out front and never looked back as he would be crowned the winner.
Austin Picked up his third win of the year in the #20 Joe’s Garage / Chevrolet driven by the Manton, Michigan native who finished ahead of Jeremy Tulick, Arlie Cooper, and Nick Old who made up the rest of the top five.
Andy Nickerson III & T.J. Erickson would bring the field of Street Stocks out of the pits and to the green flag. Erickson would lead the opening lap. The field would go head to head in a hard fought 15-lap feature. However when it was all said and done, it was Erickson, who battled his way from the rear of the field after being deemed the caution car after a yellow, and picked up the win.
The #19 Erickson Service / Chevrolet would with the Traverse City, Michigan native at the helm would make its first trip to the winners circle, with Nickerson finishing second, overall and rookie of the year point leader Allen Oyer, James Clem, and Bob Green completed the top five. Green was the winner of both the heat and dash.
Closing out the show with the main event of the night was the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP 25-lap feature. Jared Horseman and Greg Dalman made up the front row of the 20 car field. Everyone battled to find the grove thak worked best for them, and around the halfway point 2011 SOD champion Dustin Daggett would make an incredible move to take the lead and go on to get the season sweep at Cherry Raceway.
This Friday August 31st is season championship night at the Cherry Raceway. All of the weekly divisions will be on hand to go head to head in a Labor Day weekend battle. The show will be headlined by the appearance of the winged outlaw late models, who will be joined by the UMP Modfieds, Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts.
The Labor Day weekend racing will continue on Sunday September 2nd as this will be the make-up show for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour presented by Lane Automotive that was originally scheduled for July 27th but was rained out. This show will bring the best modified drivers in the state to the “great white north”. The Street Stocks, Cruiser Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Four-Cylinder Compacts will also be in completion.
Ticket Prices for Friday August 31st and Sunday September 2nd are: Adults (13-59): $15.00 – Seniors (60 and Over): $12.00 – Children (6-12): $5.00 – Kids (5 and Under): FREE – Pit Passes: $25.00.The Pit Gates Open at 5:00p.m. Grandstand Gates Open at 6:00p.m. Practice also Starts at 6:00p.m., and then after Pre-Race Ceremonies / Invocation / National Anthem(s), Racing Begins at approximately 7:15p.m.
Cherry Raceway is located at: 8649 East M-113 in Fife Lake, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 468-1477. Don’t forget to check out the track website at: www.cherryraceway.com You can also follow us on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/cherryraceway and clicking on the “Like” button as well as on Twitter by going to: www.twitter.com/cherryraceway
Muskegon's Mike Garvey Wins at Five Flags Speedway
Garvey Completes Hat Trick, Holds off Pollard for Third Allen Turner PLM Win of 2012
25 August 2012 | Featured News | |
By Chuck Corder
Mike Garvey looked like he was on a lazy, Sunday drive.
Instead, his night quickly transformed into a Friday afternoon gridlock.
Through all the ebbs and flows of the Allen Turner 100 on Friday at Five Flags Speedway, Garvey kept his No. 1 out front and captured his third Pro Late Model victory of 2012.
Garvey watched his 7-plus second lead diminish when the first of three consecutive cautions came out at Lap 95.
He was able to hold off Bubba Pollard on each restart and rocketed away.
“You really have to be careful here to save something for the end,” said Garvey, who has a commanding series points lead thanks to three wins and a second in the four PLM races. “We were just riding around and then those cautions came out at the end.”
Pollard was the night’s fast qualifier at 17.045 seconds, but started 10th after the invert.
After biding his time early in the middle of the 19-car field, he began to pounce as the race crossed the halfway point.
Pollard’s only problem was he was driving with two of his cylinders missing, causing snapping and popping sounds to echo from his engine.
“If we would’ve had all eight cylinders, this race would’ve been ours,” said Pollard, who was driving a new car with a big-name sponsor in Jegs Auto Parts. “I’m not one to be cocky, but I believe it.
“If that wouldn’t have happened, we would’ve had a (darn) good racecar.”
He would’ve been hard pressed to get by Garvey.
The veteran with NASCAR Nextel Cup Series experience seemed to be loose early as he battled Brandon Bendele for the lead, but he regained the handle and owned the lead by Lap 56.
While Garvey shot away in clean air, plenty of action was going on in his rear-view mirror.
Augie Grill had his hands full with young Zachary Hausler.
The 17-year-old Houstonian was the story of the night, navigating his way through lapped traffic to eventually earn a third-place finish.
Unfortunately, technical inspection officials deemed the front end on Hausler’s No. 91 did not meet the height requirement. That handed the final podium spot to Grill.
Grill has been the only man to top Garvey in the PLM series at Five Flags this year, edging him out in the 100 lapper last month.
Not on this night, though.
“We’ve been pretty good, but you never can tell with this class,” Garvey said. “Nothing’s handed to you. We’ll keep making the car better.
“This was a great field and a precursor to what we’ll see for the Snowflake and Derby.
Allen Turner Pro Late Model 100 Finishing Order:
Pos. Car No. Driver
1 1 Mike Garvey
2 1P Bubba Pollard
3 112 Augie Grill
4 2 Brady Boswell
5 18 Hunter Robbins
6 6 Brandon Bendele
7 71 Kyle Benjamin
8 99 Junior Niedecken
9 41 Chris Davidson
10 79 Kyle Bryant
11 29 Spencer Davis
12 41G Troy Grisaffi
13 19 Ray Black, Jr.
14 45 Dwayne Buggay
15 4 Eddie Craig, Sr.
16 36B Rodney Benefield
17 92 Ron McDonald
18 36 Keith Thorpe
DQ 91H Zachary Hausler
25 August 2012 | Featured News | |
By Chuck Corder
Mike Garvey looked like he was on a lazy, Sunday drive.
Instead, his night quickly transformed into a Friday afternoon gridlock.
Through all the ebbs and flows of the Allen Turner 100 on Friday at Five Flags Speedway, Garvey kept his No. 1 out front and captured his third Pro Late Model victory of 2012.
Garvey watched his 7-plus second lead diminish when the first of three consecutive cautions came out at Lap 95.
He was able to hold off Bubba Pollard on each restart and rocketed away.
“You really have to be careful here to save something for the end,” said Garvey, who has a commanding series points lead thanks to three wins and a second in the four PLM races. “We were just riding around and then those cautions came out at the end.”
Pollard was the night’s fast qualifier at 17.045 seconds, but started 10th after the invert.
After biding his time early in the middle of the 19-car field, he began to pounce as the race crossed the halfway point.
Pollard’s only problem was he was driving with two of his cylinders missing, causing snapping and popping sounds to echo from his engine.
“If we would’ve had all eight cylinders, this race would’ve been ours,” said Pollard, who was driving a new car with a big-name sponsor in Jegs Auto Parts. “I’m not one to be cocky, but I believe it.
“If that wouldn’t have happened, we would’ve had a (darn) good racecar.”
He would’ve been hard pressed to get by Garvey.
The veteran with NASCAR Nextel Cup Series experience seemed to be loose early as he battled Brandon Bendele for the lead, but he regained the handle and owned the lead by Lap 56.
While Garvey shot away in clean air, plenty of action was going on in his rear-view mirror.
Augie Grill had his hands full with young Zachary Hausler.
The 17-year-old Houstonian was the story of the night, navigating his way through lapped traffic to eventually earn a third-place finish.
Unfortunately, technical inspection officials deemed the front end on Hausler’s No. 91 did not meet the height requirement. That handed the final podium spot to Grill.
Grill has been the only man to top Garvey in the PLM series at Five Flags this year, edging him out in the 100 lapper last month.
Not on this night, though.
“We’ve been pretty good, but you never can tell with this class,” Garvey said. “Nothing’s handed to you. We’ll keep making the car better.
“This was a great field and a precursor to what we’ll see for the Snowflake and Derby.
Allen Turner Pro Late Model 100 Finishing Order:
Pos. Car No. Driver
1 1 Mike Garvey
2 1P Bubba Pollard
3 112 Augie Grill
4 2 Brady Boswell
5 18 Hunter Robbins
6 6 Brandon Bendele
7 71 Kyle Benjamin
8 99 Junior Niedecken
9 41 Chris Davidson
10 79 Kyle Bryant
11 29 Spencer Davis
12 41G Troy Grisaffi
13 19 Ray Black, Jr.
14 45 Dwayne Buggay
15 4 Eddie Craig, Sr.
16 36B Rodney Benefield
17 92 Ron McDonald
18 36 Keith Thorpe
DQ 91H Zachary Hausler
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