Friday proved to be a beautiful day to kick off the 2009 race season at the M40 Speedway. Under new ownership, the track has started its future booming. Fans packed the stands from turn one to turn four, anticipating an action-packed night of racing. The track employees were very courteous in answering any and all questions this first timer visitor had.
In a time where the economy is down, it was nice to see a positive on the admission chart. Kids ten and under will be admitted for free throughout the 2009 season Opening night also treated adults to half off the normal $10.00 admission fee!
The night showed a few glitches in the system that you normally see on opening days. The fans, however, hung in to see a very good race venue. Car count was surprisingly good for a track under new ownership. The 2009 season opener brought out a car count of forty plus. Of their four divisions scheduled to run this season-- Late Models, Pro-Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Mini-Stocks-- only the mini-stocks didn't have the count to run on the venue. The Mini’s that did appear were allowed to run with the pure stocks.
The racing night began promptly at 7 p.m. The national anthem, followed by the roar of the crowd got the night rolling. First off was the pure stock dash. Early race leader Rick Reed in the No. 12 couldn’t fend off the eventual winner Tim Thurston in the No.7.
The Pro-stock dash saw Gary Wyrick, No.36, take the lead and hold off Fred Reed No.32 and fast qualifier Brandon Zachary No.16.
The Late Model dash pole sitter Mike Shewchuk No.6 pulled out his first victory of the season, winning the six lap event over determined driver Cory Pressler No.32x who gave Shewchuk a little nudge at the green flag to start out the race. “I was ready to go," joked Pressler after,” It’s been a long winter; I couldn't wait to go green".
Moving on to the heats, Tyler Hufford No.5 came from the 7th starting position to win the Pure Stock Heat A. Josh Highbaugh No.51 gets an honorable mention for his 2nd place finish, as he started 8th. Heat B also showed some great driving, as fast qualifier Jeremy Damron No.27 drove in and out of traffic to win from the 8th starting position. Damron was one of the two Mini-Stock drivers to run as a Pure Stock.
Nick Pressler No.32x pull out the victory in the Pro-Stocks Heat A after avoiding a crash early that collected Thomas Fisher No.48. Fred Reed No.32 beat out hard charging John Ferrier No.0 to win Heat B. Gary Wyrick finished 3rd.
In the car shortened Late Model heat, Mike Shewchuk went on to become the seasons 1st two time winner. Once again, Shewchuk held off Cory Pressler and Eric McGlothen No.68.
After the dash and heat races were completed, the speedway had intermission. During this time, the fans were treated to pre-taped interviews with some of the drivers over the loud speaker. M40 Speedway is presenting a top-notch racing program which keeps the interest of the fans while giving the drivers time to prepare for their features.
After the intermission, the track announcer got the fans pumped up for the main event features. The Pure Stocks feature would roll out first. After going green, the Pure Stocks put on a descent show. Although there were a few minor mishaps, the racing action was very exciting. Three wide situations occurred often at the beginning of the race as the cars jockeyed for position. Ultimately, at the end of the 40 lap feature, early heat winner and fast qualifier Jeremy Damron weaved his way through the fourteen car field to win for his second time of the night and first feature of the year. A quarter track away, the rest of the field bumped and rubbed with Rick Reed No.12 holding off dash winner Tim Thurston No.88 and Tony Stewart No.14 in a good race to the finish.
The Pro-Stocks division came out a bit rusty after the long off-season. Within the first 10 laps of the race, some of the faster cars got caught up in trouble with John Ferrier being the most notable. Ferrier's car was caught up in the early may lay that caused some major damage on the rear of the car which compromised the handling rendering his ride unable to finish in the top five. Fast qualifier Brandon Zachary No.16 drove through the early race incidents to make his way to the front. Zachary dominated the race from the mid-way point driving to his first feature win of the season, finishing with a commanding quarter track lead. Rodney Smith No.30 found his way past Alex Pratt No. 20 for the runner up position. Gary Wyrick held off 5th place finisher Fred Reed. An honorable mention goes to 6th place finisher Rich Mersereau No.61v, who had to start his only race of the night at the tail due to not making the line-up. Mersereau had a steering box issue and missed all of the earlier racing.
Not to be out done, the Late Models showed their share of the rust as some early race incidents took out some of the competition. Eric McGlothen No.68 took the brunt of the damage in one incident finishing his night on the back of a wrecker. It took less than ten laps for Jeff Ganus No.5 to make his way through the eleven car field. Once he made it to the front Ganus was like a rocket flying around the M40 Speedway. Ganus put on a racing clinic as he began to lap each racer one by one. It wasn't until the white flag lap, that Ganus lapped 2nd place finisher Ron Coburn No.42. Coburn had a hard time earlier on getting around 3rd place finisher Jerry Zachary No.19. Cory Pressler No.32x finished a respectable 4th place with Roger Northrup No.29 rounding out the top five. Northrup gets an honorable mention due to bouncing back to a top five finish after he sustained damage from an earlier wreck in the opening laps of the feature.
As the night ended as we headed out to the parking lot with the sound of Brooks and Dunn singing “Only in America" over the loud speaker. Only in America could a track be turned around after a dismal 2008 season closure, to a brilliant 2009 season opener.
With the excitement level of the fans, the drivers and the employees of the track as well it appears that the M40 Speedway is on its way to a great season. You shouldn't miss an opportunity to come out to one of Michigan's best racing venues. Come enjoy a family friendly atmosphere with economy friendly pricing at the M40 Speedway.
