MichiganCircleTrack.com is the online home of the MARC Times Racing News & Michigan Racing Scene and MARCTimesTV.

The stars, the cars, the crews, and the fans were all on hand to watch a night filled with great racing at "The Track the Stars Call Home"!  What a beautiful Friday night it was with temperatures in the 80's and clear skies for this late April season opener. As the drivers were catching up with fellow competitors, the crews were giving the cars a check to make sure everything was ready and the fans were standing in line for the famous 1/4 pound hot dog it was a perfect night!

The smiles on the racers faces were huge, especially for a young man by the name of Chad Finley. Chad is the son of Jeff Finley and nephew of Doug Finley both, of whom have had many wins and championships here at Spartan Speedway. At the age of 17 Chad has plenty of experience behind him as well.  Chad will be driving several races this season in the ARCA Re/Max series with the first race being the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway May 17th. He will be driving for Brad Keselowski of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Keselowski drives for Junior Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup divisions.With the fans in the stands and the stars in the cars it was finally time to hear the words "Driver's Start Your Engines".

The first event of the evening was the Super Late Models in which Chad and Doug Finley were starting at the rear due to the invert. The first green flag was followed shortly after by a yellow flag. The first victim was Jon McNett in the No. 7. Later in the race Doug Finley in the No. 29 and Harry Foote in the No. 70 would also find their way back to the pits with the No. 29 showing more than wear. In the pit Doug Finley climbed out of his car saying "that's ok we'll be back next week". By the time Doug ran to watch his nephew, Chad had piloted the No. 42 from the rear of the field into the lead.

The yellow again waved as Jimmy Gallagher saw his brand new machine facing backwards on the back straightaway. After being towed back to the pits the 2008 Super Late Model Series Champion found his night and possibly the balance of the season was done. Jimmy Gallagher who pilots the No. 25 was laid off from work after 18 years with the same manufacturing company. Jimmy said "I just can't afford to fix it".Chad Finley would hold off the No. 3 of Logan Beckwith and the 3rd place car No. 33 of Dave Stehower. With the first checker flag of the season the 17 year old was in victory lane. Chad said of his victory "we didn't want to win like that; Uncle Doug has been very good to me". With that you heard a crew member say "got to survive um to win um".

The modifieds came to roar for their first race of the season and the rookie Nate Moon would lead most of the race until 2008 champion Leroy Ellis No. 50 made the pass. Nate Moon in the No. 74 modified would end up 5th. "I was fast but, I was loose," Leroy stated. "I want to congratulate Nate Moon for running a great race."

Disaster struck Jack Koone Jr. No. 01 the 2008 sportsmen division champion when after only a couple laps had been run his car broke. When asked what happened he said "we blew the ball joint".Series regular Dane Long was the fast qualifier and came from the back with a great battle with No. 55 Robby Johnston. It would be No. 7L Dane Long in victory lane. As Dane climbed out of the car his 20 month old son Logan gave daddy a big high five. Dane said "[I thought that the] engine blew with 5 laps to go" Dane also added laughing "the engine we have in here isn't the new motor".The pony stock feature saw 3, 4 and even 5 wide racing at times. Wayne Beckner Jr. passed 17 cars in 20 laps for the feature win. After climbing from the car Wayne said, "This is special".

The Fox 47 car was running a Subway promotion, with Subway giving away a "crew for a day" package to one lucky fan. Wayne wanted to thank his honorary crew member Dave Shook. "He was helping us this evening" "I told him when he got here to go home and get his gloves". Dave Shook stated "I have been coming here since I was 8 this is so cool" Congratulations Dave Shook.

The final race of the evening would be the pure stock division. Both the No. 28 of Spencer Drake and the No. M15 of Lonnie Saumnier were at the rear for the start of the race. That didn't last long as the two battled for position. Both cars were hooked up and headed to the front. The No. M15 out powered the No. J1 of Jordan Lechota for the win with Spencer Drake finishing third. Spencer Drake was thrilled with the race saying "I love the competition". Seventeen year old Lonnie Saumnier, running on a partial schedule at Spartan Speedway this year, said "I want to thank my parents".

So with stars high in the moon lit night sky, the stars in the cars headed home after the first race of the season gave the fans lots of action on and off the track.Spartan Speedway is in action each and every Friday night with the green flag at 7:30 p.m.