The Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modified division’s MOD 50, at the Spartan Speedway, a 50-lap feature, was a race car version of “catch me if you can.” Bill Butler and Nyle Weiler started on the pole with Weiler taking the lead at the green and Leroy Ellis bearing down on his rear bumper. Ellis took the lead on lap two as Perry Davenport made his way around Weiler and Butler to challenge Ellis, while the battle for third heated up between Tom Hernly Jr. and “Smokin” Bud Perry. The pair drove side by side for four laps, Hernly to the high side and Perry down low. Perry made the pass on lap nine, and it was Ellis, Davenport, Perry, Butler, and Weiler as the top five.
Caution waved on lap 12 and Perry slipped under Ellis on the restart. A seven car pile-up on lap sixteen brought out the red flag and Perry drove away from the field on the restart, giving Ellis sole ownership of second. By lap twenty, a battle was shaping up between the fourth, fifth and sixth cars of Justin Kazmar, Chris Ozanich and Earl Miles. This trio fought for position with Kazmar and Ozanich running side by side, leaving Miles to pick a running partner. Miles followed Ozanich on the high side of Kazmar for twelve laps. Ozanich got around Kazmar on lap thirty, bringing Miles alongside Kazmar.
Caution waved on lap 33 and on the restart, Miles made the pass on Kazmar and Ozanich took third from Butler. Miles got around Butler and took a look under Ozanich for third on lap 36. Caution waved for the last time on lap 38, giving Ellis, Ozanich, and Miles the opportunity to close up on Perry. On the restart, Perry checked out on the field as Miles and Ozanich went at it for third. The duo ran side by side, with Miles able to get under Ozanich on lap 45. Miles reeled in Ellis, catching him on the backstretch on lap 38 and stuck the nose under him. Ellis shut the door and at the checker, it was “Smokin” Bud Perry, of Edgerton, OH taking home the win.
The Performance Automotive NW Sportsmans came down for the start of their 25-lap feature with Matt Kirchen and Tim Lahar sitting on the front row. At the green flag, Kirchen broke away from the field to take the lead. Damon Place fought his way up to second on lap two, and went to work to reel Kirchen in. Place caught Kirchen on lap six, but Kirchen got loose coming out of turn two on lap nine. Kirchen and Place got together bringing out the caution. Kirchen tacked on to the rear of the field as Place made his way to the pit and rejoined the field laps down. On the restart, it was Jack Koone Jr., Robbie Johnston and Dane Long sitting in the top three. Long dove under Johnston for second on lap 12 then set his sights on Koone for the lead. Lahar and Kirchen ran third and fourth, while Place tried to make up a lap, passing Lahar and Kirchen by lap 23, but couldn’t catch the leaders. Koone was able to hold off Long for the win.
Morgan Baird took the win for the Mini Cup division 25-lap feature. It was survival of the fittest as these zippy little racecars saw seven lead changes, one hard crash into the front stretch wall, a second crash into the wall and one car sliding on its roof down the front stretch. All drivers walked away, but Baird, after battling Tim Phillips and swapping the lead three times, walked away the winner.
Rich Roberts blasted out of the starting gate, into the lead, for the 20-lap Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stock feature while mayhem erupted behind him, as the ponies ran four-wide, two rows deep. Patrick Denison and Edson Rowley III gave chase, while Misty Allen built up a good head of steam on lap six and drove around fourth- and fifth- place cars to take away fourth. Wayne Beckner Jr. closed in on her to challenge for the spot, while on lap 10, Rowley moved into first around Roberts. Allen set her sights on Denison in third, while Todd Metz Jr. jumped to the outside of Beckner Jr. and they both went after Allen. Beckner Jr. made the pass on Denison for third and went after Roberts in second, as Metz Jr. took fifth away from Allen on lap 19. At the checker, it was Rowley III.
The Spartan Pure Stocks saw Spencer Drake take a commanding lead in the division’s 20-lap feature. Drake cruised to the win over Mark Carson, Mark Childers, Ian Schafer, and Jake Pearson. Carson took the heat win for the evening.
Please join us Friday, June 5th, for Scout Night and their Push Car Awards. Any scout in uniform will be admitted free. Featured will be the Andrew’s Chevrolet Super Late Models, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds, Performance Automotive NW Sportsmans, Pure Stocks, and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks. Friday, June 12th is Beacon Sales and Service “Dodge Night”, along with Kid’s Night and a Bike Giveaway. There will be a 50-lap Mod feature, along with regular features for Sportsmans, Pure Stocks, Pony Stocks, and Mini Cups. Friday, June 19th is a MOD 50 for Modifieds, along with Sportsmans, Pure Stocks, Pony Stocks, and Pony Stock Figure 8. Check out our website at www.spartanspeedway.com for more information. As always, we’ll see you at the races!
