It was Autograph and Picture Night at the Owosso Speedway on Saturday, May 23rd as the fans in the grandstands were invited to go out onto the track and meet and greet their favorite cars and starsof the Big “O” in a 45 minute autograph session during intermission.
As for the action on the track, one of the strongest fields of Wieland Contracting Modifieds in almost 10 seasons at the Big “O” rolled out for their 30-lap Feature.
After an extraordinary in car / on track introduction was complete, the green flag flew with 1995 Owosso Speedway Modifieds Track Champion, Todd Matheson started on the outside pole and after beating
pole-sitter, Tony Pasterino to the first corner, Matheson, in his O’Guinn Family Funeral Homes Chevrolet held off a stellar field of the finest Modifieds in the state of Michigan to score the win.
Laci Donnert finished a strong second ahead of Chris Ozanich, who won the Modifieds Feature the previous night at near-by Spartan Speedway. 10-Time Overall and Six-Time Defending Track Champion, Bill Luckhurst finished fourth over Mark Abee, who completed the Top Five.
Fast Qualifier, Travis Eddy brought home a sixth place finish ahead of Two-Time Defending Track Champion at Owosso’s sister track, Dixie Motor Speedway, Chuck Silva was next as pole-sitter Tony Pasterino, Steve Bates Jr., who started 22nd and finished a strong ninth to earn the Hard-Charger Award of the race, and Dave Christensen finished off the Top 10. Within the starting field, there were a mind-boggling 43 Track Championships won amongst the starting grid!
Eddy was the fastest Qualifier of the 24-car field on hand with a 16.104 as Nate Moon, Silva, and Abee scored heat race wins. Owosso Speedway Owners / Promoters,Rick and Jennie Miracle as well as Jeff and Pam Parish elected to start the entire field after originally planning on running a B Main.
Current RacingPartSales.com Pure Stocks Points Leader, Jimmy Stratton won his second straight Feature in his Muffler Man of Flint Chevrolet. This time around, the Lennon, Michigan driver grabbed the lead from Joyce Derminer on Lap Three and then held off a strong challenge by Pat Standley to pick up his second straight Feature Win.
16-year-old Marq Eaton continues to show why he’s the man to beat in the Fast Track Promotions Sport Stocks as the Michigan Center, Michigan teenager, grabbed the lead from pole-sitter, 17-year-old Joey Rodgers on Lap Three and from there, the driver of the Heeney’s Garage Dodge completed his second “Hat Trick” of the season by scoring his Third Feature Win of 2009.
A regular at Owosso’s sister track to the Northeast, the Dixie Motor Speedway, Saginaw, Michigan pilot, Chet Allen started on the pole of the Affordable Tire and Service Center Pro Stocks 25-lap Feature, and after a lengthy battle with outside front row starter, rookie Scott Dann, Allen in his Allen Contracting Service Chevrolet would then have to fight off fellow Dixie competitor, Don Riley to pick up his first career Owosso Speedway Feature Win.
Defending Track Champion, Leo Smith, who blew a transmission in the Feature, was the fastest qualifier out of the 17 Pro Stocks on hand as he turned a 17.024. Frary and Dann took the heat race wins.
The next event for the 2009 racing season will be on Saturday, May 30th as it is Kids Bike Night / Service Club Night / Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club Night at the speedway!
The young fans of the Big “O” will get the chance to win a bike at intermission while Service Club members who are part of groups such as; Kiwanis, Lions Club, Eagles Club, Moose Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Temple, etc., just need to show their I.D. and wear there uniform and they will get in for absolutely FREE!
Plus, it’s also the rescheduled Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (M.A.R.F.C.) Night. All 2009 members of the M.A.R.F.C. who show their membership card will also get in for FREE as well! The originally scheduled M.A.R.F.C. night on May 9th was rained out, so May 30th is the rescheduled date!
The Drive Train Specialists Pro Late Models return to action while also on the card will be the first traveling series to visit the Big “O” in 2009; The Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Michigan Legends
Series, who’ll be making their first of two appearances of the season in the Michigan Spring Regionals Day II.
The night before, the Legends cars will be at Owosso’s sister track to the Northeast, Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan for the Michigan Spring Regionals Day I.
In addition to the Michigan Legends and Pro Late Models, the RacingPartSales.com Pure Stocks and Fast Track Promotions Sport Stocks are also on the card. Modifieds and Pro Stocks will have the night off.
