Fred's Corner

September 26, 2009

The final night of points racing at Miami County Speedway was just as action packed as the season has been.  With plenty of the Good Lord’s water through the week and cool temperatures, all knew the track was going to be fast.  This season’s weather and the good old time change has caused havoc on all dirt track promoters.  Keeping moisture in the track with a beating down sun is always a challenge.  Tonight Mother Nature shined on the MCS track crew, racers and fans.  It was two and three wide racing action with over ninety five machines to take to the clay.  On the points side of the picture, basically all class track champions were pretty much locked in with the exception of the restrictor class.  But the pressure was still on as second on down in most classes could several ways.  It was a night where the racers knew they had to bring their “A game” to collect those precious points, they have worked so hard on all season long.

Rookie Kaleb Kinsler had the junior class track championship n hand with over an eighty point margin.  Devon Bolton took the heat win as last week’s winner Justin Weir took charge to take the dash and feature checkers.  Kaleb challenged Justin through out the feature and with five to go attempted a move resulting in him spinning out and taking the tail. Kaleb charged back to second as Justin claimed the flag to flag victory.  Jarrod Van Ness, Hallie Feuquay and Kayeleb Bolton rounded out the top five.

The senior class has grown through the season and looks as if it would be a good class to stick with.  Travis Walker and Corey Angel took the heat victories.  When the cash was put out for the dash and feature, Tony Carlson flexed his muscle scoring the dash and feature win.  It was a “dog fight” behind Tony and climaxed when Tater Blackford spun and set sideways at the flag stand as the field was charging to the checkers.  All avoided the powerless machine as the yellow flew and got ready for a green and white flag start and run for the checker.  Tony maintained his margin for victory over Corey Angel, Warren Mockler, Bruce Bretzman and Joe Taylor.

The wing class track championship was already locked up by Halen Shafer.  Halen opted to take a run with the non-wingers and skip the wing show.  Brad Thompson, Sam Kimmel and Logan Jarrett pulled out heat race victories.  The front row challenge was offered to Taylor Courtney and Logan Jarrett, who declined the offer.  Taylor was “hooked up and hauling” as he sliced through lapped traffic in his flag to flag charge.  Logan Jarrett probably ran one of his best races of the season, only to finish second.  Brad Thompson, Chad Gaddis and Stephanie Mockler rounded out the top five.

The non-wing class was not going to be out classed in competition or action.  Laine Hite had a hot lap crash and came back to win a heat, second in the dash and fifth in the feature.  Joe Leek, Zack Taylor and Cole Ketchum snagged the other heat race wins.  Cole also cashed in on the dash win.  Jacob Moore took the B main checkers to gain a spot in the main.  Sam Kimmel, David Herron and Krix Knox also tagged the main via the B main.  Track champion Chris Miller showed why he was the champ, taking the feature win.  However, Brandon Rose was probably the fastest car on the track taking the high side on the gas run from mid pack to a second place finish.  Joe Leek, Zack Taylor and Laine Hite finished out the top five.

The restrictor class championship was up for grabs on the night.  Some twenty points separated Garrett Miller and rookie Dax Kendall.  The pressure and heat was on.  Lauren Longbrake, Dax Kendall and Tyler Huffman took the heats.  Justin Peck took the dash money.  In the B Jorgan Montel was on the gas closing in on the win as he encountered a couple lap cars and Jorgan ended up taking a wild ride entering turn three.  Jorgan was fine however, the car did not fair well.  Kolt Kinsler went on to cruise to the B victory and his place in the main.  Tyler Ault, Tyler Gunn, Josh Daugherty and Ryan Widmer also made the d\transer.  Dax took charge of the feature and secured his first track championship in his rookie season.  Lauren Longbrake, Justin Peck, Tyler Huffman and Zach Shepler set the top five finish.  I must say that pending few advances to the other classes, this crop of restrictor drivers is going to be a hell of a battle next year.  So many drivers in this class have showed great talent this season.   What a battle.

On to the outlaw challenge. 

September 19, 2009

The season is winding down with the last points race of the season this coming weekend. It seems that all the drivers are charging to lock in a good points finish for the season, as this sport is about pride not the all mighty dollar.  It was a night of action and on the gas racing for the large crowd.  It was both fan appreciation night and Ronald  McDonald night.  Some ninety eight machines crowded the pits.

Jerrod VanNess and Justin Weir took the junior class heat race victories.  Jerrod got his first taste of victory at MCS as Justin has tasted feature victory.  Points leader, rookie Kaleb Kinsler took the dash money.  But, Justin Weir took the feature win as Kaleb took the second spot.  Jarrod Van Ness pulled off his personal best feature finish in third with a very impressive night.  Hallie Feuquay and Parker Price Miller rounded out the junior feature top five.

The senior class was seventeen cars strong.  A class that has grown this season with a few drivers doing double duty.  Retired, (well maybe) USAC Shoe Warren Mockler and Ryan Kline took the heat wins.  Ryan also pulled off the perfect night by finding victory lane in the dash and the feature.  His exciting on gas high side run placed him ahead of Joe Taylor, Warren Mockler, Bruce Bretzman and Dale Latty.

Braden Black, Tyler Gunn and Richard Dobbins took victories in the R class heats.  Tyler Huffman was the next R class driver on the night to hit victory lane as he took the dash win.   Once again the twenty two cars feature field had a problem getting the first lap in.  The first go round Shelby Larson and Jerod Eberly machines setting disabled in the front straight.  Then Tyler Ault took a scary hard flip in turn three area.  It was a marathon feature for the class with many yellows and a couple reds.  When the dust settled or the cars stopped spinning, Zach Shepler had taken his second feature win in the past few weeks.  Zach has put on a charge here late in the season.  Tyler Gunn, Tyler Huffman, Jacob Kincaid and Zach Lacy rounded out the feature five.  All “young guns” showing powering the class.

The wing class front runners were flying.  Travis Ray, Bob Bourff and Andrew Peters took heat race victories.  Wes McIntyre took the dash win.  The twenty one car feature started with Wes taking the lead and with a yellow, he ended up at the back as pressure was being applied by Andrew peters.  Andrew took the point only to have a problem with the left front wheel assembly of his machine, as he retired from the event.  West McIntyre charge from the back ended with four laps to go as it appeared a water hose let go.  That gave a four lap dash that high running Halen Shafer took command of.  Bob Bourff gave it all he could to challenge and had to settle for second.  Brian Busz, Taylor Courtney and Travis Ray made up the top five.

The non wingers once again required a B main to set the man field.  Tyler Courtney, Brandon Rose, and Lane Hite took the heat race checkers. Tyler Hewitt took the B main win, Jim Ray and Wes McIntyre turned down the front row challenge.  High flying Tyler Courtney, West McIntyre Ryan Kline and Logan Jarrett battled intensely as Kris Knox took the huggie pole route to victory lane.  Tyler collected second ahead Wes, Ryan and Logan.

One more regular program and then the Outlaw Challenge.

September 12, 2009

The race season is drawing to a close, but the action remains intense as some eighty-five cars showed to tests the clay.  And, as the night progressed it appeared to be a battle of track, machine and driver.  The track was tricky as the track prep crew made a couple trips to the clay for adjustments.  All, in all, the track provided excellent excitement for the fans as well as testing drivers skills and abilities.  And that’s really what the sport is about.  The weather was perfect for the night’s action.

Kaleb Kinsler and Justin Weir took the junior class heats.  Parker Price Miller took the cash with his dash win.  Kaleb Kinsler had the field covered and P.P.M. encountered difficulty where the track won over.  Justin Weir, last week’s winner Hallie Feuquay, Justin Harper and Devon Bolton rounded out the top five.  The restrictor class heats were taken by Braden Black, Tyler Huffman and Parker Price Miller.  Dax Kendall got hooked up and came on strong to take the money races.  He powered to the heat race cash and showed his driving ability to control the feature.  Braden Black kept pace with Dax and followed under the checkers as he flirts with his first win at MCS.  Tyler Huffman inching closer and closer to his firt feature crossed third as previous winners Garrett Miller and Zach Shepler collected the 4^th and 5^th spot. 

The win class put together a 22 car feature for their event.  Logan Jarrett, Wes McIntyre and Andrew Peters notched heat wins.  Braxton Hanft and Sam Kimmel declined the $40 front row challenge.  Passing $60 on to next week’s non wingers.  The feature turned into a marathon race with several yellows and few reds but only damaged machines and no damaged drivers.  All during the miscues Andrew Peters, Wes McIntyre and Logan Jarrett were at the front in a heated battle for position.  The three heat winners were putting on a first class show for the fans in the stands.  Andrew, Wes and Logan crossed the checkers in that order with Bob Bourff and Kris Knox rounded and the chase for the top five. 

The seniors fielded 15 cars for the feature.  Rob Parish and Ryan Kline took the heat race wins as Jeremy Glasford took the dash win over Ryan.  Ryan seemed to have the field covered running the high side with his on the gas style.  Apparently Ryan and a lap car made contact in turn three sending Ryan into a hard flip to the fence.  I did not witness this as I was bus in turn two trying to avoid Rob Parish’s quick trip through the infield.  Jeremy Glasford took over and drove to Victory Lane ahead of the charging Bruce Bretzman.  Rob Parish, Dennis Veach and Cory Angle filled the top five. 

Just when you thought the night could not become any more exciting, the non wing feature came out to end the program.  Logan Jarrett, Laine Hite and Rob Perish took heat race checkers.  Stuart Hanft ran strong taking the dash victory and Ben Taylor took the B main win way to the feature.  Stuart and Logan put on a wheel to wheel battle, but it came to an end as the two got together and their machines were damaged to end their night.  Cody Fogelsong took the point for the restart but could not fend off gasser, Chris Miller on the high sided, Laine Hite and Jordan Lambert charging.  As the checkers waved for the final time of the night Chris Miller had another MCS feature win ahead of Laine, Jordan, Cody and Sam Kimmel. 

It was an excellent night of racing action.   Also on the personal side, it was great to see veteran MCS driver Marke Monroe in the pits, home on leave from military service in the Air Force.  Also my night could not have been any brighter after seeing Fred and Linda Marlow in the stands enjoying the action.  Word has it that their new car is very close to being ready for Sonny to come out and test the clay.  Keep the Marlow family in your prayers as Fred is undergoing cancer treatment. 

Till next week …….. 

September 6, 2009

The second day of racing was regular program under cloudy skies with moisture in the air.  The good Lord blessed the racing community as the entire program was ran without any delay due to weather. 

Parker Price Miller and Jake Reif took the junior class heat wins.  Robbie Resch pulled off the dash win.  Parker Price Miller seemed to have the field covered but with less than five laps to go a steering failure ended his race.  Hallie Feuquay took the point and held the lead to the checkers to get her first feature win. 

The restrictor class required three heats and a B main to set the feature on the night.  Zach Shepler, Nick Abbott and Josh Daugherty took top spots in the three heats.  Shelby Larson took the B main to gain her sport in the feature line up.  After several attempts at a double file restart, once again the restrictors were sent to a single file restart.  Something that has happened way too many times this season.  Garrett Miller seemed to have the checkers in sight coming out of turn four but a bump by second place Matt McDonald sent Garrett towards the infield and yielded the win to Zach Shepler.  When all was sorted out Zach got his first feature win at MCS, Zach Lacy was second, Barbie Kimmel third after she charged from the back as she was involved in one of the restart fiascos and started from the rear.  Garrett gathered it up for fourth and Tyler Huffman took the fifth spot.  Garrett also took the dash win on the night. 

The wing class heat winners were Andrew Peters, Bob Bourff and Logan Jarrett.  Joshua Potts took the dash win and money.  The feature was Andrew Peters once again with Billy Perry, Blain Culp, Logan Jarrett and Trent Wilson all battling for positions.  The hard charger/hard luck of the night had to be presented to Halen Shafer.  Halen had a second place showing the previous night, but what a night can make a difference.  Mechanical problems scrapped their hot lap session, other mechanical issues put him in the pits prior to the finish of his heat.  So from the tail with the mechanical issues corrected, he made the run to a sixth place finish. 

The non wingers heat victors were Lane Hite, Zeke Lewis, Garrett Abrams, and A.J. Hopkins.  Jacob Moore powered to the B main checkers to secure a spot in the main.  Jordan Lambert who also took a second place finish the previous night had a hard night as he took second in the B to make the feature.  A.J. Hopkins and Zeke Lewis opted out of the $20 front row challenges.  A. J. Powered to the victory checkers ahead of Max McGee, Sam Kimmel, Zeke Lewis and Logan Jarrett. 

Another night of great action!  As it turned out for the Labor Day weekend, it was great weather and fantastic racing.

September 5, 2009

Labor Day weekend and the symbol of the end of summer.  It is also a traditional two day show at the Miami County Speedway.  The Saturday show is a memorial dedicated to Tim Herron and Max Lambert.  Two great men who had a great love and dedication to racing and Miami County Speedway.  Two men who are sadly missed by the racing community. 

Once again over one hundred machines were on hand to try to take the checkers for victory.  Parker Price Miller returned after last week’s absence and came away with a heat and feature win.  Kaleb Kinsler snagged the dash money.  Justin Weir had the hardest run of the night.  As PPM  had pulled away, Justin got caught behind the lapped cars of Jarrod Van Ness and Brian Bunner racing side by side for position, for several laps.  This allowed PPM to check out and Kaleb came on to take second.  Justin Harper and Hallie Feuquay rounded out the top five. 

Restrictor racers needed a B main on the evening to set the feature field.  Garrett Miller, A. J. Grimm and Jacob Kincaid snagged heat race victories.  In the B, Shelby Larson over took Lauren Longbrake on the back straight to take the B win as Tyler Gunn took the money for the dash win.  Barbie Kimmel came on to take her second feature win in a row.  Tyler Gunn, Justin Kernel, Garrett Miller and Zach Shepler rounded out the feature top five.  Jacob Kincaid seemed to have not missed a beat as this was his first race of the season and he took a heat win and finished eighth in the feature.   

The seniors were once again on hand to put on a show.  Tony Carlson, Bob Harrington and Dale Latty captured the heat race wins.  Jason O’Hara took the dash for cash money.  Dale Latty held off Joe Taylor, Dennis Veach, Jason O’Hara and Jeremy Glassford to take the seniors feature.   

A full field of wingers were on hand for the memorial.  Andrew Peters, Bob Bourff and Taylor Courtney took the heat race checkers.  The front row challenge was offered to Andrew Peters and he took the $340 offer.   From there Andrew stole the show as he motored through the traffice like a hot knife through butter.  He powered to the lead and kept the advantage even through a last shot green, white, checker restart.  Halen Shafer, Bob Bourff, Sam Kimmel and Jim Ray chased Andrew under the checkers. 

Joe Leek, Brandon Rose, Chris Miller and Blain Culp took the non wing heat races.  Jim Ray powered to the dash win and B main win to capture his place for the feature.  Joe “Geritol” Leek cut the MCS class to another feature win as Jordan Lambert had to settle for second as he tried his best to get a clean shot at Joe.  Stuart Hanft, Logan Jarrett and Cole Ketchum rounded out the top five. 

It was a great night of racing and more to come tomorrow.

August 29, 2009

The micros rocked the clay at Miami County Speedway, as over one hundred machines were again on hand for rock and roll.  It was one battle after another in the five classes.  If you keep up with the week to week action you would see from week to week the competition is fierce with no specific driver as a “shoe in” to finish in the top five let alone win a feature.  Strong one week does not mean you will be strong the next. 

Jerrod Glasford and Justin Weir took the heat race victories in the junior class.  Points leader Kaleb Kinsler a rookie this year, took control with the money races.  Kaleb took the heat money and had the feature field covered.  But behind him it was dicing for a feature position.  Devon Bolton, Jerrod Glasford, Hallie Feuquay and Justin Harper rounded out the top five on the night. 

The restrictor class came out in force requiring a B main to set the field.  Zach Shepler, Garrett Miller, and Brent Busz took the heat wins.  Zach lacey took the B win to transfer to the main with Braden Black, Cole Angle and Avery Demland.  Barbie Kimmel picked the time to shine as she put together the money races.  After she took her dash checkers, she followed p with a trip to victory lane in her feature race.  The feature was a battle throughout, but second place runner Nick Abbott tangled with a lapped car to set up a three lap run for the feature.  Barbie had it covered over Tyler Gunn, Brent Busz, Garrett Miller and Addison True. 

The senior class was once again on hand to test the MCS clay.  Jason O’Hara and Ryan Kline took the heats.  Cory Angle took the dash money and pretty much held the point the entire feature.  With six laps to go in the feature the red flag flew for the Jeremy Glasford machine as his brakes were in between the glowing and burning stage.  On the restart Cory sputtered past the restart and the victory.  Cory, Toney Carlson, Joe Taylor and Jason O’Hara round out the feature top five. 

As always the non wingers were out in force.  Jordan Lambert, Logan Jarrett, Jacob Moore and Brandon Rose took the heat race checkers.  West McIntyre took the B main win to advance.  Kris Knox, Tony Main and Ben Taylor also made the advance to the feature via the B.  Austin Lett drove a very strong race, but contact coming to the checkers ended his hard charge and night of racing. 

Jordan Lambert and Logan Jarrett had the shot at the front row challenge option.  Both drivers opted out of offer, turning down the $320 bonus for a win from the tail.  So $340 will be the offer to the wing class at next week’s Labor Day double header.  Jordan seemed to drive away from his season long bad luck as he smoothly drove to the feature checkers.  Brandon Rose worked the high side charge on Jordan to settle for second.  Ryan Kline, Jack Moore and Lain Hite followed Jordan and Brandon under the checkers.  

The win class was the third class on the night to require a B main to set the field for the feature.  Chad Gaddis, Bob Bourff and Braxton Hanft locked places in the feature with heat race wins. Braxton doubled pup on wins for the night as he took the dash win.  Kris Knox took the B to advance ahead of John DeGood, Chris Wilmer and Brittan O’Neal.  In the feature Bob Bourff put the familiar number 67 in the victory circle for the first time in a spell.  The drive looked smoother as the car appeared to be hooked up.  But behind Rob, it was a dog fight, just as it had been most of the night’s features.  Sam Kimmel charged to second as those behind Rob fought to the end.  Taylor Courtney, Halen Shafer and Chad Gaddis rounded out the top five. 

Like I said at the start, the micros rocked the MCS clay.  Next weekend is a double header Saturday night will be the Lambert/Herron Memorial and Sunday night will be a regular program.

August 8, 2009

Over one hundred ten machines filled the pits to complete last week’s rain delayed junior feature and $1000 to win non-wing bonanza, along with the regular program.  The two programs from last week were allowed to hot lap and then on with the show. 

In the junior feature that was run wingless, Parker Price Miller added another win to his red-hot season.  Justin Weir put the pressure on, finishing second.  Jarod Glasford, Deaven Bolton and Kayeleb Bolton rounded out the top five. 

Next was the big show that all had been forced to wait for an extra week compliments of Mother Nature.  Joe Leek took the low line lead with the rest of the pack in a battle to overcome the leader.  After Joe was overtaken for the lead a spin sent him to the tail and ending his $1000 hopes for the night as it was past the half way point.  Tyler Courtney took the $1000 win and his first feature win at MCS.  Shane Williamson, A.J. Hopkins, Blane Culp and Todd Kirkman rounded out the big race top five. 

Time to now hot lap for the regular program and the juniors to strap the wings back on.  Hallie Feuquay and Parker Price-Miller seemed to be on his way to another MCS junior sprint feature win with Kaleb Kisnler on the charge.  But, Parker got caught in lapped traffic and the charging Kinsler took the drive to victory lane.  Justin Weir, Parker Price-Miller, Justin Harper and Hallie Feuquay rounded out the feature top five. 

The seniors were also on hand Tony Carlson and Ryan Kline took the heat race wins.  Whitey Kendall seemed to have his heat under control when the yellow came out with a couple laps to go.  Whitey mistook the yellow for checkers and exited the track.  Rules are once you leave the track, you may not reenter.  In the senior feature, once again, lapped traffic played a key roll.  Ryan Kline had control around the halfway point but got a tap from a lapped car to send Ryan to the tail.  Joe Taylor rolled to the victory circle for the second time this season.  Tony Carlson, Bob Baker, Dennis Veach and Don Mull was the rest of the top five. 

In the restrictor action, a B main was needed to set the feature field.  Addison True, Barbie Kimmel, Wesley Spillers and Lauren Longbrake captured heat wins.  Addison came on strong to take the money in the dash.  Kyle Dantrich took the B main win to get to the feature.  Dax Kendall, Kolt Kinsler and Braden Black also used the B to go to the main.  As the night was going pretty weird with a lot of low grove racing with beating and banging.  A lot of racecars wanting the same clay.  At the start of the feature a multi-car front of the pack pile up in turn four reset the start of the field.  When the intense battle shook out, Zach Lacey made his first trip to MCS victory lane.  Matt McDonald, Kared Eberly, Brian Busz and Garrett Miller scored in as the top five. 

The non-wingers once again were in force requiring two B mains to fill the main show.  Kylee Brown, Ben Taylor, Zeke Lewis, Travis Ray and Jordan Lambert took heat victories to make their way to the feature.  As Jason Ormsby and A. J. Hopkins took command of the two B mains.  Tyler Hewitt, Wes McIntyre, Joe Leek and Cody Fogelsong also made the transfer from the B to the main.  Travis Ray and Zeke Lewis both opted to pass on the front row challenge.  That pushed the pot to $300, offered to the wing class in a couple weeks.  In a race with a lot of contact and competition for the same space, Jordan Lambert fought past Travis Ray to take the checkers.  Zeke Lewis, Ryan Kline and Kylee Brown covered the top five. 

The wing class closed out the show for the night’s program.  Andrew Peters, Logan Jarrett and Todd Kirkman took the heat wins.  Travis Ray, one of the many double class runners took the dash win.  Todd Kirkman looked to have the feature win in his hands.  Then with a couple laps to go he tangled with a lapped car in turns three and four resulting in a double flip.  Both drivers were uninjured but Todd’s hard and tough racing night was over.  Andrew Peters took the point and stormed to the win.  Travis Ray, Logan Jarrett, Tyler Courtney and Bob Bourff chased Andrew to the checkers. 

It was a tough, hot but with next week off, I am sure all will be fresh for the next event 8-22-2009.

July 18, 2009

The night was Saturday and it was the Miami County Speedway annual non wing special, with a $300 to win price tag. The weather was overcast with a cool breeze and a few sprinkles to bring out an umbrella or two. For the second week in a row some ninety machines filled the pit area. 

The junior class once again could have been the Parker Price-Miller show, but Kaleb Kinsler showed up to spoil Parkers perfect night. Parker took the heat and feature win and Kaleb pulled off the dash victory. Kaleb also led the first lap and three quarters of the feature until he and Parker got together and Kaleb spun. Kaleb did make his drive back to second place in the feature. Parker cashed in on the win, with Kaleb second, Hallie Fequay, Kayeleb Bolton and Deaven Bolton rounded out the top five. 

Tyler Gunn, Dax Kendall and Barbie Kimmel took the restrictor class heat race checkers. Nic Abbott took the cash from his dash win. The night was filled with a lot of contact racing and the restrictor class had its share of “dirty deeds done dirt cheap”. The twenty one car feature had spins and machines with mechanical malfunctions as Dax Kendall took the early lead and later over taken by Garrett Miller and hard chagrin Matt McDonald. With the leaders in lapped traffic Tyler Herschberger took a spin and Cody Penford contacted the stalled car bringing out the red flag. As the silent machines sat for the red flag, Justin Knebels car caught fans attention in front of the flag stand as his breaks were actually burning under his fuel tank as he was none the wiser to it. The MCS crew assisted the driver out of the car and took care of the flames. On the restart, more action as leader Garrett Miller has a slow start and Matt McDonald pushes him from the cone into turn four for a spin out. Garrett was out with a broken throttle cable and Matt was black flagged to end his night. First place and second place gone, so it was a brand new race to the checkers! Dax Kendall brought home the win, followed by Tyler Gunn, Braiden Black, Kolt Kinsler and Cole Angle. 

The wing class heats were taken by Logan Jarrett, Wes McIntyer and Bob Bourff. Logan Jarrett and Kris Knox wanted no part of the front row challenge, so $240 will roll to the non wingers next week end. In the 21 car feature Wes McIntire found himself upside down for the second week in a row in turn three and four, a streak I am sure he wants to see come to an abrupt end! He did try to restart wingless but aborted the action. Leader Logan Jarrett encountered mechanical problems and could not restart, to end his night premature. Kris Knox riding the low line as the leader held the point until coming to the checkers. Todd Kirkman busting from the high side all through the race came on to take the win from Kris at the stripe. Todd’s win put Kris to second with Sam Kimmel, Jason Ormsby and Bob Bourff as the top five. 

Once again the sling shots were on hand as they attempt to build a class of racers. Larry Williams took the heat win over David Rapp, but in the feature David won over Larry. 

The night’s prime event was the $300 to win non wing special. It took four heat races and two B mains to set the 20 car field. Ryan Leek, Austin Utt, Brandon Rose and Stuart Hanft cashed in on heat wins, as Stuart doubled up and took the dash money. The two B mains were battles to make the top two or load up and go home. In the first B, Travis Ray took the win and Bob Bourff placed second to make the big show out of the 14 cars. In the second B, Andrew Peters in Joe Leeks machine took the win and second went to veteran Chris Smith to make the cut of the 13 cars for the show. The show was mainly uneventful compared to the nights previous nights action. Austin Utt may not agree to the uneventful, as he ran very well all night till he flipped coming off turn four, which set up a two lap dash for the win. Zeke Lewis held the point through out the race and despite Jordan Lamberts fourth turn, high side, gas mashing wheel standing charge took the win. With Zeke’s first MCS win, Jordan was forced to settle for second as Andrew Peters charge from the back ended at third as Stuart Hanft was fourth and Ryan Leek fifth. 

It will be interesting as always to see what next week will bring on brickyard week end. As well the Kendallville Klassic will be held on Tuesday in Kendallville of course!

July 11, 2009

It seems as if it has been forever since racing at Miami County Speedway. Take away two Saturday nite programs because of the fair, then throw in a fair show between those Saturday nights on a Wednesday and do not forget to put a rain out in to the third Saturday night. So I was looking forward to some great racing action and to get back on schedule. The good Lord did put a blessing on MCS as he allowed the rain to pass to the south of the speedway and the cars came in droves to the tune of some ninety nine micro machines for the five class event. 

The junior class was once again dominated by Parker Price Miller. He found the victory circle for every race he ran. He took his heat, dash and the feature. Justin Weir, Kaleb Kinsler, Jarrod VanNess and Hallie Feuquay rounded out the feature top five. 

The restrictor class heats were won by Brent Busz, Dax Kendall and Logan Martin. Logan made it a perfect night for himself as he also collected the dash and the feature wins. The twenty one car feature field was not an easy task as Dax held the point for most of the event as Logan bided his time. Once the pass was made Dax fell to a third place finish after running hard and Garrett Miller powered to second. Garrett jumped the cushion on the start and fell back to mid pack and had to work his way through traffic to come up with the runner up spot. Brent Busz and Nick Abbott rounded out the feature top five. 

The wing class heat races were captured by Kenny Brovent, Kris Knox and John DeGood III.

Stephanie Mockler mashed the gas on the money races and took the dash and feature checkers. Steph led the twenty one car feature field to the victory ahead of Todd Kirkman, Halen Shafer, Brian Busz and Logan Jarrett. 

The senior class was on hand as Joe Taylor and Mike Stahl took the heat wins. Gary Miller three wheeled it to the heat win and Mike Stahl took the huggie pole way around to win the feature. Joe Taylor, Tony Carlson and Bruce Bretzman also done the huggie behind Mike and Gary Miller finished fifth as he just could not get the top to work for him. 

The non wingers once again was the strong in numbers class. Max McGee, Stuart Hanaft, Chris Miller and Laine Hite took the heat race wins. Austin Utt ran an excellent B main to come home the winner of the sixteen car race and transfer to the main. Tyler Courtney, Stephanie Mockler and Tyler Hewitt also used the B to make there way to the main. Stuart Hanaft and AJ Hopkins passed up the two hundred dollar front row challenge and took there spots on the front row. AJ dominated the feature as the non wingers did battle on the high side of the track. When the checkers flew AJ had the win with Stuart Hanft, Laine Hite, Chris Miller and Max McGee rounding out the top five. 

The weather was cooler, the car count high and the action was great!!!  

June 13, 2009

Once again mother mature cooperated with the racers and fans at Miami County Speedway. The cloud cover parted and the night stayed dry to provide an action packed night for the racers and the fans. And as normal the action was intense. 

In the junior class action, Parker Price-Miller put together a perfect night. If he started a race, he won it! He won the heat the dash and the feature. Kaleb Kinsler contended for the win early only to take a mid race spin and then raced his way back to second place. Hallie Feuquay, Justin Weir and Jered VanNess rounded out the feature top five. 

Shelby Larson, Matthew McDonald and Dax Kendall snagged the restrictor class heat races. Addison True put together the dash win. Cole Angle started the feature with a hard flip and crash coming out of turn two  that left him unhurt but ended his night of racing. Matt McDonald who has looked strong all season long, took control a he had the field covered. But that was not the case behind him as it was a fight for positions. And when the checkers flew, Tyler Gunn, Dax Kendall, Addison True and Braiden Black trailed Matt to the finish. 

The senior class was on hand once again. Tony Carlson and Whitey Kendall took the heat race wins. Bob Harrington came on to take the dash money. The feature was about as close as one can get. With less than five to go and a six car battle for he win, Cory Angle decided to pull the trigger to go for the win. It is all about pushing the limits, but this time it did not work as he jumped the cushion and spun. This did set up a three lap dash for the win. All were on the gas for the win and Whitey Kendall, who held the point for the major portion of the race took the victory. Joe Taylor, Rob Johnson, Gary Miller and Dennis Veach scored in as the top five. Contender Tony Carlson, spun short of the checkers to fall to a tenth place finish. 

The non-wing class was once again the class with the count. Chris Miller, AJ Hopkins, Travis Ray and Joe Leek were hat victors. Jeff Bookwalter took the B main win to transfer to the feature along with Stepanie Mockler, Austin Utt and Kylee Brown. AJ Hopkins made the most of his visit to Miami County Speedway for the season as he took the high side route to win the feature. When the checkes dropped the battle behind the finish was Jordan Lambert, Stephanie Mockler, Laine Hite and Joe Leek. Joe and Chad Gaddis did turn down the font row challenge, to pump it up to $180.00 for the next event. Also Stephanie Mockler charged to third place and on the positive side it had to be a good night for her as it started with a flip in her heat and then making her way to the feature through the B main and the charge in the feature from the back. 

The wing class was the special class for the night with extra cash and double points. Braxton Hanft, Travis Ray and Josh Knebel pulled heat race victories.  Veteran racer Mark Monroe, with many laps around MCS as well as many trips to victory lane was on leave from Air Force military service and aboard Chris Smiths machine as he took the dash cash. Once again, this was another close grindging race battle through out. Braxton Hanft took the win but it was no walk in the park by any means. A spin by Wes McIntyer set up a five lap dash to the winners circle. Blane Culp, Mark Monroe, Stepanie Mockler and Halen Shafer rounded out the feature top five. 

The dust has settled and the final two Saturday nites in June will be race free with the Miami County Fair in progress. But be sure to attend the Wednesday night

June 6, 2009

The weather baked the track during the day as the Miami County Speedway crew duped the water on the track for the night’s program, minus one.  Track prep master, Dewayne McIntire was absent from running the show.  He was in Indianapolis recovering from surgery from an infected finger problem.  The track prep crew are willing and qualified, but yet a little inexperienced at tuning the speedway clay – and with over seventy machines on hand to test their talent on the clay! 

Jered Glasford took the junior class heat and Parker Price-Miller took the money races.  Jered Van Ness was also driving a different machine.  Chasing Parker to the feature finish was Kaleb Kinsler, Jered Glasford, Hallie Feuquay and Jared Van Ness. 

Matthew McDonald, Tyler Gunn and Nick Abbot took the restrictor heat wins.  Dax Kendall powered to the dash win, collecting the cash.  Matt McDonald took the lead off the front row but failed to pull away due to numerous cautions for spins.  Then after a mid race caution due to Kolt Kinsler and Lauren Longbrake getting tangled, smooth high riding Garrett Miller overtook Matt. As Matt fought back, he got tangled with a lap car and sent to the tail.  Garrett rode in to Victory Lane with Dax kendall on the charge.  Brent Busz, Nick Abbott and Addison True rounded out the top five. 

A new class with a couple of cans performed at the speedway.  The ‘slingshot’ class had Jason O’Hara overtaking David Rapp on the tract action. 

The non-wing class, as usual was the heavy class in numbers.  Laine Hite, Travis Ray and Chad Gaddis scored heat race victories.  David Herron mastered the dash win.  John DeGood took the B main win way to the feature.  Stuart Hanft had the field covered in the feature, but behind him the next eight cars looked like a two wide trophy dash changing positions the entire race.  When it all shook loose David Herron, Jordan Lambert, Travis Ray and Laine Hite rounded out the top five. 

Blane Culp, Logan Jarrett and Wes McIntyer all scored wing heat race wins.  They all looked strong in their wins.    

Then to add to the drama Wes McIntyre, in his first visit of the season to MCS accepted the front row challenge.  This was the first acceptance of the season.  The front row challenge means that Wes would start from the back row and if he wound win, he would collect an extra bonus of $150.  So the drama was set with Wes in the back, the bonus up for him, with a lot of talent and MCS experience ahead of him.  Logan Jarrett held control till past the half way mark, when he spun in turn 4, turning over the lead to Blane Culp.  This was also Blane’s first trip of the season to the MCS clay.  And the Wes drama was on high as he ad moved p inside the top ten.  As Blane and last week’s winner Braxton Hanft battled for the lead as Wes was sticking his front nerf into the position, Braxton spun.  This set-up the dramatic three lap dash with $150 bonus up for Wes.  Wes got the lead but his motor went south and Blane went north for the feature win.  Colton Brown, Halen Shafer, Kris Knox and Logan Jarrett completed the top five for the drama filled feature. 

May 30, 2009

Mother Nature again blessed Miami County Speedway on the final week of May with a dry night.  Some seventy-eight cars rolled into the speedway ready for action.  And the fans were treated to some great tight racing action. 

The action started with hot laps that may normally have a spin or two.  Well, tonight’s hot laps saw Travis Ray upside down and Halen Shafer get upside down and waste another wing after coming into contact with the unforgiving turn two tires.  Also strong warnings were given during the drivers’ meeting concerning rough driving.  It was made quite clear that it would not be tolerated and must stop before someone gets hurt. 

The junior class heat was won by Kaleb Kinsler and then Justin Weir took the money races.  The feature was not with out interest.  Up to the half way point Kaleb held the lead over Parker Price Miller.  Parker tapped Kaleb causing a spin for Kaleb out of turn two and both were sent to the tail.  Justin Weir looked strong then the yellow came out as Brian Brunner lost a left front wheel.  Upon the restart Justin had the field covered as Parker Price-Miller and Kaleb Kinsler worked there way from the back to finish second and third.  Hallie Feuquay and Jerod Glasford rounded out the feature top five. 

Jerod Eberly, Garrett Miller and Brent Busz took the heat race victories in the restrictor class.  Matthew McDonald took the cash with his trophy dash win.  Brent Busz led the first three laps of the feature then Garrett Miller took the point with Brent and Matt McDonald in tow.  Shelby Wilson and Avery Demland’s spin slowed the action with a yellow.  But Garrett had them covered for the last seven laps.  Brent Busz, Matt McDonald, Nick Abbott and last week’s winner Dax Kendall were the top five. 

The seniors class was once again full of close tight racing.  Last week’s winner Rob Johnson took the dash win and Joe Taylor collected the cash with the dash and feature win.  Joe, Rob Johnson and Gary Miller fought for the lead as Bob Bake r fought off Dennis Veach and Tony Carlson.   Dennis broke a chain to bring out a yellow and then with 5 to go, Bob Baker took a spin to set up a five lap dash.  Joe collected the win with Rob Johnson, Gary Miller, Tony Carlson and Mike Stahl in tour. 

The non wing class heat winners were Chris Miller, Jacob Moore, Austin Utt and Ryan Leek.  Laine Hite rode out the B main win to move to the feature.  Tyler Stump and Ryan leek declined the $120 front row challenge offer.  Ben Taylor took a flip coming down to start the feature, only to be turned over to restart.  Tyler Stump seemed to have it all going his way.  With ten to go Tyler Hewitt spun and Chris Miller moved to second and Joe Leek to fourth in a few laps.  With about six laps to go Ryan Leek got sideways in three and four to set up a dash for the win.  With two laps to go Chris Miller made the pass for the victory over Tyler Stump, Joe Leek, Wayne Miller and Kris Knox. 

The wing program closed out the night’s action.  Halen Shafer and Matt Johnson took the heat race wins.  Kris Knox powered to the dash victory as the feature was a battle where Braxton Hanft held off the charge of Matt Johnson.  Helen Shafer, Kris Knox and Logan Jarrett rounded out the top five. 

May 24, 2009

Sunday’s regular program at Miami County Speedway capped off the week ends racing events. And being blessed with no rain for the week end also has its down side. Dump as much water as you can on the track and it will still not have the effect that a blessed Mother Nature short shower would give. Add to that for the week end, the hot baking sun with a lot of nice black tire rubber from the previous night and you have a track prep night mare. But the MCS crew was on it starting shortly after the final photos were taken the night before with grader work and the track just got better as the nite went on. It is dirt not pavement and I personally enjoy some rough spots to test the driver’s talent as well as the photographers to catch the wheels up and bicycles. Any way two consecutive nights of walking around in circles in the middle of the track has taken a toll on mind and body, so forgive any mistakes I may make in this report. I may have been a bit more dizzy than normal. But this is the way I saw the night action. I must say the week end was filled with some excellent racing action. It was so good that I found myself doing more watching and photographing. The aspect of viewing up close from the inside of the track has always amazed me with the driver’s ability, talent, close calls and reaction or just lucky moves. It will give you a total different perspective to the racing action and driver’s talent or luck. There is also another aspect that would freak a lot of people out totally. That’s to actually strap into a machine and drive it. Several years ago when I did, as I putted around the track, it felt much faster than I was actually going. The vision aspect is just so limited in the form of tunnel vision. You must so to speak, tune your ears to hear and be your other set of eyes. This really gave me a lot more respect for the drivers skill or luck in there actions and reactions on the track. You fans might want to start thinking about making a driver buddy, so you can talk them into bringing there machine out to play day at seasons end for you to take cruise in. An experience like no other you will ever have. So much for my expert viewing advice and opinions. Let’s get to the action on the clay. 

Since this was a Sunday program and the only local event running in the area and add the great weather, over sixty cars made the trip to the Miami County Speedway pits. Many of the drivers were visiting the speedway for the first time or at least the first time of the season. That circumstance alone can make for an interesting nights program. 

In the wing class, Ben Taylor, Stuart Hanaft and Jeff Bookwalter, all familiar with to the speedway took heat race wins. Once again the front row challenge was declined as Stuart and Jeff wanted no part of the gamble. So one hundred forty dollars will be offered up for the thirtieth of May program. It did take some time for the field to figure out how to make a clean start. But when the green finally did drop, it looked like a Bookwalter, Hanaft, Bourff fight to the end for the win. Then with five laps to go the crash and spins came back into play that plagued the start of the event. This slowed and tightened the competition. Jeff Bookwalter won the feature battle with Stuart Hanaft, Bob Bourff, Sam Kimmel and Ben Taylor rounding out the top five. 

Barbie Kimmel and Jorgen Montel took the heat wins in the restrictor class. Nick Abbott collected the cash from the dash and Dax Kendall collected his first feature win pay out from MCS. It is always a treat to witness first wins for the drivers and tonight I believe was Jorgans first heat win, Nick’s first dash win and then the very special first feature win for Dax. Barbie finished second ahead of Nick Abbott, Ben Hunley and Jorgan Montel. Previous night winner Garrett Miller deserved the hard luck award as his carbs came loose at the green of the feature ending his action for the night. 

The junior class drew more cars than normal to give the young drivers some traffic to deal with. Parker Price-Miller in just his second week end of MCS racing showed that he is a force. He had a perfect evening by winning his heat, dash and feature. Unlike the previous night, the feature was basically event free as Parker worked to earn his feature win. Early in the race Sam McGee was putting on the pressure but a spin sent him to the tail. With five to go, previous night’s winner Justin Weir mounted a charge. Parker pulled away from the pressure of Justin as Kaleb Kinsler, Jerod Glasford and Hallie Feuquay rounded out the feature top five. 

Once again the senior class put on a clinic of hard clean driving. One of those races I forgot I had a camera and got caught up in the action. Gary Miller took the heat and Toney Kinsler driving the Lynn Reid machine took the dash money. In the feature Cory Angle battled for the lead with Tony Kinsler early. Once Cory executed the pass he was on his way to the checkers as Tony, Joe Taylor, Gary Miller and Bob Baker followed. 

The non wingers have been the strong class in numbers since the addition to the program and the same held true for tonites program. Bob Bourff coming off a victory in the wing class the previous night took the first heat victory, Brandon Rose and Max McGee took the others. Jordan Lambert seemed to turn his early season bad luck back around as he collected the dash win. Stephanie Mockler raced her way into the feature with the b main victory. In the feature Jordan Lambert and Chris Miller basically ran side by side the entire race it seemed, my guess is it was because Laine Hite and Brandon Rose were behind them doing the same and there was no room for anyone to fall into second place. Get the picture, excellent on the gas, close racing that looked at times as if it was a high speed two abreast four car restart to the green. Chris Miller took the high side he occupied most of the race out of turn four for the checkers. And it worked to give him the slim victory over Jordan. Brandon Rose, Laine Hite and Sam Kimmel rounded out the top five. 

With the dust settling and the engines off, we can now look at next week end. It will be a regular program with the senior class once again on the schedule.     

 May 23, 2009

Racing,May, Memorial Day and Indiana all seem to go together as a tradition. Nothing is more touching to me than to hear Jim Neighbors sing “Back Home Again in Indiana” during the Indy 500 pre-race ceremony. I am not sure why, maybe because it is that I am a race fan of true grass roots racing, pondering the past of my early years when racers made there way from the clay to the yard of bricks on talent and not dollars. My early day’s interests started just before the foreign invasion of Indy car racing. Or maybe it was due to the times that I was forced to spend time away from Indiana due to my choice to enter the Air Force and ultimately make it my career choice. It may have been a combination of both and many other factors. Memorial week end  is a time to pay tribute to those who have served and died for our country and also this program is the Denny Miller memorial. Denny was a racer, promoter, intavater to the Micro world as well as dedicated to Miami County Speedway to keep it simple. Sunday will be the regular program with the seniors racing both nites. 

The good Lord blessed the MCS with just a few sprinkles as storms reacted in the areas all around the racing complex. The weather was excellent, the program was competitive as well as full of action with a few accidents. 

The junior class division was pretty rough on junior class point’s leader Jerod Glasford. But you could tell that the racer sure never gave up. He took a tumble in his heat to trash the wing and continue topless. Then during the feature with a barrowed wing from the Feuquay racing team, he was charging from the back and found his self at the wrong place at the wrong time  to force him into topless racing once again. But the positive note is that even with a wingless disadvantage he raced hard to a third place feature finish. The class was also full of firsts. Jerod Van Ness took the trophy dash win for his first win. Justin Weir made his first trip to MCS and took the heat and feature win. Kaleb Kinsler, Jerod Glasford, Hallie Feuquay and Brian Bunner rounded out the feature top five. 

The restrictor action was just as intense as the other classes. Nick Abbott and Addison True took the heat wins. Tyler Gunn came on to beat out Nick Abbott and Addison True to take his first dash win. At the start of the feature Dakota Busche got everyone’s attention  when he got sideways and airborne going into turn one. Dakota was uninjured and continued wingless. Jerod Eberly also took a tumble in the feature as did Nick Abbott when he felt the pinch from lapped traffic. When the red flag  was put away and the checkers flew, Garrett Miller added another feature win to his resume. Addison True, Tyler Gunn, Wesley Spillers and Zack Tieke rounded out the top five. 

The senior class was back in action as Gary Miller and Mike Stahl took heat wins. Rob Johnson took the cash races in his first visit to the speedway this season. The feature was probably the best of the night . Gary Miller stayed all over and tried everything he could the entire race to take Rob  clean. Also Tony Kinsler started in the back in the Lynn Reid machine  and put on a classic “on the gas” charge to third place. Whitey Kendall and mike Dobbins rounded out the feature top five. 

Matt Johnson and Logan Jarrett took the wing class heat wins. Veteran Kris Knox held off Bob Bourff and Matt Johnson to take the dash money. This was Bob and Matt’s first trip  to the Miami County clay this season. Logan Jarrett looked to be the man to beat in the feature until a mechanical malfunction caused his power plant to stall  and veteran Bob Bourff  charged to the win ahead of Matt Johnson, Ben Taylor, Jeff Bookwalter and Halen Shafer. This put an end to Halen streak of wins as it was a night that tests the patience of a driver for the youngster. A flip in the heat put him at the rear for the start of the feature for his charge. The good side is that it is easier to start a streak than to keep it going and I am sure Halen is eager to get the new one started.

Once again the non wingers were the majority in numbers. Bob Bourff, Joe Leek and Chris miller took the heat victories. Tyler  Hewitt took the B main checkers to earn his spot in the feature. It was a heated battle that Joe “Geritol” Leek notched his second feature win in a row. Bob Bourff  kept constant pressure on Joe, giving him no time to relax as he fell just short of making it a double win feature night for Bourff racing. Brandon Rose, Chris Miller and Stuart Hanft completed the feature top five.