6/1/2019
Tri-City Motor Speedway
5/31/2019 Race Results
05/31/2019 Dolney RV Center Night
- American Racing Products Late Models: #2 Travis Stemler
- Suspension MAXX Street Stocks: #02 Will Stanley
- Thornton Brothers Sewer and Septic Service Bomber Stocks: #10 Austin Vennix
- Walker’s Ideal Trophies Mini Wedge: #28 Kyron DeShano (Jr. Division)
- Allstar Performance IMCA Modified: Rescheduled for 06/07/2019
- Members First Credit Union Pro Stocks : Rescheduled for 06/07/2019
Vennix Vaporizes Field To Win Bomber Stock Special
05/31/2019 (Auburn MI) Racing at Tri-City Motor Speedway closed out the month of May with 110 cars and drivers packing the pit area of the Auburn oval. With the weather finally feeling more summer-like, fans also flocked to see how their favorites would fair at the end of the evening. However, like it has been most of the 2019 season, not only did the drivers race each other but they also had to race Mother Nature. Dolney RV Center along with the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club were also on hand as sponsors of the evening’s events. The Pro Stock and IMCA Modified classes weren’t able to compete in their features due to storms that moved across the area later in the evening, but the racing that was completed put the fans at the edge of their seats.
The Thornton Brother Sewer and Septic Service Bomber Stocks held their annual special event. The feature was lengthened to 24 laps paying $519 to the winner. A season high twenty drivers took the green flag for the money race. Pole sitter #15K Paul Streeter and #10 Austin Vennix paced the field for the initial lap before Vennix took full control. Three and four-wide battles were waged throughout the field as the highly competitive field of front-wheel drive cars fought for every inch of the racing surface. Vennix, somehow, was able to survive the numerous cautions and restarts to lead all 24 circuits to pick up his first feature of the season and the biggest of his career. He managed to hold off strong challenges from #03 Josh Charbonneau, #18 Ethan Robarts, #9 Kyle Whaler, and #25 Don Frohm who all finished the evening within the top five. Defending track Champion #7 Johnny Staszak won his heat race but mechanical issues sent him home with a nineteenth place finish in the main event. Robarts and Frohm picked up the other two heat race wins.
The previous week it was #26 Brennan DeShano that took the checkered flag in the Walker’s Ideal Trophies Mini Wedge feature. This week it was pole sitter #28 Kyron DeShano who would end up in the winner’s circle as he mastered the newly configured Mini wedge track. He led all ten laps on his way to his first win of this season. Just like last week, defending Champion #54 Addison Clink would have to settle for a runner-up finish. Heat race winner #12 Morgan Bujarski, B. DeShano and #27 Pierson DeShano completed the top five finishers.
The Suspension MAXX Street Stock division saw a lot of attrition eliminating top contenders throughout the evening. In the preliminary qualifier races, both #3 Mitch Clements and #94 David Lester rolled their cars. Both would walk away from their heavily damaged vehicles and ending their night. Those qualifying heats were captured by #18N Nick Putnam, #85 Al Spiekerman, and #99B Joe Barrons. The last chance qualifier was won by veteran #91 Gary Shank. Numerous lead changes took place throughout the 20-lap main with drivers including #41 Nathan Schmitter who led the opening lap. Multi-time track Champion #7R Dave Newcomb led a majority of the race looking for his first victory in three seasons. He was committed to the bottom groove as he was in a constant set of battles amongst point leader #20 Kyle Thomas, last week’s winner #72 Bobby Kosha, #23 Rick Spencer, #02 Will Stanley, and Putman. In the closing laps, Kosha, trying to steal the low line made contact with Newcomb which sent Newcomb across the track collecting Spencer and nearly put Thomas on his roof. None of the drivers were able to continue and finished outside the top ten in the final order. Stanley, who had been running third prior to the crash, inherited the lead and was able to hold off Putman, #10F Michael Findley Jr., Barrons, and 18th place starter #98R Ricky Smith for his first win of 2019.
After having the previous week off, the American Racing Products Late Model drivers were itching to get out on the speedway and turn some fast laps in the bull ring. Lake City driver #27 Eric Spangler, Breckenridge’s #9 Isaac Wolfgang, and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame driver #21D David Hilliker took heat race gold earlier in the evening. It was #55 Jeep Van Wormer surviving to win the last chance qualifying race. Van Wormer would end up being a factor in the 30-lap main event as he sliced his way from 16th starting position to be within the lead group just past the halfway point of the 30-lap affair. Rookie #23 Preston DeShano got to lead a lap from his front row starting position before Wolfgang took over. Wolfgang looked to be the class of the field as he would have a comfortable lead at times. That would all change once he caught the back of the field. Slower traffic bunched up the leaders as Wolfgang often found himself caught behind drivers racing alongside each other. This allowed #2 Travis Stemler to sneak up on Wolfgang. Stemler took the lead for good with about 8 laps remaining and masterfully worked through the traffic to take the checkered flag. Van Wormer snuck past Wolfgang in the closing laps to take home second place. Wolfgang, Spangler, and #113 Kyle Roberts completed the top five finishers.
The Members First Credit Union Pro Stocks did not get an opportunity to run their main event as rain moved into the area before their event could be run. #27 Rob Westergard and point leader #69 Nate Murphy won their heat races. They will make up the rained out feature next Friday night.
The same weather issues caused the rescheduling of the Allstar Performance IMCA Modified feature event to next Friday night. Preliminary heat races were won by #D42 Don Sautter, #615 Chad Wernette, and defending Champion #79 Nate Jones. Their feature will be the first race on the track this coming Friday night.
Not only will there be double features for the IMCA Modified and Pro Stock division, but it is also the very popular Late Model Power Ball Night! Someone in the main grandstands will win $100 if they have the winning power ball number at the end of the Late Model feature. In addition, the Late Models will be running for a $5,000 top prize presented by Midland Steel!!! The best Late Model Drivers in the Midwest will be on hand to try and take home the fistful of cash! Essexville residents that show their ID at the main gate will get their admission for only $10!! IMCA Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Street Stocks, Bomber Stocks, Mini Wedge (6-9 yr), Mini Wedge (10-14 yr) will all be back on the track! Purchase your tickets online early at www.tricityracetrack.com and get here early to claim your seat! For contact information, directions, and instantaneous race results visit www.tricityracetrack.com.
Article Credit: Roger Williams
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