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7/23/2022
Payton Freeman
Freeman finishes second in DIRTcar Summer Nationals point standings
On Wednesday, Payton Freeman followed the DIRTcar Summer Nationals to Thunderbird Raceway (Muskegon, Mich.) to wrap up the final week of the grueling tour. (Terry page photos)
Shortly after time trials wrapped up, a rain shower postponed the remainder of the program to Sunday.
The following night at Butler Motor Speedway (Butler, Mich.), Freeman locked into the third-starting spot for the feature via qualifying times with a storm looming. Losing one position in the 40-lap affair, Payton posted a fourth-place finish. He followed Billy Moyer Jr., Chad Finley, and Dona Marcoullier across the line with Eric Spangler coming in fifth.
For the $10,000-to-win event on Friday at Tri-City Motor Speedway (Auburn, Mich.), Payton was forced to take a provisional into the show after missing a transfer spot in his heat and B-Main. Improving four spots in the 40-lapper, Freeman crossed the line in 15th.
On Saturday evening at Merritt Speedway (Merritt, Mich.), Freeman laid down the fastest lap in his group before placing second in his heat. With $10,000 on the line in the feature, Payton faded back to finish 15th.
With Sunday’s rescheduled event Thunderbird Raceway (Muskegon, Mich.) rained out, Payton finished second in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals point standings as a rookie.