7/19/2014
Winston Speedway
Fans Enjoy 11 Feature Events at Winston Speedway
Rothbury, Michigan (Saturday, July 19th, 2014): The gates opened on Saturday for a jam-packed show for the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of the Winston Speedway in Montague, Michigan. The night began with the running of the makeup features from July 12th for the UMP DIRTcar Late Models, UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, and Four-Cylinder Warriors. This was followed by the scheduled show featuring the second visit from the MORA mini outlaws, Plus the UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, Factory Stocks / Bombers, Mini Stocks, Warriors, and Young Guns.
The night began with the running of the July 12th make-up features. Six time & defending track champion Rich Neiser picked up the UMP DIRTcar Late Model event. The defending UMP DIRTcar Stock Cars National Champion Josh Frye won the 15-lap UMP Street Stocks Feature. Mike Goodwin scored the victory for the Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Brian Carson won in the Mini Stocks.
The regular show began with the running of the 10-lap Young Guns A-Main. Hedi Barnhard and Kristina Johnson led the field down to the green. Johnson took the lead after lap 1. She would never look back from there as she would hold off the other opponents for the win.
This was the second win of the year for the 16-year old from Grant, Michigan in the I.O.D.Retail Display’s / Dodge. Morgan Smith finished second. Hedi Barnhard, Baile Wynbelt, and Zach Burmester completed the top five. Johnson was also the heat winner.
The UMP DIRTcar Modifieds entered the speedway led by Aaron Morey and Steve McClees. Once the green flag waved it was McClees who took the lead. He was able to hold his line throughout the race, until on lap 18 David Mielke would power his way to the lead and ended up taking the win.
The 22-year old driver from Gladwin, Michigan of the Krompetz Elevators / Rocket by Ruhlman Racecar picks up his eighth win of the season at Winston Speedway. Aaron Morey, Kevin Cavanaugh, and defending track champion Andy Sprague rounded out the top five. McClees and Morey won the heat races.
The Factory Stocks / Bombers were led out next by Mike Fekken and Dan Wilson Jr. Wilson would take the early advantage. Josh Grabe would be the only driver able to hang with Wilson as the race continued, but there would be no stopping the driver of the #57 from leading every lap of the 15-lap affair and get the win.
Wilson, the 35-year old that calls Muskegon, Michigan home earns his sixth win of the year behind the wheel of the A&A Manufacturing #57. Grabe was forced to settle for the second place finish. Fekken, Jerid Bisson, and Bethany May capped off the top five. The lone heat race was also won by Wilson.
The front row of Matt Pickard and the 2012 UMP DIRTcar Late Models Michigan State Champion Brandon Thrilby led out the 25-lap UMP DIRTcar Late Models feature race. Thirlby shot off like a rocket with the lead with everyone else fighting for position behind him. He would be able gain a healthy advantage over the rest of the field, and despite having to maintain his position through several restarts he would lead the entire feature event from green to checker and pick up the win.
This was the 27-year old Traverse City, Michigan driver’s second win of the year in the Thirlby Automotive / Rocket Chassis. Rich Neiser finished second. Alan Vochaska, Mike Wilbern, and the defending UMP DIRTcar Late Models Michigan State Champion Eric Spangler made up the top five. The heat races were won by Vochaska and two time track champion Tom Sprague Jr.
Chuck Smith and defending track champion Sadie Klein led out the 20-lap UMP DIRTcar Street Stock feature event. The green flag waved and it was Klein who took the lead on the opening lap. However following that, on lap 2 it would be Josh Frye making the pass for the lead. He would put distance between himself and the rest of the field, and go on from there to pick up another Winston Speedway victory.
The 30-year old Coopersville, Michigan driver gets his sixth win of the year in the Driftwood Bar & Grill / Chevrolet. Jeremy Holman would finish second. Klein, Smith, and Derek Poland rounded out the top five. Smith won the heat race.
The 12-lap Four-Cylinder Warriors feature was out next. Mike Goodwin and Melissa Sprague made up the front row. Goodwin took the advantage after the field fired off with the drop of the green. He would end up leading the entire race from green to checker and get the win.
This was the seventh victory for the Muskegon, Michigan driver of the #34. Chris Gagnon took the runner up finish. Buck Spencer, Brian Hammond, and defending track champion Tim Stafford finished the top five. Gagnon and Gary Larabee won the heats.
The Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks made their way out for their 12-lap A-MAIN. Brian Carson and Chad Tomczak were on the front row. Carson would be the driver able to take the lead after lap one. He would go on to lead every lap of the race and make another visit to the winners circle.
Carson, the 39-year old from North, Muskegon driving the Reliable Towing #1040 picks up his sixth win of the season. Tomczak finished just behind in second. John McCaul Jr., Rob Ream, and Josh Bisachy rounded out the top five. Carson was also the winner of the lone heat race.
Finally, the MORA mini outlaws hit the speedway for their 15-lap feature. When it was all said and don it would be Traverse City, Michigan native Doug Rousch picking up the win.
This Saturday July 26th the Winston Speedway will be running another 7 in 1 full show. The show will be headlined by the Kenny Blondeel Memorial for UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks going head to head for $500 to win presented by Port City Racecars. The show will also feature the UMP DIRTcar Late Models, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Factory Stocks / Bombers, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns. Plus, the makeup features for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Factory Stocks / Bombers, and Young Guns from July 12th will be ran at the start of the program as well. Plus all kids 11 & under will get in FREE with a paying adult. The Pit Gates Open at 3:30p.m., Grandstands Open at 4:30p.m., Practice Starts at 5:30p.m., and Racing Begins at 7:00p.m.
Winston Speedway is located at 7834 South 72nd Avenue in Montague, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 737-9223 or go to the website located at: www.racewinston.com You can also follow everything that is happening on and off the track by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page and following along on Twitter as well. Just go to: www.facebook.com/WinstonSpeedway and www.twitter.com/WinstonSpeedway and click on “Like" and “Follow” buttons today.
Article Credit: Brian Osborne
Submitted By: Brian Osborne