7/20/2025
Birch Run Speedway
No one hits a double on double features night!
After going a month with no racing, the Birch Run Speedway and Event Center thundered to life under perfect weather conditions for Double Features and Autograph night (Part 1/Take 3)! With no heat races, the only preliminary event was the qualifying round. Recipients of the Backroad Beaute' Salon Fast Time Awards went to:
Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks: Bruce Dunton Jr 17.193
Backroad Beaute' Salon American Race Trucks: Darren Burton 16.708 (New Track Record)
Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks; Tim Lahar 17.174
Limited Late Models: Bob Farley 16.804
Rookie competitor John Puckett and 2023 Champion Mike Mosier set the tone for the start of the Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stock Feature. After a few early cautions in the 15-lap affair, Mosier snagged the lead. Lonnie Saumier and Jim Miller Jr moved from their seventh and eighth starting spots to challenge Mosier. Saumier got by and looked to be on his way to winning his second feature of 2025. However, coming off turn four to take the checkered, Saumier's transmission gave out, sending the M15 spinning and the rest of the field scattering. Saumier's misfortune allowed point leader Jim Miller Jr to take the win. Chris Wilber had his career-best finish in second with Mosier, Anthony Williams, and Puckett completing the top five.
Feature number one for the Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks saw Johnny Hayden emerge victorious. The Durand, MI driver of the #64 made a daring three-wide move to the inside of Jim Miller Sr and Chaz Taylor early in the 20-lap race to grab the lead and never relinquished it on his way to his first win of 2025. Larry Plamondon, Duane Damon, Tim Lahar, and Taylor finished second through fifth.
New track record holder in the Backroad Beaute' Salon American Race Trucks, Darren Burton started seventh and by lap 7 took over the race lead and would go on to score his second 2025 feature win at Birch Run. Trailing Burton at the checkers were Brad Reseigh, Mark Wilcox, Scott Arden, and Cameron DeLong.
The Limited Late Models saw Dalton Worthy pick up his first career win at Birch Run Speedway in feature number one. The handling went away on Worthy's number 22 late in the race, allowing Bob Faley to close to striking distance, but the Alger, MI driver was able to hold off the veteran Farley. Shawn Edmonds finished third ahead of Matt Mueller and Josh Hahn.
Feature two for the Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks saw veteran racer, Bill Livesay, break a 20-plus year feature win drought! Livesay started on the pole and led every lap on his way to victory lane. Lonnie Saumier Jr finished second, Bruce Dunton Jr third, Miller Jr fourth, and Anthony Williams fifth.
The Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks' second feature witnessed a terrific battle for the lead between Tim Lahar and Larry Plamondon. Plamondon tried multiple times to pass Lahar to the inside with no luck. Moving to the high side entering turn three, Plamondon's efforts worked coming out of turn two as the Clio, MI driver powered to the lead and the win. Completing the top five were Duane Damon, Johnny Hayden, John Leonard, and Chaz Taylor.
Greg Long III started third and eventually checked out on the field to score his second Backroad Beaute' Salon American Race Trucks feature of the season. Darren Burton, who had a flat and went to the tail of the field, charged back for a second-place finish. Finishing behind Burton were Matthew Wilcox, Mark Wilcox, and Ricky Gillett.
From a fifth-place finish in race one to victory lane in race two, Josh Hahn started on the pole and led every lap to claim victory in the Limited Late Models. The Saginaw, MI driver beat out Shawn Edmonds, Bob Farley, Dalton Worthy, and Matt Mueller to take the win.
This Friday is the return of the thrills and spills of the Monster X Metals and Gold Eve of Destruction! Push and Pull races, Front and Rear Wheel Drive Flagpole races, the Back to School race, an Enduro Figure 8, and the return of the School Bus Figure 8s, will all highlight the action! Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.birchrunevents.com
On Saturday, July 26th, the Motor Mania!! Timeless Steel Car, Truck, and Bike show will take place. Stunt shows, burnout contests, mechanical bull, dunk tank, tattoo artist, and more will be ongoing throughout the day. The first 25 children through the gate will get a mini trophy to give to their favorite car, truck, or motorcycle. Plus, there will be a bounce house, water slide, and more! The show starts at 11 and is 10 dollars to get in. Kids 12 and under are free, and all activities inside the gates are free. Gas Alley Bar and Grille will be open as well!
All photos courtesy of Charlotte Lyons Photography and Peyton Taylor
Submitted By: Charles Darling
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