Post by George Keen on Aug 17, 2008 23:33:53 GMT -4
Sprague and Lynn Take Championship Races at Winston Speedway
Friday August 15th saw the final stretch of the race season begin at Winston Speedway. It was the start of Season Championship races. The Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model Division and Port City Racing Sportsman division were the center of attention on the night as they were the first of the five divisions at Winston to battle for bragging rights and trophies. Fans witnessed 104 race cars compete under perfect weather conditions. Patrons of Winston Speedway continue to show their support for the efforts of owners Tom & Lois Sprague. Finding a place to sit at Winston has been a pleasant problem. Dirt Track racing at Winston is alive and well!
Twenty-eight Late Models were on hand to battle in their 30 lap Season Championship race. The starting grid for their main event was based upon the top twenty drivers in points, and two transfer spots from a consolation feature. Earning the right to be on the first row were Rich Neiser and Matt Pickard. Neiser jumped to the early lead, but it was not long before Tom Sprague Jr from his third starting position was up front. On Lap three Sprague Jr used the high side grove going down the backstretch to take the lead. By lap twelve Sprague Jr was making his way through traffic a half lap in front of his brother Andy Sprague who had battled his way by Pickard and Neiser. Only two cautions in the last four laps slowed Sprague Jr. Each restart Sprague was able to pull away from the pack. Sprague willingness t o run right on the edge of the high side paid off tonight as he picked up his division leading 5th feature event win this season. Andy Sprague held onto the second spot over Neiser and Pickard. Kyle Borgman completed the top five. Heat race winners were Andy Sprague, Jim Fairbanks, and Brian McQueen. The top transfer spot in the consolation feature was won by Roger Brooks.
The Sportsman division for the last two seasons has seen the brother team of Ralph and Rob Sternberg grab many headlines. The brothers lined up side by side at the start of the 25 lap Sportsman Championship race. Ralph Sternberg gained the early lead after the two raced into turn one battling door to door. Contact between the two turned out to be the demise of Rob Sternberg as a tire would go flat on lap two while running second. Ralph’s luck was no better as he spun out in turn two handing the lead over to Chad Weinrick. Staring in the eleventh position Mike Lynn was on the move. Lynn proved it did not matter what line he ran. His car was the fastest of the night. Lynn was able to pass Weinrick running low with twelve laps to go only to see a caution wave re sulting with the lineup to revert to the previous lap. Weinrick switched grooves in an effort to maintain the lead, only to see Lynn go around him on the outside with four laps to go. Once out front there was no stopping Lynn. He picked up his first win of the season and claimed the Trophy as Season championship winner. Chad Weinrick’s second place helped him make up some ground in a points battle that looks to go down to the final night of racing. Mike Anderson was third followed by Larry Passenier and Points Leader Ralph Sternberg. Heat races were won by Dan Wilson and Weinrick.
When the racing flag is waving green, there is no change foreseen in the Modified division. John McCaul has been brutal on his competitors. Mike Wilbern had the best race of his season going until he saw McCaul on his outside making a pass with five to go. McCaul had charged his way to the front for the thirteenth time this season in fourteen tries. With just two weeks of the regular season left, could the one other winner (Greg Smith) this season be a trivia question for the future. Wilbern was able to hold onto second over a hard charging Greg Smith. Dan Dykman and Derek Poland completed the top five. Dykman and Wilbern garnered heat race wins.
Veterans Bill May and Scott Erickson raced each other hard and clean out front for the Factory stock win. This not could be said for the rest of the field as seven cautions flew behind them in their fifteen lap event. When you combine experience with inexperience, it can make for very entertaining racing. Scott Erickson knows that no one wants to lose worse than Bill May. As the two drivers raced lap after lap many were wondering when May was going to force the issue to get to the front. It was not until the final lap when May left the rear of Erickson’s bumper to dive inside. May’s efforts came up a foot short at the finish line, but his actions proved him as a champion. Erickson’s win was his first of the season. Completing the top five were Tony Weinrick, Derek Passenier and Mike Pickard. Heat race wins went to Erickson, Chuck Smith and Robby S ternberg. Passenier earned the top spot in the Consolation Feature to transfer to the Main event.
Luke Near continues to be the man to beat in the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division. Starting in the tenth position Near was out front by lap five and never looked back. Near also won his heat race and the “Dash for Cash” event. Carl McCann was the best of the rest finishing ahead of CJ Rector, Brandon Tramper and Colen Parker in the Main event. Brandon Tramper was also a Heat Race winner.
Just two weeks remain for Track Champions to be crowned. Other than John McCaul in the Modifieds there is no clear front runner. Look for the action Friday August 22nd to be fast and furious as the headline events include three Season Championship races. Mini Stock, Factory Stock, and Modified divisions will be the center of attention. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
For complete results visit: www.winstonmotorspeedway.com
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Mark Jalovec
Friday August 15th saw the final stretch of the race season begin at Winston Speedway. It was the start of Season Championship races. The Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model Division and Port City Racing Sportsman division were the center of attention on the night as they were the first of the five divisions at Winston to battle for bragging rights and trophies. Fans witnessed 104 race cars compete under perfect weather conditions. Patrons of Winston Speedway continue to show their support for the efforts of owners Tom & Lois Sprague. Finding a place to sit at Winston has been a pleasant problem. Dirt Track racing at Winston is alive and well!
Twenty-eight Late Models were on hand to battle in their 30 lap Season Championship race. The starting grid for their main event was based upon the top twenty drivers in points, and two transfer spots from a consolation feature. Earning the right to be on the first row were Rich Neiser and Matt Pickard. Neiser jumped to the early lead, but it was not long before Tom Sprague Jr from his third starting position was up front. On Lap three Sprague Jr used the high side grove going down the backstretch to take the lead. By lap twelve Sprague Jr was making his way through traffic a half lap in front of his brother Andy Sprague who had battled his way by Pickard and Neiser. Only two cautions in the last four laps slowed Sprague Jr. Each restart Sprague was able to pull away from the pack. Sprague willingness t o run right on the edge of the high side paid off tonight as he picked up his division leading 5th feature event win this season. Andy Sprague held onto the second spot over Neiser and Pickard. Kyle Borgman completed the top five. Heat race winners were Andy Sprague, Jim Fairbanks, and Brian McQueen. The top transfer spot in the consolation feature was won by Roger Brooks.
The Sportsman division for the last two seasons has seen the brother team of Ralph and Rob Sternberg grab many headlines. The brothers lined up side by side at the start of the 25 lap Sportsman Championship race. Ralph Sternberg gained the early lead after the two raced into turn one battling door to door. Contact between the two turned out to be the demise of Rob Sternberg as a tire would go flat on lap two while running second. Ralph’s luck was no better as he spun out in turn two handing the lead over to Chad Weinrick. Staring in the eleventh position Mike Lynn was on the move. Lynn proved it did not matter what line he ran. His car was the fastest of the night. Lynn was able to pass Weinrick running low with twelve laps to go only to see a caution wave re sulting with the lineup to revert to the previous lap. Weinrick switched grooves in an effort to maintain the lead, only to see Lynn go around him on the outside with four laps to go. Once out front there was no stopping Lynn. He picked up his first win of the season and claimed the Trophy as Season championship winner. Chad Weinrick’s second place helped him make up some ground in a points battle that looks to go down to the final night of racing. Mike Anderson was third followed by Larry Passenier and Points Leader Ralph Sternberg. Heat races were won by Dan Wilson and Weinrick.
When the racing flag is waving green, there is no change foreseen in the Modified division. John McCaul has been brutal on his competitors. Mike Wilbern had the best race of his season going until he saw McCaul on his outside making a pass with five to go. McCaul had charged his way to the front for the thirteenth time this season in fourteen tries. With just two weeks of the regular season left, could the one other winner (Greg Smith) this season be a trivia question for the future. Wilbern was able to hold onto second over a hard charging Greg Smith. Dan Dykman and Derek Poland completed the top five. Dykman and Wilbern garnered heat race wins.
Veterans Bill May and Scott Erickson raced each other hard and clean out front for the Factory stock win. This not could be said for the rest of the field as seven cautions flew behind them in their fifteen lap event. When you combine experience with inexperience, it can make for very entertaining racing. Scott Erickson knows that no one wants to lose worse than Bill May. As the two drivers raced lap after lap many were wondering when May was going to force the issue to get to the front. It was not until the final lap when May left the rear of Erickson’s bumper to dive inside. May’s efforts came up a foot short at the finish line, but his actions proved him as a champion. Erickson’s win was his first of the season. Completing the top five were Tony Weinrick, Derek Passenier and Mike Pickard. Heat race wins went to Erickson, Chuck Smith and Robby S ternberg. Passenier earned the top spot in the Consolation Feature to transfer to the Main event.
Luke Near continues to be the man to beat in the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division. Starting in the tenth position Near was out front by lap five and never looked back. Near also won his heat race and the “Dash for Cash” event. Carl McCann was the best of the rest finishing ahead of CJ Rector, Brandon Tramper and Colen Parker in the Main event. Brandon Tramper was also a Heat Race winner.
Just two weeks remain for Track Champions to be crowned. Other than John McCaul in the Modifieds there is no clear front runner. Look for the action Friday August 22nd to be fast and furious as the headline events include three Season Championship races. Mini Stock, Factory Stock, and Modified divisions will be the center of attention. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.
For complete results visit: www.winstonmotorspeedway.com
--
Mark Jalovec