5/31/2014
Winston Speedway
Winston Speedway Sends Seven Drivers To Victory Lane on Saturday Night
Rothbury, Michigan (Saturday, May 31st, 2014): The 2014 race season continued Saturday evening at the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile semi banked dirt oval of the Winston Speedway located just east of Rothbury, Michigan. The weekly racing program was again headlined by the UMP DIRTcar Late Models. They were joined by the UMP DIRTcar Modifeds, UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, Factory Stocks / Bombers, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns. The crowd was also entertained by a fascinating roll-over contest as well.
The main event features began with the UMP DIRTcar Late Models who were led out by former track champion Tom Sprague Jr. and Bill Workman ready to race hard for 25-laps. After the green flag dropped Sprague wasted absolutely no time in getting out front for the early lead. Despite what the rest of field would tried to do nothing would get in the way of Sprague Jr. going all the way to victory lane.
This was the first win of the year for the 30-year old Muskegon, Michigan driver behind the wheel of his Sprague’s Auto Parts / Rocket Chassis. Six time and defending track champion Rich Neiser finished in the runner up spot. Aaron Morey, Bill Bray, and 2012 UMP DIRTcar North Region Late Model champion Brandon Thirlby completed the top five. Morey and Thirlby were the preliminary heat race winners.
The UMP DIRTcar Modifieds rolled out for their 25-lap main event. Steve Fairbanks and Jeff Erickson Jr. started things off on the front row. However it was Andy Sprague who took the lead in the early going. The competition would prove to be no match for the defending track champion who was able to pull out to an extended lead and went on to take home the checkered flag.
This was the first win of the year at Winston Speedway for the 32-year old from Muskegon, Michigan driving the Spague’s Auto Parts / Rocket by Ruhlman Racecar. Fairbanks had to settle for second, Erickson Jr., Stan Dodds, and Derek Passenier finished the top five. The heats were won by Passenier and Dodds.
Defending track champion Tim Stafford and Melissa Sprague led out the Four-Cylinder Warriors feature event where the drivers competed for a special $300 to win special presented by Arizona Charlie’s Truck & Auto Sales. Chuck Peterson II took the early advantage and was able to never look back from there as he was able to pick up the big win.
The 23-year old driver from Ionia, Michigan made his way to victory lane in his Bert’s Glass / Dodge. He finished just ahead of Mike Goodwin who took second place. Gary Larabee, Paul Namey, and Randy Larabee capped off the top five. Namey and Goodwin won the heats.
The Young Guns were led out by Madison Crane and Chelsey Allen. It did not take long for current point leader 16-year old Trent Musk find his way to the front and put a healthy distance between himself and the rest of the field and was able to capture his sixth win in a row.
The Muskegon, Michigan driver won in his Wylie Electric / Honda. The second spot went to Morgan Smith. Heidi Barnhard, Allen, and Jordan Leak were the top five finishers. The heat race was also won by Musk.
The UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks held their feature event which consisted of 20 hard laps of racing. The battle of the night was between Derek Poland and current championship point leader Chuck Smith. The two exchanged the lead several times and the battle came down to the end and with a separation of just 0.0028 seconds it was Poland who took home the checkered flag.
The 58-year old from Muskegon, Michigan driver earned his first win of the year in his Arizona Charlie’s Truck & Auto Sales / Chevrolet. Smith had to settle for the second place finish.
The Factory Stocks / Bombers were led out by the pair of Nate Trick and Dan Wilson who led the pack down to the green flag. When it was time for the checkered flag to be displayed it was Josh Grabe who made the trip to victory lane as the big winner. This was the 33-year old Muskegon, Michigan driver’s fourth win of the season in his Grabe’s Well-Drilling / Oldsmobile. Wilson took second. Jerid Bisson, Mike DeJonge, and Mike Pickard finished the top five. DeJonge and Grabe won the heat races.
Finally, the Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks entered the racing surface for their feature event. 2011 track champion Paul Namey and Brian Carson made up the front row. Namey waste no time in getting out front and he was able to look back from there and went from green to checkered to get his fourth win in a row.
The 56-year old from Ada, Michigan went to victory lane in his River City Motor Sales / Honda. Carson was the second place finisher. Rich Lieb, Chad Tomczak, and Dave Lindsley completed the top five. Namey also won the heat race.
This Saturday June 7th will be kid’s night at the Winston Speedway featuring fun and games, bike giveaway’s and more. The racing action will be highlighted by the Sandy Tenbrink memorial race for the Factory Stocks / Bombers division. Plus the UMP DIRTcar Late Models, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns. 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
