6/20/2017
RacinBoys
TRACKSIDE COMMENTS: Beating the storms
RACINBOYS EXCLUSIVE By Jerry West (Jefferson City, MO) -- For Father's Day Weekend Elaine and I were planning to attend the "ASCS Bob Westphal Memorial Cup Sizzlin' Speedweek Final" at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland Saturday night. Also running was the POWRi WAR Non-Wing Sprints. Mid-afternoon Saturday I was checking the Weather Channel for the rain chances at Wheatland. The forecast didn't look very promising. The forecast for Lake Ozark Speedway didn't look quite as bad as Wheatland. We made the decision to go to Lake Ozark Speedway as if it rained out we would be closer to home. We drove to Osage Beach and had dinner at a Wobbly Boots. While there we saw Tyler Clenin and two friends. They were on their way to Wheatland. Tyler said he was going to take a chance that Lucas Oil Speedway would get their show in. As it turned out both tracks were able to get in their complete racing programs.
PHOTO: Lake Ozark Sprint Car winner Corey Nelson--CREDIT: COrey Nelson Facebook/BPFabShop.com
It was extremely hot when we arrived at Lake Ozark Speedway. I walked to the pit area and visited with some of the race teams including the Smyser/Crump Late Model Team. Chris and Sonny Smyser had driven from my home town Lancaster, MO to compete and I enjoying visiting with home town friends. After hot laps I returned to the stands to sit with Elaine.
Lake Ozark Speedway owner Tim Trimble and crew have worked tirelessly to bring the facility back to its former glory. It looks as good or better than it did when it was new. The restrooms have attendants that make sure supplies are stocked and the floors are kept clean and dry.
Lebanon's Brain Schutt has become a familiar face in the Street Stock victory circle at Lake Ozark Speedway. Saturday night Schutt picked up his third straight Street Stock feature win this season by leading wire to wire. Derek Henson of Russellville was running second, but spun on lap seven. The yellow flag waved several times during the event and the red flag waved so that a roll-back wrecker could be used to remove Cole Henson's car after he made contact with the turn two wall. I did not see what caused Henson's accident. At the checkers it was Schutt, Harlan Dowell, Jed Rogers, Rob White and Chris Tonoli.
Robbie Test, winner of the second heat race, grabbed the lead at the start of the USRA A-Modified feature. On the second circuit Steve Picou of High Ridge overtook Test for the lead. Ryan Middaugh got by Test for third a few laps later. Test didn't give up and the duo battled back and forth for the runner-up spot for a few laps with Test finally regaining the spot. At the checkers it was Picou taking the victory with Test, Middaugh, Matt Dotson and Johnny Fennewald rounding out the top five. Steven Muilenburg was the first heat winner.
Sparta's Steven Muilenburg started the USRA B-Modified feature on the pole and drove to the win sweeping the competition by also winning his heat race. On the seventh lap Adam Hall, who started seventh, drove by Rex Harris on the inside while at the same time Galen Hassler passed Harris on the outside. At the finish it was Muilenburg, Hall, second heat race winner Hassler, Harris and Andrew Page.
Appleton City's Johnny Fennewald started on the front of the feature and drove to his second 2017 Lake Ozark Speedway win. During the first LM heat race Fennewald spun out Jefferson City's Chris Cox and took the lead and the win. Lebanon's Kris Jackson, drove the Kenny Mudd Late Model to a second place feature finish. This was Jackson's first time in a Late Model. Chris Smyser was making the top side work and had made it to third, caught Jackson and was starting to edge by for second, but got trapped behind a lap car and had to fall back to fourth. Smyser regained third, but was unable to challenge Jackson again before laps ran out. Following Fennewald was Jackson, Smyser, David Melloway and Kaden Cornell. Jon Melloway was the second LM heat winner.
In Winged 360 Sprint Car action Corey Nelson was first to turn one and rode the cushion flawlessly the entire 25-laps to take the win. Lanny Carpenter was showing some of the youngster the "Slow down and go faster" wasn't just a saying as the veteran driver was cat fishing around the bottom of the track and picking up positions. Austin Alumbaugh was on the move and took second on lap 14. Carpenter's advancement stopped on lap 20 when he spun. At the finish it was Nelson, Alumbaugh, Mike Trent, Danny Thoman and Kevin Ulmer.
Ed Franko was the "Man on the Mike" Saturday night at Lake Ozark Speedway. Ed did an excellent job keeping the fans informed about what is happening on the track. He is also knowledgeable about the drivers. Ed's real job is he owns Big Ed's Guide Service in which he takes people fishing for hire. He and his wife, Deb, own Bass and Basket Bed and Breakfast on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Lake Ozark Speedway will host the Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region 360 Sprint Cars on Saturday, June 24th. Also competing will be the USRA B-Modifieds, USRA A-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Limited Late Models.
Lucas Oil Speedway will be hosting the Bolivar Harold-Free Press Mid-Season Championship Saturday, June 24th. Featured will be ULMA Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Modifieds and Street Stocks paying $500 to win.
Callaway Raceway near Fulton will hold their regular racing program on Friday, June 23rd. Coming up on Friday, June 30th the Speedway Motors Warrior Region ASCS 360 Sprint Cars will be featured. Regular classes will also be competing except Late Models.
Double X Speedway near California, MO will host the "Battle of the Badges" & D.A.R.E. Sunday, June 25th. The "Sunday night Thunder" of 360 Sprints, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will also be featured.
Send your notes and comments to Jerry West, 1401 Chestnut, Jefferson City, MO 65101. 573-694-1333. tsidecommt@aol.com. Hope to see you at the races.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
