7/20/2023
Owosso Speedway
Harold Fair Jr. Inherits Victory in Michigan Kenworth Quad Crown Round 2
After a troubling forecast leading up to race day, fans were greeted to beautiful weather and blue skies for the running of the second round of the Michigan Kenworth Quad Crown for the Reveal the Hammer Outlaw Super Late Models.
The first event to hit the track was the M&K Truck Center Pure Stocks in the features only program. Going into the night Lonnie Saumier was undefeated, going six-for-six in the Pure Stocks in what had been a dominant season up to this point. But it would be a new name gracing victory lane for the first time. Landon Hidy would get to the front of the field, but would be dogged by Saumier lap after lap. Unfortunately contact between the two would see Saumier forced to go to the back of the field. Hidy would continue on at the front of the field, not headed again until the checkered flag fell. Hidy would get his first victory of the season, Jake Pearson came home with a season high second place finish. Jason Spencer, Brent Voris, and Jim Miller Jr. would complete the top five. Lonnie Saumier broke his own track record in qualifying with an 18.111.
The Reefer Peterbilt All-American Trucks would be the next feature of the evening, and would be more of the same in victory lane. Zane Cruz, who had only once been beaten to victory lane, kept his streak alive by racing into victory lane. Brad Reseigh would give chase throughout the event, but would come up short. Tony Hart, Greg Long III, and Greg Long Jr. completed the top five. Reseigh was once again fast qualifier with an 18.892.
The Durotech Automotive Street Stocks would be next on the track. Jim Miller Sr. would cap off his 41st year of racing with a dominating victory. But behind him was a hornets nest of activity. Ron Hart would finally shrug off weeks of mechanical gremlins to bring home a runner up finish and reclaim his lead in the Young Chevrolet Challenge Series with a scant 4 point lead over final podium finisher Lonnie Saumier. Duane Damon and Tom Stone were the last two finishers in the top five. Miller Sr. would narrowly wind up short of the track record with a 16.357.
Next would be the main event of the evening, the 100 lap feature for the Michigan Kenworth Quad Crown. Justin Claucherty and Dan Leeck would lead the field down to the green flag, with Leeck jumping out to the early lead. Leeck, two-time Champion of the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, would set the pace in his Bobby Blount owned car. Leeck would set a torrid pace as he tried to negotiate lapped traffic, before tangling with a car he was attempting to put a lap down. Unfortunately the Leeck car would stall during the spin and was not able to refire on its own, getting a push into the pit area. This would hand the lead over to Harold Fair Jr. Fair would be chased by Phil Bozell, but unfortunately for Phil he would not be able to overtake Fair, as the Milan, Michigan veteran claimed victory. Phil Bozell was second over his father Andy Bozell. Steve Needles and Buddy Gray completed the top five. Blake Childers set fast time with a 14.238 before the engine would expire in the Wheeler Trucking machine during the early laps of the feature.
The MacAllister Rentals Sport Compacts would close out the evenings events. “Sugar Baby” Josh Shiver would dominate the C feature, coming home with a strong victory over Maddy Orta who had a career best second place finish. Chad Baker and Bill McBride would complete the running order. Bryson Hosner and Randy Moore would have a barnburner of a battle in the B feature. The two drivers having a hotly contested battle until Bryson Hosner took victory over Moore. Zane Cruz, Jeff Asmus, and Damian Watters closed out the top five. Another great battle would happen at the head of the field. Ira and Drew Hosner stayed two-by-two for nearly the whole duration of the event, trading the lead back and forth. Finally, coming to the finish, Johnny Eastman would make a desperate lung, making contact with Ira Hosner, allowing Drew to get to the line first. Unfortunately Drew would be disqualified after failing to go immediately to post race technical inspection. This would crown Nicholas Murdock as winner for the second straight week. Eastman, Ira Hosner, Blake Gokee, and Corey Miechiels. Murdock was fastest in qualifying with a 17.856.
Article Credit: Chris Fobbe
Submitted By: Chris Fobbe