5/9/2022
Springport Mid-Michigan Speedway
Buddy Head Double Dips at Springport
After a couple washed out attempts, Opening Night 2022 kicked off at Springport Mid-Michigan Speedway on a beautiful day in the scenic village. 112 cars were on grounds for the event, featuring the first of two visits for the MCR Dwarf Car Series.
The first feature event to hit the track was the Port Stock C Feature. A tremendous four car battle between Bennie Millier, William Trudgeon, Gracelynn Mayhew, and Corey Gaskell. The drivers would search around the 3/8s oval trying to find a way to sort things out. In the end the quartet would settle with Bill McBride rounding out the top five spots.
The B Feature was next up, with some big movers keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Ira Hosner was victorious, coming from 14th on the starting grid to make his way through the field, holding off challenges from Mike Rose. The hard charger of the race was Leland Riddle coming from 19th to third. Jeffrey Siegrist and Keera Allen completed the top five.
2021 Kalamazoo Speedway Track Champion Will Slaughter made the most of his night at Springport, by picking up a demanding win from 19th on the grid. The Battle Creek, Michigan pilot sliced his way through the field to take the win, over competition in hot pursuit. John Eastman Jr., opening night 2021 winner, was relegated one spot back to second. Ben Wilcox completed the podium over new track record holder Todd Wilcox, and Matt Brauer.
Port Stock Heats were won by Miller, Mike Rose, Warren Barrand, Dave Leonard Jr., John Eastman, and Slaughter. Todd Wilcox would lower the Port Stock Track Record, running a 17.368 in qualifying.
The MCR Dwarf Cars would be next up and it would be the Matt Kemp show, as the driver showed incredible skill and speed all day long, first by setting the fastest time in qualifying, claiming his heat race win, and then going on to take the 25 lap feature. Troy Hoffman, Joe McManman, Zack Nichols, and Tristan Francis. Jody Johnson would be the winner of the other heat race.
The Dragon Racing Fuel Street Stocks would be a barn burner of a feature. Drivers from as far away as Kentucky would make the haul to be a part of the opener. A three car battle between Buddy Head, Jon Beach, and Lonnie Saumier would be at center stage of this show. The battle was an instant classic, but Head would take his first win of the evening. Gabe Carr had a strong performance to come home in fourth, with Adam Rowe completing the top five. Tim Lahar, Gabe Carr, and Zach Westdorp would take heat race wins, while Head was fast qualifier with a 16.525.
Buddy Head would have to quickly leap from car to car to make the start of the twice postponed running of the First Call for the Auto Lab Late Model Sportsman. $1500 was on the line, and Buddy Head was looking to cash out after already hitting paydirt in the previous race. He would have a somewhat unexpected challenger in Three-time Street Stock Track Champion Jerry Pierman, who made the leap to the template bodied division over the off season. Pierman would looking very impressive in his first outing in the new ride, but Buddy Head would then be challenged by Hoosier state native Brent Jack for several laps, but Buddy was not to be denied as he picked up his second victory of the night over Jack, Tony Dager, Kenny Head, and Pierman. Heat races were collected by Keith Wilfong, JD Hancock, and Steve Poniatowski. Buddy Head was fast qualifier with a 15.667.
The final race of the night was the NAPA Outlaw Super Late Models. The wedge bodied warriors would wage a war around the Speedway. Two-time JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour Champion Dan Leeck would be the big winner on the night, setting a torrid pace for the second half of the race, overcoming Brian Bergakker, Justin Claucherty, Tony Hoose, and Tyler Heeney. Hoose and Claucherty would win the heat races, while Bergakker set the mark in qualifying with a 14.919.
This Saturday night the Modifieds Powered by NOS Energy and the Mini-Wedges make their 2022 debut. Also on the card will be the next round in the Championship chase for the Auto Lab Late Model Sportsman, Dragon Racing Fuel Street Stocks, and Port Stocks.
Submitted By: Chris Fobbe
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