By: Spartan correspondent, Michelle Sprague
Midland’s Travis Eddy put one in the win column at the Spartan Speedway on Friday, August 6th. Eddy started mid-pack for the 50-lap Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modified feature and methodically picked off cars, while John Mamula and Larry Wallace battled for position from the front row. Mamula opened up a sizeable lead but caution wiped it out. Mamula chose the inside pole for the restart, with Wallace on the outside. Wallace took the lead but had company, as Leroy Ellis, with Eddy in tow, moved into the second position. A spin involving Mamula and A.J. Foote brought out the second caution, at which point Ellis retired to the pit. On the restart, it was Wallace and Eddy on the front row, with Chris Ozanich and Sonny Coito right behind them. When the green was displayed, it was Eddy with the advantage on the low side. Ozanich dropped down behind Eddy and followed him through to take away second. Coito and Wallace battled for third with Wallace coming out on top. At the line, it was Eddy, Ozanich, Wallace, Coito and Foote. Jim Kennedy, Nyle Weiler, and Wayne Haughton all took heat wins.
Taylor Ferns took her third feature win in the Sawyers Superstore Wingless Sprint division. On the start, Jimmy McCune took off like a shot, while Ferns ducked under three cars for second position. Ferns began to close the gap between herself and McCune and had reeled him in by lap seven. Scott Hampton, Jim Heeney and Tom Fedewa ran in a tight little pack behind McCune and Ferns until caution bunched up the field, giving everyone an equal shot at McCune for the lead. McCune was able to maintain his lead after the restart, but Ferns was putting the pressure on. Fedewa got around Heeney for fourth and went to work on Scott Hampton for third. Up front, Ferns looked to the high side of McCune. McCune moved up the track and Ferns dove under McCune for the lead on lap 14. Ferns was able to run away from the field, as Fedewa, who had gotten around Hampton for third, went to work on McCune for second. Fedewa dropped to the inside of McCune and moved into second with three laps to go. At the stripe, it was Ferns, Fedewa, McCune, Hampton and Doug Dietsch. Ferns took the four car dash win while McCune won his heat.
Nineteen Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks timed in for their features, with Rich Robets taking his fifth win in the B-feature, with a last lap pass coming down for the checker. Mike Westphal was shown as the early leader, with Roberts taking command on lap seven. George Garza flexed his muscle at the halfway point and battled Roberts for the lead. Garza took the lead on lap 12, diving under Roberts for the lead. Roberts returned the favor, nipping Garza at the line for the win, followed by Brandon Moody, Brad Harbenski, and Mike Westphal. Todd Metz Jr. took a commanding win in the A-feature, finishing nearly a half a track ahead of the field. Scott Sparagowski scrapped and clawed his way into second and held it down until rookie sensation, Aaron Taylor, took it away from the high side. Taylor drifted high on the next lap and Sparagowski retook second, with Patrick Denison and Wayne Beckner Jr. duking it out over third. Beckner got around both Denison and Sparagowski with two laps to spare, but no one was going to reel in Metz Jr. for the win. After 20 laps, it was Metz Jr. to the Corrigan Oil Winner’s Circle. Beckner Jr., Sparagowski, Metz Sr. and Misty Allen rounded out the top five. Sparagowski and Beckner Jr. both tallied heat wins for the evening.
Please join us each and every Friday night for exciting racing action at the Spartan Speedway. Friday, August 13th is Valvoline Instant Oil Change Customer Appreciation Night. From August 1st through August 13th, while supplies last, every customer who gets their oil changed receives two free tickets to the Spartan Speedway. The Andrews Chevrolet Super Late Models, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks will be on hand to bring the racing program. Friday, August 20th, is CarQuest Night featuring a MOD 50 for the modified division, along with the Sawyers Superstore Wingless Sprints, Pure Stocks and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks. August 27th is (I can’t believe I’m writing this) Season Championship Night for Super Late Models, Modifieds, Pures and Ponies. The Sprint series season championship will be held September 3rd, along with a Rollover Contest. Pure Stocks, Pony Stocks and Legends will round out the evening that is being sponsored by Cats-Part-S-Mart Plus. As always, we’ll see you at the races!
