By: Spartan correspondent, Michelle Sprague
With only one more points “chase” night remaining at the Spartan Speedway, the racing action was anything but tame. The Sawyers Superstore Wingless Sprint division was no exception. Seventeen sprints tested their mettle on the ¼-mile bullring and during their 25-lap feature, there were four lead changes. An early spin involving Chris Hettinger collected Taylor Ferns, while a spin on lap six by Doug Dietsch collected Ferns and Mike Astraukus, dashing any hopes of Ferns gaining the two points she needed to take the point lead away from Jim Heeney. Astraukas led lap one as caution waved, and on the restart, Jimmy McCune, broke away from the pack, but Heeney reeled him in as Tom Fedewa, Charlie Schultz and Doug Dietsch battled for third. Caution came out on lap six, and on the restart, Heeney got around McCune for the lead, with Fedewa, Schultz and Tom Hernly Jr. closing fast. Heeney ran away from the pack, but Fedewa caught him on lap twenty and took the lead. Schultz went to work on Heeney for second and with two laps to go, made the pass on the outside to take the spot away. At the stripe, it was Fedewa, Schultz, Heeney, McCune, and Hernly Jr. Ferns and Schultz won their heats.
Ten cautions marred the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modified 50-lap feature, and only 10 cars made it through the fray to the finish. Eighteen cars took the green flag, and a triple restart, after a caution on lap two, gave an indication as to what was in store for the division. Nate Moon took the early lead from Ron Parish and led through lap eleven, with Gary Sherman and Travis Eddy quickly moving in for the kill. Sherman took the lead on a lap 11 restart, bringing Eddy with him. Moon was battling for third with Ron Parish, while Bill Butler and Chris Ozanich decided the fourth position. Caution waved for Moon on lap 17 and it was a drag race between Sherman and Eddy on the restart. Eddy took the upper hand and was shown as the new leader. Caution waved three more times, and on each restart, Eddy was able to run away from Sherman, from the outside, on the double-file restarts. Caution waved for Sherman on lap 38 as he tangled with a lapped car, turning the second spot over to Sonny Coito. On the restart, Coito looked to the low side of Eddy to take away the position, but Eddy was able to hold him off as they broke away from the field. Ozanich was able to get around Butler to move into third, while Parish and Dan Loughan duked it out for a top five finish. At the checkered, it was Eddy, Coito, Ozanich, Butler, and Parish. Rob Newman and Parish tallied wins in their heats.
Lapped traffic was a factor in Ben Hidy’s win for the Pure Stock division, as Landon Hidy, Matt Childers and Ben Hidy were running as the top three. The trio caught a lapped car, Landon and Matt got caught up behind him, and Ben jumped to outside, drove around the traffic jam and took the win. Matt Childers won the heat.
Rookie, Tyler Heeney, flexed his muscle at the start of the Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stock A-feature. Heeney took the lead as the green flag waved, and was able to hold off Edson Rowley III, until Rowley jumped to the high side of Heeney to take the lead on lap six. Patrick Denison jumped into the mix, taking second from Heeney and reeling in Rowley to challenge for the lead. Wayne Beckner Jr. steadily picked off cars to find himself in third by lap 14, dove under Denison and took away the second spot on lap 15. Caution waved and on the restart, Beckner Jr. drove under Rowley for the lead, with Todd Metz Jr. coming up to challenge Rowley for second. Metz looked to the low side of Rowley and took away second with two laps to go. After 20 laps, Beckner came home in first followed by Metz Jr., Rowley III, Denison and Heeney. George Garza took another feature win in the B-feature, and did it in a borrowed race car. Garza led 16 of 20 laps with Darrell Taylor right on his rear bumper. Garza was able to hold him off for the win. At the line, it was Garza, Taylor, Rich Roberts, Mike Westphal and Bryan Jenks. Heat wins for the division went to Roberts and Darren Wright.
As the season winds down, please join us for Season Championship Night, Friday, August 27th, at 7:30 PM. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks will be in action to decide the division champions. Friday, September 3rd, is Season Championship Night for the Sawyers Superstore Wingless Sprints. There will also be a Rollover Contest sponsored by Cats Parts-S-Mart Plus. Sprints, Pure Stocks, Pony Stocks and Legends will be in action. Sunday, August 5th is the Harvest 300+ featuring a Late Model 100, Modified 50, Superpro 75, Spartan Stock 25, Pony Stock A 20 and Pony B 20, along with a 15-lap Spartan Stock Figure 8 and a 15-lap Pony Stock Figure 8. Special show pricing does apply for this special Sunday show. As always, we’ll see you at the races!
