Ammerman Back in Winner’s Circle

By Michelle Sprague

Mike Ammerman’s #16 found its way back into the Winner’s Circle, at the Spartan Speedway, on Friday, August 13th, taking the Lipari Spartan Stock A feature win. The trip wasn’t an easy one though, as Steve Prucnell jumped out to the early lead, pursued by heat winner, Misty Allen. Damon Place and Ammerman worked their way up through the pack to take over first and second, on lap eight, with Dane Long in tow. Ammerman went to work on Place for the top spot and caution waved for D. Long on lap 11. Place restarted on the inside, Ammerman on the outside, and it was a drag race for the lead. Ammerman took sole possession of first on lap 13. Misty Allen was able to get it done on the outside of Prucnell to come home third, while Don Bergau rounded out the top five.

Ron “Old School” Heeney took the B feature win in his 56 Chevy, bringing the car out on Old Timer’s and Vintage American Race Car Night. George Speer led after the green flag dropped, with Tim Van Trease taking over the reins on lap three. Rob Newman and Ron Heeney were slicing their way up through the field. By lap seven, it was Heeney and Newman, one and two. Marc Childers tacked on to Newman’s bumper, but didn’t quite have enough to take away the second spot. At the line, it was Heeney, who won the heat, followed by Newman, Childers, Tyler Hawkins and Tim Van Trease.

The Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks saw B heat winner, Brian Beckner, back in Victory Lane for his B feature win. Trina Wurmnest was the early leader, leading the first eight laps of the 20-lap feature. Beckner took over the lead on lap nine and Brandon Moody issued a challenge for the lead, nearly nipping Beckner, on the outside, for the win. Patrick Denison, Mike Westphal and Bryan Jenks were third through fifth, respectively. RJ Miller also won a B heat. Todd Metz Jr. overcame mechanical problems from earlier in the evening, to take the A feature win for the division from the tail of the field.

It looked like the division was going to have a Beckner brothers sweep, as Wayne Beckner Jr. led the majority of the feature, but wasn’t able to hold off the hard-charging Metz. Metz Jr. picked off cars one-by-one to sit second by lap 13. Metz took the lead, in the high groove, on lap 18. Metz Sr. battled Aaron Taylor, the A heat winner, for third, but Taylor was able to hold him off. After 20 laps, it was Metz Jr., Beckner Jr., Taylor, Metz Sr., and Tyler Heeney.

Tom Fedewa made it six wins for the Spartan Wingless Sprints. Eight kids drew for the top eight starting positions and number five was drawn for Fedewa. At the green, Jim Heeney jumped out front and held the lead, with Kyle Feeney using the high line to find a way around Heeney. Feeney took the lead and was driving away from the field, when the last place car moved up the track and into Feeney, sending Feeney into the turn one wall, ending his chance to break Fedewa’s streak. On the restart, Fedewa took over first, leaving Heeney and Gary Sherman to duke it out for second. Sherman came home second. Heeney, Gavin Hunyady and Tyler Underwood rounded out the top five. Steve Smith and Heeney won their heat races.

Chance Rice took the Turbo Blue MI Legends feature win in front of a large “hometown” crowd. John Turnbull Jr. was shown as the leader through lap 21, as Rice picked off cars on his way to the front. Rice took the lead on lap 22. leaving Turnbull Jr. and Tony Monge to fight for position. Ben and Levi Rouster had their own sibling rivalry going for fourth. At the checker, it was Rice, Turnbull Jr., Monge, B. Rouster and L. Rouster. Rice, L. Rouster and Monge took home heat wins.

The Vintage American Race Cars made a stop at the Spartan Speedway with many vintage race cars, many of which may have seen track time at the Spartan Speedway. They all took laps and ran a heat race, with Gary Hollis taking the win in the feature. A big thank you goes out to Great Lakes Energy Service for sponsoring the evening’s racing program.