Car troubles end George Wilson's feature streak

Nine Friday nights in a row, Kinross Speedpark has put on a show. A passing rain shower dampened the track and eliminated qualifying, but blue skies and comfortable temperatures allowed the racing program to start at its scheduled 7:30 time.

A season high 48 cars took to the track. A change in the format gave drivers more track time and added excitement to the already entertaining program. Every class ran two heats and a feature event. The second heats were put into the program in place of the pursuits and four car dashes. This change gave both racers and fans more side by side action.

The first Late Model heat race had eight cars take the green. George Wilson came all the way from the back to take the checkered flag. Kevin Jackson finished second, and Denny Aho third.

Factory Stocks also had eight entries including the open wheel modified of Rick Ellis. Jared Nightlinger and Cecil Piche battled door to door for most of the race. Nightlinger held on for the victory with Piche in second. Paul Fox recovered from a first lap spin to finish third.

Sixteen Pure Stocks split into two groups put on a great show for the fans. Barry Glenn drove away from the field in the first heat to take the victory. Randy Touchtone was a distant second, and Mike Porcaro third. The second heat had Ray Golladay Jr. power past John Clawson on the last lap for the win. Mike Babcock finished third. This race had an exciting last lap lead change and a wild ride for Ray Golladay Sr. when he lost a wheel coming out of turn two.

The 4 Cylinders also had sixteen cars split into two groups. The first heat race had Ron Etcher moving through the field nicely and taking the victory. Eric Sherlund also had a fast car and finished second, with Daryl Hill third. The second race had John Mayer going from fifth to first by turn two. He could not hold off a charging John Gardner as Gardner passed him late in the race on the high side. Gardner was first, Mayer second, and Brandy Clawson third.

The second Late Model heat was again won by "The Steel City Outlaw" George Wilson. He held off Tim Aho and Sam Bohling who finished second and third respectfully.

The Factory Stock heat number two looked a lot like the first race. Jared Nightlinger started on the front row again and held off the pack for the victory. Cecil Piche finished second, with Pee Wee Fountain third.

Barry Glenn made it look easy in the third Pure Stock heat race. He finished ahead of Randy Touchtone and Mike Porcaro matching the results from their first race. Billy Cryderman had a great start and was able to hold off a fast John Clawson in heat race number four for the Pure Stocks. They finished first and second, with Mike Babcock in third.

The third and fourth 4 Cylinder heat races looked very similar to the first two. Ron Etcher finished first, Don Dangler second, and Daryl Hill third. The fourth and final heat was a mirror image of heat two, with John Gardner first, John Mayer second, and Brandy Clawson third.

It was autograph time at intermission as many of the racers brought their cars out onto the front stretch and met the waiting fans for an informal "meet the drivers." This is a neat event that seems to bring a lot of smiles to both fans and drivers.

The feature races began with the Late Models lining up first. Sam Bohling led early with Tim Aho and George Wilson coming fast from the back row through the field. Aho looked very fast while moving up to second place. Wilson's car suddenly slowed and came to a rest on the backstretch. He was pushed off the track and was not able to return. On the restart, Tim Aho took about a half lap lead. He ran away with this one and almost lapped the entire field. Sam Bohling finished second, and Mark Howland third.

The Factory Stock feature had a great battle between Jared Nightlinger and Cecil Piche. They ran side by side for several laps before tangling in turn three and doing a perfect synchronized spin. Nightlinger was sent to the back of the pack and Piche assumed the lead on the restart. Cecil Piche stretched out his lead for the win with Paul Fox second, and Pee Wee Fountain third.

The Pure Stock feature race seen Barry Glenn forcing his way to the front on the first turn. This was a great race with only one caution. John Clawson spun alone up in turn two. Everyone stayed off of each other and put on a great race. Ray Golladay Jr. moved through the pack and finished second. Billy Cryderman ran a nice race and finished in the third position.

The final feature of the evening was the 4 Cylinders. The race proved to be exciting as there was no shortage of four wide racing. Several yellows and blown tires added to the excitement. When it was over, John Gardner was the winner. John Mayer finished second, and Dean Eggart third.

Racing action resumes again this Friday at Kinross Speedpark. For more information, log onto www.kinrossspeedpark.com.

(Submitted by Steve Lawson)