Stump makes triumphant return to Kinross ¼ mile

With the superstitious “Friday the 13th” phenomenon overlooking this past Friday’s racing action at the Kinross Speedway, the race to the 2004 track championships continued to heat up at this Michigan-based ¼ mile facility.

Despite what could have happened … it was all good luck that would be brought to the Speedway and those involved.

The night was feature to a well-publicized fundraising effort, as the promoters of the Kinross Speedway teamed up with Team 67 (George Wilson) to hold a fundraiser for Baby Tylor.

With the very, generous donations and support from the Speedway staff, fans, drivers and local businesses, this event was able to raise a substantial amount to help this Sault Ste. Marie youngster.

On behalf of the Kinross Speedway, it’s promoters, George Wilson and the family of Baby Tylor … we would like to thank everyone for their help!!

It’s overwhelming to see how supportive our racing family is when called upon.

Down trackside, the Late Model Division would see 2 new faces make their inaugural appearances of the 2004 season as 2001 Track Champion Pat Stump (36) and Indian River, MICHIGAN native David Hartung (71) would compete in the Late Model Special.

That event was sponsored by the Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Store of Sault Ste. Marie, MICHIGAN.

Pat Stump would be the lone driver to break into the 13-second barrier on this night while setting fast time with a lap of 13.960 seconds.

Tim Aho (27) would win the four-car dash before Stump would take home the 10-lap heat race.

A very stout field would be lead to the green flag by Dennis Aho (75) and Spanky Robinson (26).

Dennis would lead the opening lap before his row 1 counterpart, Robinson, would take the lead for the next 3 trips around the Speedway.

A caution on lap 5 would see D. Aho and Hartung tag the rear of the field.

When the field would regroup, Robinson would be able to hold onto the top spot until lap 7 when Tim Aho would begin his quest for his 2nd straight feature win.

Stump had worked his way up to the runner-up position from the second last row and was patiently waiting to make his move.

A pass on lap 13 would see Stump take the lead while dropping T. Aho back to 2nd.

The Sault Ste. Marie, MICHIGAN native (T. Aho) would stay on the back bumper of Stump not giving up and inch and was setting up what was appearing to be a great battle until he would lose his breaks and be forced to pull pit side on lap 22.

A few late cautions would put George Wilson (67) on Stump’s back bumper but nothing would stop the Petoskey, MICHIGAN native, as he would make a triumphant return to Kinross by taking the feature win.

Wilson, Robinson, Hartung and Mark Howland (59) would round out the top 5 positions.

Eight cars would roll into the pit area in the Factory Stock division on this night and Paul Fox (36) would top the qualifying efforts of his counter-parts.

Of note, this night would see Kinross, MICHIGAN native Todd Jackson hop behind the wheel of the #18 Praysner Racing Factory Stock.

Jerry Ball (8) would take home the division’s opening race in the 4-car dash while Josh Ware (7) would grab the 10-lap heat race.

Dave Devine (4) and Ware would make up the top two positions to start their final race of the night.

Ware was able to open the race with the lead for the first 2 laps before current-point leader Kevin Johnson (37) would knock him out of the top spot on lap 3.

Your top two cars would remain unchanged until lap 12 when Fox would take the 2nd place position while looking for his first feature win of the season.

In what can be described as his most impressive run this year, Fox moved within inches of Johnson for the lead throughout the 2nd half of the race challenging for the win.

Despite the constant threat, Johnson was able to hold off the Camaro for the win. Fox, Ware, Cecil Piche (88), Jared Nightlinger (48), Ball, Devine and Jackson completed the field as they crossed the line.

The modern-era Pure Stock track record would be broke on this night when Ray Golladay Jr. (20) would blister the ¼ mile in 16.580 seconds.

Golladay Jr. would take home the 4-car dash honours while Tim Gregory (21) was the winner of the Australian Pursuit.

Gregory would return to victory lane in heat race #1 while Newberry, MICHIGAN native Terry Johnson (11) won heat race #2.

Fifteen-cars would start the A-Main with Norm Miller (5Y) and Gregory making up the front row.

Miller was your leader for the first two circuits around the ¼ mile before Bill Cryderman (61) would take that position one lap later.

The Sault Ste. Marie, MICHIGAN strung out a comfortable lead while the remainder of the field was battling around the Speedway.

By the ½ way mark, Cryderman had the top 3 cars in the point’s standings nearing him on the track trying to close the gap.

Despite the position swapping going on behind him, Cryderman would drive to his 2nd feature win of the season.

Barry Glenn (55), Randy Miller (73), Golladay Jr., Larry Young Sr. (26), Al Odbert III (32), Ben Huyck (27), Larry Young Jr. (25), Ray Golladay (22) and Dan Shumbarger (09) rounded out the top 10.

Another strong 23-car field would qualify in the 4-Cylinder Division with Eric Sherlund (79) setting fast time.

He would clock-in a new track record with a time of 17.760 seconds.

Current-point leader John Clawson (35) took the 4-car dash win before Brian Greenski (50) and Scott Henning (6) took the checker flag in their respective Australian Pursuit races.

Greenski and Clawson would make repeat visits to victory lane in heat race #1 and #3while Norman Kuczenski (34) won heat race #2.

Ron Harding (74T) and newcomer Ron Etcher (3T) make up the front row as the full field would make it to the Feature race.

Scott Marshall (2) was your leader on laps 1 through 3 before losing that position to James Thompson (8) for 2 laps.

By lap 6, Kuczenksi was continuing his strong night, as he would find himself your new leader.

Looking for his first feature win of the season, Kuczenski would have his chances dashed by his son-in-law – John Clawson – as the Pickford, MICHIGAN native took the lead on lap 13.

Sherlund would dish in and out of lapped cars trying to pry the top spot away from Clawson but it wouldn’t materialize as the 35 car (Clawson) would go on to his 7th feature win of the season.

Sherlund and Kuczenski would cap off the podium positions.

With just 3 points night’s remaining, the battle for positions will continue in all 4 of the Speedway’s weekly division’s.

It all continues this coming Friday, August 20th with another full 4-in-1 show along with an Intermission Mud Run by the Dafter Lions Club.

Qualifying is at 6 p.m. with racing to follow at 7:30 p.m.

For any information concerning the Kinross Speedway you can check us out online at www.kinrossspeedway.com or by contacting track promoters by phone at 906-647-3405.

Until the next green flag flies at the track “Where Action is the Attraction!!” …. this is your weekly racing recap from down trackside!!