Kinross Speedpark race report

Racers and fans came out in big numbers for a special night at Kinross Speedpark. From the tribute during the opening ceremonies to the 62 lap Modified feature event, the entire evening was in memory of Randy Saddison, a fellow racer who tragically lost his life a few weeks ago. Modified racers from across Michigan and Ontario traveled to Kinross for this special event.

The 4 Car Dashes were won by Tim Aho in his Late Model, Maverick MacDonald in his Modified, Dean Eggart in his Factory Stock, Barry Glenn in his Pure Stock, and Eric Fountain in his 4 Cylinder.

The heat races were ran next and all the classes had great racing. Mark Beaudoin came to the line side by side with John Hamilton in the Factory Stock heat. Beaudoin won by a slim margin with Hamilton second and Cecil Piche third.

Nicole Radar led start to finish to win the first of two Pure Stock heats. Larry Young Jr. finished second and Mike Babcock third. The second Pure Stock heat saw Barry Glenn jump out front early and lead the field to the checkered. John Clawson finished second, and John Boyd, driving his Pro Stock 4 Cylinder truck finished third.

Donny Mergaert won by a bumper over Eric Fountain in the 4 Cylinder heat. Don Dangler Jr. finished third.

The Modifieds were split up into two heat races. The first race had Rick Ellis moving to the front of the pack and taking the win. Troy Bosker and Jordan Pruitt finished second and third. The second heat had Craig Vantielen flying right from the start and running away with the win. Johnny Belott finished a distant second and Bud Gray third.

George Wilson made a surprise appearance in the Late Model normally driven by Sam Bohling. Josh Ware survived an early challenge from Tim Aho to take the win. Tim Burdick finished second and Dennis Aho third.

Track officials shortened intermission to five minutes, assuring everyone involved would be treated to the entire racing program. The 4 Cylinders lined up first and put on another great show. Tony Rankin went from tenth to first on the first lap to take the early lead. A yellow was brought out when Donny Mergaert dove under Larry Miller in turn one spinning the Miller car and collecting Tyler Parsons in the incident. Mergaert restarted at the back and Parsons did not return. Eric Fountain made an attempt on the restart for the lead but didn’t have enough to get by the lead car of Rankin. Rankin ran up front the rest of the way and took the victory. Fountain stayed in second and Don Dangler Jr. third.

The Pure Stock feature saw the field go three wide on the first lap. Nicole Radar led early with Larry Young Sr. and Ray Golladay Jr. right on her back bumper. Golladay bumped into Radar on the front stretch causing a spin and a restart. After racing resumed, John Clawson was able to work his way to the front with Barry Glenn close behind. Clawson held off Glenn in the remaining laps to take the victory. Glenn finished second and Larry Young Jr. third.

John Fragale started on the front row and enjoyed a comfortable lead for most of the race in the Factory Stock feature. Cody Mclean made a run early in the race moving up to second but dropped back a few positions towards the end of the race. Kary Saddison spun in front of the leaders on the last lap but made a great move getting out of the way as they came racing to the checkered. Fragale took the win with Cecil Piche second and Dean Eggart third.

Tim Aho and Josh Ware moved through the field quickly and battled up front in the Late Model feature. Ware raced Aho clean and tried every line in an attempt to take the lead. Aho held his position for the win with Ware second and George Wilson third.

The final race of the evening was a 62 lap Modified feature honoring the familiar number 62 car of the late Randy Saddison. The grandstands shook when the green flag was flown and Larry Ebare was the early leader. Rick Ellis made a great move in turn one diving to the inside and taking over the first spot. This didn’t last long as Jordan Pruitt worked his way to the front and took over the first position. With close racing all around the track, fans enjoyed a tremendous race. A competition yellow was brought out at the half way point of the race. During the drivers meeting, many drivers stated they could not go the entire 62 laps on one tank of fuel. Race officials remedied this with cars allowed fuel only on this scheduled stop. A series of yellows for spins and mechanical problems filled the middle portion of the race. Fast qualifier Travis Eddy eventually took over the first position coming all the way from the back of the pack. He ran a great race and went on to the victory. Dennis Uhlman ran a solid race to finish in the second position. Johnny Belott ran near the front most of the race finishing in the third position.

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

(Submitted by Steve Lawson)