Laird crowns mid-season champions

George Wilson used some good driving and a little luck on his way to a three-race sweep and a mid-season championship at Laird International Raceway on Thursday night.

After moving from the front to the back to win both of his late model heat races, George Wilson capitalized on some Michael Gold misfortune to capture the special 40-lap feature in front of over 2,400 fans.

After building a quarter lap lead down the stretch, Gold spun out all alone in turn one on lap 34. Gold would then retire to the pits for the evening allowing Wilson to move into first place and cruise to the chequered flag.

Earlier in the feature, Wilson was sent off the back straight away by Maverick McDonald and landed into the safety tires. McDonald was black flagged by starter Mike Huffman while Wilson managed to return to the race after a tow truck rescued his car back to the track.

Points leader Robert Hiiemaa won the other two heats as the 14-car late model field was divided into two groups for heat racing. McDonald won the fast car dash over Rick Leonard, Wilson and Gold.

For winning the mid-season championship, the feature winners in each division were presented with a Four-foot trophy after each race.

David Slingsby and Jason Praysner continued their wild battle for the factory stock division points title. Heading into the night, Slingsby held a one-point advantage over Praysner. In the feature, both ran side by side for several laps with Slingsby taking the chequered flag by a nose.

Praysner won the first heat race while Kevin Pace won the second heat and the fast car dash over Parker Brockelbank, Ted Ritchie Jr. and Slingsby.

In the pure stock division, the Michigan Sault's Norm Miller emerged victorious in the feature by edging Ray Golladay by a split second at the finish line. Bill Cryderman, also of the Michigan Sault, won both heats.

Matt Huber won the stock four-division feature race and the second heat while Scott Syrette won the first heat.

Action continues next Thursday at Laird beginning with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Spectator drags will also be held during the intermission.