Rain washes away Laird race card

Mother Nature won another battle at Laird International Raceway, forcing officials to scrap Thursday night's program.

Hoping the rain would hold off, LIR officials were finally forced to cancel the program 45 minutes before the green flag was scheduled to drop as rain started to fall heavily in Laird Township.

Action will resume next Thursday with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. LIR still has a twin 20 lap factory stock feature to make-up that evening as rain cut Monday's program short. An announcement will also be made that night in regards to a make-up date for yesterday's rainout.

Amazingly, factory stock driver Chuck Fawcett, who was involved in a terrible collision along the front guard rail on Monday, which caused extensive car damage, was at the track ready to race last night.

After Monday's make-up event, Robert Hiiemaa continues to hold a comfortable lead in the late model division with 483 points. Trailing is Rick Ellis with 405 points and George Wilson with 400 points.

Jason Praysner is starting to pull away from the pack in the factory stock division with 503 points. David Slingsby, who ran bumper to bumper with Praysner most of the season, trails with 464 points.

In the pure stock division, Ray Golladay regained the lead with 437 points although Norm Miller trails by just one with 436 points. Bob Laphew with 415 points and Joe Addison with 402 points remain in contention.

The race for the stock four division title remains a five car race as Paul Beauchamp continues to hold a slight lead with 399 points. Trailing is Dan Dinsmore with 390 points, Jeremy Van Hoek with 388 points, Matt Huber with 378 points and Bill Butler with 370 points.