Wilson speeds to a pair of wins in borrowed car

The final points race of the 2006 race season was the grandstand event on Friday night at the Chippewa County Fair.

The largest crowd of the season enjoyed a full program along with several bonus races.

The Four Car Dashes were the first races of the evening. Billy Cryderman took the first checkered flag of the night with a win in his Pure Stock. Don Dangler did the same running a great race with his 4 Cylinder. Fast qualifier Bill Bond won in his Late Model and Mike Fox drove to victory with his Factory Stock.

There were two Australian Pursuit races with winners coming from both ends of the pack. Tony Rankin started at the front of the Pure Stock pursuit and held off all challenges for the win. James Thompson started at the end of the line of 4 Cylinders and passed every car in front of him while earning the victory.

The Late Model heat race had a different look with two drivers in cars other than their own. George Wilson had a mechanical failure with his Late Model and was forced to park it for the night. He landed a ride in Kevin Jackson's car and was able to race for points the rest of the evening. Tim Aho took the wheel of his dad's car while repairs were being made to his own after an accident in the dash bent up the front end. George Wilson didn't take long to adjust to the new ride and raced to the front and the victory. Bill Bond finished second, and Mike Ritchie third.

Kevin Johnson made his return to the track in his Factory Stock after missing several weeks with a blown engine. The Factory Stock heat race had some close racing with Cecil Piche taking the win. Paul Fox finished second, and Josh Ware third.

Tony Rankin survived several challenges by Nicole Rader and won by a fender length over her at the line in the first Pure Stock heat. Ken VanLuven finished third. The second heat for Pure Stock's saw John Clawson take the lead early and hold on for the win. Billy Cryderman finished second, and Barry Glenn third.

Both 4 Cylinder heat races had lots of three and four wide racing. Dave Masse got his first career win at the Speedpark in the first heat. Jim Beaumontt finished second, and Daryl Hill third. The second heat had Brandy Clawson passing John Mayer at the finish line for the win. Dean Eggart finished in the third position.

An extended intermission saw the return of Kid's Rides around the 1/4 mile oval. Children were allowed to take rides with their favorite drivers in their race cars. Judging from the smiling faces of both children and drivers, this appeared to be a very popular event.

The Late Model Feature had both Bill Bond and Robert Hiiemaa suffering mechanical failures during the warm up laps knocking them out of the race. George Wilson again pushed his borrowed car to the front of the pack building a big lead and taking the win. Mike Ritchie finished a distant second, and Tim Aho third.

Paul Fox drove off on the field in the Factory Stock feature before Cecil Piche got in a groove and started reeling him in. Piche closed the gap and was able to get on the outside of Fox and take over the lead. Josh Ware slid sideways on the front stretch and Jared Nightlinger spun in turn four almost simultaneously bringing out the yellow and bunching up the field. Cecil Piche held on to the lead after the restart and took the victory. Paul Fox finished second, and Mike Fox third.

The Pure Stock feature saw many yellows early and accidents eliminating five of the twelve cars that started the race. Barry Glenn and Billy Cryderman had the two fastest cars and put on a great race for the crowd. Glenn held off Cryderman for the victory. Mike Babcock took third.

John Mayer had a rocket for a car in the 4 Cylinder feature. He started from the back of the pack and worked his way to the front in just a few laps. He drove a great race through lap traffic and took the win. Brandy Clawson finished second, and Dean Eggart third.

Two "Last Chance Features" were run after the running of the regular program. Drivers who did not have a feature win all season raced one last time against each other in these special races. Billy Cryderman took the victory with his Pure Stock, and Jared Nightlinger won in his 4 Cylinder.

The final race of the night was round three of the Powder Puff races. Pam Bosley lapped almost the entire field while taking the victory.

Kinross Speedpark will have a weekend off before hosting the 4th Annual Randy Dewitt Memorial Invitational Race September 15th thru the 17th. As many as 100 cars are expected for this great event. The track is open for hot laps on both Friday and Saturday with racing schedule to start at 4:00p.m. Saturday afternoon. Sunday is available if rain postpones the show. Late Models, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks, and 4 Cylinders will all be welcomed to the track.

For more information log onto www.kinrossspeedpark.com.

(Submitted by Steve Lawson)