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(Lima, OH) Limaland Motorsports Park started the 2007 season featuring
the Bud Thunderstockade. It was clearly obvious that race teams had
the racing itch. Ninety-nine cars registered to begin the championship
battles in the Elwer Fence Sprints, Professional Computer Company
Modifieds and Bud Thunderstocks. Heat races for the Bud Thunderstockade were
won by Earnie Woodard, Jeff Babcock and Tim Bowen. Luke Hall, Tim
Allison, Kent Wolters and Jeff Williams took heat race victories for the
sprint cars. The modified heats were won by Todd Sherman, Frankie
Luchini, Shane O'Connor and Terry Hull. The heat race and B-Main action was
fast and furious with the drivers able to run two and three wide around
the lightning fast track. Drivers raved about the track conditions
which is a testament to the knowledge and experience of Limaland's crew
when it comes to preparing a race track during tricky spring conditions.
The 15-lap Bud Thunderstockade was led to the green by cousins Tony and
Billy Siferd. The first seven laps saw Tony Siferd stretching out a
big lead over Billy. Jeff Babcock and Barney Craig quickly moved up and
after a lap seven caution, the restart had Siferd on the point followed
by Tim Rostorfer, Jeff Babcock, Barney Craig and Tim Bowen. Babcock
and Siferd began to swap slide jobs with three laps to go. On the final
lap, coming out of turn four, Siferd got high and loose and made slight
contact with Babcock's right rear. Both cars got squirrelly with
Babcock able to regain control for the victory while Siferd was slamming the
front stretch wall just before he got t-boned by Rostorfer. Both cars
were heavily damaged and Siferd was transported by ambulance for
precautionary reasons. In victory circle, the 4-time Bud Thunderstockade
champion talked about his victory. Babcock said, "I feel terrible for
Tony. Last year I got hurt in a sprint car at Eldora and I know what it
feels like to be in that situation. I have a lot of respect for Tony
and he is a great driver. I am just so happy to be able to win this race
after what happened to me."
The Elwer Sprints rolled onto the track for their 25-lap feature led by
Kent Wolters and Tim Allison. Allison and Wolters put on a spirited
battle for the first nine laps. The red flag flew for Ron Blair's single
car flip in turn four on lap 10 and the field came to a stop. Allison,
who seemed clearly in control, led Wolters, Jeff Williams, Mike Dussell
and Luke Hall on the restart. Unfortunately for Allison, a mechanical
issue caused his motor to quit running and he was out of the race on
lap 11. Kent Wolters inherited the lead but all eyes were on Williams,
Dussell and Mike Miller. The three drivers went toe-to-toe for five
laps before Jeff Williams took control of the race. Wolters slipped back
to 4th while Dussell finished in 2nd and Mike Miller in 3rd. The
victory was Williams first in over 2 years and when the extremely happy
driver emerged from his car, all he could say was, "This is great. This is
just great. This car I am driving has been reclipped, straightened and
rebuilt several times. I like my new black and green paint scheme, I
think I will keep it."
The final feature of the night was for the Professional Computer
Company Modifieds. As always, the list of exceptional drivers was like the
who's who of modified racing. Ryan Ordway and Buzz Jacobs were poised
for greatness as the stellar field of modifieds took the green flag from
flagman Jon Burden to start the 20-lap race. The scramble for the lead
changed changed in every corner for the first four laps. Ultimately,
Darryl Banks would be on point when Andy Holderman spun on the fourth
lap. On the restart, the order was Banks, Justin Matson, Terry Hull,
Brent Hole and Ryan Ordway. It seemed as if there was a caution every two
laps. As a matter of fact, there was a whopping eight cautions in this
first feature of the year. But, by the time Andy Holderman spun for
the second time on lap 19, it was clearly obvious that Banks was the
class of the field. The final restart was a one lap dash with Banks
holding off Hull, Matson, Hole and Roediger. Unfortunately Frankie Luchini
made some slight contact and was shuffled back several positions to
finish 6th. Banks, who had just collected his first feature victory at
Limaland, was quick to point out the quality of the racing surface, "This
track was just perfect. My Pierce chassis was hooked into the track
and what can you say, it's a Pierce. I love this facility and the
quality of the drivers that race here."
During post race inspection, Banks' car was found to be under-weight
and he was disqualified. Making Terry Hull the evening's winner.
The 2007 racing season is now underway. The fans were treated to
incredible racing which they watched from the comfort of the brand new
Bristol-like front stretch grandstands. The amazing transformation of
Limaland Motorsports continues in its 10th anniversary of ownership by the
University of Northwestern Ohio. Your next chance to be part of the
celebration of 72 years of racing action is next week when Limaland
Motorsports Park presents the Ladies Night Thunderstock Shootout #1. A
special ladies thunderstock race will be held in conjunction with the Elwer
Fence Sprints, Professional Computer Company Modifieds and Bud
Thunderstocks. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and racing on America's premier
quarter-mile begins at 7:30 p.m.
Elwer Fence Sprints B-Main #1
1) Rick Boughan
2) Phil Gressman
3) Scott Carter
4) J R Stewart
5) Kyle Conway
6) Cody Runion
7) Bob Gehr
8) Ryan Ruhl
9) Brent Gehr
10) Mike Brecht
Elwer Fence Sprints B-Main #2
1) Brett Mann
2) Mark Hery
3) Tim Conrad Jr.
4) Darren Long
5) Jim Dues
6) Kyle Patrick
7) Andrew Bowsher
8) Dallas Hewitt
9) John Hawk
10) Dennis Yoakam
Professional Computer Company Modified B-main #1:
1) Zach Schroeder
2) Casey Luedeke
3) Mike Holbein
4) Mike Dunlap
5) Mike Romaker
6) Lenny Guyton
7) Tom Jacobs
8) Andy Bibler
9) Tony Anderson
10) Jim Hilligas
11) Kelly Bowlby
12) Clint Reagle
13) Josh Stewart
14) Jake Conley
15) Shawn O'Connor
16) Brandon Vaughan
Bud Thunderstock B-Main:
1) Nick Rosselit
2) Mark Hiatt
3) Jason Kinney
4) David Bowen
5) Jacob Hardesty
6) Brad Jessup
Bud Thunderstockade Feature:
1) Jeff Babcock
2) Barney Craig
3) Tony Siferd
4) Tim Rostorfer
5) Tony Anderson
6) Billy Siferd
7) Tim Bowen
8) Jim Post
9) Mark Hyatt
10) Sam Bodine
11) Kyle Brandewie
12) David Bowen
13) Justin Long
14) Nick Rosselit
15) Jason Kinney
16) Earnie Woodard
17) Thad Gardner
18) R. K. Smith
19) Jerry Butler
20) Ryan Sutter
Professional Computer Company Modifieds Feature:
1) Terry Hull
2) Justin Matson
3) Brent Hole
4) Mike Roediger
5) Frankie Luchini
6) Nick Rosselit
7) Todd Sherman
8) Jon Henry
9) Casey Luedeke
10) Buzz Jacobs
11) Andy Holderman
12) Zach Schroeder
13) Bryan Post
14) Andy Bibler
15) Ryan Ordway
16) Stan Smith
17) Gary Richards
18) Shane O'Connor
19) Darryl Banks
Elwer Fence Sprints Feature:
1) Jeff Williams
2) Mike Dussell
3) Mike Miller
4) Kent Wolters
5) Rick Boughan
6) Dain Naida
7) Corey Seeling
8) Luke Hall
9) Brian Sebetto
10) Michael Parent
11) Mike Dunlap
12) Scott Carter
13) Mark Broughman
14) Jared Hortstman
15) Mark Hery
16) Randy Fusi
17) Tim Allison
18) Dustin Keegan
19) Ron Blair
20) Brett Man
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