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Williams, Babcock and Hull Begin 2007 with Victories
(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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