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HARTFORD SPEEDWAY PARK SEASON OPENER HONORS:
TOBER, FLEMING & NEVINS
After a week delay due to mother natures final blast, Hartford Speedway Park opened it d 2007 season with a full night of 6 classes racing in the HSP Memorial night. The fans and racers paused to remember three special people to Hartford Speedway Park. Dave Tober, #14 Factory Stock driver, Jeff Flemming, EMT at the speedway and Richard Dick Nevins, track press release writer.
The action began with Quad racers David McCaig, Matt Pranger and Jason Bentzer winning heats, followed by a 15 lap feature where track champion Rob Wood came back to defend his crown. Brannon Thornton took the lead half way through the feature claiming the first victory of the season followed by: Dan Warner, Josh Sheeley, Rob Wood and Chris Hollis.
The Mini Sprints played tag during their 15 lap feature with several lead changes and as the checkered flag dropped it was Greg Fawley taking first followed by Trey Smith and Bill Dunham.
The Mini Stock class for young racers ages 11-17 took the track with new season gitters, as track champion and heat winner Garret Jackson took the lead in the feature only to retired with mechanical woes allowing a hard charging Steven Pena to move into the lead claiming his first feature win.
Twenty-four factory stocks had their new cars ready to do battle, as Lee Price took the lead early on only to pull off with mechanical problems. Wayne Clauss moved from his 9th place starting position to pole after Price retired and held on with Phil Ausra knocking on his door. The scoreboard showed: Clauss, Ausra, Bob McLean Chad White, Jerry Scott, Jim Kollath, Tim Bullis and Brett Sydlik in the top 8 positions. Heats went to White over Ausra, McLean over Eric Knight and Jerry Scott over Tim Bullis.
UMP Modifieds took he track with rookies Chris Collier and Denny Holt using the veterans and following their lead. The mods put on a great show of smooth driving and driver respect as everyone shuffled for positions. Bub Patrick took the lead and held on to claim the win followed by: Larry VanderWoude, Walt Wisniewski, Darrell Lowe, Mark Lambrecht, Ryan Disterheft, Greg Socha and Matt Schick. Patrick took heat one over VanderWoude and Wisniewski heat two over Lowe.
The Lane Automotive UMP Late Models started the night with 23 powerhouses, as the green flag fell 20 pedals were down, pushing hard into turn 1. Zack Olger set his line and advanced from 5th to 2nd place by the half way point. Lapped cars and driver experience made a great show as Olger, Eric Spangler, Alan Vochaska, JR Hotovy and Curt Spalding all swapped positions chasing the front spot. Every lap scored these drivers advancing and pushing hard to beat the lap counter. As lap 20 clicked up, it was Olger as the winner with Vochaska, Spalding, Hotovy, Zach Hanson, Jim Abbott, Bret Darling and Eric Spangler in the top 8 positions. Heats were won by Hanson over Olger, George Lindsey over Hotovy and Spangler over Randy Woodling.
Former Hartford Speedway Park enduro champ, Bill May served notice to all drivers that he is back in full force in 2007. May dominated the Sunday afternoon 200 lap enduro. Andy Barr claimed the runner up position finishing 2 laps behind Bill May. Mike Ely stole the show with his rim riding high line throughout much of the event to come home third. Allen Bowen making his first career start in a racecar, came home fourth with a solid race. Steve Carpenter overcame a flat tire to round out the top five. The 100 mile event was run without any major incidents. Enduro action returns to the speedway on May 18th under the lights. Top 10 places:
Bill May, Muskegon, MI , Andy Barr, Dowagiac, Mike Ely, Paw Paw, Allen Bowen, Decatur, Steve Carpenter ,Cassopolis, Ray Loomis ,Coloma, Richard Norwick ,Twin Lake, Mike Koshar, Kalamazoo, Rich Loomis, Hartford, Tom Disterheft ,Eau Claire.
Hartford Speedway Park runs on Friday nights with 6 classes: Lane Automotive UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Mini Stock, Mini Sprints and Quads. The first SOD Sprints on Dirt show is scheduled for May 11. Check out the website for schedule updates:
www.hartfordspeedwaypark.com
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