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Tri State Outlook
Column by Duane Hancock
Eldora Speedway closed the 2008 season with the UNOH Sprintacular. This was a brand-new event on the ca lander at the Big E. The draw showcased the NRA 360 sprints and the Attica/Fremont 305 sprints. This would be the first visit to the big half-mile for the 305 guys. 37 360 and 28 305 sprints were ready for action. Both divisions qualified, making it interesting to actually see how much difference in speeds between the two there really is. Dustin Daggett set a quick lap of 14.999 in the 360s. Jamie Miller won the honors in the 305's with a lap at 16.667. About 1.67 difference in lap times.
3 each in each divisions and they all went off without any problems. Well, except for Phil Gressman. Phil earned a transfer to the A via his 3rd place finish in the heat but, forgot to go to the scales. He was DQ'ed for the heat but, got his time back for the B Main. Tim Hunter, Ron Blair, and Mike Brecht took the 360 heats. All of the 360 heats were pretty much run-aways for the wins. Stuart Brubaker, Travis Hoffbauer, and Steve Rando took the 305 heat wins. The 305 heats had some decent battles for transfer spots and one little battle for the win towards the end of a heat.
Brad Haudenschild took the 305 B Main win. Brad Keckler and Coty Runion made a great charges from the 4th and 5th row to a transfer spot. Phil Gressman recovered from his heat race mistake and took the 360 B Main win. Gary Fast took a hard tumble after heavy contact with Gressman during a battle for the lead. Michigan's Steve Irwin had the charge of the night from 19th to the 5th and final transfer spot.
With a quick pace set by the Eldora crew to keep the show a rolling, the 305 A Main was set to roll before 9 PM. Having a very impressive rookie season, DJ Foos was looking to end the year and a high note. DJ shot to the lead on the start. DJ opened up a huge lead within the first 5 laps. Running the Big E like a pro, DJ was not looking back. Lap 6, Mitch Harble spun in the middle of turns 1 and 2. Chad Wilson had no place to go but full-tilt into Harble. Wilson flipped and destroyed his ride. Harble's car also received heavy damage. Both were OK. Foos got a get jump on Bobby Clark for the restart. Clark has turned several laps and the Big E and thought he might used those to school the youngster. Foos would not have any of that and was off and running once again. Lap 8, Foos quickly slows and rolls to the pits. His night is done. Clark inherits the lead. another youngster, Zack Kramer is running the cushion like an Eldora pro, bouncing off the wall a
few times. Kramer is catching Clark as the laps wind down. Todd Heuerman enters the mix as well. Clark is too strong and holds on for the win. Heuerman nips Kramer and the end for 2nd. Hoffbauer and Bryan Sebetto, up from 13th, round out the top 5 in the 20 lap event. A good race for their first time to the high powered Eldora Speedway.
If you liked the 305 A, stay tuned for the 360 25 lap shoot-out. Tim Hunter hustled to the lead on the start. Hunter was fast but, Greg Wilson was faster and looking to find some kind of light on a dismal season. Lap 4, Wilson took the lead. The track was just what Wilson ordered, a dry slick, up against the wall smooth track. Just after lap 4 was in the books, Joey Moughan does a tommy tip-over in turn 1. Wilson is fast but Brock Mayes is running the rim in the Hammond 6 car. After a few cautions for a blown tire and a spin, the red is displayed after Corey Seeling tumbles off turn 2 on a lap 15 restart. This put Mayes on Wilson's tail tank. Brock trys a slide job on the restart but Wilson pulls away. Brock is inches off the wall and is mounting a charge at Wilson. Mayes looks faster each lap as they wind down. 5 to go, Mayes tags the wall fairly solid in turn 3 and does an excellent job of saving it. He keeps 2nd place but the bobble allows Wilson
to open up a huge lead. Crossing the finish line a straight-away ahead of the field, Wilson takes the win. Mayes, Mike Brecht, Butch Schroeder, and Mike Dussel, up from 11th round out the top 5. A good race up to the final 5 laps.
For a first time event, I personally thought it was a pretty good one. Plus, really not too bad of a crowd either. Hopefully, this event made its mark and will remain on the Eldora skid for years to come. I love seeing the WOO, All Star, and USAC boys at the Big E but, it is also very nice to see the little guys in the sport too get their own headlining event as well.
This weekend, Kokomo Klash number 2. Should be a good car count both days. Sprints Friday, Midgets Saturday.
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