Severe Weather all around / Clear skies at "The Cherry" 

For the ASCS "Sprints On Dirt"

 

Despite threatening weather all over Northern Michigan, the skies cleared over Cherry Speedway for the first of two appearances for the ASCS "Sprints On Dirt this past Friday. The weather did keep some of the sprinters from making the long tow north, but 15 of the top runners took the chance and put on a GREAT show. 


Northern Michigan resident Joe Bares and Gregg Dalman started on the front row for the 25-lap main event.  Dalman got the jump into turn one and quickly opened up a straightaway lead.  Ryan Grubaugh eventually found a way past  Bares and set his sights on Dalman.  A mid-race caution for point leader Ben Rutan’s spin between turns three and four that left one lapped car between Dalman and Grubaugh.  Grubaugh disposed of the lapped car in time for the caution flag to reappear and allowed him close in on Dalman’s back bumper. 

During the ensuing restart Grubaugh slid off the edge of the track and allowed Tim Norman, who started seventh, into the second spot.  Then with eight laps the go the caution appeared for Gary Fast sliding off the track in turn three.  The caution set up an eight-lap shootout between the top three drivers.  Dalman was up to the task pulling away from Norman to the victory.  Grubaugh, Naida, and Brett Mann rounded out the top five.


"It’s been a while since we have won here," said Dalman.  "I raced down in Ohio all last year and learned to be easier on the throttle.  That really helped tonight". 


The heat race events were won by Tim Norman and Joe Bares.  The fast car dash was canceled due to rain in the area.

Allen Oyer and Jordan Erickson found their way to victory lane in their respective heat races in the 4-Cylinder Compact class. In the feature event, Jordan Erickson took over the point on lap 9 of the 15 lap event and went on to score the win over Jess Chambers, Allen Oyer, Eli Hittle Jr., Brandon Schaub and Scotty Fisher.

Ed Kler scored the first heat race win in the Cruiser/Bomber division followed by Nick Kler and Donnie Strong while Randy Day carried the checkers in heat #2 over Josh Hutchinson and Karl McClellan. On the first lap of the feature race, Christopher Rice and Jeff Bell tangled in turn three bringing out the caution. Both drivers retired to the pits unable to restart. Randy Day moved up to the pole position for the restart and took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Day went on to take home the win followed by Jeremy Frye, Ed Kler, Josh Hutchinson, Elroy Ozment, Bill Edwards, Karl McClellan and Tom VanBrocklin.

Dan Hersey set fast time in Super Street Stock qualifying with a lap of 17.259 while Tom Zundel carried the checkers in the dash. Heat #1 victory went to Justin Clous over Zeke Chambers and Richard clay while Tom Zundel made it to victory lane for the second time of the night followed by Rick Wilson and Hersey. Problems on the opening lap of the feature moved Rick Wilson to the pole for the restart and as the green flag flew Wilson took off into the lead with Zundel glued to his bumper. Wilson ran a clean line and held off all challenges by Zundel to score his first feature win of the year. Zundel held on to second followed by Richard Clay, Justin Clous, Dan Hersey, Matt Titus, Chris Roush and Zeke Chambers.

Traverse City’s, Mark Nienhouse turned in quick time in the Michigan Modified Association with a lap of 16.361. Bob Green held off the field to score the dash win over Jeff Cade, Larry Cade and Nienhouse. In the first heat race, Greg Town carried the checkers over Roger Steig and Scott Payton while Brent Banning made his way to victory lane in the second heat followed by Dennis Taghon and Eric Spangler. In t he feature race Roger Steig jumped into the early lead with 2007 Champion, Brent Banning, glued to his bumper. On lap 14 the caution flew and on the restart, Jeff Cade got the jump on Banning to take over the runner up spot. Roger Steig held off the challenges of Cade and Banning to score the win over Jeff Cade, Brent Banning, Eric Spangler, Dennis Taghon, Keith Booth, Joe Rokos, Steve Hilliker, Larry Cade and Scott Payton.

This Friday at Cherry Speedway will be a Full Show and Veteran’s Night. All Vet’s with I.D. receive FREE pass to the main Grand Stand.

Alan Lardie