CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT AT DIXIE By Dixie Motor Speedway
Birch Run, MI Sep 06, 2008 - It was a beautiful night for racing as New Creation Life Ministries presented racing action at Dixie Motor Speedway on Friday, August 29th. With over 120 cars in the pit, there was plenty of racing action for everyone as racers wrapped up the 2008 Championship season before a Labor Day Weekend crowd.
Ed Doutre Jr set fast time in The Bus Stop Inn Pro Late Models with a 16.288. Heats went to Tom Grossman, Tony Callahan and Chad Bennett. Many of the familiar names were battling for the win but in the end it was Rookie of the Year contender Blake Childers outrunning the 22-car field for his first-ever Late Model feature win. Right on his rear bumper was Doutre who claimed his 2nd consecutive Track Championship. Bernie Murphy had a strong run to come home in third followed by Tony Hoose and Danny Leeck.
The Pro Sports Graphics Modifieds were back in action as Tony Brabbs led the field in time trials with a 16.181. Nick Clemens and Ken O’Connor grabbed heat race wins. Jeff Reamer started on the pole with Lansing’s Larry Wallace on the outside for the 30 lap feature. Chuck Silva quickly found his way to the point as things were heating up for 2nd and 3rd. O’Connor was pressuring Wallace for third when the pair made contact, sending Wallace spinning through turn 4. Mike Luberda also got caught up in the spin but could not continue. Silva went on to grab the win and the Championship while Reamer, Wallace, Dave Christensen and Rick Wiecorek rounded out the top 5.
The Drive Train Specialist Sportsman have seen some good numbers the last half of the season and Friday was no exception as 18 cars were on hand for Championship Night. Kevin Harder paced qualifying with a 17.250. Gary Shank and Jon Giffel took heat wins. The duel of the night was between Chet Allen and Don Riley who put on a whale of a show with most of it door-to-door. With just a few laps remaining after a double-file restart, it looked as though Allen would lose the point to Riley who ducked under him coming out of turn 4. Allen got a bit loose, allowing Riley to get along side but the Saginaw hotshoe showed what he was made of as he battled back on the outside to reclaim the lead and the win. Riley held on for 2nd while Harder finished a close 3rd and locked up the the Championship. Adam Rowe and Dale Malusi rounded out the top 5.
Jim Miller Jr. in his first visit to Dixie this season was the fastest of the Wilson’s Marine Factory Stocks at 16.411. Danny Leeck and Maverick Morrow won heats. Point leader Ed Newman Jr. had his hands full with Miller but was able to get the jump on the field as he quickly made his way through the field to claim the point. Miller would not let him out of sight however as the former Champion chased him down and the battle was on. The pair out-raced the 20-car field but the closest that Miller could get was to pull underneath coming off the corner. Newman was up to the challenge as he took the checkered and locked up his Championship. Leeck, Morrow and Cam Hiltz completed the top 5.
Chris Stearns set fast time in the Bomber division as he turned a 17.906. Jamie Crandell, Bob Kern and Craig Bastien won their heats. Ray DerMiner won the Last Chance race. Jeffrey Roethlisberger got out front early and was never seriously challenged in the 20 lap feature. He went on to win his first-ever feature trailed closely by Stearns. CJ Davis came home third followed by Bastien and Anthony Jurek. Rob Kern holds a slim lead over Jurek for the Championship which will be determined this Saturday. Roethlisberger and Stearns failed to pass post-race inspection, handing the win to Davis.
In Dixie Figure-8 action, Scott Platz won the battle over the 15-car field while Jordan Lechota won the war as he claimed Championship honors. Platz took the feature win trailed by Lechota, Ricky Casey, Rob Kern and Lonnie Saumier.
This Saturday night marks the return of the Auto Value Super Sprints, the 43rd Annual Dixie Classic 100 for Super Late Models, Bomber Championships and School Bus Fig-8’s. Racing action begins at 7pm. For info, go to dixiemotorspeedway.com or call 989-624-9778.
