Sports : View From The Grandstands

Welcome to another episode of views from the grandstand.  AB Auto sponsorded the night as it was the week before the fair races.  No hot laps tonight as the track was having problems keeping the moisture in it.  That would lead to a few problem spots onnthe track for the drive's to try to avoid. First feature up was the Sport Mods and to my surprise they started all 26 Sport mods in the feature.  This would lead to 3 cautions during the event, but Ken Kositsky would not let that slow him down as he took the flag-to-flag win.  Jim Buhlman finsihed in second with Curt Hilmer, Drew Fish, and Kurt Hogan rounding out the top 5.  Intersting to note that Fish started 24th due to issues during the heat race.  Heat race winners were Hilmer, Buhlman, and new to the track Jake Strayer(sp??). Next up was the Hobby Stocks as 16 cars checked in.  Al Sweerin took the early lead from the pole and would lead until on the white flag lap Matt Brown made the pass on Sweerin.  The pass wasn't very clean in my opinion, but I think that had more to do with the hole in the middle of turn 4.  The crowd also let Brown know of their displeasure with his pass also.  Sweerin had to get hard on the brakes and lost several spots.  Russell Damme Jr finished second with Vince Bucholz, and Scott Pippert the top 4.  Heat race winners were Damme Jr, and Doug Laughridge. Next feature up was the Sport Compacts.  16 cars were on hand tonight.  Bill Whalen, Jr took the early lead.  On lap 4, Gary Peiffer passed Whalen and went on to take the victory.  Whalen finished second with Dallas Chandler, Merv Chandler, and Travis Losenicky the unofficial top 5.  Heat race winners were Ross Kitner and Whalen Jr.  Note:  one of the droivers of this class:  Brad Chandler took a nasty rollover at Burlington on Saturday night. The IMCA Stock Cars were next on the docket and 12 cars were on hand tonight.  Austin Evans was the early leader.  On lap 6 Norman Chesmore got by Evansand wnet on to score the victory.  Scooter Dulin finished second with Justin Temeyer, Damon Murty, and Evans rounidng out the top 5.  Heat race winners were Phil Holtz and Temeyer. The final feature was the "Knights of Thunder" IMCa Modifieds.  Interesting to note that point leader Max Corporon was not in attendance.  20 Modifieds were on hand and we also had a car from Canada here also.  Ronn Lauritzen took the early lead.  Six cautions would keep the action close.  Joe Docekal passed Lauritzen on lap 5 and went on to score his first ever A Modified feature win.  The cars of Lauritzen, Jerry Luloff, and Mark Schulte were racing hard for second place just past midway.  Scott Hogan also joined the fray.  Luloff would finish in second with Hogan, Lauritzen, and Schulte rounding out the top 5.  Heat race winners were Docekal, Luloff, and Patrick Flanagan. The final checkers flew at 8:26 and afterwards the kid's candy dash was held on the front stretch.  That's all for now and look forward to a special fair episode of my views from the grandstands later this week.  In addition to this, on a personal note, I am preparing for my return to the 1/4-mile wars.  It's been a long time coming and I look forward to getting out there and being a part of the show.  Thanks for reading.