Thanks once again to Scott Wolfe at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, for bringing us the results of Saturday's racing. As always, any opinions expressed in this post belong to Scott!
Kane takes Freedom 40
Johnson and Gray pick up Prelims
By Scott Wolfe
CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-With 93 cars in the pits, including 28 of the best Midwest All-Stars, the stage was set for a glorious tribute to the 9-11 Anniversary and annual Freedom 40.
Powell, Ohio's Todd Kane returned to the K-C victory lane after a long absence, enduring several accidents and holding off the charges of Jimmy Nier to post the win. Kenny Johnson won the star-studded AMRA Modified main, while Bruce Gray, Jr. won the Hobby Stock main.
The 40-lap Freedom 40 A-main started with a star-spangled bang. Polesitter Danny Smith got the jump on usual lowrider Dale Blaney and led the first three laps with Blaney at his side.
Blaney inched forward and blasted by on the next circuit and started to pull away. Todd Kane and Smith viciously exchanged slide jobs for second place until a fateful lap seven.
Blaney ran into no man's land when the car of Ed Neumeister spun and collected the cars of Wes McGlumphey, Rob Chaney and Ronnie Blair. Blaney had no place to go, climbed the wall, and flipped along with McGlumphey. Also with no place to go, Blair had a hard t-bone type hit into the side of McGlumphy. Luckily no injuries were incurred. Two laps after the restart Smith lost power and went pitside handing the lead to a high flying Kane.
Kane built a monumental lead over second place Jimmy Nier and Cole Duncan by lap 16, when he began to reach lapped traffic. The mad scramble for position allowed Nier and Duncan to quickly erase the lost ground.
Nier and Duncan battled furiously for second somewhat hampering Nier's driver toward first. By lap 19 Nier broke clear of Duncan and closed the gap on Kane. Lapped cars again impeded Niers drive to the front, allowing Kane to widen the lead and Duncan to challenge for second at the twenty-five lap mark.
Kyle Sauder, who hammered the wall during the last lap of his heat was gaining ground quickly and was one of several drivers to advance seven positions on the racy 3/8 mile track.
Duncan and Kirk Jeffries also conquered that feat with fine passing efforts, while veteran Chilli-town driver Mark Imler had his best all-star run, advancing six spots to a solid top ten. Young Nathan Skaggs also picked up six positions, but the hard charger of the night was another youngster Sam Ashworth who advanced eight spots in a great run from 18th to tenth.
While fans witnessed great racing at the front of the pack, Sauder and Aaron Higgins battled hard for position, then had to hold off a charging Rob Chaney, who had stormed from back in the pack to a top ten ahead of Kody Kinser and West Virginia Warrior Wayne McPeek. McPeek picked up five spots on the night after starting 13th.
The 27th circuit saw Kane embrace a straight-away lead. At that point Kane's lead seemed insurmountable, but Nier and Kane's ISPC J&J/Hampshire Engines mount both reached a clear track. Nier made a gallant bid that made it a close finish of about three car lengths.
"I'd like to thank my guys for working their butts off to get me here; and my little boy, who was here for just his second race. That's breaking him in right," shouted a visibly excited Kane.
"Wow, this track was great tonight. Thanks to Jimmy (Nier) and Cole (Duncan) for racing me clean. It's great to be back here in victory lane. Thanks to the track crew for a great track and thanks to the fans as well."
Rounding out the top ten were Kane, Nier, Duncan, Sauder, Higgins, Chaney, Kinser, McPeek, Imler, and Ashworth. The Kear's Speed Shop Heat one winner was Danny Smith, The All-Pro Heads heat two went to Kody Kinser, and the MSD Ignition heat three went to Ronnie Blair.
Forty-eight of the Midwest's fastest modifieds assembled at K-C Saturday for the Stars and Stripes 20 won by defending AMRA champion Kenny Johnson. Of the 48 cars in the field, 23 were making their first 2011 K-C appearance as cars from four states and all parts of Ohio came to conquer the fast 3/8 mile high banks.
Eleven cars in the feature were either series champions or track champions, further expanding the wealth of talent Johnson referred to in victory lane.
"Thank God for the highside," shouted Mr. Excitement Kenny Johnson. "It was an all-star field tonight. Thanks for my sponsors and the high side fans. I am dedicating this to George Branscom and the high side gang."
Johnson, who set a new track record of 15:226, said to announcer Bruce Hines, "This race pays three times as much doesn't it?' (laughing) This is a preview for the Dirt Track World Championship. We hope to put on a show at the DTWC as well."
When Johnson drew the number one pill on the redraw the rest of the field knew it would be tough. Johnson jumped out into the lead and went green to checker, however, racing throughout the pack was torrid.
Rick Hensley, a former K-C champion, was the hard charger in a 19th to tenth place run. Other capable hands also fought for a top ten. Rob Stambaugh, an early contender in the race was shuffled out of the top ten, while talented Kevin Morehouse left on lap 11 with a flat tire.
Rick Venham, Jr. and Jess Hartman challenged Johnson early with sustained three-wide excursions. Johnson broke free leaving Venham, Hartman, and Fireball Pinkerton to battle for second in a similar fashion. Jeremy Berwanger had his car working well on the high side, but in the latter stages was to be denied a top ten. Jason Brooks, who had a great night of competition, beat out two hot shoes in Andy Bond and Matt Holcomb for a top five.
Rounding out the top ten were Kenny Johnson, Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, David Pinkerton, Jason Brooks, Andy Bond, Matt Holcomb, Jeremy Rayburn, Tanner Wilson, and Rick Hensley.
Bruce Gray, Jr. has had an up and down season, but Saturday he was on top of his game and his car was just as good. Gray blasted into the early lead and never looked back in the 20-lap Hobby Stock main, repelling the efforts of Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, and a quickly ascending Tommy Mossbarger. Brandon Mather held a top five most of the race, but lost out in a tight battle with Thompson and Mossbarger. Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, and Mike Brust had their own little battle for a solid top ten.
The finished trickled out in this order: Bruce Gray, Jr, Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Mather, Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust, Jason Holstein, and Jack Martin. Mike Brust was the hard charger in a 13th to 8th place run.
"Jamey builds a helluva car," said Gray referring to Jamey Adams. "The car wasn't just great it was fantastic. Thanks to Dad and my Family, and I dedicate this win to my wife Amy for her birthday. It feels really good to be back here in victory lane."
Johnny Lawhorn made it a clean sweep in the Vintage American Race Car series (VARC) over Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Terry Wells, Del Leavitt, Scott Swain, and Mike Swain.
K-C is off until the Sept. 24 Late Model "Tune Up for the DTWC". There will be no racing Sept. 17 as the track prepares for the Sept. 24 racing. Also, on the agenda are Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. K-C will run the same three classes on Oct. 1 as they celebrate 100 years of racing in Ross County. Then, coming Oct. 13-14-15 is the Grandest Race of them all, the Dirt Track World Championship.
The summary:
Goodyear Midwest All-Star 410 Sprint Cars (28)
Fast Time: Kyle Sauder 11:428
Dash: Danny Smith, Dale Blaney, Rob Chaney, Todd Kane, Aaron Higgins, Jimmy Nier,
Kears Speed Shop Heat One: Danny Smith, Rob Chaney, Wayne McPeek, Hud Horton, Kirk Jeffries, Brandy Bower, Lance Webb, Kyle Sauder, Bob Tucker, Nick Forcum
All Pro Heads Heat Two: Kody Kinser, Cole Duncan, Todd Kane, Dale Blaney, Bryce Dickson, Josh Davis, Nathan Skaggs, Jesse McCreary, Jeb Lowder
MSD Ignition Heat Three: Ronnie Blair, Jimmy Nier, Ed Neumeister, Aaron Higgins, Sam Ashworth, Mark Imler, Wes McGlumphey, John Shewbrooks, Nick Naber
B-Main: Kyle Sauder, Nathan Skaggs, Mark Imler, Wes McGlumphey, Brandy Bower, Josh Davis, Nick Forcum, Jesse McCreary, Lance Webb, John Shewbrooks, Bob Tucker, Jeb Lowder, Nick Naber
Freedom 40 Feature:
Finish-Driver-Start Position
1. 78-Todd Kane[4]
2. OO-Jim Nier[6]
3. 22-Cole Duncan[10]
4. 7K-Kyle Sauder[11]
5. 51-Aaron Higgins[5]
6. 45-Rob Chaney[3]
7. 4K-Kody Kinser[7]
8. 1MC-Wayne McPeek[13]
9. 40-Mark Imler[15]
10. 92-Sam Ashworth[18]
11. 2X-Nathan Skaggs[17]
12. 59J-Kirk Jeffries[19]
13. 11D-Bryce Dickson[14]
14. 80-Hud Horton[9]
15. O6-Brandy Bower[16]
16. 35R-Ronnie Blair[8]
17. 4-Danny Smith[1]
18. 2-Dale Blaney[2]
19. 11N-Ed Neumeister[12]
20. 35-Wes McGlumphy[20]
MALTA AMRA MODIFIEDS
Advanced Services Modifieds (48)
Grooms Trucking Fast Time: Kenny Johnson 15:226
Heat One: Kenny Johnson, Andy Bond, Jason Brooks, Dave Jamison, Rob Stambaugh, Mark Bailey, Greg Anderson, Jeff Votaw, Dusty Boley, Donnie Stewart, Derrick Smith, David McWilliams
Heat Two: Jeremy Berwanger, Kevin Morehouse, Jeremy Rayburn, Bud Frazier, Bob Crace
Jr, Rick Hensley, Adam Colley, Robert Garnes, Dan Aldridge, Matt Edmisten, Chuck Yeley, Mike Arthur
Heat Three: Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, Jr., Tanner Wilson, Steven Duty, Darin Roush, Luke Jordan, Denny Szekacs, Andy Bibbler, Brian Skaggs, Robert Page, John Arthurs, Justin McNutt
Heat Four: Travis Dickson, Fireball Pinkerton, Matt Holcomb, Brian Whiteman, Tim Tribby, Phillip Bapst, Eric Arledge, Roy Roush, Bob Hurst, Jr., Jim Szekacs, Matt E. Holcomb
B-Main One: Rob Stambaugh, Rick Hensley, Bob Crace, Jr., Mark Bailey, Robert Garnes, Donnie Stewart, Adam Colley, Jeff Votaw, Dan Aldridge, Busty Boley, Matthew Edmiston, Greg Anderson Chuck Yeley, Derrick Smith, David McWilliams, Jeremy Blake
B-Main Two: Tim Tribby, Phillip Bapst, Luke Jordan, Roy Roush, Matt E. Holcomb, Robert Page, Jim Szekacs, Bob Hurst, Jr. , Darin Roush, Brian Skaggs, Denny Szekacs, Eric Arledge, Andy Bibler, John Arthurs, Justin McNutt
Feature: Kenny Johnson, Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, David Pinkerton, Jason Brooks, Andy Bond, Matt Holcomb, Jeremy Rayburn, Tanner Wilson, Rick Hensley, Rob Stambaugh, Tim Tribby, Jeremy Berwanger, Brian Whiteman, Dave Jamison, Phillip Bapst, Steven Duty, Kevin Morehouse, Travis Dickson, Bud Frazier
Hobby Stocks (14)
Heat One: Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Mather, Tommy Mossbarger, Evan Seitz, Jack Martin, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust
Heat Two: Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Richard Trego, Jeff Sheets, Mike Colopy, Tracey Ross, Jason Holstein
Feature: Bruce Gray, Jr, Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Mather, Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust, Jason Holstein, Jack Martin, Evan Seitz, Tracey Ross, Jeff Sheets, Mike Colopy
Vintage Cars V.A.R.C.
Heat: Johnny Lawhorn, Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Del Leavitt, Mike Swain, Scott Swain, Terry Wells
Feature: Johnny Lawhorn, Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Terry Wells, Del Leavitt, Scott Swain, Mike Swain
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