Matt Smith had just two 600 Wingless Micro Sprint Spirit Auto Center Speedway wins coming into the 2017 season – one in each of the last two years. On Friday night, Smith became the first repeat winner in Micro Sprint 600 action at Spirit as he won his second win of the season in back-to-back fashion.
Smith attributes his success to the new car that he is running this year and the shock package to go with it. “It was a little bit of work tonight (after starting in ninth), “ Smith explained. “But the car was hooked up!”
The Keller brothers – Jon and Richie – led the field to the green flag with Steve Bracall quickly taking the lead. Bracall led Nick Walton and Smith through lap five. Three laps later, Smith made his move to the inside in turn three to take the lead from Bracall. Smith never looked back as he extended his lead throughout the remaining laps. Bracall raced home with a runner-up effort over Walton, PJ Williams who had a career best finish in fourth and Jermain Godshall rounding out the top five.
Andrew Locuson continued to add to the string of single winners in the 270 Winged Micros. Locuson, making his first start in a car that he shares the driving chores with his brother, Chris, picked up his 13th win on the quarter mile track after taking the lead from the multi-time track champion, Tyler Reinhardt on lap thirteen.
Polesitter, Brandon Shipley led the way in the 270 Micro feature with Locuson quickly moving into second on the first lap. Reinhardt took over second on a lap four restart and then took the lead from Shipley to lead lap nine. Locuson moved by Shipley to regain the runner-up spot and then closed in on Reinhardt to challenge for the lead. Locuson was the race leader when lap thirteen was scored as he raced away from the competition. Reinhardt crossed the line in second with Alex Swift finishing third. Shipley finished fourth ahead of one time feature winner, Ryan Heim.
Brett Bieber and car owner, Donny Hockman continued their winning ways with their second JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track 2017 Poker Series victory in Slingshot competition. Bieber, who thought that a win on the Spirit quarter mile would always elude him, came away with his second Ace after twenty laps of competition.
Bieber drew the pole for the feature event and left the racing for second as he led from the green to the checkered. Austin Stufflet raced in second during the early laps but a restart on the outside had Stufflet shuffled out of position as Dylan Hoch took over the runner-up position. But the racing wasn’t over as Rich Partite became the number two man, only to lose the position to Kurt Bettler in a late race challenge. Bieber took the win over Bettler, a hard charging Seth Spayd, Hoch and Kyle Smith
Scott Miller continued his dominance in the i2MFour Cylinder Enduro competition, picking up this win over John Garey for his fourth consecutive victory.
Billy Calvert was the winner of the Novice 600 feature.
Racing action returns to the quarter mile track next Sunday, June 4th for the second hand of the 2017 Poker Series.
600CC MICRO SPRINT FEATUE (20 laps): 1. Matt Smith, 2. Steve Bracall, 3. Nick Walton, 4. P.J. Williams, 5. Jermain Godshall, 6. Kyle Spence, 7. Rob Vivona, 8. Travis Hill, 9. Jon Keller, 10. Nick Havens, 11. Joe Bednarek, 12. Richie Keller, 13. Mike Linderman, 14. Brandon Pavel, 15. Dave Nelson, 16. Billy Calvert, 17. Rich Mellor, 18. Jake Roberts, 19. Justin Murphy, 20. Gary Forsythe, 21. Jim Tippin, 22. Ed Wolf, 23. Joe Dopke, 24. Ernie Miles, Jr., 25. Rich Afflerbach, DNQ – Dave Damaio, Jarrad Lilly, Kristy Hicks, Nathan Smith
600CC NOVICE FEATURE (8 laps): 1. Billy Calvert, 2. Ed Wolf, 3. Kristy Hicks, 4. Nathan Smith
270CC MICRO SPRINT FEATURE (20 laps): 1. Andrew Locuson, 2. Tyler Reinhardt, 3. Alex Swift, 4. Brandon Shipley, 5. Ryan Heim, 6. Colin Bustard, 7. Steve Coslop, 8. Rich Keller, 9. John Blanda, 10. Sean Heusser, 11. Ryan Wozunk, 12. John Wagner, Jr., 13. Billy Gray, 14. Tyler Grau, 15. Dana Watkins, 16. Ken Andreas, 17. Brandon Ewing, 18. Decker Morrow
SPEEDWAY’S ALL-STAR BAGEL STOP/JEFFREYHOGUE.COM/ACTION TRACK USA SLINGSHOTS (20 laps): 1. Brett Bieber, 2. Kurt Bettler, 3. Seth Spayd, 4. Dylan Hoch, 5. Kyle Smith, 6. Rich Partite, 7. Samantha Miller, 8. Travis Bieber, 9. Lou Partite, 10. Austin Stufflet, 11. Tess Horvath, 12. Dave Morrell, 13. Chris Gall, 14. Ashley Therien, 15. Emily Fleming, 16. Joe Toth, 17. Steve Schenker, 18. David Bell
i2m FOUR CYLINDER ENDUROS (20 laps – postponed from 5/12): 1. Scott Miller, 2. Joe Garey, DNS – Todd Francis, Chris Martinez, Joe King
Upcoming events
Sunday, June 4 – Poker Series Hand #2 – 270 & 600 Micros, Slingshots and Xcel 600 Modifieds, racing at 6pm
Friday, June 9 – 270 & 600 Micros, 4 Cylinder & 8 Cylinder Enduros – racing at 8pm
Saturday, June 17 – PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT (FREE ADMISSION) – 270 & 600 Micros, 4 Cylinders, Xcel 600 Modifieds on quarter mile with Crate/Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Rookies and MASS Sprint Cars on 5/8 mile track – racing at 6pm