By: Spartan correspondent, Michelle Sprague
Valvoline Instant Oil Change, along with the Spartan Speedway, hosted Customer Appreciation Night for all of its loyal customers on the evening of Friday, August 13th. With the season winding down, and point chases heating up in every division, Friday night was no exception.
The Andrews Chevrolet Super Late Model division saw three lead changes among the leaders and Logan Beckwith, of Hanover, came out on top. Jon McNett started the night out with a commanding lead, but Jimmy Gallagher narrowed the gap, with Chris Hettinger and Evan Barrett tacked to his rear bumper. Caution waved for McNett and Hettinger, with Hettinger having to restart from the tail of the field on lap 14. Gallagher jumped to the high side of McNett and took away the top spot on the restart, with Beckwith moving quickly up through the field. Beckwith caught Gallagher and the duo pulled away from the field, leaving Barrett and Dave Stehouwer to decide third. Stehowuer got around Barrett on lap 24 with Hettinger diving under Barrett to take away fourth on lap 26. Caution waved four laps later, and Gallagher restarted outside of Beckwith. Beckwith took the lead from Gallagher after the restart, while Hettinger got around Stehouwer for third. Beckwith went on to take the win over Gallagher. Hettinger, Stehouwer and Barrett rounded out the top five. Gallagher took the heat win for the division.
Some new faces took the opportunity to run the Valvoline Instant Oil Change 35-lap feature. Mike Wieman made the long haul from Harbor Springs and Paul Jamison, tire specialist for Martin Truex, made the trip to Spartan Speedway from MIS to get behind the wheel of Tom Hernly Jr’s Modified. Welcome back to Gilbert Little and Roger Kellogg, both making their first appearance of the season. Sonny Coito took the early lead from Wieman, just two laps in, with Wayne Haughton in hot pursuit. Behind the leaders, Ron Parish, Chris Stearns and Travis Eddy were battling for position. Haughton took the lead from Coito on lap seven, as Eddy challenged Parish for third on lap nine. Haughton put some real estate between himself and Coito in second, while Eddy reeled in Coito and went to work on him for second, but ran out of laps in his bid for the second position. Chris Ozanich jumped into the mix and was able to run away from Stearns for fourth. At the stripe, it was Haughton, Coito, Eddy, Ozanich and Stearns. Jim Heeney and Nate Moon took wins in their heats.
John Clancy, of Harbor Springs, made the trek down to the ¼-mile bullring in Mason, MI to run with the Pure Stock division. The division also welcomed George Speer, who experienced mechanical difficulties prior to the start of the 20-lap feature.
Nine Pures lined up for their feature, with Clancy taking the early lead. Mark Childers took over the top spot on lap two, with Matt Childers right on his tail. Matt took the lead on lap five with Landon Hidy sitting third. Hidy took the lead on lap nine, but Matt gave him a run for his money, keeping pace with the leader for the remaining 11 laps. Mark Carson and Jordan Harvey had a battle royal going to decide the fourth spot, with Carson coming out on top. At the line, it was Hidy, Matt Childers, Mark Childers, Carson, and Harvey. Matt Childers took the heat win for the division.
Ten Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks lined up for the 20-lap A-feature with Todd Metz Sr. taking the lead at the drop of the green. Patrick Denison moved into second on lap three and took the lead by lap six. Tyler Heeney and Todd Metz Jr. were mixing it up to decide third. Edson Rowley Jr. jumped into the mix and the fans saw a five-way battle for third shaping up as Wayne Beckner Jr. and Darren Wright joined the trio. Metz Jr. got around Heeney for third and set his sights on his dad for second. Metz Jr. took the second spot away at the halfway point and set out to reel in Denison for first. Metz Jr. caught Denison on lap 12 and made the pass for the lead on lap 15. Beckner Jr. broke free form the five car pack and reeled in Denison for third, but ran out of laps for a shot at the lead. At the checkered, it was Metz Jr., Denison, Beckner Jr., Metz Sr. and Heeney. Brandon Moody took the early lead in the 20-lap B-feature, but veteran driver, Darrell Taylor quickly moved in to challenge Moody for the lead. Moody was able to hold off Taylor for 14 laps, while Scott Sparagowski gained on Taylor for third. Taylor drove under Moody for the lead on lap 15 and drove away from Moody in second. Sparagowski went to work on Moody for second but Moody was able to out run him. After 20 laps, it was Taylor, Moody, Sparagowski, Rob Miller and Wayne Parkhurst. Taylor and Metz Sr. tallied heat wins for the evening.
As the 2010 racing season winds down, with five nights of racing remaining, please join us for exciting racing action at the Spartan Speedway. Friday, August 20th is CARQUEST Night, featuring a MOD 50 for the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds. The Sawyers Superstore Wingless Sprints will be in action, along with the Pure Stocks and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stock division. DeWayne Spaw will be giving a concert, thanks to the Howe Family and Beacon Sales and Service and the ever-popular Spectator Drags are slated for the evening as well. Friday August 27th is Season Championship Night for Andrews Chevrolet Super Late Models, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stocks. As always, we’ll see you at the races!
