By: Ron Burt
USAC Hall of Fame’s newest class was officially inducted Thursday night, June 30th, at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The ceremony took place during the running of Thursday Night Thunder Homecoming featuring Sprints, Midgets & Silver Crown cars. Six USAC greats were inducted this year, Johnny Vance, Joe Shaheen, Ray Nichels, Jay Drake, Galen Fox, and Doug Caruthers.
Friday at Attica Raceway Park, patience paid off for TJ Michael. The Plano, Texas native led the first 15 laps of the 410 A-main, lost it to Tyler Street, then used a restart with a hand full of laps remaining to his advantage and drove back out front to take his first ever Attica 410 win. In the UMP Late Model feature, Rusty Schlenk picked up his 3rd Attica win of the season. Jamie Miller held off challenges from Larry Kingseed Jr. and Matt Foos to score his third 305 sprint A-main win of the year at Attica. It’s his 34th career 305 win at the track for the three time and defending division champion. At Limaland Motorsports Park, the 360 Sprint Invaders put on a great show in a close feature event. Randy Hannagan took the checker with Dylan Westbrook 2nd and Shawn Valenti 3rd. The UMP Modified victory went to veteran driver Todd Sherman and Gabe Mueller won the Thunderstock A-main. Over in Indiana, at Gas City I-69 Speedway Hall of Fame driver, Tom Bigelow was on hand to meet the fans as the speedway honored him. The USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets were in town and Alex Watson was the winner. In the Non-winged Sprints Harley Burns captured the victory. James Headley took home Stock Car portion of the evening.
On Saturday, June 25th the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame inducted 10 individuals. Inducted were Bob Raubenolt, Monte and Vicki Collins, Al Harrison, Bob Hampshire, Dan Roepke, Bryan Scott, Dale Blaney, and Chuck Steinbrick. Greg Wilson scored his 2nd win of the summer in the 410 Sprints. It was his 15th victory at Fremont. The 360 Great Lakes Sprints were in town. California driver Cole Macedo who competes in the 410 division recently purchased a 360 motor so he can race in the Trophy Cup. Macedo was flawless in his Great Lakes Sprint Series win. Paul Weaver, a multi-time track champion in the 305 Sprints, put on a dominate performance, leading all 25 laps for his second win of the year at Fremont Speedway. It was the 66th career win at the track for Weaver who sits third on the all-time win list. Keeping it dirt! Dusty Moore dominated the Oakshade/Attica Late Model Challenge Series feature event at Oakshade Raceway on Saturday night picking up his first feature win of the season. Moore made it look easy. Colin Shipley got by Drew Smith late in the race to finish in the second position. Carter Murday became the first repeat feature winner this season in the Sportsman class. Dylan Burt led a caution-filled Dominator Super Stock A-main from flag to flag to earn his very first feature victory.
Next week I will have coverage from a couple of great pavement tracks. The Supermodifieds at Sandusky Speedway and the Outlaw Late Models at Plymouth Motor Speedway for the second leg of the four-part Grand Slam. Because of limited space here I can only cover several tracks each week. On my facebook page, (Ohio Sports Blitz) I recap races from fifteen tri-state racetracks and have lots of pictures. I welcome your emails and try to answer all of them. Twenty-two race fans took time to message me this week. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron Out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
