By: Ron Burt
Last week mother nature played tricks on us again and several tracks couldn’t get their racing programs in. Rain didn’t affect Attica Raceway Park Friday, July 8th. Tanner Thorson moved from the cushion to the bottom of Attica Raceway Park with a pair of laps to go in the 410-sprint feature and pick up the victory. It was the first win at Attica for the Carson City, Nevada native. The 2022 Chili Bowl champion and former USAC national midget champion, took the lead from Travis Philo after Philo got sideways in traffic on lap nine. Phil came right back and was right on Thorson’s rear bumper with two laps to go. That’s when Thorson went from the cushion to the bottom of the track and pulled away for the win and a $4000.00 payday. Thorson commented that this would hopefully be a momentum changer, since he’s had a monkey on his back recently. It was a nice win heading into the Brad Doty Classic. He gave all the praise to his hardworking crew. Rounding out the top four spots in the 410 Sprint feature, 2. Travis Philo, 3. Craig Mintz, and 4. Trey Jacobs. The 25-lap Late Model feature went to Ryan Markham, but it wasn’t an easy win. He fought off several challenges from 2nd place Devin Shiels and 3rd place Ryan Missler. Caution flags and restarts became Ryan Markham’s best friends. The 305-Sprint feature was full of cautions. Jimmy McGrath led the first eight laps until Paul Weaver took over on lap nine. Third through seventh changed hands every lap until the final caution fell on lap 19 when third place running Dustin Stroup had a rear axle failure.
Weaver could not shake McGrath and when Weaver slid off the track on the final lap McGrath made a last-ditch charge but came up just short as Paul Weaver held on for the win. Behind him was Jimmy McGrath, Tyler Shullick, Mike Keegan, and Logan Riel.
On Tuesday, July 12th the World of Outlaw Sprints returned to Attica Raceway Park for the 34th Annual Bob Doty Classic. It was also a tune up before they headed to Eldora for the Kings Royal. Several NASCAR Cup drivers were in the starting field. Kyle Larson was looking to make it two WoO wins in a row at Attica and three wins in 2022 with the series. The NASCAR Champion didn’t disappoint his fans. He started the night winning his heat race. In the feature Larson took the lead from his brother-in-law Brad Sweet on a lap 13 restart and seemed to have the race in hand until lapped traffic came into play on lap 27. The 10-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz had worked his way to third by lap 21 and took second from Sweet on lap 29. In six laps Schatz cut Larson’s lead in half. The capacity crowd were on their feet as Donny Schatz pulled under Larson on several occasions, but Larson made some great moves in traffic to seal the $15,000 win, his fifth victory at Attica in his career. Rounding out the top-5 spots 2nd Donny Schatz ($6,000), 3rd Brad Sweet ($3,500), 4th Logan Schuchart ($2,800) and 5th David Gravel ($2,500).
The weather forecast looks good going into this weekend in the tri-state. I will have complete coverage of the 39th Annual Kings Royal from Eldora Speedway for the 410 Outlaw Sprints. Non-Winged Sprint fans you won’t be left out. I will be coving the Indiana USAC Sprint Week! I will also have coverage of the two-night Supermodified show at Berlin. What I can’t cover here, I’ll try to cover on my sports blog, the Ohio Sports Blitz on Facebook. Lastly well wishes and prayers go out to the people at Oakshade Raceway that lost a family member. That’s why they didn’t race last week. Until next week, keep your wheels on the ground, Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
