By: Ron Burt
It was a busy 4-day Memorial weekend of racing in the tri-state. I have a complete rundown on my Facebook page, Ohio Sports Blitz. I will run through key races here that took place over the holiday. In Ohio on Friday, May 26th, Travis Philo pulled his wing back and blasted away at Attica Raceway Park’s cushion. The move and adjustments his crew made paid off as he blasted around race-long leader Jordan Ryan on the last corner of the last lap to get the 410-sprint victory followed by Jordan Ryan, and Cap Henry. Three-time 305-sprint champion Jamie Miller also used Attica’s high line, charging from his eighth starting spot to the lead by just lap six. The Fremont, Ohio driver earned his second Attica win of 2023. Finishing behind the winner was Brandon Moore, and Seth Schneider. Devin Shiels, who has won the last three consecutive UMP Late Model track championships at Attica, has been trying to get used to a new car this season. Canadian Gregg Haskell in town, looked as though he was going to earn his first Attica win, leading the first 21 laps, however Shiels found something on the top side of turns three and four and took the lead just before a caution with 22 laps complete. Shiels drove away for the victory followed by Gregg Haskell, and Casey Noonan.
At IRP in Indianapolis Bobby Santos won the Hoosier 100. The prestigious race for Silver Crown Cars on pavement and earning him $25,000.
On the half mile paved Toledo Speedway, two popular touring series put on great shows Friday, May 26th. Josh Poore won the Ohio Wheelman feature race for the touring Street Stock Class and in the National Compact Touring Series, Will Slaughter took the checker for his first tour feature win of the year.
A major upset took place on Saturday, May 27th. at Anderson Speedway, In only his second career start in a sprint car, rookie driver Jake Trainor captured the prestigious 75th running of the Lucas Oil Little 500, passing Kody Swanson with 54 laps remaining. Caleb Armstrong took second, passing Kody Swanson on the final lap. Trainor, Armstrong, and Swanson were the only drivers to complete all 500 laps. Jacob Wilson finished 4th and Logan Seavey placed 5th; they were both three laps down. On a side note, the night before at IRP, 18-year-old Jake Trainor won the Carb Night Classic for Midgets on asphalt, completing a weekend sweep.
Last Saturday at Angola Motorsports Park on the fast ¼ mile high banked asphalt oval, your feature winners were Late Model Tanner Jack, Modifieds, Johnathon Gatton, Street Stocks Parker Moyer, and Chip Heintzelman Front Wheel Drive Class.
At Oakshade Raceway the Dirt UMP Late Model feature was won by Casey Noonan, the defending Oakshade Raceway Late Model track champion. This was his first win of the year at the northern Ohio track. Getting his 2nd feature win in a row was Carter Schlenk in the UMP Sportsman class. Justin Gamber had a battle on his hands with Gabe Mueller, in the Dominator Stock Class. Gamber was able to pull away to get the win. Compact A Main was won by Eric Carr, who started from the pole and led the entire race.
It’s time to mark your calendars for some big upcoming races in the area. We are just one week away from the 29th annual Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway, June 8th-10th. The winning driver will take home $128,000.00. Do you want to meet your favorite drivers that compete weekly at Angola Motorsports Park? On Saturday, June 10th it’s autograph night. Oakshade fans, June 17th will be the $5K to win Barney Oldfield Race for the Dirt UMP Late Models. Attica Raceway Park will host the 35th Annual Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic Presented by Racing Optics when the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series invades Attica on Tuesday, July 11th. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
