By: Ron Burt
I will cover the Eldora Million and Kings Royal next week. Leading up to Eldora, many of the top World of Outlaw Sprint car drivers were at Attica Raceway Park for the 35th Annual Brad Doty Classic, Tuesday, July 11th. Kyle Larson became the first back-to-back winner. Larson led all 40 laps to take home the $15,000 top prize. The California native has won three Brad Doty Classics. He has six career wins at the track in just 10 A-main starts including five wins in the last six starts at Attica. It was Larson’s 30th career win with the World of Outlaws. Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild was second followed by Cole Macedo.
I have an update on Zach Wigal, the young racing sensation that races in the USAC Midwest Thunder Midget series. He was able to hot lap and test a national car with a full-blown Toyota TRD motor, 400 HP, 4 cylinder. I could tell by his excitement, he’s looking forward to July 28th at Ohio Valley Speedway, when he plans to make his National Outlaw Midget debut. Race fans keep his name on your radar!
Kody Swanson won his second consecutive Gene Nolen Classic 500 Sprint Car Tour Race, Saturday at Anderson Speedway. He spent most of the race trying to chase down leader Bobby Santos III. With 7 laps remaining Santos dropped out of the race due to a mechanical issue that caused his car to run out of fuel and Swanson took the lead and held on for the victory. The win also put Kody on top the current point standings as he hunts for his second consecutive championship in the 500 Sprint Car Tour. Rounding out the top 3, was Kyle O’Gara by 0.502 seconds at the checkered flag and fastest qualifier Tyler Roahrig. The next 500 Sprint Car Tour race is July 22 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. Prior to that Kody and the Doran Binks team will compete in a USAC Silver Crown race July 20 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway.
Brian Bergakker finally won the Kalamazoo Klash XXXI, for Outlaw Late Models and took home $15,000. This win was very sweet and emotional for Brian. The veteran driver was runner up in this event in 2014, 2015 and 2018. In 2021 he was the fastest qualifier. This year 31 of the Midwest’s top competitors showed up and after time trials, 26 made the starting field. Behind Brian Bergakker was 2nd Mark Shook and two names you see often on this page 3rd Phil Bozell and 4th Andy Bozell.
Saturday, I went to Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon. They had the best car count I’ve seen all year and the racing was exciting in every class from heats to features. The feature winners were Late Model Casey Noonan, with his 2nd of the season. Carter Schlenk picked up his 3rd Sportsman win this summer. Dominator Super Stock A Main, went to William Cundick Jr., his second this season and winning the Sport Compact feature was Jason Bailey.
At Painesville Speedway, Wisconsin driver Craig Vandewettering won the 100 lap Buckeye Figure-8 Nationals and started the celebration with the best burn out of the year on the front straightaway. Doodle Farris was 2nd and Jesse Tunny 3rd.
Saturday’s 4 feature winners at Angola Motorsports Park, Late Model Brandon Barcus, Modified John Gatton Jr., Street Stock Zach Henderson and FWD Kyle Stark. Until next week keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
