By: Ron Burt
I made my first trip to Sandusky Speedway for the 100-lap Annual Hy Miler for the ISMA/MSS Supermodified Series. If you’ve never been to this ½ mile, semi banked, paved track, I highly recommend you put it on your list. This oval was designed for speed! You can feel racing nostalgia once you enter the front gate. The track has a Hall of Fame, concessions with family friendly prices on souvenirs, food, beverages, and a friendly staff. I must give a big shout out to the public address announcer that kept everyone informed during the evening on a sound system you can hear. Saturday was also the track’s induction ceremony for their Hall of Fame. Some of these former drivers still have their race cars. It would have been a nice touch if they could have had those cars on display for the fans to enjoy seeing again.
Hy Miler weekend started with Fan Appreciation Thursday featuring their weekly classes of cars and the Northcoast Vintage Oval Racers. The 350 Supermodified Sprint Series headlined the show. Frank Neill won the 350 feature, Dave Cliff and Gage Sauer rounded out the top 3.
Fast 40 Friday featured the ISMA/MSS Super Modifieds. Mike “Hollywood” McVetta took home the big payday for the Super Modifieds followed by 2nd Kyle Edwards, 3rd Mike Lichty. The Ohio Wheelman Super Stock feature was won by Denis Wood.
Jeff Abold won the 100-lap Hy Miler Super Modified National on Saturday. It was a race full of excitement and several cautions. Abold took his time in the feature and reeled in race leader Mike “Hollywood” McVetta who settled for 2nd. Johnny Benson Jr. worked his way from 13th to finish 3rd. It was just announced Benson will be replacing Paul Tracy in the SRX Series. The Ohio Wheelman Modified (UMP Type) Series race was won by Rick Groetsch.
The USAC Indiana Sprint Week wrapped up last week with Brady Bacon ending up the series point champion. He finished 8 points ahead of Justin Grant. Bacon won without a feature win but with top finishes in the 7 races. Grant won 3 times during Sprint Week, opening night at Gas City 1-69 Speedway, Lawrenceburg and Terre Haute. It just wasn’t enough. Two amazing stories from Sprint Week, C.J. Leary wrecked his car at Gas City, went home, got a 3-year-old car he hadn’t raced and ended up in victory lane the following night at Kokomo, Jake Swanson totaled his car with a flip at Terre Haute and team rushed to get another car ready for the following night, which he took it to victory at Lincoln Park. It was one of the most memorable USAC Indiana Sprint Weeks in recent history.
Attica Raceway Park 410 Sprint Feature was won by Cap Henry, Late Model Devin Shiels and 305 Sprints Jamie Miller. At Limaland Motorsports Park, Aidan Sailsbury had the win in the 410 Great Lakes Traditional Sprints, UMP Modified feature was won by Jerry Bowersock and the Thunderstock winner was Brenden Rassel. Wauseon was canceled because of the weather. Travis Philo won the 410 Sprint Feature at Fremont Speedway. The Great Lakes Super Sprints were at Fremont and Max Stambaugh picked up the win and in the 305 Sprints Paul Weaver won for the 3rd time this season and 74th career victory at Fremont. Angola had their Mid-Season Champioships, Late Model Jonathan Gatton, Modified Jonathan Gatton, Street Stock Zach Henderson, and FWD Mark Mason. Tuesday the High Limit Racing Series for 410 Sprints was at Kokomo Speedway “The Bull Ring”. Justin Peck fought off Kyle Larson for the win and $23,000. and Rico Abreu took 3rd. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
