By Ron Burt
Big Weekend For Late Model Ace
One of Ohio’s top Late Model drivers, Rusty Schlenk, had a Friday night feature win at Michigan’s Mt. Pleasant Speedway. He won the the Katie Hutson Late Model Show/ Bob Wilson Memorial! Rusty also won this event in 2022. He might make it look easy sometimes but in races like this he goes up against the best DIRTcar Late Model drivers in the tri-state and several are track and series champions. After the win, he did a quick turnaround, and the 4-hour drive home to get ready for Oakshade Raceways final night of the 2023 season, Saturday. The DIRTcar Late Models ran topless! They raced with no roofs on. The topless no roof race is normally the final race of the year at most tracks and is a fan favorite. The McClure Ohio driver made a pass on B. J. Gregory on a lap two restart, took and kept the lead to the checker flag. When you can win two nights in a row in this class in two different states with different car set-ups, it’s a great weekend for the driver and crew.
Lantz Wins Round 1
Oakshade Raceway wrapped up their 2023 racing season with round one of the Oakshade/Fremont Showdown Series with the Oakshade Dominator Stocks taking on Fremont Speedways Dirt Trucks. It sounds odd cars racing trucks but these two classes are evenly matched. This event attracted 70 competitors. The feature didn’t disappoint as the best from both tracks laid it all on the line. The first few laps of the feature were filled with multiple caution flags. Early race leader, Jarrett Rendel ended up spinning out after a few laps, and Adam Lantz took control of the feature. Lantz began to pull away from Fremont Speedway driver Keith Sorg and the rest of the field. Craig Dippman tried to make it interesting towards the end. He was caught up in one of those early cautions and had to restart at the tail of the field. Dippman had his car up near the cushion and steadily drove up through the field. He closed in on Lantz on lap 19 and was able to get alongside for the race lead. Then another caution flag came out. Lantz put the hammer down on the restart and was able to get some separation between himself and Dippman in the final handful of laps. He went on to pick up the $1,200 victory. Craig Dippman settled for 2nd with Sorg 3rd, Josh Robertson 4th, and Shawn Valenti 5th. Next Friday the series visits the “Action Track” Fremont Speedway.
The DIRTcar Late Models ran topless (no roofs) and Rusty Schlenk picked up his 6th Oakshade feature win of the year, followed by Casey Noonan, Devin Shiels, Terry Rushlow, and Brad Wade. Josh Robertson from Defiance won the UMP Sportsman feature. Mike Jessen was a close 2nd followed by Donnie Ringman, “The Outlaw” Jesse Jones, and Matt Ringger. Eric Carr, the 2023 season track champion in the Sport Compacts added another feature win to his resume this year. If he wants to move up in class, I hope someone will step up a give him sponsorship. He has skill and talent. I personally would like to see what he could do in the Sportsman class. The rest of the top five were Ryan Okuley, Maria Wells, Brian Barber, and Megan Elliott. James Stamper won the Sport Compact B feature. It was his first feature win of the year.
Bits and Pieces
Preston Walker won the Ohio Wheelman Series Modified finale for a $5000 check and the inaugural series championship at Sandusky Speedway. September 29th Brad Sweet won the World of Outlaw feature at Williams Grove Speedway. Night number 2 at the Grove had Brent Marks getting the win. Before Brent’s win only 12 drivers owned multiple National Open titles. Marks becomes the 13th as he tops the 61st Champion Racing Oil National Open for his second Natty O championship!
Until next week keep your wheels down. Ron out! www.ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com/
