By: Ron Burt
Attica Raceway Park’s defending 410-Sprint champion got off to a rough start two weeks ago on opening night, with a bad crash. He came back last Saturday with a win in the Core and Main Nationals presented by Erie Blacktop and Smith Paving. Henry also pocketed $6,000.00 for the win. The fans watched him put on a dominating performance in the Jeff Ward Motorsports #33W. He led all 30 laps of the A-main.
Cale Thomas made an early challenge at the start of the feature and Emerson Axsom took a shot, but the track champion had too much for them and the rest of the field. Cap waved the checkered flag for the 17th time in his division, placing him seventh all-time on the 410 win list at Attica Raceway Park. Behind Cap Henry was Emerson Axsom who started nineth and worked his way up to second. Findlay area driver Greg Wilson was 3rd followed by Trey Jacobs and Zane DeVault to round out the top five. Henry didn’t have much time for rest. He and his team had to load up and head to Red Dirt Raceway in Meeker Oklahoma for a Tuesday night race with the High Limit Sprint Series. He will be driving #2 for Marc Daily Racing.
Jimmy McGrath finally got the monkey off his back winning the 305-Sprint feature. Jimmies had many 2nd place finishes and led many laps in the division. This was his first ever Sprint Car win. He led all 25 laps of the Fremont Fence feature. It wasn’t easy for McGrath as many cautions and red flags caused several restarts with one caution handing him back the lead after Jamie Miller had just passed him. Later in the race Miller flipped his car putting him out of the race. Behind McGrath, to round out the top five was Steve Rando, Brandon Moore, Tyler Shullick and John Ivy.
Following last Saturday’s rainout at Waynesfield, the 2024 opening night for the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets is set for Friday, April 11th. I hope next week to have results from MRP Raceway Park near Cincinnati.
The following night, Saturday April 12th the USAC Silver Crown Division will take to the Toledo Speedways, half mile high banks. It will be the famed Rollie Beale Classic. Fifteen drivers have committed to running the full 2024 season schedule. Many of these top drivers race the sprint and midget series. The Sliver Crown cars will have a 14 race schedule this year. Most eyes Saturday will be on Kody Swanson. He has racked up seven driving titles and 40 victories on his illustrious USAC Silver Crown resume, both all-time records. However, the 2024 season has presented him with an unanticipated obstacle unlike any other he’s ever faced. Swanson is coming off a major foot injury and multiple surgeries during an offseason accident away from the racetrack. His return thus far has been so far, so good. In a 500 Sprint Car Tour race last Sunday at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, Swanson finished second. He’s back with the Doran-Binks Racing team in 2024 with whom he collected three wins and six poles a year ago in route to a series runner-up points finish. He will face top USAC drivers that include Justin Grant, C.J. Leary, Logan Seavey, Davey Hamilton Jr. and two excellent female drivers, Kaylee Bryson, and Taylor Ferns.
Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
