By: Ron Burt
I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July extended weekend. It was busy for short tracks all over the tri-state. Some tracks broke away from tradition and hosted several big races.
Seventeen year old Bryce Lucius, from Findlay had to get rid of the nerves and let the car come to him Friday, June 28 at Attica Raceway Park. The Findlay teen battled with a couple of other racers early and withstood challenges late to score his second Attica win of the season in his 410 Winged Sprint. Jordan Ryan led the opening lap of the 410 Sprint A-main with pressure from Lucius and Zeth Sabo. Lucius took over the point on lap two but had Sabo racing to his inside lap after lap before Cale Thomas entered the picture and took second on lap seven. Thomas poked his nose under Lucius several times but could not get clear to take the lead. Lucius, the 2023 national 410 rookie of the year, worked lapped traffic like a seasoned veteran and drove to the win over Thomas, Sabo, Cap Henry and Greg Wilson.
In Attica Late Model action, Mansfield’s Kyle Moore seemed comfortable to cruise around the top five early in the 25-lap feature. Mike Bores led the opening lap with JR Gentry taking over a lap later and pulled out to a big lead while Bores, Moore and Devin Shiels battled for second. When Gentry hit lapped traffic just past halfway, Moore shot to the high side of the track and closed, driving by Gentry on lap 16. Moore cruised to his second career Attica win over Gentry, Shiels, Bores and Colin Shipley.
So far this season, Fremont’s Jamie Miller has had everything his way. The four time and defending Attica 305 track champion led all 25 laps last Friday to score fifth win of the year and the 44th of his career at Attica Raceway Park. Coupled with his three wins at Fremont Speedway, Miller has eight total feature wins in 2024. Behind Miller was Dustin Stroup, Brenden Torok, Jimmy McGrath and Steve Rando.
The 500 Sprint Car Tour was on Toledo Speedways paved, high banked ½ mile. Plymouth Indiana’s Tyler Roahrig did an excellent job of driving and beating Kody Swanson. Kody is one of the hottest open wheel racers in the country. Kyle O’Gara was able to pass Swanson for 2nd, followed by Swanson, Bobby Santos III, and Billy Wease. The Midwest Modified Tour feature was won by Trevor Berry followed by Kyle Purvis and Brian Nester. In Late Model Sportsman action, Jim Froling started the night off with a bang. He set the track record in his class posting a time of 16.769. He also won the feature, capping off a historic night at the Speedway.
Oakshade, Fremont and Angola were rained out Saturday. Race fans had to go north, west or south. From the emails I received a lot of you went north to Flat Rock Speedway to watch the Outlaw Super Late Models. Stan Yee Jr. drove to the Checkers in the 50 lap feature. Kenyon Knight won the rain shortened Street Stock feature and the Figure 8 cars will run their main event at a later date.
Competing for cars with Flat Rock was Plymouth Motor Speedway, west of Fort Wayne. They had the second leg of their Grand Slam for Outlaw Late Models and $7,500 to win. The pits were filled with cars from all over the tri-state and even a Canadian driver. Steve Needles took home the first place trophy and paycheck.
July 3rd many of you went to Waynesfield Raceway Park for the 15th annual Jack Hewitt Open Wheel Classic. Before the races the Hall of Fame Driver met with fans and took time for pictures and autographs. The 410 Non-Wing Sprint feature was won by Ricky Lewis, 2nd Matt Westfall and 3rd Kody Swanson. USAC Thunder Midget feature went to Cale Coons and Mike Keegan won the A-main in the GLSS 360-Winged Sprints. For complete tri-state racing recaps and schedules follow Ohio Sports on Facebook. Ron Out!
