By I-35 Speedway Track Announcer Mark Merrell
(Winston, MO) With The temperature in the 90’s, and a heat index near 100, the drivers produced a thrilling night of racing action.
Racin’ For Rian, held At I-35 Speedway now for the 8th year, is in honor of Rian Wilson, who was born prematurely, and lived just a brief time at the St Luke’s NICU Unit, in Kansas City. Amanda and Bud Wilson, Rian’s parents, discovering a Family Fund was available to assist those parents facing a similar situation, have raised $20,000 for the fund to help others over the past 8 years in Rian’s memory. Unfortunately, Bud Wilson has since passed away as well. The families and relatives of Rian continue to provide this event, with the help of fans, sponsors, and I-35 Speedway, assisting countless parents in their ongoing efforts, to help them in their time of need.
The E-Mods led the feature events for the evening. Kameron Hanes started on the pole position, with, ‘Maddog’ Matt Dorssom to his right on row one. Hanes put up a fight at the start of the race. Nevertheless, Dorssom took the early lead, and never looked back, earning his 7th trip to McCarthy Auto Group Winner’s Circle this year.
The Pure Stocks race turned into an eventual night for several drivers during the course of the feature. Ron ‘Monkey Man’ Hill, and Rylee Fuller have been battling back and forth in the points. Fuller recently earned her first career feature win, and finishing consistently in the top five, while Hill has been adding to his trophy collection this season. The two found themselves next to each other for the start on row one, with Hill to the inside. Hill went to lead early, and had a lot of pressure from Cody King, Fuller, and Blaine Younts. An incident involving three cars, including Younts and Fuller unfolded coming out of turn four, resulting in three cars tangled up against the outside retaining wall on the front stretch. Trying desperately to avoid the crash, Jason Carney nearly slipped by, but was hooked by the right rear of his race car, resulting in a rollover on the track just in front of the flag stand. Carney’s racing machine landed on all four tires. Carney was able to exit his car under his own power, and was treated and released by the ambulance crew.
Fuller’s night appeared to be over, but after quick repairs by her team, she raced back on the track. Hill continued his led up front, as Fuller and Younts were among those unfortunately collected in another incident out of turn four, ending three nights. Hill went on to capture his 7th win of the year.
The POWRi Midwest Lightning Sprint Cars were on hand as well, and were exciting as always. Jeff Bard started on the pole position, along with Alex Davis on row one. Mark Billings, and Bobby Layne made up row two, with Kyle Lewis inside row three. Lewis, to date, and taken every feature victory at I-35 thus far. At the drop of the green flag, Bard wasted no time racing to the lead. Mark Billings raced his way into 2nd by the end of lap one, with Layne just to his inside. Lewis was on the move as well, closing in just behind Layne by the next lap. Billings was a man on a mission, and soon had closed up on the leader, Bard. Billings cleared Bard for the lead racing out of turn four. Layne followed suit as well, racing into second. Lewis managed to get by Layne, as Billings continued in the top spot, capturing his first win this year At I-35 Speedway.
Tommy Cordray has been the driver to beat in the Midwest Limited Late Models thus far this year. Cordray has raced his way into McCarthy Auto Group Winners Circle 8 times coming into the night. Cordray would have his work cut out for him, as Todd Shute and Cordray put on an epic battle in the feature. Gregg Truelove started on the pole position, with Shute to his right, and Cordray just behind Truelove. At the start of the race, Truelove, unfortunately, spun early, sending him to the back of the pack, as the scene was now set between Shute and Cordray. Lap after lap the pair went after each other, running side by side. Shute gained the front spot, and after a restart, the pair were at it again, fending off pressure from Eddie Schwope, Jr, Bobby Penney, Mike Taylor, Jr, and Houston Johnson. Shute ran the high side, with Cordray down low, as Shute held off Cordray for the lead. On the final lap, Cordray raced down into turn one on the inside of Shute. The fans stood on their feet, as the two drivers were not giving an inch. Shute had a slight advantage heading into turn three, but Cordray found some horsepower, racing inside Shute side by side out of four, and edging Shute out by a narrow margin at the finish line, still side by side. The victory sent Cordray to McCarthy Auto Group Winners Circle to collect his 9th win of the year.
In the Sport Compact feature, pole sitter David Miller III looked to be the car to beat. Miller raced to the lead as the green flag flew, with Joesph Mick, and John Willard in close pursuit. Miller had a slight bobble, and Willard seized the opportunity, passing Miller for the lead, and his 5th trip to McCarthy Auto Group Winner’s Circle.
The Out Pace Products B-Mods raced on the high banked track At I-35 for the next feature. Pole sitter Chase Galvin had amassed three back to back wins early in the season, and was hungry for another trip to McCarthy Auto Group Winners Circle. Galvin was quick to the lead racing into turn one as the race began. Doug Keller was tight there with Galvin. Shadren Turner began his quest at the back of the field, outside row 8. Galvin was challenged several times on restarts throughout the race, but kept everyone behind him to earn his fourth win of the year At I-35 Speedway. Keller finished 2nd, with Tyler Cadwallader third, with Shadren Turner an amazing 4th, and Danan Knott 5th.
A big field of American Racer Tires USRA Stock Cars were next up on the bill. The race would prove to be a tuff one for several drivers. Pole sitter Tim Shields raced to the front of the field with Jason Estes, who started outside of Shields, right with him. Shields led, but was certainly hounded by Estes, lap after lap. Jeff Dixon had an incident during the race, resulting in a flat tire. Dixon’s team made quick work under a caution, as he rejoined the field at the back. Shields continued in the front spot, running low on the apron of the track, with Estes on the high side. A late caution flag set stage for an exciting finish. With just two laps remaining, Shields and Estes were side by side. Neither car seemed to have an advantage, as the two drivers put the fans on their feet. Coming out of turn two and down the backstretch, Estes somehow found some extra momentum, racing on the high side just in front of Shields. Estes raced to the middle of the corner in turn four, and held on to the lead for the final lap, capturing his first win at I-35 Speedway this season, and a great looking trophy in McCarthy Auto Group Winners Circle. Shields finished 2nd, with a hard charging Jaylen Wettengel 3rd, amazingly, Jeff Dixon 4th, and Butch Bailey 5th.
The final race of the night would prove to be a thrilling race as well for the USRA A-Mods. Darren Shaw started next to Houston Johnson on row one, with a host of other drivers ready to get the victory. Shaw raced to the front early, holding off challenges by several drivers, including Dennis Elliott. Shaw ran low, with Elliott trying the narrow but super fast high side cushion. Zach Sanders and Austin Johnson were close behind Shaw as well. After several attempts by Elliott to grab the lead, Shaw kept Elliott and the rest of the field behind him, capturing his first trip this season to McCarthy Auto Group Winner’s Circle at I-35 Speedway.
Next Saturday, July 6, I-35 Speedway will host the, Pro-Ag “Fireworks Spectacular,” featuring the Summit Weekly Racing Series USRA Out Pace Products B-Mods, American Racer Tire Stock Cars, A-Mods, along with the E-Mods, Pure Stocks, MIdwest Limited Late Models, Sport Compacts, with a special appearance by the POWRi Midwest Lighting Sprint Cars, and a night sky filled with the biggest fireworks display. Don’t Miss Out!
I-35 Speedway, Your Home For Dirt Track Racing At It’s Best!