By: Ron Verash
2 Shows, in 2 days, and some sore muscles. That's what ya get for doing a Galesburg, M-40 doubleheader weekend. On the other end, very good crowds at each event, and I got to meet alot of race fans checking out the photo books. For this weekend, out of the MARC TIMES archives, I had a stack of Galesburg photos, Kalamazoo Photos, Michiana Photos, and a bunch of oldies from the late 40's, early 50's. The hands down favorites were the 4 groups. At the Galesburg show, it was 30 minutes after the races were done, and we still a group looking at them. In fact, that table was the last one to load in the van. It is pretty cool to have someone ask about a driver from 30, 40 years ago, and to actually have a photo or two of them. For some they thought they would never see a picture again. The thanks should go to Dick Beebe, and for keeping all the photos, and then to allow me to sort them out, and put on display. I still got 3 boxes to sort, and a good two boxes to put out on display. You fans that like the stuff I have out now, will be in for a bigger treat when all is said and done.
Back to Galesburg, if you are thinking of going up US 131, to get on I-94, that won't happen. They got it all tore up, pylons everywhere. A headache. The best bet is to go up 131 to the Portage exit that veers to the right, or any exit BEFORE 94. I lost 45 minutes going through Kalamazoo, and somehow got to the track. At the track, I had a great set up area. Had a couple helpers set the books up, and away I went. Wayne Bunn did a great job pushing the books. The main event was the Freedom 100 for Late Models, and the field was 25 cars, including area star Corey Pressler in the 32 car. The main took the top 18 qualifiers, and Corey was out of that mix, so he ran the B main. Torch Osterhouse took the lead around lap 38, and won the $2,000 payoff. Andy Bozell was therel, in the Chupp #04. He went to the pits around lap 35, came back out, and got around a 7th. I didn't see much in the form of races, as I was on my own, but the counts were like 18-20 in the other classes. You can't help but get hungry there, as there is a grill pit going, and on the other side of my stuff, you can smell the popcorn. I met alot of fans up there, got a few pictures on the 'Faces at the Races", on http://www.stockextreme.com, and had a nice time. Even ole Ralph Warning told me anytime I can head up there, come on up, they really like ya up here.
Headed back to 3 Rivers, and stayed there, and got ready for the Jones 100, at the M-40 Speedway. Perfect weather again, around 80 degrees, and I'll call it great set up weather for the tables and books. Fans for the Jones race came from all over, as I got photo orders from Ecomony, and New Haven, Indiana.Also got to see again Brian Norton from the Toledo area, and another Ohioan, Larry Giese, who I asked if he would want to write a column for the Extreme site, that we would be more than happy to have him. Other folks were from South Bend, Kendallville, In., Grand Rapids, and South Haven Mi. Car count was down for the Late Models as 25 showed for $10,000 to win. A couple guys said that the $150 entry fee kept a few away. Atleast, everybody who showed up, got to race in the main event.
In qualifying, Phil Bozell, I think was quick time. Some surprises were Jeff Daughery, first time out in 08, Bill Lux in the 40 car, J.R. Roahrig, Marc Casey, Robbie Ferrier in the Singleton #6, and Gary Sherman from the Lansing area. Curt Spaulding in the Russell 40 car, was 3rd quick, but spun a bearing ending his night. The prerace favorites included First year winner Andy Bozell. Though Andy is not running weekly this year, Anytime, he shows to race, you know he is the man to beat. Joe Bush in the Port City house car. Joe has been fast, but has had bad luck at M-40. In the first Jones 100, contact with he and Andy Bozell produced a flat for the 101 car, and this year broke a motor in hot laps and crashed, two weeks ago. Jeff Ganus has won features in a couple classes, and has been quick all year. Young Eric McGlothen, who took the Season opener in May, and not to forget Jeff Vochaska. He is always a strong runner week in, and week out.
The feature had a 14 car inversion. After a couple restarts, the race finally got a going. Doug True took the initial lead. The Bill Lux 40 car was out early. Also out in the first laps was Joe Bush. The Daughtery 44 and the Ganus 5 touch. As the 44 car shifts right, the 101 of Joe Bush makes contact, with the Bush car getting into the turn two wall. He looked good in the heat, but with this wreck, Joe was a DNF. Back to green, with True leading. Roahrig, runinng in the top 7, slips up the track, with a couple cars getting by. A lap later, he retires to the pits, and out of the race. The raced stayed Green, as Rick Sexton is on the bumper of the #93. Jeff Vochaska also slips by Mike Zordan for 3rd. Lapped traffic was a bit tough for True, as his car ran much faster in the low groove. With the high groove issue, Sexton was able to use a lapped car pick on True, and take the lead on lap 29. Sexton opens a 5 car length lead for about 10 laps, but by lap 40, True is on his rear bumper. While this was going on, a great battle for the spots 4th through 8th with Zordan, Jeff Ganus, Andy Bozell, Eric McGlothen, and Phil Bozell.
As Sexton is ready to lap Robbie Ferrier, the two make contact, with the Ferrier 6 car spinning out. True spins, and the Casey 09, is up in the wall. Track decision is made putting Sexton to the tail, True to the lead. Vochaska to second, with Zordan, McGlothen, and Andy B, Ganus, Phil Bozell, Daughtery, and Jerry Zachary.
True continues to lead, but now Vochaska is pulling even to the rear bumper. Andy B takes 3rd on lap 55. Vochaska gets even, but True just pulls away. Bozell and Vochaska go side by side for a good 5 laps, but, Andy's Tires are used up, and Vochaska holds in second. With 20 to go, True enters lapped traffic. With his car much better low, he is now having to run up high. This gives the Vochaska 45, and Bozell 83 to close the gap. With lapped cars pointed out to stay low, the lead trio are up on the high side. True gets by Rick Sexton, Roger Nortrop, and Gary Sherman. With 7 to go, Greg Himes hits the inner wall in 4. A lengthty cleanup, with True in the lead, the lapped car of Northrup, then Vochaska and Bozell. The green is out, and Northrop moves up high to let the Vochaska 45, and Bozell 83, run down the 93 car. This was Doug True's night as he held a 3 car length lead to the Checkered flag. His first ever Feature win at M-40, and it was worth $10,000 dollars. Vochaska hols on for 2nd, over Andy Bozell, Phil Bozell, Zordan, Ganus, McGlothen, Daughtery, Jerry Zachary, Sherman, Northrop, and Kevin Stewart. The evening was completed with a super fireworks display running a good 35 minutes. Though the car count was low, a great crowd came out to enjoy the 3rd Annual Jones 100. Other tidbits included veteran official Roger Burton, flagging the Pure Stock 50 lapper, which was won by Brandon Zachary. That was a dream of Roger's, and he looked pretty good. He was smiling ear to ear.
A track worker got in contact with a car, and by the Late Model feature, he was back on the grounds, to watch the race. It doesn't appear to have any broken bones.
And to dispell any rumors, yes the track is for sale, and yes, the track will continue to run the rest of the season as planned. Upcoming events include the Pure Stock Jones, the Hall of Fame night, with inductions, a Pro Stock Jones, AVSS Sprints, a Ken Coats Memorial event, the Regular Classes, and Modifieds. Go to the M-40 Speedway website for any additional information. Kids 12 and under are free, with Military Personnel and folks in wheelchairs free. Police and Firefighters are 1/2 off.
The HOSS Sprints were at Plymouth, and had 22 cars, yes 22. Irish Jimmy McCune in the #88 took the win over Geoff Kaiser, perhas a N.T.R. 11.31, Jeff Bloom, Hank Lower, Eddie Kelly, Greg Wheeler, Aaron Pierce, Sam Davis, Patrick Stewart, and Ron Koehler. The HOSS boys head to New Paris next Saturday for their lone visit in 2008. We hope to be there too, with all the photo books. Speaking of New Paris, Car show participant Leonard Davis took the Street Stock Main. He is only 2 wins behind Jeremy Ferguson and Shane Eldridge for the car show lead. Good thing we didn't have Donny Schatz in the car show, as he would be 15 wins behind. Speaking of Eldridge, he and Ryne Balsley were up at the Burg checking out the scene. Ryne actually bowls in the same bowling league with me on Monday night. Rich Boal and Tony Johns are in it as well. You can bet what we talk about when we bowl one another.
Also Sunday, Plymouth will host the CRA Super Series, plus the Shady Hill IMODS, and CRA FWD's. Nationwise driver David Stremme has entered, along with area favorites J.R. Roahrig, Micheal Thayer, Donny Klotz, Brian Ross in a Segvich car, and Rich Segvich. Drivers from 8 states have entered including Eddie Hoffman, Roger Maynor, Aaron Pierce, Rick Turner, Scott Hantz, Jack Gritter, Johnny VanDoorn, Zach Taylor, Jason Dietsch, Terry Fisher, JR, Tommy Cook, Mike Kugler, Boris Juckovic, Kenny Tweedy, Eddie Van Meter, Jeff Cannon, Jason Shively, Adam Purdy, Sean Matthius, and Doug Hayes. The Shady Hill IMODS have been very good running on the tar the last few events, and the FWD's will have cars from 3, if not 4 states. With Stremme running, a big crowd is anticipated. See ya at M-40 Friday, New Paris Saturday, and Plymouth Sunday.
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