"The People's Champ" Dave Darland came into 34 Raceway on a hot streak, but on this hot and sultry Friday night Darland would have to catch a break when leader Brady Bacon lost his right rear wheel to take the win and build upon his USAC Sprint Car series point lead. Jayson Ditsworth and Tony Dunker also posted victories in support of the rare appearance by the non-wing Sprint Cars at the 3/8ths-mile high-banked oval near Burlington.
Twenty-two USAC Sprints signed in, but only twenty would take to the track for the 30-lap main event as Mitch Wissmiller flipped hard during qualifying and Aaron Farney, who qualified fourth quick, tumbled several times during the first heat. Both drivers escaped injury. Brady Bacon and Tyler Courtney would go from the front row and on the first try at a start the cars of Mike Houseman Jr., Tyler Shoemaker and Andy Huston tangled in turn two. When the race did get underway Bacon raced out to the lead, one that he would steadily build as Courtney, the leading rookie-of-the-year contender tried to hold back the competition.
Kevin Thomas Jr. finally worked by Courtney for second on the fifth lap and by then Bacon had a full straightaway advantage. And when Thomas could not make up any ground it was Darland who took over second on lap ten now finding Bacon nearly a half lap out front. That all changed in a breathtaking moment though three laps later when the right rear wheel broke away from Bacon's #69 as he raced through turns one and two and, while Bacon's car stayed upright, the wheel vaulted the fence that protects the pit area outside of the race track and while it went high into the air it thankfully landed safely without striking anybody.
On the restart it was now Darland who raced out to a healthy lead as Chris Windom maneuvered himself into the second position and when the caution waved again with ten laps remaining Windom would have his chance. When back to green Windom was able to stay within about ten car-lengths of the leader, but there would be no catching Darland as he would take the popular victory. Windom who was racing about as close as he gets to his Canton, Illinois, home on the tour had a nice cheering section applauding his second-place run, Bryan Calusen was steady in the Tony Stewart Motorsports ride taking third while California natives Justin Grant and Robert Ballou completed the top five. Sixth through tenth at the finish were Chase Stockon, Tracy Hines, Kyle Cummins, Thomas and Courtney.
Despite the near one hundred degree heat and the fact that the area has not seen rain since, like Spring, Jeff Laue and his crew did a masterful job of preparing a smooth and heavy racetrack that would be to the liking of the non-wing drivers. The surface was also more than suitable for the two support classes as well with entertaining feature races in each.
Twenty 305 Winged Sprint Cars lined up for their twenty-lap main event and it was definitely a family affair with three siblings and their uncle all in the field. Josh, Jarrod and Janelle Schneiderman would all fare better than uncle John Schulz though as the newly crowned track champion pulled to the infield late in the event while racing in the top five. Ryan Jamison would hold the early lead but with a heavy cushion this was Jayson Ditsworth's kind of race track and he powered by Jamison on the outside of turn four to take the lead on the fourth lap. The race would go flag-to-flag and while Ditsworth had several close calls while working through traffic there was no doubt that the Olson Brothers Custom Shop Special was the fastest car on the track in this one. Jamison would finish a straightaway back in second, Daniel Bergquist drove Andy Huston's #40 car to a third-place finish, Donnie Steward was fourth and Cody Wehrle was impressive moving from ninth to fifth.
The twelve car Sport Mod field had some out of town visitors and a regular Stock Car driver who has been dabbling in this division over the past few weeks. Brett Timmerman climbed aboard his father Lyle's #44 and would take the early lead with two of the best in the division Carter Vandenberg and Tony Dunker close behind. On the fourth lap Timmerman stumbled on the cushion in turn two allowing Vandenberg to edge ahead down the back stretch, but Timmerman caught the cushion perfectly in three and four to maintain the lead at the line. On the tenth lap Timmerman again bobbled in turn two and this time both Vandenberg and Dunker pulled even with him down the back chute and as they raced three-wide into turn three a bit of contact caused the car in the middle, Vandenberg to slow suddenly and come to a stop exiting turn four. With just six laps remaining Dunker would go back to work on Timmerman diving to the inside in the corners, but "the Jet" held his ground and fought off the challenge until he bobbled one last time in the same spot in turn two. This time Dunker was there to pounce and he grabbed the lead as the white flag waved to then take the win away from Timmerman. Jeff DeLonjay was not far behind the lead duo in third, Korey Meyer made the trip down from Big Rock to finish fourth and Sean Wyett completed the top five.
The entertaining three division program was in the books at 9:45 and the 34 Raceway track crew is now hard at work as they make preparations for another night of action on Saturday night as the Quads and Bikes will take center stage for the Midwest Performance and Power Clash for Cash.
This will likely wrap up my racing for the Labor Day weekend and while a trip to Boone for the final two nights of next week's IMCA Super Nationals is under consideration you will likely find me right back here at 34 Raceway next Friday and Saturday night as the MOWA 410 Sprints run a big money doubleheader.
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