06/10/11 This past Sunday the Plymouth Speedway played host to the first Triple Threat event for the street stocks and front wheel drive divisions. The weather was beautiful and sunny.
The afternoon started with qualifying. Setting the pace for the street stocks was Jeff Stetler. Stetler went around the 3/8 mile in 15.357 seconds. The front wheel drive division watched as Tom Hellinga set the fastest lap for the division with a time of 16.457 seconds.
The racing began with dashes for both classes. Kevin Gunkel won the dash for the street stocks while Jeff Shelmadine won the dash for the front wheel drives.
The street stocks ran two heats with Steve Christman and Jim Gilbert were victorious.
In the two front wheel drive heats Bob Smith and Tom Hellinga picked up heat wins.
After a brief intermission it was time for the feature racing action. The street stocks ran a thirty lap feature with Kevin Gunkel looking like the favorite to win until he got caught in lap traffic and Steve Christman took full advantage of it with a pass for the lead. Gunkel unable to get back around Christman had to settle for second and Mark Mason rounded out the top three.
Tom Hellinga continued his dominance with a late race pass around Ryan Hoffman for another feature win in the front wheel drive division. Hoffman held on strong for a second place finish with Chris Czaszwicz finishing third.
This Friday the track will host the only visit from the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series. Late models, street stocks, and front wheel drives. The racing action will begin at eight o’clock. Find more information online at www.plymouthspeedway.net.
Andrew Hayn Correspondent
