May 12, 2013
05/13/13 A cool evening provided for some hot racing at the fastest dirt track in Northern Indiana.
A short burst of rain and strong winds came through prior to the start of racing at Plymouth Speedway Saturday night, but the crews were able to get the track optimal for racing and the green flag dropped for heat races shortly after 7 p.m. ET.
It was John Rhoades getting the win in the Thunder Stocks A Feature with last week’s winner Dennis Freeland finishing in the second spot and Randy Lambert rounding out the top three. Rhoades led all 15 laps in the feature.
“The track is getting better,” said Rhoades in his post-race interview. “It was fun to race tonight!”
The standings for the rest of the feature were as follows: Ryan Smurdon, Brian Merritt, Kevin Kerlin, Kelly Prater, and Bryce Shidler.
The Modifieds A Feature saw 23 cars in the field. A red flag was thrown on lap two as a gas cap was found in between turns three and four. Track officials found that the #18 car of Chad Clay was missing the gas cap and it was too damaged to be placed back on the car. For safety, Clay was escorted to the pits and his night was done. Seven other cautions littered the race that lasted approximately 28 minutes.
In the end, it was Frank Marshall who crossed the start/finish line first to capture his second win – a back-to-back win for the 28M car in the 20-lap feature event.
“With this many cars in the field, I’m proud of everyone who had helped me get back-to-back feature wins!” stated Marshall.
The top three finished the same as last week’s finishing order. Tommy Beezely II came in second while Adam Williams finished third. The standings for the rest of the field were as follows: Todd Sherman, Josh Lolmaugh, Shawn Scripter, Kyle Yocum, Steven Pena, Adam Thrush, Travis Stemler, Bryane Dickinson, Dillon Nusbaum, Ryan Flagel, Jessica Scroufe, Dan Streeter, Aaron Morey, Curt Spalding, JR Hotovy, Ricky Carmon, Jr., Chad Clay, Steven Hogue, and Bub Roberts.
Only three cars entered the USAC 600 Sprint Restrictors Feature and it was Garrett Saunders winning his second race of the season, followed by Nick Katrakis and Sydney Arnett for second and third places in the caution-free 15-lap feature.
“It feels really good to win,” stated Saunders. “I couldn’t do it without everyone who has helped me this season.”
The USAC 600 Sprint Open Feature had a bigger field and only three caution flags flew – all for the #37 of Brad Nichols who spun out for two cautions and hit a tire barrier in between turns three and four. His sprint car got hung up on the three-tire high barrier and had to have assistance to get untangled.
Tyler Huffman came up with the win, followed by Billy Cribbs for second and Randy Shilling for third. It was a great race to the end with Huffman and Cribbs in the last three laps, but Huffman saw the checkers first.
“Thank you to all of my great sponsors and my family for helping me keep the car running each week,” explained Huffman.
The rest of the finishing order was as follows: Dawson Stealy, Mike Gass, Courtney Erfurth, Adam Barth, Scott Allison, Brad Nichols, Jerod Glasford, and Eric Saunders.
In the final feature of the evening, it was Joe Hillman who drove away from the field after lap five in the Super Street Feature and never looked back. A handful of cautions for debris and spin-outs created some great restarts, but it didn’t phase Hillman. Michael Clark ran to the second place position and Brandon Roundtree crossed the line in third place.
“This was my first time at this new dirt track and I got the win!” exclaimed Hillman.
The rest of the finishing order was as follows: Bob McLean, Michael Daugherty, Roger Duszynski, David Short, Mike Hoagland, Dave Fritz, and Bobby Bering, Jr.
May 18 will be the Earl Gaerte Classic at the Plymouth Speedway. The Earl Gaerte Classic SOD Sprint event will feature Modifieds, Sprints, USAC 600 Wing and USAC Restricted 600 Wing cars which will provide the best racing entertainment on Plymouth Speedway’s dirt oval.
For more information, visit www.plymouthspeedway.net. Be sure to “Like” Plymouth Speedway on Facebook and follow @PlymouthSpeed on Twitter for updates.