B.H. Speedway: Early lead proves vital on hot, dry track

By J.R. Hughes, Journal correspondent | Monday, August 06, 2007

Previous Page

Share

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• NewsVine
• Fark

Print

Email

RAPID CITY - Navigating a sun baked, moisture depleted dirt race track, coupled with triple digit heat requires a certain finesse and strategy best summed up by Black Hills Speedway's Sunday afternoon victorious minions: "Be the first to the first turn."

Friday evening's untimely gully washer and a visiting touring series rooted in Colorado forced officials to a 1:30 p.m starting time.

The Colorado Late Model Association's second 2007 visit had its participants removing the roofs of their cars, as part of a "Topless" weekend which began the previous night at the Gillette, Wyo., facility.

By virtue of a heat race win and lucky draw after the "dash for cash", Mike Stadel began the 25-lap flawlessly executed event from the No. 1 position.  Saturday night's victor, Eddie Kirchoff, earned the other front row position.

Following the aforementioned credo, Stadel pointed his NAPA No. 7 down low to secure the lead.  "That was the key to my success," the second generation shoe quipped later.

Kirchoff haunted the runner-up slot for several laps, before Tony Leiker found an opening and pressed the Wes McKenney-owned machine into second. Leiker moved away from Kirchoff, trailing Stadel by several car lengths under the checkered.

 "The track wasn't all that bad, considering it was an afternoon race," Stadel added.  "It didn't get bumpy or really dusty, well, at least from my view."

John Bey and Colorado Late Model Association regular Jimmy Clifton completed the top five.

A rough and tumble Street Stock feature nearly eliminated half of the seven abled starters, beginning with the second lap. Leader Jeff Johnson's Cutlass slipped out of shape in Turn 2, collecting Vince Comer's Chevy Nova as he tried to spin to avoid direct contact. Johnson's machine suffered rear-end damage, though he drove himself to his pit.

Andy Fitzgerald's "Fordzilla" ruled the race through a pair of cautions, Mark Brave at his rear bumper. Brave snared the prized position for a brief moment, as Fitzgerald found a bite on the unused high line to reassert himself as leader.

The dwindling number of attrition-claimed competitors had the big Ford of Fitzgerald the best of four final finishers.  Brave collected second, Toby Price and Marlin Davey concluding the running order.

 "This car loves a dry slick track," Fitzgerald beamed. "Especially after getting the rear-end straightened out. It had been out of whack for who knows how long."

 "Super Dave" Muller had nothing but praise for his pit crew for his Mini Sprint win despite starting from the fourth row.

"The set up was everything," he commented. "Anybody could have driven it today.  It was that good."

Second-place Jeff Mount made Muller work for the win in the ending laps, nipping at the leader's right rear wheel before settling into runner up defense against John Garrigan. Garrigan passed early leader Brady McDonnell before the unsuccessful bid for second.  Tyler Mills rounded out the top five.

Numerous caution flags haunted Kevin Aga's return bid to the victory circles during the tumultuous 20-lap affair. A cacophony of thrashing metal greeted the first two attempts to complete the first lap, without reducing the number of combatants.

Pole sitter Toby Torres pushed his Ford to the front on each attempt, eventually enjoying a green flag stretch as race ruler.  Torres would be victim of a restart melee heading into Turn 3, starting with a bump from behind that sent his car and several others into a free for all on and off the track surface.

Aga took over the race at the next go, racing to the win over Chris Flack and Shawn Pudwill. Former Wyoming resident now relocated to Linton, Iowa, Doug Bartels marched to fourth after starting at the tail for an earlier caution induced trip to the tire change area.

Aside from hugging the lowest line available, Aga revealed that "I didn't show anything until I was challenged.  Even then, I still had a lot of car left to race. Dry tracks and this car are a winning combination."

Current Modified point leader Troy Leiker padded his advantage after overtaking Matt Sheesley's feature leader status near the midway point. Jess Beckett's contact with an inner barrier tire sent the 22-year veteran home with a bent tie rod before the first lap roared to completion.

A few cautions waved for minor incidents, leaving ample room for Leiker to run unencumbered to the win.  Big brother Tony chimed in for second at the line, flanked by Rex Conrad and Virgil Randall.

 "If you got off the bottom, it was over," Leiker described as his winning strategy. The win also lends points towards another year-end goal: A top finish in the Wissota National standings.  "All I need is a few more shows-good point paying shows. A top three is my goal."

The NAPA/MDA Racing for A Cure begins its final countdown to the 2007 titleship next weekend, starting at Black Hills Speedway  on Friday night and concluding at the Thunder Speedway at Gillette, Wyo.