Owosso Speedway Beats Mother Nature
While every other paved track in the state of Michigan was closed down thanks to the wrath of Mother Nature, the Owosso Speedway waited out the weather and ended up having beautiful weather for the night events. Qualifying was cancelled due to the weather, otherwise the program ran as planned.
Rick Gokee Sr. would be the polesitter for the 20-lap Shattuck Specialty Advertising Pure Stocks feature. Gokee would quickly be forced to contend with Vinnie Miller, as the 14 year old driver lead the opening three laps. Gokee Sr. would rebound to lead lap four, but
would trade the lead several more times with Miller around the 3/8s (.375) mile oval. Jim Gokee would take the lead over for himself on lap eight, and would seem to have the race well in hand before being forced to contend with 2009 Track Champion Jimmy Stratton. Stratton would take over the lead on lap 17 and claimed his fourth feature win of the 2011 campaign. Jim Gokee was second with Dave Parisian, Pat Standley and Russ Cords rounding out the top five. Cords and Stratton took the heat race wins.
The Drive Train Specialists Modifieds lined up for 30-laps around the Big “O” with Rookie points leader Damian Lytle leading the field down to the green. Outside polesitter Dan Loughan, making his first appearance in several seasons at the Speedway, would get by to lead the first lap. Dave Christensen would give Loughan a run for his money, but Loughan stuck to the outside groove, and Christensen wouldn’t be able to get past. Thanks to the Owosso Option Double File restarts, Nick Clemens would start to the inside of Loughan with just a couple laps left on the board. Clemens wouldn’t be able to get by on the bottom, and Dan Loughan would take the win. Clemens, Christensen, Steve Rollins and Laci Donnert rounded out the top five. Bill Luckhurst, Robby Johnston and Nyle Weiler took the heat race wins.
Jeff Jostock would set the pace for the start of the 25-lap Shiawasse Shores Pro Stocks feature event, however Eric Lake would get by to lead the opening lap. Lake would lead a couple more laps before Chris Begg would take over the top spot. Begg would soon have his hands full with Two-time Defending Track Champion Tony Basalone. Basalone and Begg would wage war around the banks of the Speedway before Basalone took command and did his best to run away from the field. Basalone would go on to claim his second win of the 2011 season. Chris Begg finished second with Don Riley, Eric Olsen and Eric Lake rounding out the top five. Bill Hagon and Olsen claimed heat race wins.
Mariah Caswell started up front for the 20-lap Owosso Speedway Sport Stocks feature, but would see Chris Taylor get by off the initial start. Taylor would lead the opening lap, but it would JT Leach getting by the next time at the line. Leach would have Current points leader Amber Slagle all over him. Leach would be able to hold her off and claim his first win of the 2011 season. Slagle finished second, and by virtue of that finish would clinch the 2011 Track Championship. Jeremy Donnert finished third with Taylor and Caswell rounding out the top five. Slagle claimed the heat race win.
Next Saturday night, August 27 will be one of the biggest night of the 2011 season, as it will be the running of the rescheduled Harold Morence Memorial for the Affordable Tire and Service Center Pro Late Models for a 54-lap feature. Also on the card will be the Shattuck Specialty Advertising Pure Stocks, Owosso Speedway Sport Stocks and the Turbo Blue Michigan Legends Series. The following Saturday will see the travelling stars of the JEGS / CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts for the running of the Owosso Classic 100. Racing begins at 7pm.
