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I
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at Mansfield
cameraman, was unable to
attend the venue this week.
You'll have to excuse me for
the poor photos because I
really suck at taking pictures.
After twelve consecutive days of rain I was able to enjoy some racing
Saturday at Mansfield Motorsports Park as the Ohio skies finally cleared. As
many times as I've been to Mansfield, this was actually the first night I've
witnessed a whole regular show and I was very pleased. The car count was
phenomenal and the action was a plenty for the Craftsman Tool Night at the
races. During the heat races I was in the Press Box with my dad (Chunky) and
radio analyst DC Bash. It was great to see the races from there but I had to
move to the grandstands for the features to get the feel of the races. If I can't
feel my seat rumble and sniff some fumes it's just not worth it to me.
The modified feature rolled out first with Jeff Amsdell and Matt Leedy
bringing the field down to the green. Amsdell quickly jumped into the lead as
Leedy faded. Meanwhile, Matt Marlowe, Baldy Baker, Jr., and top qualifier
Brett Jursik battled nose to tail until the caution flew on lap nine as John Wilson
tested the new soft walls for the first time. After the restart, Marlowe put heavy
pressure on the leader Amsdell and on lap 13 Marlowe got his chance. While
closing quickly on the lapped car of Dave Howard, who was running right in the
middle of the track, Amsdell went into turn one high to pass and Marlowe took
the low side. From that point on no one was able to even come close to
Marlowe as he set sail for his first feature win of the 2006 campaign. Following
Marlowe to the stripe was Jeff Amsdell, Brett Jursik, Baldy Baker, Jr., and Doug
Neel.
In the Miller Lite Late Model feature, 51 year old John Crumrine and
Michael Copen set the pace for the evening. Before completing lap one,
second generation driver Mike Mizer, Jr. got way loose coming out of turn four
causing an eight car pile up eliminating five cars from the event including top
qualifier Bob Sibila Jr. On the restart, Crumrine raced to a huge lead and it
looked as if this was going to be over quickly, but John Sandquist had other
ideas. Sandquist was closing the gap and his break came on lap 22 when
Mike Mizer, Jr. spun in turn two bringing out another caution. Crumrine slipped
on the restart and Sandquist tried to take advantage but the crafty veteran
was able to hold off Sandquist for his first feature win of the season. Following
Crumrine to the stripe was Sandquist, Rich Groetsch, Buckshot Johnny Breehl,
and Bubba Smith.
The Pizza Hut Grand Nationals quickly turned out to be a 15 lap dash, as
Tigh Shaffer took the lead and ran away with the event. Towards the end of
the race, Bryant Smith, the younger brother of Bubba Smith, put on a great
race trying his hardest to pass Shannon Gregory. In fact, this finish was so
close it had to be determined by the instant replay in the tower. At the finish it
was Shaffer, Gregory, Smith, Michael Lattea, and DJ Jones.
Message Board
Dean Diffenbaugher-Kelly
at 7's Boom Boom Room
Sunday June 4th. Dean is
terminally ill with leukemia
and bentfenders.com is
donating 2 Dave Matthews
Band tickets at Blossom
Music Center August 2nd.
If anyone else would like to
donate anything to raffle
off please contact me. For
more information please
click on link below.
season isn't going so well. Doug said "So far, we've
blown a motor and caused a big wreck, caught on fire,
and we're just not very fast right now. I don't really like
this crate motor because it just doesn't have the
power out of the corners." Doug started 17th and
wound up 8th - not so bad. He'll be back.
his strong performance May 6th, when he came from
the back to take the 30 lap feature event. It's nice to
see Bubba and his family get the credit they deserve.
This talented young man will be a strong force for
years to come. Hey Bubba, remember when I beat
you for my first feature win? Good luck in the future!
the Bob Polas Motorsports, Terry's Tire Town #2
Ford to victory lane. Earlier in the day, Johnny told
me "We're a gear change away from being really
fast." Man, he wasn't joking either as his strong
performance launched him into the points lead.
Johnny will win a few this year.
salesman, race track announcer, pit steward, flagman,
etc... Now Funky Chunky is a colorman for live radio
analyst DC Bash and The Eagle 93.7 out of Mt.
Vernon, Ohio. It was pretty neat watching two guys do
live radio, and the seats were kick ass as well.
anyone else I forgot for the hospitality and the media pass I received. This
track is a first class facility and I would recommend anybody to attend. It's $10
per adult and under 15 is free. You can't beat that! Once again, thanks
everyone! -Bentfenders
