HomeDirt Late Model NewsUMP Super Late Models Shine at Plymouth Speedway

UMP Super Late Models Shine at Plymouth Speedway

Published on

- Advertisement -
Mike Spatola - Jim Denhamer photo
Mike Spatola – Jim Denhamer photo

By: Anita Soltis

(Plymouth, IN) It was the only time they could visit the Playground of Power this season and what a race the drivers had Saturday night. The UMP Super Late Models were fast and there was excitement in every lap. The Swan Lake Resorts UMP Modifieds also had a great night followed by the Thunder Stocks.

Mike Spatola was attempting to get his second win of the weekend after winning at Kankakee Friday night. He started fourth but would have to battle JR Hotovy for the top spot. Hotovy quickly took the lead from pole-sitter Gordy Gundaker and Spatola moved to the second spot at the drop of the green flag. Hotovy ran the high side of the racetrack and both he and Spatola ran one and two until lap 22 when lapped traffic became a pick for Spatola. The front of the field went three wide with the lapped car and Spatola came out with the lead. Hotovy fell back to second. Meanwhile, the No. 9R of Curtis Roberts watched the lead change hands from the third spot. Roberts challenged Hotovy for the second spot on lap 27 but ran out of laps. Spatola was able to get the win in the 30-lap feature for his second win of the weekend with Hotovy in second and Roberts a close third.

“This car has been great all year,” said Spatola. “Hotovy and I had a great, smooth race. Running second is where you want to be when the lapped traffic comes into play. I was able to use that to my advantage tonight to get a win. This is a nice track.”

This was the first time the UMP Super Late Models have visited Plymouth Speedway and they are expected to come back next season.

The Swan Lake UMP Modified race saw a familiar face at the top of the podium. Jamie Lomax has been a powerhouse at the track all season long and he made it happen again Saturday night. He took the early lead, but Zeke McKenzie would make him think about the line he was racing later in the feature. Lomax started fourth and went three wide with Dillon Nusbaum and Steve Hogue to take the lead. McKenzie started from the sixth and was challenging Nusbaum for the second spot by the fifth lap. A caution would come out which would allow McKenzie get a good restart. McKenzie would clear Nusbaum for the second spot on lap nine – just a few laps before Nusbaum would spin and after Frank Marshall would pass him for third place. With five laps to go and the field set to go green after a late-race caution, McKenzie set his sights on Lomax. Lomax got a good start, but McKenzie closed in on him in turn three. He tried to pass on the inside, but couldn’t make it happen. Lomax would go on to win with McKenzie settling for second and Frank Marshall rounding out the podium.

“The car was great. I noticed that the track was getting slicker and Zeke started coming so I had to start running on the bottom to get the win,” smiled Lomax.

The Thunder Stocks were the last feature of the night with John Rhoads dominating the field. Randy Lambert had started on the pole but quickly started moving in the wrong direction with what appeared to be mechanical issues. Points leader Bryce Shidler moved up the field from his sixth starting spot to second but didn’t have enough to catch Rhoads. Kyle Anderson picked up his first podium finish of the season as he was able to keep his No. 25 at the top of the running order. He was able to run second for most of the race until Shidler took over the spot on lap 12.
John Rhoads picked up another feature win with Shidler in second and Anderson in third.

“We had a parts failure earlier in the season which may have put us out of the championship, but Bryce is really good,” commented Rhoads as he sits second in the points standings. “I was wondering if I was going to to hold him off tonight or not. I was waiting for a bump, but I didn’t get it. We’re trying our best.”

The Bob Newton Hoosier Tire Classic is set for Aug. 16 with Winged Sprints, Swan Lake Resorts UMP Modifieds, Dickies Restaurant 600 Sprints and Super Streets. The Warsaw Hall of Fame Night will also be featured. The evening is sponsored by Sparkman Auto Sales of Warsaw. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. ET. For tickets or for more information, visit our website at www.plymouthspeedway.net.

- Advertisement -

Recent articles

Cannon McIntosh Returns to Form with Xtreme Outlaw Midgets at Keith Kunz Motorsports

Reunited with Keith Kunz Motorsports, Cannon McIntosh Has Returned to Form...

Jeffery Pahule Victorious in POWRi Outlaw Micro KKM Challenge Prelim Night One

Visalia, CA. (3/20/24) Local talent Jeffrey Pahule would show speed and...

Highland Speedway Results – 3/23/24

16 entries DIRTCAR UMP MODIFIEDS A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 14-Rick Conoyer;...

POWRi 410 Wing & Non-Wing Sprints to Headline 2024 Hockett/McMillin Memorial

Belleville, IL. (3/22/2024) Ushering in a new era of excitement and...

Brandon Sheppard Eager to Hunt For Fourth Illini 100 Win at Farmer City 

B-Shepp is currently tied with Billy Moyer for the most Illini...

Farmington Empire Speedway Results – 3/23/24

12 entries 410 SPRINTS - WINGED A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 3-Howard...

Davenport Sweeps Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Action at Atomic

CHILLICOTHE, OH (March 24, 2024) – Jonathan Davenport was the driver to...

RELATED ARTICLES

Davenport Sweeps Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Action at Atomic

CHILLICOTHE, OH (March 24, 2024) – Jonathan Davenport was the driver to beat on Sunday...

Devin Moran Earns First Career Brownstown Victory

BROWNSTOWN, IN (March 23, 2024) – After 10 years of trying to make it to...

Chris Simpson Seeking A Fast Start To 2024 With Lucas Oil MLRA

Wheatland, Missouri (March 22, 2024) – Leaving the Lucas Oil Speedway after the season...

Brandon Sheppard Eager to Hunt For Fourth Illini 100 Win at Farmer City 

B-Shepp is currently tied with Billy Moyer for the most Illini 100 victories FARMER CITY,...

Lucas Oil Stop at Atomic Shifts to Sunday; Brownstown Start Time Adjusted

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 21, 2024) – With the likelihood of rain showers at race time...