UMP Modifieds Part Of Sumar Classic Opener In Terre Haute
(Terre Haute, IN – 04-03-16) On a windy but sunny Sunday afternoon, it was opening day at the Terre Haute Action Track in Indiana. Joining the USAC Silver Crown Champ Cars were the UMP Modifieds, a class of cars that races in five out the six events at the 1/2-mile speedway. Those in attendance were treated to an exciting Modified feature that saw a three car lead battle down the stretch.
Heat #1 race action saw Fenton, MO driver Ken Schrader lead flag-to-flag to take the win and the pole position for the feature. In heat #2, it was Schrader’s friend and former NASCAR compadre, Kenny Wallace pulling away for the dominating win, which garnered him the outside row #1 starting position.
When the green dropped, Wallace shot into the lead with Schrader following in second. Wallace quickly showed his strength, pulling out to a sizable lead. Meanwhile, Schrader had his hands full, as A.J. Fike was on the move from his fourth row starting position.
Fike picked up a few spots on the opening lap to move into the top five. His move continued on lap two when he garnered fourth. On lap five, the open wheel star moved by Zach Fair for third. With only two NASCAR veterans between he and a victory, Fike moved past Schrader on lap seven to take the runner-up spot. With less than five to go, Fike caught Wallace and started to apply pressure. Fike was running the bottom lane, while Wallace was in the middle. Joining in on the excitement was Richie Lex, who started in the ninth position. As the trio battled nearly three wide at times, a yellow came out for a spun Rick Weitekamp with three to go, setting up a shootout to the finish.
Back to green, Wallace found a little more speed, check that, a lot more speed and was able to fend off the strong challenge from Fike. Richie Lex put on an outstanding show in the high lane but couldn’t make it stick on the short run at the end.
As Indy 500 and USAC flagman Tom Hansing waved the checkered, Wallace came away with the exciting win, with Fike, Lex, Schrader, and Josh Harris rounding out the top five. Fair, Brian Shaw, Cullen Goodman, Dave Baldwin, and Tyler Loughmiller completed the top ten.
The UMP Modifieds will next be at The Action Track on Sunday, May 1 for the 2016 Spring Fling featuring the MSCS Sprint Cars. The Mods will also be on hand on May 25, June 19, and September 16.
For more information, follow the Action Track online at www.terrehauteactiontrack.net and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/terrehauteactiontrack). Updates are also available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
The Terre Haute Action Track is located at the Wabash County Fairgrounds, in Terre Haute, IN. The physical address is 3901 South US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN 47807.
UMP Modified Feature
1) 36 Kenny Wallace
2) 10 A.J. Fike
3) 7LEX Richie Lex
4) 9 Ken Schrader
5) 16C Josh Harris
6) 1 Zach Fair
7) 1S Brian Shaw
8) 14S Cullen Goodman
9) 6B Dave Baldwin
10) 99T Tyler Loughmiller
11) 92 Kenny Carmichael, Sr.
12) 11M Josh McDaniel
13) 2B Brent Hudson
14) 89W Rick Weitekamp
15) 92C Kenny Carmichael, Jr.
16) Carl McGowin