Fartmington, MO (July 16) – Sprint Division point leader and defending track Champion, Jimmy Hurley took home the honors on US Tool & Grinding Night at St Francois County Raceway. His counterpart from Central Illinois, A J Bruns paced the feature event early only to be passed by Hurley. Lap 12 found the caution appear for Kory Bales as he did a 360 spin. He tried to keep to car moving, but it stalled. On the line up for the restart Hurley, A J Bruns, Jimmy Bridgeman and Tommy Worley, Jr lined up nose to tail. Before they dropped the flag Bridgeman pulled his mount to the outside of the track with a flat right rear tire and his hopes of a top five finish were dashed. Lap 14 found third place runner Tommy Worley, Jr, running third, got to high in corners one and two, hit the wall and broke his mount and had to retire from the event also. By lap 15 a very quiet charge to the front was being made by multiple time track Champion, Joey Montgomery. Joey started 13th on the grid and was now running third. Kasey Burch brought out the last caution as his car lost a tire on the front of his machine. Some good driving and cool thinking kept his car from rolling over. Montgomery mad a late pass for runner-up laurels. Bruns would hang on for third. He was chased by Tim Montgomery and Steve Short makes it in the topf five for the second week in a row. Joey Boyd, Tommy Worley, Jr and A J Bruns took heat race wins. Jimmy Bridgeman claims his first dash win of the season.
For the fourth time this season, Brent Thompson called Victory Lane home. Thompson drove a great race by working his car on the bottom side of the track. Billy Smith took to the high line as Kent Nations opened up that line by running the bottom. Runnin ght longer way around Smith pulled closer and closer on each lap. Lap 7 found the first cautio waving for Matt Dotson as it appeared his motor had let go. On the restart Smith lined up behind Thompson. After passing the cone on the restart, Smith powered by to take the lead, only to have the yellow wave again. Next crack at the restar, Smith again headed for the top. Coming down the main straight and going for the lead his motor also let out a plume of smoke. A hole in the side of the oil pan ended his night in the A Division. Matt Eaton assumed the second position and gave Thompson all he wanted. Eaton had been running the same line as Smith, made up a lot of ground and was challenging for the lead. A late race caution forced a final restart and the momentum was gone. Eaton settled for second. Kent Nations had a fine run for third place honors. Last weeks winner Kasey Nation brought home with a strong run for fourth and long time campaigner Tom Vogt takes his fine machine to a top five finish in fifth. Kasey Nation and Matt Eaton are the heat winners on this evening. Thompson claims the Dash.
Chris Boyd a Champion in his own right found the Winners Circle on Saturday for the first time this season in a B-Modified. The green dropped Boyd, got the drop in turn one. Shane Blair running second applied lots of pressure. Boyd stayed smooth. John Bohn, came out strong in third with point leader Kyle Stolzer in pursuit. Chris Sweeney was involved in the only caution of the event. The race was over and Boyd was on his cool down lap and fire erupted under the hood of his car. Fire crews put out the fire and he was pushed to the front straight for the presentation of his trophy. Chris made mention of his sponsor and those who helped him work on the car. Boyd and Bohn were the heat winners in the division.
The Pure Street Division had the opportunity to run for $600 to win on this night. Previous winner Robbie Williams would pace the field to the green alongside Jimmy Farris. Caution came out early on the first lap as Jimmy Farris had some help spinning his car. On the restart and coming off turn four the leader, Williams, spun his car. No contact was made either before or after the spin. He would start on the tail. Farris, John Bohn, Eric Sarakas and Robbie Wells would now pace the field on this restart. The flag was in the air once again. Leaders were coming into heavy traffic. John Moore spun in front of the leaders. No one was collected from the lead pack. Farris once again took off on the restart. This time he had last weeks winner Sarakas on his bumper followed by Chris Boyd. Those three in addition to Robbie Wells and Dusty Homan would complete the top five. After the early spin polesitter Williams battled back for a ninth place run. Willimas, Bohn and Farris take home heats wins on this night.
Action will continue next Saturday night. This night will feature pour regular classes of cars, Winged 410 Sprints, both A & B Modifieds and Pure Street. The B Modified Division will be running for their $600 to win. Gates open at 4:00. Hot Laps at 6:00 and racing to follow. Grandstand admission is $10.00 for adults. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Pit Passes are $25.00 for those who would like to get a little closer to the action. This show will be the last for the Month as the track will be closed for two weeks. On July 30, the St Francois County Fair will be running and on August 6th the World of Outlaws will be participating in the Ironman 55 at Pevely, MO.
When we return on August 13 if will be $5.00 Grandstand Night.
SPRINT DIVISION
Heat #1: 1. Joey Boyd 2. Jimmy Bridgeman 3. Steve Short 4. Kasey Burch
Heat #2: 1. Tommy Worley, Jr 2. Jimmy Hurley 3. Brad Greer 4. John Epperson
Heat #3: 1. A J Bruns 2. Tim Montgomery 3. Kory Bales 4. Ryan Kempin
Dash: 1. Jimmy Bridgeman 2. Jimmy Hurley 3. A J Bruns 4. Tim Montgomery
A-Main: 1. Jimmy Hurley 2. Joey Montgomery 3. A J Bruns 4. Tim Montgomery 5. Steve Short 6. Robbie Standridge 7. Brad Greer 8. John Epperson 9. Joey Boyd 10. Ryan Kempin
A MODIFIED DIVISION
Heat #1: 1. Kasey Nations 2. Kent Nations 3. Brent Thompson 4. Tommy Worley, Sr
Heat #2: 1. Matt Eaton 2. Billy Smith 3. Tom Vogt 4. Jeff Asher
Dash: 1. Brent Thompson 2. Kent Nations 3. Matt Eaton 4. Billy Smith
A-Main: 1. Brent Thompson 2. Matt Eaton 3. Kent Nations 4. Kasey Nations 5. Tom Vogt 6. Jeff Asher 7. Bill Nickelson 8. Danny Resinger 9. Chris Hayes 10. Mike Abney
B-MODIFIED DIVISION
Heat #1: 1. Chris Boyd 2. Shane Blair 3. Kyle Stolzer 4. Eddie Gross
Heat #2: 1. John Bohn 2. Michael Savage 3. Billy Smith 4. Kenny Harris
A-Main: 1. Chris Boyd 2. Shane Blair 3. Michael Savage 4. Eddie Gross 5. Billy Smith 6. Kyle Stolzer 7. Kenny Harris 8. Randy Forster 9. Greg Swearingim 10. John Hahler
PURE STREET DIVISION ($600 To Win)
Heat #1: 1. Robbie Williams 2. Charlie Savage 3. Robbie Wells 4. Shane Blair
Heat #2: 1. John Bohn 2. Eric Sarakas 3. Bill Skaggs 4. Josh Skaggs
Heat #3: 1. Jimmy Farris 2. Chuck Huff 3. Jason Neel 4. Travis Goodman
A-Main: 1. Jimmy Farris 2. Eric Sarakas 3. Chris Boyd 4. Robbie Wells 5. Dusty Homan 6. Shane Blair 7. Charlie Savage 8. Travis Goodman 9. Robbie Williams 10. John Bohn