Double X Speedway, California, MO
Submitted by: Dean Reichel
Another sizzling Sunday evening at Double X Speedway in California, MO brought fans and race teams from across the area to the track to compete in the latest edition of Sunday Night Thunder. Headlining the evening were the ULMA Late Models completing the annual “Triple Crown Shootout” at Double X. Jon Binning of Warrensburg picked up his first ULMA feature victory of the season by wiring the field leading green to checker in the 25 lap feature event. Henley’s Jason Russell claimed runner up honors in the feature with Joe Walkenhors of Lee’s Summitt placing third, Jefferson City’s Bob Test claiming fourth and Gage Wineland of Syracuse rounding out the top five. Claiming heat race victories were Binning, Jason Bodenhammer of Centerview and Walkenhorst. Bodenhammer picked up the victory in the Dash for Cash, sponsored by Taylor’s Tire Distributors of California. A big thanks also goes out to Bonecutter Body Shop for helping to make this event possible.
In the Xxtreme Glass Winged Sprint Car division, a familiar visitor to victory lane made a return visit. Jonathan Cornell of Sedalia claimed the checkered flag in the event. Cornell began the event on the front row alongside pole sitter Bryan Grimes of Slater in the Jack Hockett Racing #77. Cornell would lead the opening lap and Grimes would lead lap two by a bumper then Cornell would retake the lead on lap three and carry this momentum for the remainder of the 25 lap event. Grimes would continue to run in second until encountering a lapped car on the 18th circuit, allowing California’s Tyler Blank to make a pass to claim the runner up honors. Grimes finished third, Cody Baker of Lone Jack brought home the Ted Hall #38 in fourth, Taylor Walton of Warrensburg was fifth and California’s Tyler Elliott finished sixth. Grimes and Cornell claimed the heat race victories.
The Cooper Racing Street Stock feature event rolled onto the clay with a front row of rookie driver Derek Henson of Russelville and cagy veteran John “Boomer” Brooks of Warrensburg. On the start Brooks used the high line to take the lead and would ride the cushion for the entire 15 lap feature event. It was not an easy win as Henson kept his #27d machine on the low line and was constantly challenging Brooks for the top spot. At the checkered flag the experience and the high line would prevail as Brooks was able to secure the victory in his first visit to Double-X this year. Henson, the current divsion point leader would finish second, Dale Berry of Tuscumbia came in third, Tipton’s Tim Cressley had a good run to claim fourth, last weeks feature winner Curt Turpin of Jefferson City was fifth and second place in points Keeth Strange of Eldon came home sixth. Heat race victories were claimed by Henson and Brooks.
In the Double X Hobby Stock division it was all Will Register. The Sedalia, MO shoe claimed both the feature and heat race victories. AJ Wirts looked like he had a strong second place finish locked up but a flat tire in turns three and four on the last lap enabled younger brother Rudy Wirts, both of California, to slip by and record his best finish of the season. AJ Wirts was third, Travis Arnold of Pilot Grove finished fourth and new driver Laura Atkinson of Eldon rounded out the top five.
Six more events are on the Double-X schedule for the 2012 season. Next Sunday July 8, the Winged Sprint Cars, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will be joined by the American Midget Series. Sunday July 15 the 600cc Micro Sprints will be on the card and Sunday July 22 The Tenth annual Clyde Wood Memorial Race will take place with the ASCS Sprints competing for at least $2500 to win. The Street Stocks, Hobby and 600cc Micro Sprints will also be on the card that evening.
Points were unavailable at press time but will be updated on the web page.
For more information call (573) 796-4694, go to www.xxspeedway.com or find us on facebook.