The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Short Track Roundup (7/23/97)

23 July 1997

Mobile, AL - Hello short track fans and welcome to another flashback on the week that was as we recap the activities on the nation's short tracks. Much of the action over the past week happened on the dirt tracks, with the asphalt series either taking the week off or getting rained out by Hurricane Danny.

The United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Summer Nationals closed out their 20 race, three week marathon through the midwest with four races. Bill Frye picked up his second win on the series with a victory at LaSalle, IN as he led Bob Pierce and Tony Izzo Jr. to the checkered flag. The 17th race of the series took place at Davenport, IA and the winner there was none other than Scott Bloomquist who took the $10,000 check. Following Bloomquist to the line were Billy Moyer and Jimmy Mars. The penultimate stop for the series was at Cresco, IA and there it was Brian Birkhofer taking his first ever UMP win ahead of Bob Pierce and Rick Aukland. The 20th and final race on the tour came at Owatonna, MN and in an apt finish it was points leader Rick Aukland who garnered the win by beating Jimmy Redetzke and Kris Patterson. Aukland had a phenomenal run through the series with 5 wins, 13 top five's and 17 top tens. A well deserved Championship for the Fargo, ND driver.

The Hav-A-Tampa series visited Carter County Speedway, KY and STARS points leader Steve Francis from nearby Ashalnd, took advantage of his local knowledge to beat Jack Boggs and Joe Meadows in a race that had to be cut to 51 laps due to dust from the track. Two nights later in Florence, KY Skip Arp took his first series win in 14 months as he led Bart Hartman and Bob Pierce across the finish.

The MACS Thunder in the Mountains Tour started a scheduled five race series at Sharon Speedway, OH and the winner of the opener was Todd Andrews. Scott Haus and Bob Salathe rounded out the top three. The second stop was at Tri-City, OH and this time it was Robbie Blair leading Chub Frank and Haus to the line. Following a rain out of the third race, the tour went to Port Royal, PA and Gary Stuhler defeated Haus and John Shuey in this one. Notice a pattern yet? In the series finale at Challenger Speedway, PA the winner was Floyd Cline, Haus again second with Chub Frank in third. Needless to say, Haus took the series points title.

The NASCAR Busch All Star Series went to Park Jefferson, SD where Joe Kisiski beat brother Steve and Dirk Kirk for the laurels.

The STARS cars were at Volunteer Speedway, TN and the man you love to hate, Scott Bloomquist beat ex-teammate Ronnie Johnson and Steve Francis to pick up another $10,000 check.

WISSOTA Late Models were at Brown County, SD and Jeff Wildung got the win ahead of Joel Cryderman and Mitch Johnson. The next night on the same track it was Steve Laurson beating Pat Doar and Steve Egersdorf. The series then moved to Black Hills, SD and Jeff Wildung picked up his second win of the weekend over Bob Baumberger and John Bey.

Bill Frye took his fourth straight win in MLRA action at I-30 Speedway, AR with Terry Phillips and Donnie Barnhart following him home.

Oakshade Raceway, OH hosted the ALMS tour and Kris Patterson was the victor ahead of Matt Miller and Shane Yoder.

The NLMS Southern Dirt Tour went to Cochran, GA and Dennis McDaniel edged out Billy Godowns Jr and Andy Stewart for the win, his first on the series.

Rounding out the dirt Late Model action, the NCRA went to the Kansas State Fairgrounds and Larry McDaniels took the trip to the Winner's Circle as he beat Tony Gregg and Delbert Smith.

***

There was some action on the asphalt tracks as the NASCAR Goodies Dash series ran at Southern National Speedway, NC and the win went to Scott Weaver, his first ever on the tour. Following him to the line were Will Hobgood and Mike Swaim Jr. The series also announced last week that it will use V-6 engines next year instead of the current four bangers used now.

The NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour visited Madera, CA and M.K.Kanke got the win. Doug McCoun was second and Bryan Germone third. Chris Raudman still leads the points, but brother Craig dropped to third as Germone moved up to second.

The Rebco Northwest Tour went to Wenatchee Valley, WA and Gary Lewis took the checkered flag ahead of Pete Harding and Greg Biffle.

Southern All Stars raced at Peach State Speedway, GA and local driver Joey Clanton passed veteran Jody Ridley two laps from the end to take the win. Ridley got second and Bobby Gill was third as Georgia drivers dominated the results. *** Hurricane Danny won the NASCAR All Pro race at Five Flags Speedway, and it has been rescheduled for September 13.

Brian Ross led all but two laps to capture the win in Indiana Late Model Series action at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Chet Fillip was second with Jim Crabtree third.

Auto City Speedway, MI hosted the Main Event Series and Stan Boyd was the victor here as points leader Tim Ice and Steve Sauve followed him to the checkers.

The Hooters Procup surprised many people by holding a race at Kingsport, TN. No one knew about the race except those taking part as the USAR has no PR man at the present. Chad Chaffin was the winner followed by Gene Morgan and Marty Ward.

***

The open wheel brigade was in action over the past week with the World of Outlaws at Eldora, OH where Dave Blaney led Mark Kinser and Sammy Swindell to the line in the opening night race. The next night saw the 14th running of the Kings Royal and this year it was Steve Kinser who took the title. Jac Haudenschild and Sammy Swindell were the next across the finish. The Series points race could not get much tighter as Swindell leads Blaney and Kinser by just 15 points following the weekend action.

The Frigidaire All Stars ran K-C Raceway, OH and Tim Allison and Kenny Jacobs followed Keith Kauffman to the line. At Attica, OH "young gun" Tyler Walker lead Joey Saldana and Kenny Jacobs home to take the win.

The NAMARS Midgets went to Salem, IN and IRL pilot Jimmy Kite jumped into a midget and took the checkered flag first as he edged out teammate Jimmy McCune and Pat Bliss. Mel Kenyon is the points leader in this series.

In California at Kings Speedway it was father Brent Kaeding beating Randy Hannagan and Steve Coelho in the Golden State Challenge on Friday night, then on Saturday Brent's son Brandon 'Bud" Kaeding beat Jimmy Sills and Randy Tiner on the same track. Proud poppa watched his son win from sixth place.

***

In our weekly look at NASCAR Winston Racing Series winners, the big news was Dexter Canipe winning the $5,000 Gatorade Front Runner Award for leading the series at the halfway point of the season. Dexter has dominated his home track of Greenville- Pickens, NC and is having a dream season. Other winners were Terry Mock at JAX Raceway, FL, Clay Dale at Lanier, GA, Mark McFarland getting his seventh of the year at Old Dominion, VA, Dean Ward winning at Ace Speedway, NC, Joe Buford was the winner at Nashville, TN, and David Hyder won the 200 lapper at New River Valley, VA.

That's our look back at the past week on the short tracks. I encourage you to visit your local short track this weekend and see some of the best fender-banging, door slamming racing action in the nation and the best action value for your money. Until Next week, Have a Ball, Ya'll!

John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel