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Short Track Roundup (08/13/97)

13 August 1997

Mobile, AL - Welcome race fans to another look back at the happenings on the short tracks of the nation over the past week. It was a rather quiet week for this time of year, especially on the dirt Late Model scene as mother nature and some gaps in scheduling provide us with a chance to look a little closer at some local winners.

The Hav-A-Tampa series held two races this week leading up to a two week break before they return to action. It was a rough week for Bill Frye as he was leading at Beaver Dam, WI with 10 laps to go when he inexplicably turned Donnie Moran around and ended up being disqualified for rough driving. Then with just two laps to go at Cedar Lake, WI, he misjudged some lapped traffic, got loose and allowed Rick Aukland to slide under him for the win. Billy Moyer was the beneficiary of Frye's DQ as he took the win with Moran hanging on for second and Freddy Smith taking third. Frye ended up third when Moran was able to follow Aukland under him at Cedar Lake. For Aukland it was his second $30,000 win of the year, as he also won the Show Me 100 earlier in the season. That was the big time action on dirt, but local tracks were in full swing and D.J. Braddock picked up a win in NWRS action at the notorious one-groove JAX Raceways, FL and Gary Stuhler won his 82nd feature at Hagerstown, MD.

The pavement scene was really busy with plenty of good races going on, not the least of which was the All-Pro boys at Carraway, NC where Steven Christian managed to keep his cool and keep his car from falling completely apart to take the win over Hank Parker Jr and Mike Harmon. Without brakes and on worn-out tires Christian survived a wild last four laps to take the win, his first on the series. *** The ASA brigade went to Berlin, MI and Rick Beebe finally got the win he has been so close to for the last three or four races. Dave Sensiba ran second and Mike Eddy took third. Big story in this one was points leader Kevin Cywinski finishing a lowly tenth, but no one able to take advantage of it. *** The Southwest tour was in Suntana, CA and Doug McCoun was the winner over Craig Raudman and Sean Monroe. The other Raudman, Chris, still leads the points. *** Brian Sockwell took home the victory at Myrtle Beach Speedway, SC in Goodies Dash action. Points leader Mike Swaim Jr was second and Charlie Powell III was next across the line. *** The Florida Pro Series went to the tight confines of Charlotte County Speedway, FL and it was "Mr Excitement", Jimmy Cope with his fourth win on the series this year. Second went to Darryl Shelnut and third to Jimmy Britts. Dave Pletcher maintained his healthy lead in the points by coming home sixth. *** Steve Carlson was the winner Wednesday in ARTGO action at Wisconsin International Raceway as he led Scott Hansen and Mike Garvey across the line. On Sunday you could have thrown a blanket over the top four finishers at Golden Sands Speedway, WI as Eddie Hoffman, Steve Carlson, Ron Breese and Joe Shear all crossed the line side-by side and bumper-to- bumper. Hoffman got the win over Carlson and Breese but it took some sharp eyes to make the call. *** In Main Event Series action at Midvale, OH, Dino Long took the checkers with John Creemine and Rich Rohrer in the next two spots. *** The Iceman Series was back at Toledo, OH where Kenny Phillips outran Chuck Roumell and Dave Kuhlman for his first win of the season. *** Some other Late Model winners were Jeff Kendall with his third at Wisconsin Dells, Jeff Dunmyer at Jennerstown, Darryl Stewart at Orlando, FL, and Dave Feiler getting his first at Madison, WI.

The open wheeled sprints and midgets had a fairly active week with the World of Outlaws running two races at Eldora, OH. Sammy Swindell took over the points lead as he won the first race followed by Dave Blaney and Andy Hillenberg. In the second race, better known as "The Historic Big One" it was Dave Blaney grabbing the win with Mark Kinser second and Danny Lasoski third. This might have been the first week in quite some time that Mark did not visit Victory Lane at least once. *** Preceding the WoO cars to Eldora were the Frigidaire All Stars and Joe Gaerte used a new McCreary tire and a new engine to take the win over Charlie Fisher and Kenny Jacobs. *** The Empire Super Sprints went to Little Valley, NY and the winner in this one was Tom Taber. Craig Keel and Bill Coffey rounded out the top three. *** The Pacific Sprints were back in action after a layoff and at Placerville the winner was Marc Mackay. *** NARC raced at Antioch, CA and it was a Kaeding in the Winner's Circle, but not Brent. Brandon, Brent's son, took the win as he beat Randy Tiner and his dad in the Budweiser Shoot Out Series. *** The ARDC midgets went to Port Royal, PA and Ed Stimely Jr came away with the win ahead of Mark Freeland and Walt Stearly. *** The SCRA had two races, one at Hanford, CA where Rip Williams continued to be unstoppable as he led Ron Shuman and Troy Cline to the line. Back at Perris Speedway, CA Williams streak of wins came to an end as Cory Kruseman was the victor. Williams ran second with Shuman in third. *** Troy Reed captured the USAC Midget race at Speedrome, While Todd Shaffer picked up another win in Super Sprint action at Port Royal, PA. Alan Cole was the winner at Selingsgrove and Mike Lehman got the checkered flag at Susquehanna, PA.

NASCAR Winston Racing Series action continued across the country and some of the winners included Jeff Agnew with two wins at New River Valley, VA, Danny Fair at Old Dominion, VA and Mike Herman Jr at Concord, NC. Dean Ward took his 10th of the season at Ace Speedway, NC , Stephen Grimes was the victor at Caraway, NC, Donnie Bishop got his ninth of the year at Anderson, SC and Bugs Hairfield took two at Southside, VA to knot up the points standings at the track with Bubba Urban. Dexter Canipe continued his domination at Tri-County, NC, John Robinson got the big check at Hawkeye Downs, IA and Jeff Dunmyer was the wire-to wire winner at Motordrome, PA.

That about wraps up our weekly look back at the short track action around the nation for the past week. I encourage you to visit your local track soon and see some of the best racing around, up close and personal! Have a Ball, Ya'll!

John Kaiser