Sprints on Dirt Muskegon results 2006-06-24

Irwin Flies to ASCS Sprints on Dirt Victory at "The Bird"

MUSKEGON, Mich. (June 24, 2006) -- Steve Irwin waited most of the spring for a brand new engine and proved the wait was worth it by winning Saturday night's 25-lap Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz feature event at Thunderbird Race Park.

Irwin earned the most passing points during the preliminary events with a spectacular run from the fourth row, including a three-wide pass for the lead off the last corner to win his heat race and dominated all 25 laps including two restarts.

"My crew chief (Don Whitney) showed up late and we were debating on whether to run the bottom or the middle. The bottom looked good," said Irwin. "We made it up to third, but then I thought we could go for the win and the car stuck down there on the last lap. In the feature, we noticed Brecht rolling real well around the top. We were taking tires on and off and finally we had to decide, and we chose the bottom."Irwin left the field in his dust from the pole with Gary Fast and Mackey in pursuit. Fast was working the top of the speedway while the other front-runners held the low line. Fast kept Irwin within striking distance while holding off Mackey until the caution flag flew for Davey Brown, who slid off the pit entrance in turn three.Irwin pulled away on the restart while Mackey dropped back through the field, courtesy of Mike Brecht and Bill Johnson. As Brecht and Johnson diced for position, Ben Rutan hit his stride on the 15th lap and started marching through the field. Rutan disposed of Johnson and Brecht with Fast next to fall as he set sail after Irwin, who had amassed a full straightaway lead.With three laps to go, Rutan ended up with a chance to pull up to Irwin when Louie Carufel got high in turn three, caught a protective marker tire on the end of the wall and flipped hard. Carufel emerged from his car uninjured.On the restart it was all Irwin as he pulled away from the rest of the field. Rutan held onto second over Fast, Brecht, and Johnson.

Dain Naida, Kyle Patrick, Mackey, Gregg Dalman and John Gall completed the top ten.

Next Friday, June 30, the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz tour heads to the Hartford Speedway Park for the Annual King of Michigan event. The 24-car, 30-lap feature pays $3,000 to the winner. For more information, visit the official website of the American Sprint Car Series at www.ascsracing.com.Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz Results:

Ohsweken Speedway Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Mike Brecht, 2. Ben Rutan, 3. Ken Mackey, 4. Gregg Dalman, 5. Tim Champlin, 6. Kyle Patrick, 7. Ken Quimby, 8. Ernie Kuehneman, Jr., 9. Tom Miller.

Engler Machine and Tool Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. Gary Fast, 2. Bill Johnson, 3. John Gall, 4. Mike Galajda, 5. Bob Nash, 6. Chris Webster, 7. Joe Bares, 8. Tank Brakenberry.

Lane Automotive Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. Steve Irwin, 2. Louie Carufel, 3. Kevin Atkins, 4. Brett Mann, 5. Dain Naida, 6. Ryan Grubaugh, 7. Davey Brown, 8. Ralph Brakenberry.

Engine Pro/Victor Reinz B-Main (10 Laps): 1. Ryan Grubaugh, 2. Chris Webster, 3. Joe Bares, 4. Davey Brown, 5. Ernie Kuehneman, Jr., 6. Tom Miller, 7. Ken Quimby. DNS: Ralph Brakenberry, Tank Brakenberry

A-Main (25 Laps): 1. Steve Irwin, 2. Ben Rutan, 3. Gary Fast, 4. Mike Brecht, 5. Bill Johnson, 6. Dain Naida, 7. Kyle Patrick, 8. Ken Mackey, 9. Gregg Dalman, 10. John Gall, 11. Brett Mann, 12. Mike Galajda, 13. Kevin Atkins, 14. Ryan Grubaugh, 15. Chris Webster, 16. Joe Bares, 17. Davey Brown, 18. Bob Nash, 19. Louie Carufel, 20. Tim Champlin.

Lap Leaders: Irwin 1-25.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints On Dirt presented by Victor Reinz Points (Top Ten): 1. Ken Mackey 1,120, 2. Dain Naida 1,090, 3. (tie) Gregg Dalman and Kyle Patrick 1,078, 5. Gary Fast 1,049, 6. Kevin Atkins 1,011, 7. Joe Bares 1,002, 8. Davey Brown 961, 9. Mike Galajda 940, 10. Louie Carufel 922.

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