Angola Speedway results 2005-06-25

Bennett wins 1st Annual Michael Ross Memorial

The Angola Motor Speedway was in action again on Saturday with the running of the 1st Annual Michael Ross Memorial event for the Smith Enterprises Mini Stocks. The events for the evening were presented by Smith Enterprises in Angola and included an exhibition race of Vintage American Race Cars at intermission. Something extra that was on display for fans that nobody expected was the International Truck and Engine Coproration CXT. This truck was actually driven by Jay Leno, the host of the Tonight Show. Special Thanks goes out to the Vice President of International Truck and Engine Corp, Phil Christman, for allowing the great fans and drivers of Angola Motor Speedway to see this wonderful vehicle.

The Smith Enterprises Mini Stocks were first on track for their feature event. The awesome 4 cylinders put on the best show of the night as 32 cars were weeded down to fill the 22 car field. The feature event started off with out of car introductions with the Michael Ross Family greeting all the drivers. Pace laps provided the fans time to make tribute to Michael Ross as the field had the familiar #41 located on the pole. The memorial car pulled off and the field held the missing man formation until the white flag waved signaling 1 lap until green. The fans stood in honor. Eric Barcus took the early lead when the green flag waved while the rest of the field battled for positions. Justin Meriwether worked his way up after starting mid pack to take the lead away on lap 14. Todd Bennett spent sometime attempting to move around his competitors and was in contention for the lead on lap 20. Bennett blew past Meriwether on lap 21 for the top spot. The race came down to the finish as lapped traffic bunched up the field. Coming out of turn 4 for the checkers Bennett and Meriwether split a lapped car and the decision as to who won came down to only inches. The AMB Transponder System awarded Bennett the win, allowing him to notch his name as the victor in the 1st Annual Michael Ross Memorial Race. Meriwether was second followed by Kedrin Holliday, Mike Murphy, and Derik Sturdivant in the top 5. At the conclusion of the event the #41 presented the fans with a polish victory lap with the entire field of cars in tow. The Michael Ross #41 will now be entered into the Northeastern Indiana Racing Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

The Budweiser Super Late Models took to the track with Dave Macey pacing the field at the start of the feature event. The race would be ruled by cautions as the all the drivers fought for positions as if it were Championship Night. Jasper Case overtook the lead but would have to fight hard as Pete Grimm battled him in the final laps. The white flag waved and Grimm had only one chance left to take the spot away from Case. They rounded turn 3 and 4, Grimm slid the car trying to put it low to get around Case, but Case held on for his first feature win of 2005. Grimm, Macey, Kugler, and Craig Mann the top 5.

The Superior Auto IMODs put on a caution fest with multiple cautions bringing out the red flag 2 times in only a handful of laps. Everyone was able to walk away from each incident with only frustration setting in. Todd Griggs assumed the lead on the opening laps of the event and ran hard to keep everyone behind him. It was not until the final lap that Bud Adams was able to put his open wheeled wonder around Griggs to take the checkered flag. Jeremy Wallen took advantage of Adams opening up the bottom in turn 4 to put himself into second. Griggs finished third with Dave Nester and James Krueger rounding out the top 5.

Larry Wiseman started the Jack De Late Model Sportsman feature event in fine fashion as he grabbed the early lead. The battle was 5 cars in only 2 rows as the laps wound down. Rick Rinehart and Scott Whetzel made their way around Wiseman with Tony Barcus right behind. Barcus and Whetzel battled for the second hole as Rinehart clinched the win. Barcus brought home a second place finish with Whetzel having to settle for third. Wiseman and Larry Henderson claimed fourth and fifth.

Erik Schaeffer put another feature win on record in the Chris Johnson Racing Engine Street Stocks feature event. Schaeffer had to hold off a hard charging Shane Crager and Jackie Terry in the final laps of the race. Crager, Terry, Mike Overholser and Ben DeLong were the top 5.

Next weekend will provide fans with 2 great nights of racing as the CRA Super Series (formerly the Sunoco Super Series) will be on the track Saturday July 2 for their 125 Lap Green Flag event. Saturday will also include FIREWORKS by Madbomber. The Jack De Late Model Sportsman, Superior Auto IMODs, Chris Johnson Racing Engines Street Stocks and Smith Enterprises Mini Stocks will also be in action on July 2nd. Sunday July 3 will see the return of the Auto Value Super Sprint Series along with 100 Lap Budweiser Super Late Model feature event presented by Dekalb Distributing. The Jack De Late Model Sportsman, Superior Auto IMODs, Chris Johnson Racing Engines Street Stocks and Smith Enterprises Mini Stocks will be in action again on Sunday.

Both days the Pit gates open at 1pm, Practice at 3pm, Qualifying at 5pm, Racing at 7pm. Make sure to take advantage of the special Adult Grandstand 2-Day Pass for ONLY $30 this coming weekend!! Log on to www.angolamotorspeedway.com for the latest news and information.

Saturday June 25 Results
LEAF Racewear Sportsmanship Award Winner: Jeff Brunt, LaGrange

Budweiser Super Late Models
Fast Qualifier: Mike Kugler, Stroh; 13.876

Heat Race Winners: Craig Mann, Pioneer, OH; Jasper Case, Wolcottville
Landrum Springs Award Winner: Pete Grimm, Waterloo

Feature Top Ten
1) Jasper Case, Wolcottville
2) Pete Grimm, Waterloo
3) Dave Macey, Camden, MI
4) Mike Kugler, Stroh
5) Craig Mann, Pioneer, OH
6) Fred Elkins, Helmer
7) Jeff Brunt, LaGrange
8) David Campbell, Angola
9) Kale Asztalos, Angola
10) Greg Parr, Orland

Jack De Late Model Sportsman
Fast Qualifier: Scott Whetzel, Helmer; 15124

Heat Race Winners: Tony Barcus, Kendallville; Oliver Fitzwater
Landrum Springs Award Winner: Larry Wiseman, Orland

Feature Top Ten
1) Rick Rinehart, Ashley
2) Tony Barcus, Kendallville
3) Scott Whetzel, Helmer
4) Larry Wiseman, Orland
5) Larry Henderson, Hamilton
6) KC Spillers, Fort Wayne
7) Oliver Fitzwater
8) Troy Moyer, Edon, OH
9) Kenny Kuntz, Fort Wayne
10) Billy Hutson, New Haven

Superior Auto IMODs
Fast Qualifier: Bobby Dager, New Haven; 14.792

Heat Race Winners: Todd Griggs, Antwerp, OH; James Krueger
Landrum Springs Award Winner: Todd Griggs, Antwerp, OH

Feature Top Ten
1) Bud Adams, Fort Wayne
2) Jeremy Wallen, Fort Wayne
3) Todd Griggs, Antwerp, OH
4) Dave Nester, Edon, OH
5) Tom Jewell
6) Bobby Dager, New Haven
7) Brent Martin, Fort Wayne
8) James Krueger
9) Mike Bufink, Churubusco
10) Byron Engler, Edgerton, OH

CJ Racing Engines Street Stocks
Fast Qualifier: Jackie Terry, Kendallville; 16.393

Heat Race Winners: Shane Crager, Fort Wayne; Jerry Oberlin, Garrett
Landrum Springs Award Winner: Mike Overholser, Fort Wayne

Feature Top Ten
1) Erik Schaeffer, Angola
2) Shane Crager, Fort Wayne
3) Jackie Terry, Kendallville
4) Mike Overholser, Fort Wayne
5) Ben DeLong, Auburn
6) Jerry Oberlin, Garrett
7) Tony Muzzillo, Waterloo
8) Scott Minnick, Spencerville
9) Josh Slater, Edon, OH
10) Dennis Pierson, Garrett

Smith Enterprises Mini Stocks
Fast Qualifier: Chad Minnix, Garrett; 17.889

Heat Race Winners: Justin DuBois, Butler; Jim Musser, Angola; Todd Bennett,
New Haven Last Chance Race Winner: Jim Musser, Angola
Landrum Springs Award Winner: Kedrin Holliday, Rome City

Michael Ross Memorial 41 Lap Feature Top Ten
1) Todd Bennett, New Haven
2) Justin Meriwether, Craigville
3) Kedrin Holliday, Rome City
4) Mike Murphy, Indianapolis
5) Derik Sturdivant, Rome City
6) Russ Miller, Fort Wayne
7) Eric Barcus, Kendallville
8) Terry Lake, Hudson
9) Robert Thompson, Ashley
10) Jesse Opliger, Leo

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