Hesston final points race report

The only thing a couple of drivers at the Hesston Speedway had to do this week was show up. All four drivers did so and with the exception of "The Boogieman" John Bookwalter (V-8 Street Stock) and Raymond Moore (4-Cylinder Pure Stock) all won the feature events in their respected divisions.

Over the last couple of weeks, Waylon Wagner #5W was able to take advantage of Tim Smith's misfortune, to ease himself into his first career points championship at Hesston Speedway.

John Bookwalter did not get a chance to see the main event in his division. During the heat races, Boogieman came out of turn three and ended up hitting the concrete barrier that put him out of action the rest of the night.

"There is not a lot damage to the car," Bookwalter said. "It is mostly cosmetic stuff."

Bookwalter claims his third straight division points championship and despite some mechanical problems in the latter part of the season, he won a total of 11 feature events and finished the season with 670-plus points on the year.

Bookwalter also stated that he is planning to move to the Limited Late Model Division next year.

"The move is definitely going to happen," Bookwalter noted. "We are looking a different chasis right now and hopefully we will be getting things finalized soon."

In the Shellbrooke Stables Limited Late Model Division, the only thing Waylon Wagner had to do this week was show up. The division held its 35-lap special event this week and everyone that entered the race was given 100 show points, thus giving Wagner his first career points championship.

"The key this whole season has been consistency," Wagner stated. "We have had a lot of luck this year and that's a big thing in racing." For most of the season, especially in the month of July and the first week into September, the division was up for grabs between Wagner and Tim Smith in the #39 car. The two drivers was taking turns as the leader in the standings, until Smith hit hard times.

"We have had a bad month," Smith said after winning the 35-lap event. "It seemed that every time there was a wreck we ended up in it. Plus, we had some mechanical problems. So we just went back to basics and raced our race tonight. The nice thing about Waylon winning the championship was that we raced clean everytime and that is what it is all about."

Wagner finished second behind Smith in the feature race with Brad Houck finishing third, Bill Booher was fourth and John Hedge was fifth. With John Bookwalter out the Grubb Lumber V-8 Street Stock Feature, there was plenty of opportunity for someone else to take the checkered flag. When the final lap was completed, Tim Brindle ended a two-hiatus from victory lane for the win.

"I'm speechless right now," Brindle said of the win. "We have been close a couple of times, but tonight was our night. I was able to keep the car low and staying in the lead."

Brindle went from start to finish for the win.

Darin Hoover finished a close second, with Kerry Molovich finishing third, Dan Bookwalter finished fourth and Tom Beals finished fifth. Russ Hamer finished fourth in the race, but was disqualified during the post-race inspection.

In the Goshorn's Racing Supply 4-Cylinder Pure Stock Division, Raymond Moore watched as teammate Larry Duvall take his second straight feature event. Duvall, who began the evening in third place in the points standings was able to hold off a continuing charging Mike Grubb in the #31G car for the win.

Moore finished the season with 695-plus points for his first division points championship. Shaen Moore was third and Kyle Wiser was fifth. Terry Norris brought the curtain down on his first Chet Grove's Cars Unlimited V-8 Hobby Stock Division Points Championship by going from start to finish for the win.

Norris, who has had heavy pressure of the last couple of week's from Keith Russell for the top captured his second feature win of the season. "We won this by finishing races and in the top five or 10 every race," Norris said. "This feels really good. I just went out there and raced the track, not the other cars."

Jacob Sager who gave Norris pressure throughout the 12-Lap event finished second, with last year's points champion Robbie Goss third. Joe DeArmitt was fourth and Russell was fifth.

The next week's action will feature a "Run What you Brung" event in all four primary divisions. Then the week of Sept. 28, there will be a "Late Model-Limited Late Model" 25-Lap race with a purse of $1,200 at stake. Also featured that night will be a 25-lap Sheehan Motors PA 305 Sprints race with a $500 purse and a Chet Grove's V-8 Hobby Stock 15-Lap $300 to win A-Main Feature and a 10-Lap $100 to win B-Main Feature. If time permits, there will be a 6-Lap Powederpuff Hobby Stock Race and an 8-Lap Hobby Stock Mechanics Race.

There will be a special treat for the fans that night. Marie Levine, the top Reba McEntire Impersonator will again perform at the intermission. Also performing with Marie will be nine-year-old Jordan Irene. Fans should note that on the night of the 28th pit fees will be $20.

-hs-