6/7/2014
Winston Speedway
Dan Wilson Wins Bombers Sandy Tenbrink Memorial at Winston Speedway
Rothbury, Michigan (Saturday, June 7th, 2014): The Sandy Tenbrink Memorial for Bombers headlined the racing program held at the Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan Saturday night. It was also kids night which featured many bike-give-a-way’s, games and much more. The fans were also treated to racing action from the UMP DIRTcar Late Models, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns as they all continued the chase for a track championship.
The first main event feature to hit the speedway was for the UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks who were set to go 20-laps. Defending track champion Sadie Klein and Kendall Marlink made up the front row. Klein was able to jump out to the early advantage and once she reached the open air out front there was no stopping her from making the trip to victory lane.
This was the second win for the 23-year old from Muskegon, Michigan who drove the Enterprise Iron & Metal / Oldsmobile. Derek Poland wound up finishing second. Chuck Smith, Jeremy Holman, and Marlink made up the top five finishing drivers. Poland and Mike Epplett won the heats.
It was then time for the 20-lap feature event for the Sandy Tenbrink Memorial for the Factory Stocks/ Bombers division. Bethany May and Dan Wilson Jr. started on row one. Wilson wasted no time in jumping out to early lead. Despite the challenges made by the other drivers, it was Wilson’s night to shine as he went straight through to take home the checkered flag.
Wilson the native of Muskegon, Michigan picked up the win his A&A Manufacturing sponsored machine. Defending track champion Robbie Sternberg finished as the runner up. Josh Grabe, Jerid Bisson, and May rounded out the top five. The heat races were won by Grabe and Sternberg.
Steve McClees and Stand Dodds led out the field for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds for their 20-lap feature event. Once the green flag dropped, it was McClees who took the lead. He remained there throughout much of the contest until with under five laps remaining, when the two time and defending UMP DIRTcar Michigan Modified State Champion David Mielke powered his way to the front and continued for the win.
Mielke, the 22-year old Gladwin, Michigan driver of the Krompetz Elevator / Rocket by Ruhlman Racecar picked up his fifth win of the season at Winston Speedway. McClees had to settle for second. Two time and defending track champion Andy Sprague, Jeff Erickson Jr., and Dodds completed the top five. Sprague and Erickson Jr. won the heats.
The UMP DIRTcar Late Models ran their 25-lap main event next with a front row of John Krusinsky and two time track champion Tom Sprague Jr. The early lead fell to Sprague Jr. who tried to put as much distance between him and the rest of the field. However he would not be able to fend off the hard charging six time and defending track champion Rich Neiser who made his way up front to the lead and sailed on from there to the win.
The 44-year old Neiser who calls Fruitport, Michigan home picked up his second win of the year in his Baker Engineering / Mastersbilt Racecar. The runner up was Sprague. Bill Bray, Greg Gokey, and Mike Wilbern finished off the top five. Brandon Thirlby and Neiser were the heat winners.
The Young Guns hit the racing surface next for their 10-lap A-Main. Bailie Wynbelt and Jordan Leak led the field down to the green. After the completion of the first lap it would be Morgan Smith leading the way after weaving her way up front from a fifth starting spot. She would then, be able to hold on all the way from there and managed to pick up her very first ever feature win.
This was the first career win for the Muskegon, Michigan driver at 14-years of age driving her Smith Racing / Dodge. Trent Musk finished second. Gabe Flores, Hedi Barnhard, and Wynbelt made up the top five. Musk was the winner of the lone heat race.
The Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks held a 12-lap feature led by the front row of James Buckner and Bob Halberstadt. However 2011 track champion Paul Namey would be the leader after the opening lap. He would stay there for several circuits, but eventually he would make contact with some lap traffic and then lose his momentum, which then opened the door for Brian Carson to take over the lead and pick up the win.
Carson a native of North Muskegon, Michigan drove his Reliable Towing sponsored car to victory lane. The second spot went to Chad Tomczak. Christian Wynbelt, Chris Gagnon, and Namey capped off the top five. Carson also won the lone heat race.
Finally, the Four-Cylinder Warriors 12-lap feature was led out by Dennis Bauer and Brian Hammond. However it would be Gary Larabee who found his way to the lead and he would not have to look back from there as he bested the field and was awarded the checkered flag.
Larabee earned his third feature win of the season behind the wheel of his Just Shoot Me Photography / Dodge. Randy Larabee came home in second. Melissa Sprague, Buck Spencer, and Hammond completed the top five. The lone heat race was won by Mike Goodwin.
This Saturday June 14th the Winston Speedway will feature their second and final visit from the Sunoco American Late Model Series (A.L.M.S.) all going head to head for a prize of $2000 to win presented by Landrum Springs. The show will also feature racing from the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks, Factory Stocks/ Bombers, Four-Cylinder Mini Stocks, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns. The Pit Gates Open at 3:30p.m., Grandstands Open at 4:30p.m., Practice Starts at 5:30p.m., and Racing Begins at 7:00p.m.
Winston Speedway is located at 7834 South 72nd Avenue in Montague, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 737-9223 or go to the website located at: www.racewinston.com You can also follow everything that is happening on and off the track by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page and following along on Twitter as well. Just go to: www.facebook.com/WinstonSpeedway and www.twitter.com/WinstonSpeedway and click on “Like" and “Follow” buttons today.
Article Credit: Brian Osborne
Submitted By: Brian Osborne