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| Monty Morgan Gets Modified Win In Bronson Opener | By Rick Warren
The skies were threatening, the air was damp, but the racers and fans showed up to race, and they werent disappointed. On a night when the kids were treated to all kinds of activities, the adults were treated to some very good racing. New cars, new drivers, new paint schemes, all were looking good for the much anticipated Season Opener.
After some hotly contested heat races, it was time for the feature events. First up were the Open Wheel Modifieds. Monty Morgan picked up where He left off last season, and continued his winning ways. Starting from the front row, Morgan took the lead on the opening lap, but was never able to pull away from the pack. Patrick Williams worked the entire track trying to pass Morgan, but never had quite enough.
On lap 18 of the 30 lap feature, Williams tires started going away, and the car spun coming off turn 4, but was not a major incident. After righting the car, Williams was able to continue the chase. When the race restarted, Gene Owen took over where Williams left off, and tried every bit of racetrack hunting a way around Morgan. With 3 laps remaining, Owen worked his way inside Morgan off the #4 turn, but Morgan was able to hold the lead, and go on for the hard fought win.
In the Sportsman class, Rob Cooper was able to take his new Jimmy Cope built car to the front after racing several laps try to pass Ray Wheeler. After taking the lead, Cooper cruised to the win, and in Victory Lane, dedicated the win to Bill Grouch Myers, who Cooper calls his Mentor in racing. Grouch was unable to be there, as he was released from the hospital the night before due to a serious illness. The fans, racers, and staff at BMS wish a speedy recovery to Grouch
The Pure Stocks put a lot of cars on the track, and gave us a great race. Arthur Conquest took the lead early and ran hard, keeping the rest of the field at bay. There was some great racing, and these drivers showed why this is considered by some to be the best class to watch. Lots of passing, sometimes 3 wide, and some excellent sportsmanship was shown.
The Mini Stock Feature had it all. Thrills, Spills, and Excitement! At the start, Jeff Stalnaker Jr. took the lead, with Billy Smith racing right with him. After only a few laps, Stalnakers engine let go entering turn 3, and took him and Smith into the retaining wall. While the track was being cleared, Smith was able to pit and make repairs to his car, and rejoin the field.When the Green flag flew again, Josh Hars took the lead, with Jay McKenzie and Morris Richardson in hot pursuit. Shortly after the Stalnaker caution, Glen Ervin was involved in a very scary crash in his new racer. As he was exiting turn 2, the front of his car made contact with the wall, causing it to spin and make heavy contact with the wall again. When the smoke cleared, Ervin was setting on top of the wall, backwards. Fortunately, Ervin was not injured. Josh Hars, held on to the lead at the restart, and was able to hold on for the win, over JayMcKenzie.
The V-8 Bombers also put on a great show, as Bobby Taylor showed that these cars can pass on the outside. After passing Bill Padgett, last years point Champion, Taylor went on to secure the win.
John Naber has the distinction of winning the first feature race in the new 4 cylinder bomber class. Naber put his Toyota pickup in the lead, and spent the rest of the race holding off repeated challenges by Neal Durbin, in his Pinto.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! Next week, March 8, 2003, the Fastruck Series returns to Bronson Motor Speedway for a 50 lap event!! All regular Bronson classes will be running also. Hope to see you there!!
OWM.
1- #46 ? Monty Morgan
2- #11 ? Gene Owen
3- #57 ? Patrick Williams
4- #14 ? Buddy Hughes
5- #45 ? Ronnie Simpson
Sportsman
1- #98 ? Rob Cooper
2- #74 ? Ray Wheeler
3- #34 ? Wesley Keller
Pure Stock
1- #78 ? Arthur Conquest
2-#121- Tommy Smith
3- #75 ? Cliff Erhardt
4- # 69- Tommy Ausburn
5- #71 ? John ?Hammerhead? Hughes
Mini Stock
1- #04 ? Josh Hars
2- #99 ? Jay McKenzie
3- #00 ? Billy Smith
4- #31 ? Morris Richardson
5- #21 ? Bobby Duncan
V-8 Bomber
1- #66 ? Bobby Taylor
2- #37 ? Kevin Hodge
3- #27 ? Billy ?Stir Fry? Padgett
4- #96 ? Emmitt Bottoms
5- #33 ? Roger Bayles
4 Cyl. Bombers
1- #3 ? John Naber
2- #1 ? Neal Durbin
3- #911 ? Randy Futch
4- #13 ? Joey Durbin
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