| Robbie Powell Tops Figure Eights At Bronson | By Rick Warren
It was a busy night of racing at Bronson Motor Speedway, as all the Bronson regular classes were in action, as well as the Figure 8 racers, along with the MMRA Mini Cup racers , for the first stop on their 2003 Championship Tour.
Robbie Powell, winner of the Bronson Figure Eights
The Evenings? activities began with a prayer for our Troops overseas, followed by our Country?s National Anthem. The large crowd of racing fans were chomping at the bit to see some racing, and they weren?t disappointed. First up were the MMRA cars for their qualifying attempts. When it was all done, Bobby Payton had set fast time in the Open Division, with a lap of 16.251 seconds on the 3/8 mile high banks. Second was David Tullis, with a lap of 16.325. The MMRA Future stars class had Lindsay Daniels set quick time with a lap of 17.297 seconds, followed by Zach Coll and Trevor Jones.
Heat Races for all classes were up next, with some exciting racing, with all the drivers trying to work for a good starting position in the feature races. The 4 cyl bombers saw Justin Durbin win the heat race. The V8 Bombers saw Larry Triana and Kevin Hodge win their heat races. Pure Stock action had Arthur Conquest and Krystal Batson each leading the way in their heats, with Doc Batson winning the Sportsman Warm-up. The Modified heats were won by Gene Owen and Monty Morgan. The Mini Stocks were heats were taken by Larry Goolsby and Tom Giddings.
It was reported Last week that Mini Stock Feature winner Don Faunce had been declared illegal due to engine specifications. After further review and clarification of certain engine rules that were in question, last weeks decision was reversed, and the win was returned to Faunce. All winnings were returned to Faunce as well as points that were forfeited. The decision was announced to all Mini stock competitors in a special meeting, and the rule in question was clarified to avoid future problems. Mr. Faunce is to be commended for his behavior in this whole affair. He and his crew acted as gentleman and professionals, and the management of the speedway thanks them for their attitude.
Intermission came, and some way out and wacky spectator racing entertained the large crowd, and then it was time for the Feature Events!
First up was the MMRA Series for the 35 lap Open division feature. What a show these racers put on ! When the Green flag was shown, the drivers all went for the win, and weren?t holding any thing back. They passed on the high side. They passed on the bottom. They went into the corners three wide. It was a very competitive race, and the racers left a very good impression with all the fans. We look forward to them returning to race with us again.
When the checkered flag waved, David Tullis had secured the victory, in a car that his brother usually drives, but was unable to attend due to a conflict with his college schedule. Tullis remarked in victory lane, that his brother would probably skip his next test, so as not to miss a chance at a win! Hard charging Jimmy Robinson finished second, followed closely by Bobby Payton.
The Future Stars of the MMRA were next on the track, and they too put on a very good race. These 14 and under racers, showed a lot of talent, and raced each other very hard. There was one scary moment, when Heather Suggs made hard contact with the front straight wall, but the safety equipment did it?s job, and Heather walked away unhurt. When the race resumed, Lindsay Daniels led the way to the checkered flag, followed by Trevor Jones and Jay Robinson.
The Bronson OWM class was next, and not to be outdone by the mini cup cars, they gave us a very hard charging, and exciting race. Darrin Jackson held the early lead, but not for long. Gary Southard had his car wound up and running hard, and managed to get by Jackson for the lead. Jackson stayed in close contact with Southard, while right behind them Gene Owen and Monty Morgan were giving it all they had trying to get to the lead. Owen passed Morgan for third place, but never pulled away from him. At times a table cloth could have covered the first four cars, as they battled for the lead. At the end, Southard held on for the win, with Jackson and Owen right behind.
The Sportsman class once again put on a hard charging race , With Doc Batson taking the lead early, followed tightly by last weeks winner, Rob Cooper. With Batson and Cooper fighting for the lead, they made contact in turn 3, with Batson spinning.
Doc Batson, winner of the Sportsman race.
With the Caution flag displayed, Batson was returned to the lead, and Cooper was sent to the rear of the field. Under green once again, Batson held the lead with Ray Wheeler trying his best to pass for the lead.
Batson held on for the win, with Wheeler close behind.
In the Pure Stock division, these racers once more showed why they are quickly becoming the most popular class to race in. It was non-stop, rock-em, sock-em racing .
Krystal Batson managed to take the lead early in the race, but the race was by no means over. Arthur Conquest took over second place, and set sail to pass Krystal for the win. Arthur tried the outside, the inside, the outside some more, and again on the inside. On the last lap, Conquest made a Banzai charge up the inside in turn 4, but Batson raced him hard, and came out the victor, by the slimmest of margins. Arthur and Krystal had the fans on their feet, with a great show of hard , clean racing.
The Mini Stocks had another good race, with lots of cars, and action all over the track.
Larry Goolsby made a successful return to Bronson, and drove to the win, with Tom Giddings close behind. The V8 bombers ran an exciting race, with Larry Triana coming out on top, for his first win at Bronson, followed by Jason Holbrook and Bobby Taylor.
The Figure 8 cars returned to Bronson for the first time this season, and reminded every one why they are so exciting to watch. Action every where! Blink and you miss it! Robby Powell took the victory followed by Ethan Nistor.
FINAL RESULTS
MMRA OPEN
1. 56 David Tullis
2. 29 Jimmy Robinson
3. 14 Bobby Payton
4. 7 Doug Smith
5. 00 Rich Crisafulli
MMRA Future Stars
1. 29 Lindsay Daniels
2. 8 Trevor Jones
3. 33 Jay Robinson
4. 17 C.J. Tuck
5. 07 Zach Coll
OWM
1. 39 Gary Southard
2. 7d Darren Jackson
3. 11 Gene Owen
4. 46 Monty Morgan
5. 34 Randy Herrick
Sportsman
1. 4 Doc Batson
2. 74 Ray Wheeler
3. 98 Rob Cooper
4. 12 B. Meagley
5. 47 Dusty Bouchard
Pure Stock
1. 4 Krystal Batson
2. 78 Arthur Conquest
3. 58 Larry Welters Jr.
4. 121 Tommy Smith
5. 55 Arnold Hughes
Mini Stock
1. 27 Larry Goolsby
2. 83 Tom Giddings
3. 2 Don Faunce
4. 00 B. Smith
5. 3 Tim Reviere
V8 Bomber
1. 1 Larry Triana
2. 00 Michael Holbrook
3. 27x Bobby Taylor
4. 37 Kevin Hodge
5. 96 Emmitt Bottoms
4Cyl Bomber
1. 38 Joey Durbin
2. 8 Michael Stalnaker
3. 48 Richie Shepherd
4. 78 Heather Stalker
5. 34 Justin Durbin
Figure 8
1. 25 Robbie Powell
2. 27 Ethan Nistor
3. 6 Robert Aaron
4. 68 Ron Powell
5. 1 Larry Triana
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