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| Goolsby, Erhardt, Smith and Owen Winners at Bronson | by Rick Warren
Larry Goolsby, winner of the Mini Stock race.
Cliff Erhardt wins Dash to the Outhouse!!
Beautiful weather and a good crowd of fans were on hand for the racing program Saturday night at Bronson Motor Speedway. With a good number of racers in the pit, and some very competitive and exciting racing, the show was very entertaining.
The heat races were run, and the drivers were all trying to flex a little muscle and improve their starting position in the feature. Just before intermission began, the Speedway introduced a brand new event: The first ever Bronson Motor Speedway Outhouse Race!
In this event, a Porta-John, provided by Jones Plumbing was placed in the infield, near the start-finish line. Each driver in this timed event would make one lap, and stop at the starting line, exit the race car, run to the out house and collect at least 36 of toilet paper.
Then the driver runs back to the race car, buckles in, and makes one more lap. Lowest total time, with the correct amount of toilet paper wins. What a Hoot!!
Ten drivers entered the race, each wanting the title of KING of the OUTHOUSE ! The fans loved it, the drivers had a great time, the first driver,( Billy Wasshopper Register) tried to get an advantage by throwing a stink bomb in the jiffy john, and the winner and KING of the OUTHOUSE turned out to be Cliff Erhardt.
During the winners circle interview Cliff commented that he never thought his first feature win would be a dash for the outhouse. Congratulations, Cliff!
Intermission was done, the racers were ready, the fans were anxious, it was time for the Featured Events. First up were the Open Wheel Modifieds, and after two very fast and competitive heat races, the fans were looking forward to a great race, and werent disappointed.
Long time racer, and former Bronson Late Model Star, Gene Owen started on the front row with Kevin Terry, followed by Gary Southard and last weeks winner Monty Morgan. When the race started Owen and Terry raced hard for the lead with Owen coming out in front.
With Terry on the outside, Southard managed to slip by, and take second place. Owen ran his Owen Farms racer as hard as it would go, with Southard right behind, looking for any opportunity or slip by Owen. Caution came out early, as Randy Herrick lost the handle coming off the #4 turn, and turned his racer sideways in front of several cars, leaving Alan Southard with no where to go, and the two cars made hard contact, with both cars done for the night.
Both drivers were uninjured. When racing resumed Owen continued to show the way, and Gary Southard continued to be his shadow. While the battle for the lead went on, Monty Morgan had moved into third, with Chip Owen in fourth. With the race drawing to a close, Kevin Terry tried to get under Chip Owen when they made contact, sending both cars hard into the wall.
It was a scary moment, for fans and drivers alike. Happily, both drivers were okay, although the same could not be said for there cars. When racing resumed, Southard took one more big run at Owen on the last lap, but came up just short. They were followed by Monty Morgan, Glen Ervin, and Buddy Hughes.
Next up were the Sportsman. Roger Damron sat on the pole and took the early lead. Right behind him Rob Cooper took up the chase and in a few short laps, managed to get by Damron in the #2 turn. Cooper went on to the checkered flag with a substantial cushion between him and second place Rick Oshay. Third went to Bart Meagley, followed by J. Luke and Roger Damron.
The Mini Stock Feature was the highly competitive hard racing that weve come to expect from these racers. Larry Goolsby took the early lead, with Clint Foley hard on his tail. Coming down the front straight, Goolsby and Foley made contact, causing Foley to spin, and bringing out the caution.
The race restarted with Goolsby out front, and Foley on the rear, and some very hard racing between. Don Faunce picked up the chase for first, but as it turned out, Goolsby had enough race car to stay out front, and pick up his second feature win at Bronson this year. Second went to Faunce, followed by Billy Smith, R.Partridge, and Morris Richardson.
The Pure Stock Division alone was worth the price of admission. These guys seem to find new ways to make it exciting every week. When the race started it was every man for himself, and hope you brought a big enough gun for this fight. Action all over the track, and a big race for the lead. Tommy Smith was able to squeeze by Mike Baker for the lead, and with Baker on the outside, the other drivers hung him out there and several got by.
With Smith showing the way, Arthur Conquest put on a masterful display of hard, clean racing. He tried every spot on the track to get by Smith, worked his way alongside Smith a couple of times, tried the bottom, tried to out fox Smith, tried to use lapped cars, but just didnt have quite enough to get by this night. Smith drove hard and came home with the win, his first of the year. After the race, Smith said that early in the race the throttle return spring broke, and he had been pulling the throttle back with his toe ! Mike Baker worked his way back through the pack to finish third, followed by Cliff Erhardt and Ted Head.
The V-8 Bombers wound up the evening with a good show, that ended up with another first time winner. Kevin Hodge took the lead early, but never was able to relax. Billy Stirfry Padgett dogged Hodges tire tracks, looking for a lane, waiting for Hodge to slip. Hodge drove a smooth smart race and never left an opening for Padgett. The race ended with Hodge picking up the win, followed by Padgett, Sandra Skinner, Michael Holbrook, and Klaus Sweat.
Plan to be with us next week, April 12, when the TBARA Winged Sprints hit the High Banks of Bronson Motor Speedway!!!
Hope to see You there!!
More info at www.bronsonmotorspeedway.com
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