Lowe, Tripp, and Kinley Back in Victory Lane at Putnam County Speedway
By Tera Gunter
After finishing second to Jimmy Carter in the heat race, Jason Lowe cranked it up a notch in the Open-Wheeled Modified feature.
Mike Tripp took the initial lead as Lowe placed heat on Carter for second. Gaining momentum out of turn 4, Carter and Lowe overtook Tripp and continued their battle for the lead before Lowe used the inside groove on the backstretch to snag the lead two laps later. Carter’s engine blew, knocking him out of contention and handing second to Tripp. Lowe took the checkered over Tripp, Tiny Greene, Jamie Carter, and Ed Rosier.
One of many racers doing double duty, Tripp took the lead over Tim Dowling in the Hobby Stock feature. Mike Scranton challenged Dowling for second and after dispatching Dowling, set off after Tripp.
Ducking low on the inside of Tripp coming off of turn 4, Scranton took the lead, and with the car to beat, placed distance between himself and the rest of the field before mechanical difficulties ended his run. Dowling and David Miller Jr. dueled before contact with Miller and the ensuing caution placed Dowling in the pit with a flat tire.
With Dowling at the rear, the restart saw Tripp in the lead with Miller hot on his heels. Buck Woodhouse and Bruce Birkett put on a show for third before Tripp led Miller, Birkett, Ron Frank, and Dowling under the checkered.
Kevin Mills made a good run in the Street Stock feature with Marc Kinley in a close second. The race leaders gained ground over the rest of the field before a flat tire placed Mills at the rear of the lead lap and Kinley in the lead. Richard Adams took second with Martin Johnson placing serious heat on Adams. Adams maintained as Johnson’s ride failed him on the white flag lap. Kinley took the checkered over Adams, Tim Dowling, Robert Hicks, and Mills.
The Box Stock feature belonged to Johnny Warren as the youngster took the lead and defended his position against Bruce Burk. Burk and Warren entertained the fans as Burk took the lead from Warren and Warren snagged it back for one lap before Burk once again overcame Warren. Burk’s ride failed on lap ten handing the lead back to Warren. Kenn DeVane moved into second and challenged Warren. Warren maintained and led DeVane, Stephen Katz, Johnny Rasnake, and Nathan Rhodes to victory lane.
After Art Souther lost the lead due to mechanical failure, Jay Farris, who started deep in the field, overcame Bobby Cable and Jake Hartley to take the lead in the Mini Stock feature. Farris gained ground over the field as Brack Gill and Hartley dueled for position. Farris took the checked ahead of Hartley, Gill, Jamie Farris, and Dalton Strehle.
Ken Durham took the lead in the new Pure Stock division as Dustyn Tyre challenged Luke Sadler for second. Sadler held Tyre off before Tyre’s attention was diverted by Chad Scranton. After getting loose in turn 2 and bringing out the caution, Tyre was placed at the end of the lead lap. Sadler’s night ended early with mechanical failure and James Strehle challenged Scranton before a blown tire ended Strehle’s chances. Durham took the checkered over Scranton, Jimmy Dowling, Tyre, and Jody Wells.
Jamie Carter challenged Al Larson for Larson’s lead in the late models. Larson brought out the caution, placing him at the end of the field. Carter took the lead as Larson worked back into contention. Carter led Larson, Tony Lewis, Sr., John Trammell, and Bug Rose to victory lane.
The most entertaining feature of the evening belonged to the Backwards Race. With racers from all divisions, the feature consisted of 12 laps in the opposite direction. Stephen Katz rose to the challenge to take the initial lead before Tiny Greene snagged the lead. The race became a battle for position and when the dust settled, Greene took the checkered over Dustyn Tyre, Josh Sanford, Randy Moody, and Martin Jo
