2-3-12 Jimmy Rouse – Bubba Raceway Park Media
UMP Modifieds and Amsoil V-8 Thunderstocks hit the clay once more with targets on 2 driver’s backs.
Amsoil V-8 Thunderstock action started with Davey Kinsey, Mike Stalnaker, and Gordon Cade rocketing through the field but on lap 1 Stalnaker slowed and ultimately brought the yellow out. The very next lap Justin Durbin overtook Kinsey for the lead right before Cody Johnson spun out of turn 4. Kinsey would not settle, however, and retook the lead on lap 5. The next lap saw Gordon Cade spin and the same of James Sullivan, however, their paths went different ways at this point- Cade took his spot in the back while Sullivan got angered and was ultimately DQd for “Actions detrimental to the sport of auto racing.” On the restart Brian Shea, the defending champion, found himself in a 7-car accident that took drivers such as himself, Luke Sadler, and DJ Horiski to the garage and Jonathan Appleby and Mark Trexler to the back once more. As the leaders came to 2-to-go Cody Johnson saw his engine expire but not enough to bring out the yellow. Kinsey’s line was full of oil while Durbin and hard-charging Jason Gamble found themselves in the best seat in the house. Durbin got loose coming to the white which cost him 2nd and Gamble time. Kinsey barely held on to take his 2nd win in as many nights and has now led 37 of 40 laps in the #58 Thunderstock in 2012. Gamble was 2nd with Durbin in tow. Jason Blackmer finished 4th and Gordon Cade drove himself back into the top 5. Jonathan Appleby had a quiet 6th place run, the 9D team was 7th, Mark Trexler 8th, William Edwards 9th, and Daran Cheney completed the top 10.
Kyle Strickler pulled away again and again. However, he was slowed a few times as in lap 9 when Buzzie Reutimann spun the 00. Strickler held strong even through 2 consecutive restarts for Larry Mott spins in turn 4. The race was Strickler’s but “4-time” Jeff Mathews doesn’t let people win on his track easily. Mathews passed Strickler on lap 25 but they switched again on lap 27. At the end of lap 35 it was Kyle Strickler first and he took a well deserved win. Mathews would finish 2nd, Kyle Bronson finished 3rd, Bart Hartman 4th, and Curt Myers rounded out the top 5. Kenny Wallace, quick qualifier at a 16.2, was 6th, Ivedent Lloyd Jr. 7th, Buzzy Adams 8th, Nick Hoffman finished 9th, and Joe Belkey barely made it to the track for his 10th place run.
UMP DirtCar Open-Wheel Modifieds Week ends tomorrow! Hot action you won’t want to miss with the newly designed turns 3 and 4 adding to the excitement!