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Sims Takes Sportsman Nationals By Lynda Yates Sandusky, OH. Scott’s Towing, Sandusky Speedway’s official towing company, sponsored the Sportsman Nationals this past weekend with Mike Sims from Marblehead, Ohio taking home the top honors. Justin Cranmore (Spectator Stocks), Greg Sharp (Sportsman) and Kenny Calhoun (Pure Stocks) all took dash wins home. Heat winners were Jeremy Champion (Spectator Stocks), Stephen Schlea (Pure Stocks) and Mike Sims (Sportsman). The Five Star Bodies Sportsman National 20 lap feature was up first. Kenny Sharp and Howard Kelly were on the front row. A parade lap was held in honor of Supermodified driver Terry Gibson, who lost his life in an accident at a race on Friday night. Kelly took the lead once the green flagged was dropped. By the second lap, Nick Buckles made his way into the lead followed by Kelly and Greg Sharp. The caution was out on lap four for the spin by Rollie Alvers coming out of turn four. Buckles led on the restart with Mike Sims moving into third. Sharp took the lead away on lap six, but the yellow was thrown at the same time for debris that flew off the Buckles ride. Buckles was put back into the top spot on the restart with Sharp and Sims still chasing the leader. Sims shot under both Sharp and Buckles to take the lead away as soon as the race went back green. Roger Briere and Sharp made low line passes on Buckles to take over second and third on lap seven. The caution was out twice in a row on lap eight. The first caution was for Ron Calhoun and Ricky Grudier coming together and the latter call was for Alvers and Kelly. Calhoun and Kelly were both charged by officials and sent to the tail on the restart. Sims continued his lead with the battle at the half way mark between Briere and Sharp for second. The caution was out on lap 12 for Calhoun and a solo spin going into turn two, bumping the tire wall. Calhoun was able to stay in the race as Sims once again shot out to a comfortable lead. Briere held off the advances of Sharp to hang onto a second place finish with Sims taking his fourth feature win in a row. The Linden Propane Pure Stocks were lined up with Jeff Wilbur and Jason Rowe setting the pace. A complete restart was in order after Jason Peterson left the track with debris being left behind by Mike Sheppard. Once safety officials deemed the track race ready, the flagman dropped the green once again. Wilbur took the early lead with Jerry Karl and Gary Perram behind the leader. Karl took over the lead on lap three with Perram moving into second and Kenny Calhoun taking over the third place spot on lap four. The battle was behind the leader between Perram and Calhoun as the two fought coming out of turn four, allowing Sheppard to sneak past and take over second. Sheppard took over the lead on lap nine with an outside pass in turn three. At the half way mark it was Sheppard, Karl, Calhoun, Stephen Schlea and Perram. Schlea took the high line and passed Karl for third on lap 12. The only caution was out as Karl slowed on the backstretch. Perram also was directed to the infield as his machine began to dump heavy smoke. The red flag came out before the final three laps had a chance to run as rain began to fall on the track. The race was called due to weather, giving Sheppard yet another feature win, keeping his win streak in tact. Stephen Schlea and Jerry Karl rounded out the top three. The Top Line Welding Spectator Stocks will run their feature makeup on Thursday July 24th. Next weekend the track will host the 31st Annual Hy-Miler Nationals with racing kicking off on Thursday. Fan Appreciation Night is Thursday July 24th with $1.00 general admission for everyone. Racing starts at 7:30. Pit passes are just $25.00. Coke products, beer and hotdogs will also be a buck all night Thursday. Friday, July 25th, the ISMA Supermodifieds will run a 40 lap feature with the Modifieds supporting. General admission is just $20 with the pits $25.00. Saturday, July 26th, ISMA Supermodifieds will run a 100 lap feature with the Buckeye Super Sprints running as well. General admission is $25 with pit passes $30.00. Kids 6 – 12 are only $5.00 on Friday and Saturday with kids 5 and under free all weekend.
RESULTS Spectator Stocks: Qualifying: Jeremy Champion 22.765 Dash: Justin Cranmore, Kevin Jaycox Jr., Jeremy Champion, Devin Gibson Heat#1: Jeremy Champion, Kevin Jaycox Jr., Justin Cranmore, Devin Gibson, Julia Buckles Crack the Whip: Jeremy Champion Feature: Rained Out
Pure Stocks: Qualifying: Mike Sheppard 20.814 Dash: Kenny Calhoun, Mike Sheppard, Stephen Schlea, Gary Perram Heat #1: Stephen Schlea, Mike Sheppard, Kenny Calhoun, Gary Perram, Jerry Karl Feature: Mike Sheppard, Stephen Schlea, Jerry Karl, Gary Perram, Kenny Calhoun, Jeff Wilbur, Jason Rowe, Chris Burke, Jason Peterson
Sportsman: Qualifying: Mike Sims 19.800 Dash: Greg Sharp, Mike Sims, Roger Briere, Rollie Alvers Heat #1: Mike Sims, Nick Buckles, Greg Sharp, Roger Briere, Rollie Alvers Feature: Mike Sims, Roger Briere, Greg Sharp, Kenny Sharp, Nick Buckles, Rollie Alvers, Howard Kelly, Ricky Grudier, Ron Calhoun |
