May 11, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - Over 80 cars and star took to the high banks of the Midway Speedway this past Saturday night, and what a show they put on.
Tony Jackson, Jr., in his first full year in the Late Model Division, held off last year's track champion for his first win of the season. In the Late Model Sportsman Division, Gary Klossner made it look easy as he took home the trophy, and returning to Midway Speedway, Dale Roper posted a win in the Modified Division. It was Toby Harden taking honors in the Super Street Sock, and defending Pure Street Champion, Sam Shaw raised the checkered flag in the O'Reillys Winner Circle. Only in his fourth year of racing, young Tony Jackson, Jr. has made his presence known. Last year's Late Model Sportsman Track Champion, Jackson set his sights on the Late Model field in 2002 , built a car, put a Ruble motor in his M.J. Kelly Monte Carlo and put the steering wheel in his hands. Then he was focused, to see what would come of the season. With an unfortunate incident in the first week's race, taking him out of the feature, Jackson returned this week with a mission in mind, taking home the trophy. But it is not all that easy, starting in the pole position, and right beside him was former track champion Ken Dickinson. Dickinson was able to take the lead and Jackson fell in behind, but was not contented to stay there. Jackson tried to make his move, but the pass was not made until the half-way point of the race, but also making his way through the field was last week's winner and defending champion Tim Swearengin. Swearengin starting in the sixth row, due to his last week's win had to make his way though the field and with only 4 laps left to go, Swearengin was right behind Jackson. Jackson, looked as he had saved just a little for this very situation, as Swearengin would come with two car length but never got any closer. Jackson took the victory with Swearengin second and Dickinson third. Archie Griffin who was in a new machine, took fourth place. It has been a full track for the past two weeks in the modified division, as Dale Roper took his #28 machine to the front early and took the checkered flag. Roper made his way through a few cautions, one involving front runner at the time Marty Castens, who had an incident on the front stretch with Darin Vest. Also collected in the incident was Terry Holtkamp, who was unable to return due to a bent rear end. Roper was not out of the woods so easy, as David Bates, starting eleventh, was picking off positions one at a time and soon found himself trailing Roper. Bates got on the bumper of Roper, but Roper held off the charge, with Bates finishing second, and Ron Myers making a good showing in third. Brian Schutt took his machine to fourth and Jay Bates finished fifth. It was the young gun from Ozark, MO. , Aaron Harden taking the victory in the Super Street Stocks. Harden was able to stay out of trouble and stand in the O'Reilly's winner circle. Last week's feature winner, Steve Maddux, starting in the rear of the field managed to pick his way through the field and take second place honors. Aaron Douglas, being his first season back after a few year's layoff, took third place and Steve Shaw finished fourth. Rolla's Gary Klossner took his #15 Mobil sponsor Ford to the front on the green flag and held off a hard charging Sam Payne for the win in the Late Model Sportsman Division. Klossner, driving his Ford Thunderbird hard into the turns and was able to hold on, made it almost impossible for Payne to make a pass. Klossner's machine was sticking any place that he put it on the track and that usually and did on this night take you to victory lane. Scott Atkinson made another fine showing taking the third position and last week's feature winner, Chris Nichols came home fourth. Who was it to be, Sam Shaw or Jason Woods. Woods and Shaw battle for most of the race for the top spot until on a restart Woods had mechanical problems and fell off the pace. That would leave the door open for Jason Otto, who was in third at the time, try and make a move but clipped slower traffic in turn one and that bought out the yellow. That left Matt Hamner to battle Shaw for the top spot. Shaw would hold off Hamner for the win, Hamner would have to hold off Otto who had battled back from the rear of the field, but would wind up third. Robert White took fourth and Trent Harrison finished out the top five. The Baby Grands were on hand and it was Dwight Laxton taking his #9 machine to the front and never looked back. Mark Brumley finished a distant second and Troy Brown came home third. Laxton delighted the crowd with several back flips down the front stretch in his winning celebration. This coming Saturday night will be a 35 lap Super Street Stock feature along with the
American Truck Series coming to the fast track of Midway Speedway. And don't forget the
first ever 150 lap Enduro race is coming May 24th with a 40 lap modified feature also on
the card. Late Model Stock: Modified: Super Street: Pure Street: |
