By: Ron Burt
It was great seeing a few of you at the Kokomo Smackdown last week. I could only attend one of the three nights (Thursday) but I was able to watch the last 2 nights on the racing channel. Thank goodness for these media outlets that cover major and local short track events. The best USAC drivers in the country were at the Badest Bullring, Kokomo Speedway has been nicknamed. It was an unbelievable performance by Justin Grant winning all 3 nights. The reigning USAC Sprint champion became the first to score a 3-night sweep of Smackdown XII & earned $44,500 for his monumental achievement. Grant told the media after his victory, “This weekend’s been a dream. I feel like I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it’s going to be Wednesday.” But for every other driver who faced off against Grant during the three nights at Kokomo, the Ione, California driver was their worst nightmare. Grant moved from California to Indiana more than a decade ago, Kokomo Speedway became one of his adopted homes. Now, all these years later, he’s tied with the great Dave Darland as the winningest driver in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo Speedway. Justin went on to tell the reporters, “Kokomo Speedway is where I got my start and it’s where I cut my teeth. This event has always meant the world to me. The success I’ve been able to have here is just incredible and it feels incredible to be standing in victory lane here anytime.” Ronding out the top 5 on Saturday night, 2nd Kyle Cummins, 3rd Logan Seavey, 4th Brady Bacon and 5th Robert Ballou.
On Thursday at Smackdown, Justin Grant scored the victory and took home $6,000.00 behind him was 2nd Brady Bacon, 3rd Robert Ballou, 4th Carson Garrett and 5th Jadon Rogers. Friday night Grant took the win again and another $6000.00 first place payout. Finishing behind your winner on night number two was, 2nd Brady Bacon, 3rd Shane Cottle, 4th Jadon Rogers and 5th Kyle Cummins.
Saturday at Angola Motorsport Speedway Tommy Cook found the winners circle in the Late Model class. Modified driver, Brandon Pulver won his first feature race. In the Street Stock feature, Zach Henderson waved the checkered flag and in the FWD class Chip Heintzelman scored the win.
Oakshade Raceway had their championship night. Carter Murday started on the pole of the 25-lap UMP Late Model feature event. During the second lap he lost a rear tire sending him to the pits. Colin Shipley then took over the lead. Shipley entered the night 2nd in points and needed Devin Shiels to slip up so he could have a shot at this year’s track championship. Shipley held the lead all the way to the white flag. Behind the race leader Casey Noonan and Devin Shiels battled side by side just off Shipley’s rear bumper. Several caution flags kept the field tight. The last one came out on lap 19. In turn two on the final lap of the epic three car battle, Shiels was able to duck under Shipley and hang on for the win and unofficially clinched his fifth Oakshade Raceway UMP Late Model track championship. Colin Shipley would finish 2nd, Noonan slipped up in turn three of the final lap allowing Brad Wade to get by for 3rd. Noonan ended up finishing 4th. Jason Haskell from Chatham, Ontario, had to restart at the tail of the field earlier in the race and battled back to finish 5th. The Sportsman feature went to Rusty Smith who took over the race lead after Cater Schlenk had car trouble and retired to the pits. Smith put the hammer down and never looked back to earn his first win of the season. Gabe Mueller fought hard to get the Dominator Stock victory. Eric Carr came into the final points race for the Compact class with a commanding point lead and drove his way to his fourth A Main win of the season which unofficially earned him his fourth consecutive track championship in the division. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
