The Left Turn
By: Ron Burt
Saturday, July 12th, Oakshade Raceway, Wauseon Ohio, hosted the annual Birthday Race combined with the Summer Nationals for UMP Dirt Late Models and the Summit Modifieds. The Late Models were racing for $10,000.00 first place prize money. South Carolina’s Zack Mitchell visiting Oakshade for the first time, started on the pole and was on his way to what appeared to be an easy win before a couple things made the night slightly tougher. First, came up lapped traffic that allowed second-running Trey Mills to close the gap. The second was a late-race caution that involved Tyler Erb, who also closed on the leaders at one point while in third. Mitchell moved his way through traffic, Mills and Erb closed the gap with just 3 laps to go. After the restart, Erb was third in line with the driver he’s attempting to chase down for the Summer Nationals title, Jason Feger, close behind.
Heading into turn two, Erb and Feger made contact collecting fourth-place Colten Burdette in the process. Erb, who spun and stopped, was sent to the tail end of the lead lap for the final laps and never challenged the rest of the night. That late race caution freed the track of lapped cars for Mitchell, who outran Mills to claim the $10,000 payday. Finishing after your leader was Mills, Feger, Eli Johnson, and Dillon McCowan. The Summit Modified winner was Tyler Nicely from Owensboro, Kentucky.
The following night the 30 race Summer Nationals wrapped up at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio. Nick Hoffman from Mooresville NC, finally scored his first Summer Nationals feature win since moving up to Late Models from Modifieds in 2018. For the second year in a row, Jason Feger was the overall series winner. Tyler Nicely won his 8th Summit Modified feature of the series and is the 2025 champion.
Last Friday and Saturday the Berlin Raceway in Marne Michigan hosted the 2nd annual Great Lakes Classic for the ISMA MSS Supermodifieds. Friday, Kyle Edwards won the 40 lap feature. Saturday night Mike “Hollywood” McVetta repeated his 2024 victory and took home $10,000.00 for his win in the 75 lap event. The next race for the Supermodifieds will be the 48th Annual HyMiler weekend July 25th and 26th, at the 1/2 mile Sandusky Speedway. If you’re a fan of the Supers and visit Sandusky Speedway, I encourage you to look at the most recent video on the tracks Facebook page. Sandusky Speedway celebrating their 75th anniversary is for sale. The speedway owner confirmed the rumors in this online video. Many race fans look forward to HyMiler and vacation at the track during this week. I hate to say it but most likely this will be the last big block supermodified show at Sandusky, unless someone steps up and purchases the track and all the surrounding land it sits on. The track will run weekly until October. Always check the tracks Facebook page for information.
Last Monday the High Limit Sprint series raced at Fremont Speedway. It was a make up date from last May when the event was rained out. Over 45 cars registered including series co-owner Kyle Larson. It was his first visit to Fremont Speedway in over a dozen years. Kayle Larson and Cole Macedo both set fast times in their own groups but when the two got together in the feature, Macedo wouldn’t be denied the win, Larson was second and Tyler Courtney rounded out the podium.
Next week I’ll go over the Brad Doty Classic at Attica Raceway Park and the big 4 nights at Eldora. Indiana Sprint week is also getting ready to start. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!
