The Left Turn
By: Ron Burt
During their 2025 Awards Gathering the four Oakshade Raceway Track Champions were crowned this past Saturday afternoon. The Top 10 drivers in each class were recognized with awards and checks. Devin Shiels (Late Model), Jesse Jones (DCR Graphics Sportsman), Jake Rendel (Dominator Super Stocks), & Ryan Okuley (Compacts).
If you’re a fan of cars racing on pavement, Kalamazoo Speedway just announced they’ll be hosting three Outlaw Super Late Model races in 2026! One of the biggest nights of the year will take place Friday, July 17, 2026, as the track honors the Legends of the Zoo.
Over the past few years, the Midwest has lost too many icons Tom Martin, Randy Sweet, Mike Van Sparrentak, Gail Cobb, Scott Baker, Lee Anderson, Denny Nyari, and many others have gone too soon. Their impact on the sport, tri-state racing community will never fade.
On July 17th, the speedway will celebrate all past and present Legends with the Legends of the Zoo 100 for Outlaw Late Models. This will be the final tune-up before the Kalamazoo Klash.
The USAC National Midget Series is in California for the annual Golden State Invasion. This will wrap up the 2025 season, and a close series point battle lead by Cannon McIntosh-1158, 2-Justin Grant-1146, 3-Kevin Thomas Jr.-1088.
Placerville, California November 15, 2025, was the first night for the USAC Midgets on the West Coast. Kyle Lason the newly crowned NASCAR Champion, showed up to the racetrack where he developed a lot of racing skills as a youngster and $20,000.00 first place prize money, I’m sure enticed him. All the big names in USAC National Midget Series were there to make the 100 lap feature. Nobody expected the outcome and chaos that the final 5 laps would have.
Most of the time, taking the lead with five laps remaining in route to pocketing a $20,000 payday would be cause for a joyous occasion, a or a moment that would forever be one of the highlight moments of a career. It didn’t turn out that way for Daison Pursley at Placerville Speedway.
On lap 95 of the 100-lap feature, Pursley took his shot at race leader Kyle Larson. However, as he dove low into turn one, Pursley appeared to clip the berm on the inside of the track with his left front tire. A second later, Pursley was sliding up the racetrack until his right rear tire had direct contact with Larson’s left front tire. This launched Larson airborne over the cushion where his car helicoptered 3.5 times before landing on its side in turn two. After Larson climbed out and moved up to the edge of the track, he gave Pursley sarcastic applause and a double thumbs up.
The crowd was quickly on their feet blasting Pursley with chorus of boos and “birds” and items from the stands were tossed onto the track. When Pursley crossed the finish line as the race winner, the umbrage was multiplied to a deafening roar from the throng of Larson supporters and most of the fans in attendance. Pursley finished the final five laps to earn his second consecutive series victory, and the 11th of his career. He didn’t do the customary cage stand and fist pump after the win, Pursley was completely subdued, apologetic and remorseful at how the events transpired down the stretch. He started the race in 4th and stayed in the top spots all night in the 100 lap feature. Rounding out the top 5 Steven Snyder Jr., Shane Golobic, Landon Brooks and Justin Grant. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! (Ohio Sports Blitz)
