Racing to Open the Holiday Weekend
Dave Buss
One a picture perfect night the Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway
kicked off the holiday weekend with a fast paced program
that sent people home before ten to start their weekend. The
evening would feature an even split between blow away wins
and close races.
The Total Power Street Stocks would see Jerry Winkler take
the lead on lap number four and turn the race into an
announcer’s nightmare simply driving away from the field
and making it look easy. Jerry Kope moved into second place
on the same lap and would hold that position until lap
seventeen when mechanical problems would send him to the
pits for the night. Brian Drexler would slide into second
with Tim Reichenberger, Gordy Lewis and Matthew Falk
completing the top five. Winkler would claim the feature by
about a straight away.
The Miller Lite Grand Nationals were second to the track and
it would be Paul Todd bringing the field to the line and
leading through lap five when Brian Henry grabbed the lead
with an inside move. While Henry began taking control of the
race, eyes turned to the performance of Troy Weich who was
recovering nicely from a lap two spin that put him to the
back of the field. Weich would charge back to finish third
behind Henry and Will Schumacher. Brian Monday and Todd
completed the top five.
The Modifieds took a couple attempts to get the race started
and quickly took the starting field down in numbers due to
multiple cautions before lap one was complete. When things
did get rolling it was the Benjamin Brinkman show for the
second week in a row. The Air Force sponsored machine lived
up to its name as Brinkman was flying around the track. With
only a few yellow flags to slow him down the rest of the way
Brinkman never was challenged for the win. Brad Bricco
sporting a new look would grab second with the Brian Drexler
third and Dennis Schultz fourth.
The best race was saved for last in the Lynn’s Service
Center Dirt Devils. Tyler Lind and Tim Sheppard would put on
a classic battle for the win. Lind and Sheppard would trade
the top spot lap after lap with an occasional bump and run
thrown in. Both drivers were aggressive yet in control
giving each other racing respect. Lind would eventually grab
the win with Sheppard finishing second. Cory Wagner would
run a solid third with Tyler Kontos fourth. Nick Furman
rounded out the top five.
Racing continues next Friday night at the Oshkosh Speedzone
Raceway. Racing starts at 6:30. More information
can be found online at
www.oshkoshspeedzone.net.
