Action-Filled Night Opens MAX/WLBC Summer Series

By Tom Hammond
Photos by Dave Sink

There was a little bit of everything during the opening night of the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series at Anderson Speedway on May 7. The night included four-wide racing, late-race passes and a big crash in the Insight ThunderCar Figure 8 race.

The feature lineup began with James Robertson bypassing John Robbins on the 16th and then droving to his first McCrocklin Ford and Mobility Legends win of 2004. Daniel Russell crossed the line in second position followed by Robbins, Mark Sullivan and Scott McGinely. Heat victories were awarded to Robbins and Clark Dietzen.

The Insight ThunderCar Oval 20-lap feature began with Rick Trueblood and Tim Dick battling for leadership honors. Trueblood was able to pull away to post the wire-to-wire win. Point's leader Jack Taylor made a late-race pass on Dick to place second. Paris Swallows was fourth with Dustin Tomlinson rounding out the top-five performers. Mike Peters and Josh Myers won the Insight ThunderCar heat races.

The Insight ThunderCar Figure 8 feature began with the domination of Tim Brown. He bolted to the first spot and appeared to have the race in hand. However, Mike Lewis found himself directly in Brown's path in the crossover on the 13th lap. The ensuing broadside crash knocked both drivers out of competition.

James Peterson inherited the lead spot after Brown's misfortune to pick up the victory. Ranny Hinton was second with Steve Weaver, Mike Peters and Elliott McKinney comprising the top-five finishers. Paris Swallows Jr. and Bill Lawson picked up wins in the heat races.

The story from both of the Chappy's Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive feature races can be summed up in one word - domination. David Baker drove to a huge lead at the start and maintained his sizeable advantage to finish ahead of Chris Teepe, Kim McKinney, Chris Jennings and Kevin Harmon.

In the second Chappy's Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive feature, David McHenry drove into the winner's circle. Al Gable placed in the second slot with George Baker, Cale Ramey and Ricky Craig filling out the top five.

Forty-One cars entered the Chappy's Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive division, allowing for three heat races. Wins went to David Fowler, Pete Corsaro and Keith Morris.

Racing continues at Anderson Speedway on Saturday night, May 8 with the Ed Martin Auto Group Super Trucks, the Terry's RV Sales and Service Street Stocks and the Boss Hogg Pitt BBQ & Catering Figure 8's.

General admission for Saturday night's action is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and free for kids five and under. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with qualifications scheduled for 6:30. The first race is set for 8.

For additional information, contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.