7th Annual Weidner Chevrolet Stock Car Festival Concludes at Anderson Speedway

By Tom Hammond

An afternoon of highly competitive racing entertained Anderson Speedway fans during the 7th Annual Weidner Chevrolet Street Stock Festival. Ten divisions were showcased in racing action on Sunday afternoon under sunny skies and breezy conditions.

The day began with the 40-lap Ed Martin Auto Group Super Truck feature. Noblesville’s Jake Owens made his first-ever trip to the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle in a feature race, as he beat Ronnie Rose to the checkered flag. Veteran racer Joe Beaver placed third with Steve Blair and Jamie Hadley rounding out the top five.

Scoring a flag-to-flag victory, R.J. Norton Jr. won the USA Modified Tour event. Norton was able to fend off challenges from 16-year-old competitor Chris Neuenschwander throughout the 40-lap main event. Third at the checkers was Damon Breedlove with Jason Dietsch and Gary Bedelll completing the top-five finishers.

The C.A.R.S Late Models main event was captured by 2004 series champion Wes Bullock of Cicero. Jeff Ellis started on the pole, but slid sideways on the backstretch on the first lap, allowing Bullock, Steve Blair, Dave Kinney and Stuart Quakenbush to take advantage. Bullock then took the lead on the third lap and maintained his advantage throughout the 40-lap race. Blair finished second followed by Kinney, Quakenbush and David Bussie to round out the top five.

Recently crowned Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stock Champion Rich Boyer won the 40 lap Open Street Stock main event. Boyer inherited the first position on the 16th circuit after leader Joe Beaver made contact with the fourth turn retaining wall.

After Boyer took the lead, he edged away from his closest challengers. During the final stages, Jason Atkinson made a surge to second position. He secured the runner-up finish with a last lap pass on Jamie Sites. Following Boyer and Atkinson across the line were Brad Huffman, Bruce McFall and Sites.

Shirley’s Mike Coates held off a hard-charging Jon Conklin to win the Limited Late Model feature. Anderson’s Mike Riddle Jr. finished directly behind Conklin in third position. New track record holder Todd Marsh rose to a fourth-place finish with Chuck Cook completing the top five.

John Robbins captured the McCrocklin Ford & Mobility Legends feature. Robbins led the final 12 laps after driving around early leader Eric Black. Once out front, Robbins was able to cruise to the feature victory. T.J. Sneva made a late-race pass to secure a second-place finish. Black placed third with Homer Adams Jr. and Daniel Russell filling out the top five.

Some heavy crossover action treated fans to a great Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 feature. There were several near misses that could’ve spelled doom for a number of drivers. Anderson’s Dale Phillips took the point from the drop of the green flag and held off Ronnie Phipps over the final 20 laps for the win. Billy Riddle finished third followed by Josh Tharp and Johnny Magee to complete the top five.

The Mini-Stock feature showcased seven cars that started the race remaining side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper the opening five laps. Race leaders Mike Mayes and Ronnie Sneed spun on the seventh lap, sending Mayes to the back of the back and Sneed to the pits. Cory Nuttle then took over the lead, only to be passed by J.R. Ryman on the 14th lap. Ryman held on for the victory, followed by Todd Bennett, Utah Head, Ryman and Nuttle.

In the first of two Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive features, Fairmount’s Billy Beard scored the win. In the early stages, Kevin Harmon sailed into leadership honors, pacing the opening four laps. Beard took the lead on the fifth circuit and led the remainder of the event. Following Beard across the finish line were Nick Warner, David Baker, Dustin Burge and Gregg Wiley.

Anderson’s Keith Morris dominated the second Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive feature. Morris was chased in the early stages by Jake Hinton, until he spun on the fifth circuit. Morris built a healthy advantage over the other competitors to score the win. Following Morris across the finish line were Jerry Smith, Jeremy Wilber, Jeremy Jordan and Jerry Small.

In the 20-lap Insight ThunderCar Oval feature, Dave Short collected the victory. He sailed into the first position on the 13th circuit after passing Jeremy Baker. At the finish, Short was chased by Billy Riddle, Shane Cullen, Brandon Phillips and Mark Keith.

The 2004 racing season concludes at Anderson Speedway on Sunday, October 17, with the C.R.A. Street Stock Enduro 250. The Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives will also be featured at Anderson Speedway.

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




 

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