MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series Wins to Owen, Way, Beaver, Morris and Bair

Story By Tom Hammond

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The 4th of July holiday weekend got off to a big start at Anderson Speedway as the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series produced five different winners in five divisions on June 30.

Anderson’s Randy Owen bolted into the lead from the second row to win the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 feature. Owen built a huge lead and never looked back in the 12-lap event for his first Figure 8 win of the season, despite making hard contact with the wall at the start of the second lap.

Anderson drivers dominated the finish as Johnny Burge, Donnie Ellis Jr., Nick Warner and Travis Burge all scored top-five finishes. Johnny Burge paced qualifying with a time of 21.077 seconds.

A member of the Beaver family visited the winner’s circle in the Insight ThunderCar feature, but it wasn’t Joe Beaver. His daughter Katie scored her first career victory in the 20-lap feature. Beaver took the lead from the pole and withstood a stiff challenge from Fortville’s Lonnie Burton and Anderson’s Brad Stevens down the stretch. Warner and Anderson’s David Short completed the top five.

Dustin Burge claimed the checkered flag in the first ThunderCar heat race, while Anderson’s Tim Dick won the second heat. Stevens led qualifying with a time of 15.299 seconds.

A first-time winner made the trip all the way from South Carolina to win the American Awards Legends feature. Scooter Way led from the start and held off Indianapolis’s Rodney Smith and Albany’s Daniel Russell, who went to the machine he used to win the 2005 points championship. Greenfield’s Paul Holden and Tommy Jordan of South Carolina also picked up top-five finishes.

American Awards Legends heat races were an “all-Holden” affair as Paul Holden won the first heat and Tony Holden won the second heat. Russell led qualifying with a time of 14.008 seconds.

A late yellow flag proved to be the turning point in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature. Gaston’s Tony Crum bolted to a huge lead on two occasions, only to see the field bunched up behind him one last time on the 10th of 15 laps due to debris in turn 4. That gave Mt. Summit’s Keith Morris a chance, and he took advantage. Morris went inside Crum in turn 3 on the restart and took a lead he would never relinquish. Crum ended up second, followed by Anderson’s Jerry Smith, Muncie’s Bruce McGill and Anderson’s Jeff Wright.

Morris won the first Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval heat. Anderson’s Michelle Barrett took top honors in the second heat. Morris paced qualifying with a time of 16.247 seconds.

Anderson’s Chris Bair Sr. scored another victory in the Insight ThunderCar Pro main event. Bair took the lead from Anderson’s Jim Brown with a daring pace in turn one. Bair was able to hold the lead despite a yellow flag that bunched up the field on the 13th of 20 laps.

Bair then held off all challengers for the win. Anderson’s Jim Brown, Ronnie Phipps, Rod Phipps and Chesterfield’s Brandon Leisure rounded out the top five. Shane Cullen appeared to finish second but was disqualified after a post-race technical inspection.

Bair also won the Insight ThunderCar Pro heat race over Brown. Anderson’s Roy Grissom Sr. and Chesterfield’s Jack Taylor were eliminated on the first lap of the heat race by a hard collision exiting the second turn and onto the backstretch. Both drivers were okay but their machines were finished for the night. Rod Phipps was the fast qualifier with a record time of 15.180 seconds.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Saturday, July 1, with the return of the USA Modified Tour. The Star Press Saturday Night Series will also feature Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stocks and American Awards Legends.

On Saturday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the racing beginning at 8. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

On Tuesday, July 4, Titan Auto Insurance Figure 8 Madness will take place. Featured events include the 1 Hour Figure 8 Enduro with the Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s, School Bus Figure 8’s, Powder Puff School Bus Figure 8’s and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s.

Following the racing program, Anderson’s best fireworks show will be showcased in the Anderson Speedway, MAX/WHBU Set the Night to Fireworks presented by DHI/Pop Weaver Popcorn

On Tuesday, July 4, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with the racing beginning at 7. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

On Saturday Night, watch the NASCAR race on our big screen television provided by Chappy’s’ Rent to Own.

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