Blair, Rose, Miles Jr. and Hinton Earn Saturday Night Victories

 By Cassie Marcum

A big crowd and some great racing took place at Anderson Speedway on Saturday night. The CRA Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks were both featured in 75-lap races. The Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks and Figure 8’s were also showcased the world’s fastest quarter mile oval.

An action-packed, 75-lap feature by the Howe CRA Sportsman division was the first event on the racing program. Tim Greene was able to get the lead at the green and drive away with a big lead. A good battle for second place between Charlie Hanna and Terry Fisher, Jr. took place until on lap 11 when Fisher and Hanna made contact and they both spun. On the restart there was a two-car break away at the front with the cars of Chad Gaskill and Rick Rinehart. By lap 29, the two front cars had nearly a straightaway length lead on the rest of the field.

Terry Fisher, Jr.’s night wasn’t going as he probably had hoped because on lap 37 Gaskill and Fisher spun going into turn 1 after battling for sixth position. On the restart, it was Greene with the lead, but Rinehart was right on his tail. Rinehart was able to maintain on the tail of Greene until lap 53 when Greene spun trying to keep Rinehart from getting around him. One lap was scored until another caution was thrown. For the third time in the feature, Fisher was involved in the wreck. This time three cars were involved including Fisher, Rick Tackman, Jr., and Eric Barcus in the turn one altercation.

On the restart, Steve Blair was able to get around Rinehart for the lead and hold Rinehart off to score the win. Hanna was able to battle back to finish third. Greene and Zach Hulvey finished fourth and fifth.

In preliminary action, Terry Fisher, Jr. and Justin Trinkle won the heat races. Hulvey was the fastest qualifier with a time of 13.329 seconds.

In the Ed Martin SuperTrucks 40-lap feature, Anderson’s Ronnie Rose scored his second consecutive victory. Rose was able to get the lead on lap 18 and drive away with a big lead by lap 21. Brian Lemmer was able to catch Rose, but he didn’t have enough time to try to take over the lead. Lemmer ended up coming home with a second place finish. Brandon Phillips, Mark Soots, and Bob Lemen rounded out the top five.

Scott Brooks and Soots won the heat races. Brandon Phillips was the top qualifier with a time of 14.054 seconds.

Thirty-two cars started the 75-lap feature in the CRA Street Stocks. The car of Shaun Bonar caught on fire on lap 11 to bring out the first caution. Jacob Owens had a good lead going for the first part of the race, but once he got stuck behind slower cars the rest of the field was able to catch up. A three-way battle for first between the cars of Owens, Beau Mitchell, and Muncie’s Bret Miles, Jr. kept the fans in anticipation to see who would be able to drive away with the lead. It was Miles who eventually got around Owens on the backstretch to take over the lead. Miles was able to hold off Owens to score the victory. Mitchell crossed the finish line in third. Willy DeHart and Calvin Parham finished out the top five.

Phil Evans won the first heat, and Bobby Murray won the second. Kyle Flynn was the winner of the last chance race. Bret Miles, Jr. was the fastest qualifier with a time of 14.226 seconds.

In Figure 8 action, Anderson’s Ranny Hinton took the lead at the green and was able to lead all 25 laps of the feature to score the win. The first lap was action-packed when cars went spinning in the corner and Joe Walters lost a tire. Half way through the race, Hinton had a huge lead over the rest of the field before taking the win. Bobby Long scored the second place finish, with Michael Phipps in third. Ronnie Rose finished fourth in his third race of the night with Elliott McKinney fifth.

Herb Rose won the oval heat race over Johnathon Pitts and Rod Phipps.

Racing continues at Anderson Speedway on Friday, July 20th, with the WLBC/MAX Friday Night Summer Series showcasing Kenyon Midgets, ThunderCars, and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 action.

Friday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the racing program beginning at 8. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

On Saturday, July 21st, Anderson Speedway will be featuring the 58th Best Way Disposal National Crown with Figure 8’s. The Ed Martin SuperTrucks and KOIL Legend Series will also be featured.

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

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