Bobby Parsley Wins CRA Super Series Season Opener

Story By Tom Hammond
Photos By David Sink

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Former CRA Super Series champion Bobby Parsley continued his strong performance at Anderson Speedway winning the Anderson 125 presented by Great Deals Coupon Magazine on Saturday, April 16. In other action, Rich Boyer collected his second win of the season in the Terry RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Ronnie Rose drove an impressive race in the Boss Hogg Catering and Jerky Figure 8’s, earning his second checkered flag of the season.

In the CRA Super Series season-opening event, Lafayette’s Chris Gabehart charged into first position at the drop of the green flag after getting the jump on Ryan Matthews. After he sailed into first spot, Gabehart was forced to fend off consistent challenges from Matthews during the first half of the 125-lap event.

After making several attempts to grab the lead spot from Gabehart, the No. 121 car of Matthews spun on lap 85 and was unable to contend for the remainder of the race. Daleville’s Bull Baker then made a charge to the front of the pack and benefited from Matthews’ misfortune. As Baker was also trying to bypass Gabehart, he spun in turn 4 on lap 104, advancing Scott Hantz to second position and Bobby Parsley up to third in the running order.

As the battle for first place continued to heat up with Hantz attempting to pass Gabehart the two front-runners made contact in turn 3 on the 116th circuit, eliminating Gabehart from competition and forcing significant damage to Hantz’ mount. Gabehart ended up 18th with Hantz in 14th spot.

This change of events handed leadership honors to Parsley. The former Anderson 400 champion then pulled away at the finish to score his third victory at Anderson Speedway. He finished 1.159 seconds ahead of Eddie Van Meter. Ohio’s Jack Landis placed third with J.R. Roahrig and Greenfield’s Kenny Tweedy completing the top-five finishers.

In other action during The Star Press Saturday Night Series, Rich Boyer picked up his second feature win of the 2005 season in the Terry’s RV Sales and Service Street Stock main event. Boyer led qualifying with a time of 14.207 seconds and drew a full-field inversion for the start of the 30-lap event.

Boyer roared through the field, climbing to second spot by the third lap. He then pulled alongside New Castle’s Danny Acrey II on the 18th lap and passed him as the two crossed the finish line. Anderson’s Rod Phipps also got around Acrey on the 24th lap. Last week’s winner Phipps ended the race in the runner-up position with Acrey finishing a solid third. The remainder of the top five included Ronnie Phipps and Jacob McElfresh.

Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stock heat race wins were claimed by Dennis Moser of Lapel and Chris Bair Sr. of Anderson.

2003 Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 champion Ronnie Rose scored his second feature win of the year in a race that featured heavy traffic in the crossover. Rose, of Anderson, jumped to the lead over pole sitter Jason Pitts at the start and dominated the 20-lap main event.

At the finish, Rose was followed by Pitts, defending division champion Jeff Swinford, Ronnie Phipps and Mike Riddle Jr.

“It was a pretty exciting Figure 8,” Rose said, as he encountered several near-misses in the crossover. Rose’s car has been strong in each feature race this season, and Rose attributes that to extensive off-season work on his machine.

Pitts had the top time during qualifying with a best lap of 20.275, seconds, barely edging Rose for fast time honors. Former champion Mike Riddle Jr. and Middletown’s Elliott McKinney led flag-to-flag in heat races to score victories.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Saturday Night, April 23, with the Benson Motorcycles Night of Thrills. The events include the School Bus Figure 8’s, Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 racing, Rollover Contest, Demolition Derby and Spectator Races. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the thrills beginning at 8. Adult admission is $10 with kids 6-12 admitted for $4 and 5 and under free.

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