Owens, Boyer, Riddle and Russell Visit Texas Roadhouse Winner's Circle

Story By Tom Hammond
Photos by David Sink

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Flag-to-flag wins, charges through the field, qualifying track records and a classic Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 feature highlighted The Star Press Saturday Series at Anderson Speedway on April 30.

Second-year driver Jake Owens drove into first position at the drop of the green flag and never looked back in the 40-lap Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTruck feature. The Anderson racer took advantage of a full inversion to start on the outside of the front row. The inversion placed new track record holder Josh Burton and second fastest Tony Broyles, who also broke the old track record, in the rear of the field for the start.

Both Burton and Broyles advanced through the 21-truck starting field with impressive driving, utilizing both the upper and lower groves on the quarter-mile oval. Broyles ended up third despite damage on his SuperTruck. Meanwhile, Burton made it to sixth, but a spin knocked him out of the top 10. After a late-race incident with Robert Lemen, officials disqualified Burton for unsportsmanlike driving.

At the finish, Owens was able to build a healthy advantage over Derek Price to record his first feature victory. Broyles was third with Anderson drivers Ronnie Rose and Mike Mendenhall completing the top five.

In qualifying, Josh Burton set a new qualifying record with a one-lap time of 13.465 seconds. In preliminary action, Muncie’s Bret Miles and Owens claimed checkered flags in heat races.

Anderson’s Rich Boyer picked up his third feature victory in the opening four events of the Terry’s RV Sales and Service Street Stocks. Boyer started ninth on a half-inversion after Middletown’s Ronnie Phipps set the new track record with an official lap of 13.984 seconds.

Both Ronnie Phipps and Boyer surged toward the front in the early stages and at lap four, Ronnie Phipps bypassed Scotty Roberts to grab the first position with Boyer moving into second. Then, disaster struck for Phipps on the ninth lap after his Danny Acrey owned mount suffered damage and a flat tire from contact with Jason Bliss on the main straightaway.

This handed leadership honors to Boyer with Curtis Chapman listed in second spot and Rod Phipps running third. After the restart, Boyer was able to pull away from the remaining race contenders as Chapman and Rod Phipps put on a great battle for runner-up honors.

Rod Phipps was able to move into second position on the 24th circuit with an inside move of Chapman. At the finish Boyer was followed by Rod Phipps, Chapman, Elwood Bruce McFall and DT’S R Bar Rookie Ryan Buckner.

During qualifying, Ronnie Phipps set a new track record with an official clocking of 13.984 seconds. Street Stock heat races were captured by Ronnie Phipps and Jason Puckett.

The Legends made their first appearance of this season with Albany’s Daniel Russell celebrating in the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle. Russell started fifth and took the lead on the eighth circuit, after a four-car battle for the top spot. He then pulled away for a comfortable victory.

Scott McGinely finished in second position with former division champion Eric Black in third spot. John Robbins and Mark Dietzen rounded out the top five.

Danny Trent and Greenfield’s Paul Holden took the checkered flags in the two Legends heat events. Robbins posted the quickest time in time trials with a lap of 14.121 seconds.

One of the most competitive Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 features capped off the racing program. Jon Conklin drove into the lead at the start and was able to hold off consistent challenges from Curtis Chapman.

As Conklin and Chapman continued to battle for first position, eighth-place starter Mike Riddle Jr. and ninth starting Mark Goettman were charging through the field. On lap 10, Riddle completed a pass on Shawn Cullen for third position with Goettman advancing to fourth on the 11th circuit. Riddle then pulled off a great move, advancing from third to first with passes on Chapman and Conklin to grab the lead.

Goettman grabbed second place on the 14th circuit and in the final stages Riddle and Goettman battled intensely for the race victory. Riddle was able to hold off Goettman collecting his first feature win of the season. Chapman, Ronnie Phipps and Cullen rounded out the top five.

With an impressive lap in qualifying, Ronnie Rose set a new qualifying record with a time of 20.119 seconds. Heat race victories went to Curtis Chapman and Rod Phipps.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Friday, May 6, with the debut of the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series featuring Legends, Insight ThunderCars in Oval and Figure 8 action and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives on the Oval and Figure 8.

On Saturday Night, May 7, Super Late Models return to Anderson Speedway. The Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Insight ThunderCar Figure 8’s will also be showcased in The Star Press Saturday Night Series.

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