Tim Cox Wins H.O.S.S. Winged Sprint Car Event; Boyer and Phipps Also Record Victories

Story By Tom Hammond
Photos by Aaron & David Sink

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A new track record, a couple of big crashes and two major battles for the win highlighted The Star Press Saturday Night Series at Anderson Speedway on June 24.

The H.O.S.S. Winged Sprints made their only appearance of 2006 at the World’s Fastest Quarter Mile a memorable one as the all-time track and world record was obliterated during qualifying. Ft. Wayne’s Geoff Kaiser turned a lap of 10.414 seconds, beating the old record by 0.030 seconds. The new world record equals 86.422 miles per hour.

Kaiser started in the middle of the pack in the 30-lap feature as last year’s H.O.S.S. Champion Tim Cox started on the front row. Cox, of Park City, Ill., powered into first position when the green flag dropped as Kaiser made his way up to fifth. Kaiser’s night ended on the 10th lap when he tangled with Patrick Stewart on the backstretch during an attempted pass.

Cox continued to pace the field and ended up with a .0971 seconds advantage over Johnathon Kettlewell at the checkered flag. Last year’s winner Richey Jacobs grabbed third-place honors, holding off Ohio’s Jimmy McCune. Former series champion Greg Wheeler completed the top five.

Kaiser took top honors in the first H.O.S.S. heat, while Ryan Myers and Tom Patterson also scored victories in preliminary events.

Anderson drivers Rich Boyer and Rod Phipps staged a memorable 1-2 battle in the Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stock feature. Boyer paced qualifying with a time of 14.186 seconds but both he and Phipps had to start at the back of the pack due to a full inversion of the qualifying order. The two made their way to the front and avoided a major pileup in the 1st turn that eliminated four cars. Joe Wright, Quinton Guffey, Jake McElfresh and Dean Baker all saw their nights come to an early end as the crash mangled their machines.

Meanwhile Boyer and Phipps got around New Castle’s Danny Acrey II on the 17th lap for second position and then bypassed race leader Bruce McFall a couple of laps later. Boyer and Phipps pulled away from the rest of the field to set up a great finish. They raced nose-to-tail over the final 13 laps with Boyer edging Phipps at the finish line for his second feature win of the season. The margin of victory was just 0.254 seconds. McFall, Muncie’s Bret Miles Jr. and Acrey rounded out the top five.

McFall emerged from an early battle to take the first Street Stock heat. Anderson’s Ronnie Phipps won the second heat.

Rod Phipps came back after the runner-up finish in the Street Stock feature to win the Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 feature in his first appearance of the season. Anderson’s Ronnie Rose vaulted to the early lead as Phipps ran a few car lengths behind him.

The fourth lap saw a big hit in the crossover as Davy Phipps tangled with Doug Riddle and Shawn Cullen. All three cars suffered extensive damage and were relegated to the pits.

When racing resumed Rose built a similar lead, but had to check up several times for the slower car of Mike Riddle Jr. Then, Phipps passed Rose on the 15th of 20 laps as Rose had to get off the accelerator to avoid a big collision. Phipps then held on for the win, followed by Rose, Anderson’s Michael Phipps, Noblesville’s Josh Tharp and Joe Hart.

Rose was victorious in the first Figure 8 heat while Ranny Hinton took the checkered flag in a caution-filled second heat. Tharp paced qualifying with a time of 19.128 seconds.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Friday, June 30, with the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series showcasing American Awards Legends, Insight ThunderCars, Pro ThunderCars and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 action.

On Saturday, July 1, the USA Modified Tour returns for the Ed Martin Auto Group 50. The Star Press Saturday Night Series will also feature Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stocks and American Awards Legends.

On Tuesday, July 4, the Titan Auto Insurance Figure 8 Madness will take place. The racing program includes Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s in the 1 Hour Enduro, plus School Bus Figure 8’s, Powder Puff School Bus Figure 8’s and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s. Anderson’s best fireworks show will follow the racing program.

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