Malone, Burge, Russell, Nickerson and Mitchell Record Victories

By Tom Hammond

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It was a night of firsts at Anderson Speedway during the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series on July 8, as three drivers scored their first wins of the season. It was the opening night of the Cooper’s Sport Bowl / Shout’s Perfect Score Weekend.

Anderson’s Travis Burge won his first career Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 feature. He took the lead from the start and held off fellow Anderson driver Randy Owen at the finish. Markleville’s Chris Teepe, Anderson’s Nick Warner and Mt. Summit’s Keith Morris completed the top five.

The Insight ThunderCar oval feature also had a first-time winner. Anderson’s Tim Nickerson scored a flag-to-flag triumph in a wild 20-lap race. Nickerson recorded his second feature victory this week as he also won the School Bus Figure 8 race during Monday night’s The Right Movers Figure 8 Madness.

Nickerson was challenged early by Alexandria’s Alice Riall. Anderson’s David Short then passed Riall for second on the 13th lap, only to be passed by Anderson’s Billy Riddle two laps from the finish. Recording his first career victory, Nickerson was then able to maintain his advantage thanks to the jockeying behind him. Riddle ended up second followed by Short and fellow Anderson drivers Brandon Phillips and Jeff Dick.

Riall picked up the victory in the first Insight ThunderCar Oval heat while Nickerson was victorious in the second heat. Westfield’s Clint Groves paced qualifying with a time of 15.286 seconds.

Anderson’s Devin Mitchell was the third first-time winner of the season in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature. Mitchell had by far the strongest car during the 15-lap event and cruised to a comfortable victory. The big battle was for second as seven cars had a legitimate shot for a runner-up finish at the end. Dustin Burge ended up second followed by Brandon Tweedy and Anderson drivers Jerry Smith and Nick Warner.

Tweedy ended up in the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle in the first Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval heat, while Morris took top honors in the second heat.

Albany’s Daniel Russell picked up his seventh victory in eight tries in the Legends division. Russell took over the lead on the fifth of 25 laps and held off Anderson’s Clark Dietzen despite several restarts because of spins and crashes. Speedway’s T.J. Sneva, Elwood’s John Robbins and Greenfield’s Tony Holden rounded out the top five.

Camby’s Scott McGinley won his first Legends heat of the season in the first heat race, while Clark Dietzen took the checkered flag in the second heat. Russell was the top qualifier with a time of seconds 14.104.

Pendleton’s Terry Malone Jr. won the Insight ThunderCar figure 8 feature for the fourth time this season in commanding fashion. Malone was challenged early by Billy Riddle and Paris Swallows Jr. Then, Swallows took a brief lead when Malone had to check up behind the slower car of Donnie Ellis Jr. in the crossover.

Malone then bolted back into the lead the next time through the crossover while Swallows and Riddle collided and both hit the wall. Riddle’s night was done, but Swallows was able to return and make it all the way back to third. Anderson’s Steve Weaver finished second with Anderson drivers Roy Grissom Sr. and David Short also joining Malone and Swallows in the top five.

The Cooper’s Sport Bowl / Shout’s Perfect Score Weekend concludes at Anderson Speedway on Saturday Night, July 9, with Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s

On 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.