Baker, Smith, Stevens, Harmon and Leisure Record Friday Night Victories

Story By Tom Hammond

Click to View:  Results

Five different winners took home wins during the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series at Anderson Speedway on August 11. Fans enjoyed the action on a breezy and unusually cool summer evening on the World’s Fastest Quarter Mile Oval.

David Baker is on a tear in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 division. He won his third consecutive feature and fourth of the season. The Anderson racer started at the back of the pack but quickly worked his way to the front. He passed Anderson’s Ronnie Phipps on the sixth lap just as Phipps lost a wheel on his car. Baker and Randy Owen then staged a spirited battle until Owen retired one lap from the end due to mechanical troubles.

Baker then cruised to victory. Mt. Summit’s Keith Morris placed second followed by Anderson drivers Nick Warner, Allen Wagner and Chuck Gossett. Morris led qualifying with a time of 21.549 seconds.

Points leader Rodney Smith of Indianapolis scored his third feature win of 2006 in the Newco Metals Legends. Smith took the lead from Plainfield’s Eric Black on the ninth of 25 circuits with Frankton’s John Robbins and Albany’s Daniel Russell taking second and third respectively, two laps later. That’s the way the race would end as Smith led the field to the checkered flag. Eric Black placed fourth with Greenfield’s Mark Livesay in fifth position.

Smith also took top honors in the first Legends heat, while Anderson’s Clark Dietzen was victorious in the second heat. Robbins paced qualifying with a time of 14.118 seconds.

Anderson’s Brad Stevens ended a long drought by winning the Insight ThunderCar feature. Stevens jumped to the lead from the pole and built a huge advantage. Rookie Nick Warner charged through the field and tried to mount a late challenge, but Stevens’ advantage was too great. Stevens and Warner were followed in the top five by Alexandria’s Darryl Rogers, Lonnie Burton and Katie Beaver.

Burton scored the win in the first Insight ThunderCar heat, while Greenfield’s Shantell Banks took the checkered flag in the second heat. Warner took qualifying honors with a time of 15.195 seconds.

Alexandria’s Kevin Harmon picked up his second win of the season in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature. Harmon took the lead from Anderson’s Devin Mitchell four laps from the end and then held off Morris for the victory. Owen finished third followed by Mitchell and Anderson’s Jeff Wright.

Owen won the first Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive heat, while Armondo Jarrett scored his first-ever win in the second heat. Morris also had the fastest car during qualifying with a time of 16.287 seconds.

To say that Brandon Leisure had a good night in the Insight ThunderCar Pro division may be an understatement. After setting the new track record in qualifying with a time of 15.057 seconds the Chesterfield driver then picked up his second feature win of the campaign.

Leisure passed Anderson’s Shane Cullen half-way through the 20-lap main event. Rod Phipps moved into second a lap later with Anderson’s Chris Bair Sr. taking third on the next circuit. That’s the way the top three ended up as Leisure pulled away for a comfortable victory. Ronnie Phipps and Rickie Tharp completed the top five. Cullen won the heat race.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Saturday, August 12, with the Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks featured in a 150-lap event. The Star Press Saturday Night Series will also include Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 racing.

On Saturday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the 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.