Ray Takes USAC Ford Focus Midget National Championship; Jones Wins SuperTruck Feature

By Tom Hammond

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An emotional Robbie Ray won the 50-lap USAC Ford Focus Midget feature Sunday afternoon at Anderson Speedway. Ray also captured the inaugural National Championship based on points accumulated during Sunday’s action and racing Saturday night on the dirt at Limaland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio.

Ray, of Davenport, Iowa, took the lead seven laps from the end with a backstretch pass of Lafayette’s Brandon Wagner. Ray appeared to take the lead three laps earlier when Wagner slid high on a restart after the fifth and final caution period. However USAC officials ruled that the pass didn’t count and ordered another restart.

The win caps off a comeback for Ray and his family. Ray has been racing since he was nine-years-old, and tough finances almost forced them to leave the sport. The USAC Ford Focus program gave them a new chance. “You just don’t know what this means to me and my family,” Ray said. What made Ray’s win even more impressive was the fact he had to earn his spot in the feature lineup by winning the “B” main after finishing fourth in the second heat race.

Wagner took the runner-up spot, with Michael Sboro of Watertown, N.Y., Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Penn. and Stephanie Stevens of Phillipsburg, N.J. rounding out the top five.

USAC Ford Focus heat wins were scored by Ginny Quinones, Tate Martz, Adam Kramer, Jordan Noblitt and James Robertson of Indianapolis. Chase Scott of Concord, N.C. was the leading qualifier with a time of 12.436 at 72.371 mph.

The Ed Martin SuperTrucks rounded out the Sunday afternoon card as New Castle’s Mark Jones picked up his third feature win in six races. Jones passed Indianapolis’ Scott Brooks with an inside move on the backstretch during the 19th of 40 laps. He then held off fellow New Castle driver and season points champion Tony Broyles for the win. Robert Lemen of Indianapolis, Frankton’s Wes Russell Jr. and Brooks rounded out the top five.

Jones also took the top spot in the first SuperTruck heat, while Wannamaker’s Jamie Hadley was victorious in the second heat. Broyles led qualifying with a time of 13.732 at a speed of 65.540 mph.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action with The Star Press Season Championships. On Friday, September 23, the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series will showcase Legends, Insight ThunderCars in Oval and Figure 8 racing along with Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 action.

On Saturday, September 24, The Star Press Saturday Night Series features the season championships fro Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s.

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