MERIDIAN, Idaho --With the thermometer reading 106o Kale Freedman continued his hot streak, qualifying quickest for the sixth consecutive time. No other driver in the Mulder’s Auto Machine Late Model Lite division has set a quick time this season in an official event. A few drivers out qualified Freedman on July 4th but the races were cancelled shortly after qualifying due to rain. Since no official race was held no points were awarded and any qualifying times were null and void.
In the Mulder’s Auto Machine Late Model Lite Feature Event Jeff Hill took the early lead from the pole position. Ron Hayes, starting 3rd took the 2nd spot easily behind Hill. Freedman moved from the rear of the field to 5th spot in 5 laps. Freedman moved outside Chandler on lap 13 and moved into the 4th position on the next lap. Staying on the outside Freedman moved up outside the Rob Powers for third on lap 16. Two laps Later Freedman moved outside Hayes for the 2nd spot.
Behind this action Chandler, Joe Barton and Jim Bailey were fighting for positions. On lap 23 Powers had to pit due to over heating. Freedman moved outside Hill on lap 26 and completed the pass for the lead 2 laps later. Chandler started overheating on lap 32 and was forced to the pits. Barton moved into forth behind Hayes.
Officials noticed water coming out of Freedman’s car on lap 37 and were just about to direct him to the pits when Bailey and Shawn Tubbs made contact in turn 3 bringing out the only caution of the race. The field was stopped on the backstretch as safety official cleaned up the track in turn 3. With the temperature just under 100o this was a chance for all cars to cool down.
With 13 laps remaining on Freedman had a lapped car between him and Hill running 2nd. Freedman got a good jump as Hill tried to negotiate around the lapped car of Mike Bailey. On lap 40 Hill went high to get around Bailey and Hayes moved under Hill and Bailey for the 2nd spot. Barton followed Hayes and was in 3rd place on lap 42. Freedman again started to loose some water. It stopped a few laps later. As Hayes crossed the line with one lap to go Freedman was exiting turn 2 in what looked like a complete blowout when he lost power. Freedman coasted around the track has Hayes and Barton were battling for the 2nd spot. Hill was also in that mix running 4th. Hayes and Barton caught Freedman as he exited turn 4. Hayes went low as Barton went high, Hill was behind Barton as they passed Freedman at the line with Hayes First, .2 seconds back was Barton followed by Hill just .7 seconds behind Hayes and Freedman 4th .9 seconds behind the winner. Freedmen still was able score the most points for the night and increase his lead in the season points standings.
Mulder’s Auto Machine Late Model Lite Results
Qualifying: Kale Freedman – 14.058
Trophy Dash: Jim Bailey
B heat: Joe Barton, Mike Bailey, Ron Hayes, Shaun Tubbs, Jeff Hill
A heat: Kenny Chandler, Jim Bailey, Freedman, Rob Powers, Matt Wolfkiel
Feature Event: Hayes, Barton, Hill, Freedman, Tubbs
Tim Lawrence made his first appearance of the year in the Cingular Wireless Grand American Modified Division Saturday Night. Lawrence qualified quickest and provided the fans with some great racing in the 40 lap main event.
Ralph Grimmer took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Bob Wood moved into the lead on the 8th circuit while Lawrence was moving through the back of the field gaining 6 positions over the first 6 laps to run 5th. Tony Ackerland gain 5 positions in this time and was running 4th.
Ackerland moved into 3rd on lap 12 while Lawrence took forth on lap 14. Lawrence tried under Ackerland for the 3rd spot on lap 18 but could not complete the pass as Ackerland tried to pass Bryan MaDaniel for 2nd. Jeff Goade spun in turn 3 on lap 20 bringing out the first caution of the race. On the restart Acklerland got a good start and was able to pass McDaniel and Wood for the lead. Lawrence was able to do the same and was right behind Ackerland as the two crossed the line to complete the 21st lap. These two battled over the next 19 laps running nose to tail. Two additional cautions kept the field close behind Ackerland and Lawrence. Ackerland crossed the line just.6 seconds in front of Lawrence and 1 second in front of Al Colwell.
Cingular Wireless Grand American Modified Results
Qualifying: Tim Lawrence – 14.458
Trophy Dash: Jentry Pisca
B heat: Ralph Grimmer, Bryan McDaniel, Chris Fento, Bob Wood, Matt Elliot
A heat: Craig Bell, Pisca, Jeff Wurtz, Lawrence, Tony Ackerland
Main Event: Ackerlan, Lawrence, Al Colwell, Bell, Wood
Justin Ellis took home the trophy in the Mini Stock Main Event. Ellis qualified 2nd quick behind rookie Casey Hart. Current points leader Jason sanders finished 2 in the main event and lost some precious ground to Ellis in the standings. Sanders has a 23 point lead over Ellis with 4 races remaining in the season.
In other news related to the track, Late Model Driver Dennis Wurtz Jr. was critically injured in a boating accident last Sunday, July 16th. Dennis is still recovering in the hospital. As everyone knows the racing community is a big family. Drivers have differences and fans have favorites, but if anything happens to somebody in the family the family pulls together to help. Stickers saying “Get Well Junior” were sold in the pits, Western Raceway Video’s sold video’s of previous races donating $3.00 of every sale and Drivers passed their helmets through the stands asking fans for donations to help Dennis with any expenses he may incur due to his injuries. This effort raised almost $900.00. In addition to those funds all the drivers in the pits donated 100% of their winnings to help Dennis and Meridian Speedway/Ken Hamilton Presentations donated $1.00 from every Adult paid admission.
Dennis the Management, Staff, Drivers, Crews and Fans at Meridian Speedway wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you behind the wheel of your #1 Dodge soon.
