Source: Meridian Speedway Media
Date: 04/29/2007

MERIDIAN, Idaho -- On the warmest day of the year Bryan Warf turned the heat up even higher, as he scored his second straight Meridian Speedway Late Model win and his third win in three weeks of racing. Warf’s well-prepared Monte Carlo was again the class of the field, and his smooth and precise driving saw him move up from his sixth row outside starting spot to take the lead on a lap 26 restart.

Dan Buckley would lead from the green through three yellow-flag periods and paced the 15-car field until a spin by T.C. Ellis on lap 26 brought out the caution that would set the course of the race. Often it’s said cautions bread cautions, and when the green flag waved the cars of Tyler Monroe, Sierra Jackson, Craig Doehling and Ellis collided in turn one. Doehling would be the only one able to return to action.

Once under green, Warf would complete the pass on Buckley to lead lap 27 till the checkered flag. Buckley drove an excellent race to finish second ahead of the Smoke Free Monte Carlo of Phil Dugan. Nick Gibson came home forth in front John Nesmith.

Non-Winged Sprint Car action saw a 12-car field in their second event of the season. Johnny Geisler would pick up where he left off last time, as he easily held off the #5 of Jim Todd who finish second to Geisler last time out. The feature event would be marred by a lap 6 crash involving the cars of Cory Lockwood and Wyatt King. Both drivers made heavy contact with the crash wall but, fortunately, neither was injured in the mishap. Rounding out the top five were Jeff Russell, Mick Williams and Cameron Sinsel.

Late Model Lite action saw Brandon McLean take the win. McLean had a tense moment when a lap 25 yellow was thrown for a crash involving Shaun Tubbs, Ken Chandler and Matt Wolfkiel eliminated McLean’s sizable lead on the field. Wolfkiel made a three-wide move that resulted in contact with Chandler, who then collided with Tubbs, sending the Honda-Powered Monte Carlo into the protective barriers. Chandler and Tubbs would retire from the race.

On the restart Rob Powers made a move to pass McLean, but he only enjoyed the lead for one lap as his Ford Taurus caught fire causing a hasty exit to the infield fire crew. With the race still green, McLean would hold off Joe Barton and Kale Freedman for the win. Pole setter Pat Young would place fourth, ahead of Jeff Bard, to round out the top five.

The Mini Stock Division had the highest car count of the night, with 18 cars starting the feature event. Casey Hart led the field early, only to see his opportunity for a win evaporate as did top runner, Jason Sanders, due to equipment malfunction. With the tough guys out of the race, Jason Lampman did what all good race drivers do, remaining smooth and consistent and scoring the win. Second went to Kirk Sanders, who charged up through the field after an early race altercation placed him dead last. Rounding out the top five were Duane Gerber, Ray Bolinger and Ernest Dodson.

The Legends car feature went to Jimmy Gross who held off a late race charge by Dennis Sonius, followed by distant third place finisher Eric Miller. Daren Turpen and Lloyd Bigler rounded out the top five.

Racing returns to Meridian Speedway next weekend, May 5th with the ISSRA Super Stocks, Grand Americans, Street Stocks, Thunder Stocks and Hornets.

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