5/3/2015
Winston Speedway
Tom Sprague Jr. Wins the 9th Annual Allstar Performance 50
Montague, Michigan (Friday, May 1st, 2015): Last Friday night at the fast 3/8ths (0.375) mile dirt oval of the Winston Speedway in Montague, Michigan hosted the talented cars and stars of the Sunoco American Late Model Series (A.L.M.S.) for the running of the 9th annual Allstar Performance 50 paying $2000 to win. Muskegon, Michigan native Tom Sprague Jr. took home the checkered flag in the thrilling feature event. The Michigan Dirt Modified feature was won by Steve McClees who picked up his second win of the season making it back to back victories.
Hannah Zwart won the Young Guns feature after a last lap pass for the lead to earn her first ever victory.Then, part way through the evening, a sudden rain storm past over the speedway causing the remaining feature events to be postponed to this past Friday night May 1st. Make up features for the UMP Modifieds and Bombers were held along with the already scheduled 7 in 1 Program featuring UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Michigan Dirt Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns.
The first of the April 24th make-up features belonged to the Bombers division. When the dust finally settled it would be Mike Vandermark Jr. picking up the win. Dan Wilson Jr. took the second place finish. Spike Grega, Mike Epplett, and Robb Sternberg rounded out the top five.
The UMP DIRTcar Modifieds make up feature was out next for a 25-lap affair. Gladwin, Michigan native and defending UMP DIRTcar Michigan state and track champion David Mielke was the first to the checkered flag. He finished just ahead of Travis Stemler who took second. Collin Thirlby, Mark Anderson, and Andy Sprague made up the top five.
Kicking off the May 1st program, Ronnie VanNatter won the Young Guns feature picking up his first career win in his first season behind the wheel of a racecar. Gabe Flores finished in the runner up spot. Chelsey Allen, Madison Crane, and Hannah Zwart capped off the top five. VanNatter also won the heat race.
The 15-lap Michigan Dirt Modified Feature was won by Muskegon, Michigan native Josh Grabe. Steve McClees finished just behind in second. Brett Strunk, Joe Wabsis, and Travis Stemler finished out the top five. The lone heat race was also won by Grabe.
The Street Stocks squared off in the $400 to win special presented by Mr. B’s Pancake House. the checkered flag would fall to Derek Poland after holding off Robbie Sternberg who finished second. Josh Sternberg, Chuck Smith, and Steve Oudsema completed the top five. the preliminary heat races were won by Paul Namey and Poland.
The Bombers A-Main would see Mike Epplett make the visit to Allstar Performance victory lane. Robb Sternberg was forced to settle for second. Defending track champion Dan Wilson Jr., Spike Grega, and Evan Shotko were the rest of the top five Mike Vandermark Jr., and Sternberg won the heats.
The 25-lap UMP DIRTcar Late Models hit the racing surface for their main event of the night. defending track champion Rich Neiser would take home the checkered flag. Tom Sprague Jr. was the runner up. Brandon Thirlby, Eric Spangler, and Kyle Borgman rounded out the top five. Spangler and Neiser won the heats.
After capturing the make up feature earlier in the evening, David Mielke would find his way yet again to the winner’s circle when he conquered yet again another 25-lap main event. Jason Hoogerhyde would finish second. Andy Sprague, Steve McClees, and Aaron Morey completed the top five. The heat races were won by Sprague and Mielke.
Finally, the Four-Cylinder Warriors hit the track for their A-Main. When all was said and done, Chris Gagnon walked away the big winner. Buck Spencer finished second. Brian Hammond, Defending track champion Gary Larabee, and Mindi Holy made up the top five. Spencer and Gagnon also picked up the heat wins.
This Friday the Winston Speedway will play host to the ever exciting Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Modified Tour presented by Lane Automotive for their 2015 season opener. the traveling series will bring some of the best drivers in the state of Michigan to the Winston Speedway to be part of their stacked 7 in 1 show. The UMP Late Models, Michigan Dirt Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, Four-Cylinder Warriors, and Young Guns will be on hand as well.
Winston Speedway is located at 7834 South 72nd Avenue in Montague, Michigan. For more information, please call: 1 (231) 737-9223 or go to the website located at: www.racewinston.com You can also follow everything that is happening on and off the track by becoming a fan on the tracks Facebook Fan Page and following along on Twitter as well. Just go to: www.facebook.com/WinstonSpeedway and www.twitter.com/WinstonSpeedway and click on “Like" and “Follow” buttons today.
Article Credit: Brian Osborne
Submitted By: Anthony Boyd