IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 1, 2004 FSCR Owen, Conquest, Powell and Foley win Season Opener at Bronson Motor Speedway By Rick Warren Despite chilly weather, a good crowd of fans and racers was on for the opening night of Bronson Motor Speedway’s 2004 season. This opener also marked the first race as an ASA Member Track, and ASA Member Track Program Director Dennis Huth was in attendance to join in the celebration. After eating free hotdogs and chips from 6:00 until 7:00, the fans settled in for some hot racing action on the high banked oval, and were not disappointed. The action had actually started much earlier, in the warm-up sessions, with a lot of surprises. Daniel Johnson, in his brand new, good looking mini-stock, hit the wall coming off of turn 2, climbed the concrete wall, did a 180 degree turn, and hit the wall again with the drivers side of the car. Fortunately, Daniel was uninjured, a testament to good safety equipment, but his racer did not fare as well. Johnson was done for the evening. The warm-up sessions in some of the other divisions were almost as exciting, as many of these racers had a winters worth of not racing to get out of their systems. Several of the drivers got quite racy, and some of the warm-ups looked like qualifying races ! After the heat races were finished, and intermission had come and gone, it was time for the Feature Events. First out of the pit area to the starting grid were the Open Wheel Modifieds. This was the first race for the Modifieds with Workpartime.com as the class sponsor, and everyone is excited about this new opportunity. When the field took the green flag, it looked like a clean start to the race. However, as they say, looks can be deceiving. Most of the racers never got past the second turn, as cars got together, turned around, into the wall, thru the infield, and anywhere else that was open. The cars of John Godwin and John Kahl both went to the pit area with extensive damage. Several cars went to the pit for repairs and were able to return to restart the race. Kevyn Terry’s racer looked like a war survivor, with bumpers pointing in all directions, but still able to race. When the track cleanup was completed and the race restarted, last years points champion, Gene Owen, wasted no time putting his Crown Automotive/ Owen Farms racer out front. As Owen held a comfortable lead over Jimmy “Gator” Wagner, a furious battle was taking place for third place. Kyle Owen, Kevyn Terry and Larry Goolsby were putting on quite a show. Goolsby eventually got past Kyle Owen, with Owen holding off Terry to finish in fourth. The Sportsman class was next on the agenda, and they also put on a great race. Doug Anderson took the early lead, followed closely by Rob Cooper, Joe Rankin and Arthur Conquest. As Anderson and Cooper tried to separate themselves from the field, Conquest was putting some serious moves on Rankin, trying to take third spot. Cooper tried several time to make the pass on Anderson, without success, and Conquest after passing Rankin, was making up ground in a hurry, catching the leaders. With Conquest joining the battle for the lead, it really began to heat up at the front of the pack. Conquest was able to get by Cooper, and go to work on Anderson, with Cooper trying his best to retake second spot. Just as it looked like Anderson was going to weather the storm, and grab the win, his car broke loose in turn 3, with Anderson turning around. Conquest then held off Cooper’s challenges to take the win in the McCain Land Clearing/R&B Doors entry. Next, Bring on the FIGURE 8 CARS ! As usual, the fans loved the Figure 8 racers, as these guys really put on a show. Luck of the draw had last years points champion, Robbie Powell, starting on the front row. As Powell took the lead, it was non stop action on his bumper. Robert Aaron held second for a large part of the race, but a furious charge by Ronnie Schriefels from the rear of the field had everyone on their feet. Ronnie was coming to the front, and taking no prisoners, asking no favors, passing on the inside, on the outside, thru the cross, wherever he saw an opening. Schriefels managed to catch Powell, but the champ was strong enough to maintain his lead in the Retro Elevator entry. Third went to Ken Crews, with Aaron finishing fourth. The Mini-Stocks were in good form as well, with many new cars unveiled for the new season. Clint Foley had two cars on the track, and the mystery was which one he was driving. The 7x Foley car worked into the lead early, followed by Tom Jones, Morris Richardson and Billy Smith. The #7 Foley car from deep in the pack to take over second place, and start reeling in the leader. The # 7 managed to catch and pass the #7x, and take the win. In the winners circle, when the driver removed his helmet, the mystery was solved, it was the popular Clint Foley carrying home the win. The driver of the second Foley entry was revealed to be Clint’s Brother. Tom Jones ran a strong third, followed by Billy Smith. The Pure Stock division picked up where they left off last season, and had a rockem-sockem wild and exciting race. Michael Baker managed to survive some close calls, and take the first win of the 2004 Pure Stock season. Justin Reynolds ran a close second, followed by Jason Holbrook and Arnold HughesJr. Ken “Mr. Excitement” Sheffield held off a hard challenge from last years champion Kevin Hodge to take the V-8 Bomber feature win. Neal Durbin picked up the 4Cyl Bomber win, followed by Joey Durbin. Final Results-02-28-2004 Open Wheel Modified 1. #11 Gene Owen 2. #17 Jimmy Wagner 3. #18 Larry Goolsby 4. #1 Kyle Owen 5. #13 Kevyn Terry Sportsman 1. #78 Arthur Conquest 2. #98 Rob Cooper 3. #8 Joe Rankin 4. #30 Doug Anderson 5. #23 Edward Allen Figure 8 1. #25 Robbie Powell 2. #64 Ronnie Schreifels 3. #81 Ken Crews 4. #6 Robert Aaron 5. #21 J.R. Meyers Mini Stock 1. #7x Clint Foley 2. #7 ? Foley 3. #60 Tom Jones 4. #00 Billy Smith 5. #81 Morris Richardson Pure Stock 1. #02 Michael Baker 2. #20 Justin Reynolds 3. #17 Jason Holbrook 4. #55 Arnold Hughes Jr. 5. #95 Jeff Tillman V-8 Bomber 1. #25 Ken Sheffield 2. #37 Kevin Hodge 3. #79 Dave Dinehart 4. #85 Larry Welters Sr. 5. #34 Charlie Kennedy 4Cyl Bomber 1. #55 Neal Durbin 2. #38 Joey Durbin 3. #8 Michael Stalnaker 4. #78 Jeff Stalnaker Jr. 5. #23 John Hagans Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!