IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 17, 2004 FSCR Durden on top of Bronson Modifieds By Rick Warren Bronson Motor Speedway got a jump on the Memorial Day Holiday, with the second annual Armed Forces Appreciation Night. All active and retired Military personnel received free admission to the evenings events, and the local AmVets Color Guard presented the Nations Flag during the National Anthem. The Color Guard also did their rendition of Lee Greenwoods patriotic song Proud to be an American. The Modifieds were first up on the track after intermission for their feature race. When the green flag waved to start the race, Durden went to the front in a hurry. By lap 4, Durden was out front and opening a sizeable lead. The race for second was a wild affair, on lap 5 Buddy Hughes and Chip Owen made contact exiting turn 4, and spun down the front straight, involving several cars. All the cars involved were able to continue, with Owen retaining his spot in the field, and Hughes restarting from the rear. Larry Goolsby also restarted from the rear after going to the pit area for minor repairs to his racer. As the race resumed, Gene Owen, last weeks winner, worked his way toward the front and began putting pressure on Chip Owen for second position. The elder Owen finally worked his around the younger Owen, and began to try to reel in the leader. A caution with 4 laps to go bunched up the field, and on the restart Owen made a big run at Durden to try to take the lead. Durden was able to fend off the charge of Owen and run to the win. Gene Owen was a close second, Followed by Chip Owen, John Kahl and Larry Goolsby. The Sportsman Feature saw Robbie Cooper show lots of patience as he waited for an opportunity to take the lead. When opportunity knocked, Cooper opened the door and drove thru, and went on to a comfortable win, followed by Dwight Pinner, Scott Wilkerson and Eddie Sapp. The Pure Stock Feature was a wild and wooly affair, with action from start to finish. At the start of the race Mike Baker took the early lead, with A.J. Northup ,Jeff Tillman and Arnold Hughes in hot pursuit. On lap 6,Baker slowed and went to the pit area with problems on the right front of his racer. Northup inherited the lead, and Hughes managed to work his way around Tillman and went to work on Northup, trying to get the lead. As Northup and Hughes were racing for all they were worth, John Mamph and Joey Hunt had closed the gap and joined the battle for the lead. As the race neared the finish, Hughes made one more run at Northup for the lead. As the two cars came off turn 2, they tangled with Hughes car jammed in the side of Northup. Before the smoke cleared, Joey Hunt dodged the wreck and took the lead. Northup and Hughes managed to become untangled, and Northup followed Hunt to the finish line. Tillman held on for third followed by Mamph. Mini-Stock action saw Clint Foley jump to the lead, only to be side lined with motor problems on lap 11. This left the race wide open again, with Billy Smith, Jay McKenzie and Ronnie Hicks in the hunt. Ronnie Hicks drove a very good race to bring home the win, with Smith close behind, and McKenzie grabbing third. V8 Bombers had lots of attrition, and several cautions. When the checkered flag fell, Randy ONeal had claimed the win over Kevin Hodge by less than a foot. Third went to Michael Reilly. FINAL RESULTS 05-15-2004 OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED 1. #56 Kevin Durden 2. #11 Gene Owen 3. # 2 Chip Owen 4. #23 John Kahl 5. #16 Larry Goolsby SPORTSMAN 1. #98 Robbie Cooper 2. #40 Dwight Pinner 3. #12 Scott Wilkerson 4. #13 Eddie Sapp 5. # 4 Kevin Durden PURE STOCK 1. # 5 Joey Hunt 2. #25 A.J. Northup 3. #95 Jeff Tillman 4. #65 John Mamph 5. #55 Arnold Hughes MINI STOCK 1. # 8 Ronnie Hicks 2. #00 Billy Smith 3. # 5 Jay McKenzie 4. #93x Josh Robertson 5. #93 Andrew Robertson V8 BOMBER 1. #22 Randy O’Neal 2. #37 Kevin Hodge 3. #26 Michael Reilly 4. # 9 Reed Gard 5. #48 Gerold Bryant Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!