Mother Nature Adds Twist to Mayhem

By Michelle Sprague

Mason, MI (September 9, 2011) - Sunny skies greeted the early arrivals for Fun Night, a Night of Mayhem, at the Spartan Speedway on its last night of the 2011 season. Mother Nature threw in a light shower or two during the early Fun Night features, then turned it up a notch or two during the School Bus Figure 8’s and Trailer Race. Fun Night events for Modifieds and Spartan Stocks were cancelled, as well as chain and push car races, as the rain came down in buckets.

Boss Snow Equipment Pony Stock 2011 A Champion, Todd Metz Jr. had a sideboard on his pony stock that nearly dwarfed the race car. It did have some merit though, as he set a blistering 15.38 pace in his second attempt at qualifying. He started shotgun on the field for the 20-lap feature, took the lead at lap seven and caught the tail of the field by the time the checkered flag waved. Rounding out the top five were Brian Beckner, Todd Metz Sr., Mike Westphal and Randy Kretzinger Jr. Abby Looman was back in a race car after a terrible crash that destroyed her primary car. Luckily, racer boyfriend, Darren Wright, loaned her his back up car and she was back in the Winner’s Circle for the second time this season. Looman worked the outside groove for much of the race, battling Jerry King and Chris Taylor. A rain shower brought out the checker only 11 laps into the 15-lap feature and Looman was declared the winner. King, Taylor,

Trina Wurmnest and Joshua Davis finished second through fifth, respectively.
Let the mayhem commence! Brian Beckner took the Flag Pole Race win for Pony Stocks over Bob Miller and Jerry King. Steve Utley, Mayhem specialist first class, took the Spartan Stock win, maneuvering the flag poles in wet conditions with great expertise.

Dane Long took the Skid Plate race which “sparked” a great surprise, as he was driving Brian Beckner’s Pony Stock. The ever-popular School Bus Figure 8’s hit the track, with Trevor Leasure being successfully “flipped” with the help of the Disturbed One, Dane Long. The bus was righted and back on all __? (How many wheels does a bus have anyway?) Not wanting to re-fire and stay running, Leasure was towed off the field, only to return late in the race. Meanwhile the rain picked up, and after 15 laps, Dane Long took another School Bus Figure 8 win. The Trailer racers were brought out on the track and it began to pour, but the show went on, until a red flag for a wreck at the intersection on the opening lap brought the evening to a close. As always, we’ll see you at the races in 2012.

For more information, check out the website at www.spartanspeedway.com.