DeGRAFF – Shady Bowl Speedway kicked off what was supposed to be two days of racing at the rural oval on Saturday.
The Saturday night program went off without any issues, but the Sunday portion was rained out before hot laps were completed.
The Saturday night show was highlighted by an appearance by the ARCA Truck Series. The night started off with time trials and a track record for the class. East Palestine, Ohio, driver Brandon Huff set the new mark in his Pirate Marine Boat Trailers backed truck with a 13.945 lap. The time bested the previous record of 14.000 set by John Witham in 2000. Armani Williams led the first circuit in the Phoenix Management Group 100, before giving way to Brian Taylor. Taylor led until lap five, when he was passed by Billy Strehle. Strehle set a torrid pace as he led until lap 24. The lead then went to Shawn Szep of Marysville.
Szep has been the man to beat this season, as he posted two wins and a second-place finish in the previous three events to boost his point lead. Szep had the lead at the halfway point when a competition yellow halted the action. The trucks were sent to the pit area where crew chiefs could add fuel and make changes on the setups. The were not permitted to change tires, however. The field was reset with a six inversion for the final laps, putting Szep sixth on the starting grid. Chad Poorman was out front on the restart and was seeking his second win in a row after his win the week before at Angola Speedway in Indiana. Poorman held the lead until lap 57 when Szep powered his way past in his Technicom Electric Chevy. It was a one-man show after lap 57 as the Craig Herron prepared Hanger 18 Race Cars truck was the class of the field. Szep went on to post his third win of 2016. Poorman, Jeff Smith, Billy Strehle and Armani Williams finished second through fifth. The drive of the night however may have been the run of Williams. The 16-year-old ran as high as third in his Race 4 Autism sponsored truck before a late race spin cost him. Williams and Szep were heat winners.
The pure stocks were also on the schedule. Jay Lakins, Jr. of New Carlisle put his Moore Trucking sponsored stocker in victory lane. The win was the third of the season for the popular second generation driver. Jeff Binkley was second with Jason Purtee third.
Fast qualifier and dash winner Rob Bryant was disqualified after a post-race inspection.
In compact action, Josh Foltz of New Carlisle won his second main of the year. Dean Adams led the first three laps before giving way to Joel Nease. Nease led two laps before Foltz passed him in his Whiteline Design four cylinder. Aaron Chatfield was second, with Nease third, Nicholas Meade fourth and David Boyle fifth. Foltz won the dash, with Jacob Muncy taking the heat win. Larry Adams set quick time with a 16.830 lap.
Joe Hines held off Justin Nease to win the spectator drag eliminations.
This Saturday, the Central Ohio Late Model Alliance Series will make its second stop of the season. Jim Lewis, Jr. won the first-ever event on June 11. The modifieds, street stocks, pure stocks, compacts and tuners will be in action. The spectator drag races will also take to the oval. Racing will begin at 7 p.m.
10-u baseball
Tim’s Towing defeated Alise Photography, 9-8, to claim the 10-u baseball championship. Standouts for Tim’s were Alex Crabill and Sam Wilhelm. Standouts for Alise were Brayden Brown and Zavian Groom.
