DeGRAFF – In a night that the racing was top notch, six classes of cars took to the asphalt racing surface at Shady Bowl Speedway on Saturday. The track honored long-time car builder and owner Bill “Pappy” Lewis of Dayton.
A full field of 21 modifieds took the green flag for the 50-lap “Bill Lewis 50.” Ross Klingelhofer took the lead at the drop of the green. Fast qualifier Shane Shirk was eliminated in a crash on lap 24, knocking him out of the race.
On the restart, Klingelhofer again jumped out front. It looked like he had his first win of season. But on lap 49, Greg Stapleton worked his way right to the back bumper of Klingelhofer. On the final lap, the pair split a lapped car as the checkered flew. The electronic scoring showed Stapleton winning by less than a foot. The win was the third of the season for the Troy native is his open wheeler sponsored by Springhill Auto Wrecking. Mike Carroll, Brad Yelton and Jerry Stapleton rounded out the top five. Klingelhofer won the dash, with Rob Yelton and Don Skaggs taking heat checkereds. Rob Yelton and Herb Newman finished in a tie for the DeGraff Service Hard Charger Award.
Don Mahaffey, Jr. continued his march to winning the late model championship as he passed early leader Brandon Bayse on lap 22. Mahaffey put his Quick Parts backed machine across the finish line first for the fifth time this season. John Stroble, Matthew Parsons and fast qualifier Buddy Townsend took the top five spots. The Amsoil Had Charger Award was won by Mahaffey. Mahaffey also was the winner of the dash, with Stroble winning the heat race.
The 25-lap street stock feature was up next, with 16 cars taking the green flag. Former track champion Rodney Roush led the pack into turn one. Roush stayed out front holding off the charges of Josh Sage and Rob Schaeff. A crash eliminated Sage as it took several laps to get the car back out. Coming to the checkered, Roush and Schaeff found a lapped car as they came in. In another tight finish, Schaeff edged out Roush. The win was the second of the season for Schaeff in his Roger Winget sponsored Chevy. Jim Lewis, Chad Small II and Rick Lewis took spots third through fifth. Rick Lewis picked up the Ohlinger Automotive Hard Charger Award. Rodney Roush took the dash victory, with Mike Snapp and Rick Lewis winning heat races.
The 20-lap compact feature saw Medway’s Josh Foltz dominate the race to take his ninth feaure of the season. Foltz’s Neon is backed by Detroit Tire. Cody Wynn claimed second spot with Mike Wintrow third, Jimmy McElresh fourth and Dusty Harding fifth. Wintrow took the dash, with the heat checker going to Wynn. The Quick Parts Hard Charger Award went to Wintrow and McElfresh.
In super compact racing, Bo Hoelsher of Riverside, continued his dream season as he powered his T J Stables Honda to his third feature win of the season. Gary Eaton Jr., Austin Eaton, Justin Pope and Brooks Horseman claimed second through fifth. Gary Eaton won the dash, with Austin Eaton winning the heat.
Buck Purtee filled in for brother Jason in the pure stocks and dominated the class. Purtee of DeGraff set fast time and won the 10 lap feature in the L&B Auto Service Ford. John Eastman, Ryan Tamburro and Zach Doolin finished second through fourth.
It was also “Kids Night,” with big wheel races and a penny scramble. The Shady Bowl Speedway staff would like to thank all who donated to make for a great night for the younger fans.
The postponed Neal Sceva Memorial will be held this Saturday for the late models. The Vintage American Race Cars will also be on hand. The group brings old oval track racers to put on display and run a heat race. The late models, modifieds, street stocks, pure stocks, compacts and spectator drags. Racing will start at 7 p.m.
