April 6, 2013)- For the past four and a half decades Bob Thoman has been a threat to win at any track where he straps into a sprint car. On Saturday at Midway Speedway, Thoman picked up another win in a very historic career by wiring the field with Wingless Auto Racing presented by Impact Signs.
Thoman shot into the lead at the start as he was followed by fellow front row starter Jeff Wingate and Josh Stephens.
Lap four would prove disastrous for a handful of drivers. First, Warren Tarr hit the turn two tire wall, bringing out the yellow, and ending his evening. On the restart, the red flag would wave for a spin that involved Aaron Kuhn and Kevin Whitworth. Dustin Arnall and Brad Ryun would also be involved as they were left with nowhere to go. Chris Desselle got up and over a wheel and did a series of flips. Cody Crabtree also slid to a stop to avoid the melee. As Will Register and PJ Grimes tried to slide to a stop at the top of the speedway to avoid the incident, Grimes tangled with Register and both did a couple of rolls in turn one. Ryun, Whitworth, and Crabtree would be the only drivers able to continue.
Thoman again showed the way on the restart as Wingate and Stephens stayed within striking distance.
With ten laps in the books, Stephens did a 360 in turn two bringing out the caution and costing him third place.
Once restarted, the action would stay green for only one more lap. Austin Alumbaugh brought out the caution when he did a wheelstand into the frontstretch wall coming off of turn four. Alumbaugh ‘s badly damaged machine bounced off the wall and into the path of Ryun, who slammed heavily into him. The incident would end the night for both Higginsville, MO drivers.
This would be the final caution of the night as Wingate continued to pursue Thoman. On lap sixteen, Thoman got sideways in turn two giving Wingate his best shot to pass. Thoman was able to straighten his car out and get a run down the backstretch to continue in the lead. Wingate got sideways and into the infield for a brief time down the backstretch. This allowed Mitchell Moore to move by Wingate into second, but over the last few laps, Moore would not be able to catch the Maxim/Chevy of Thoman. Moore would settle for second in this Kelly Potter owned Eagle with Denny Moore power. Wingate ran a strong third in his Quaker Windows and Doors RMS-powered Maxim. Eric Todd was fourth in the Todd Racing Maxim with Joe Todd power. Whitworth came back from the tail to finish fifth in his Jack Hockett RMS-powered Maxim.
The Schure-Built Suspensions heat races were won by Moore and Stephens while Ryun was the Keizer Wheels fast time award winner.
The WAR sprints will next be in action at the LA Raceway in La Monte, MO next Saturday April 13th.
Please go to warsprints.com for any information about the series.
Wingless Auto Racing presented by Impact Signs
Midway Speedway-Lebanon, MO
April 6, 2013
A Main-20 laps
- 27 Bob Thoman, Higginsville, MO 2. 51 Mitchell Moore, Edgerton, KS (8) 3. Jeff Wingate, Centertown, MO (2) 4. 21 Eric Todd, Falcon, MO 5. 77 Kevin Whitworth, Pacific, MO 6. 12 John Helm, Kearney, MO 7. 70 Peter Palazzalo, Pacific, MO 8. 09 Josh Stephens, Buckner, MO 9. 19S Steven Cross, Clinton, MO 10. 92J JR Topper, St. Joseph, MO 11. 29C Cody Crabtree, Marshfield, MO 12. 81A Austin Alumbaugh, Higginsville, MO 13. 1 Brad Ryun, Higginsville, MO 14. 1K Aaron Kuhn, Independence, MO 15. 2A Dustin Arnall, Hartville, MO 16. 21C Chris Desselle, Richmond, MO 17. 10 Will Register, Sedalia, MO 18. 65ss Will Tarr, Osage Beach, MO 19. 00 PJ Grimes, Otterville, MO 20. 14 Taylor Walton, Warrensburg, MO