Farmington, MO (April 2) – The winter has passed and the smells of spring are in the air. Race season 2011 has arrived at St Francois County Raceway. Opening Night has its issues and the yellow silk appeared quite often. However, the action for the night was hot as mid-July in all Divisions.
Defending Sprint Division Champion, Jimmy Hurley of Springfield, IL looked as if he had been racing all winter. Starting on the pole position by virtue of his winning the dash, Hurley set forth on his quest for victory. Out gunning Joey Montgomery into turn one Hurley was on his way for the win. By winning his heat he made it a clean sweep for opening night and the Hat Trick. Only three cars were on the lead lap when the checkered flag fell. Hurley, Montgomery, and mark Shirshekan were those three. Completing the top five are John Epperson with a fourth place run and Ryan Kempin in fifth.
Initial start found a couple of competitors getting together and rolling their mounts. Curtis Boyer and Rod Crabdree found each other in the same piece of real estate, contact ensued and both rolled and ended up on their sides. Both cars were damaged and unable to continue. The drivers were moving around on their own as well. Heat winners included Hurley, Shirshekan and Jimmy Bridgeman. John Epperson won the B-Main.
In fine fashion, the Modified Division found familiar dancing partners at the front. Billy Smith and Brent Thompson used various lines to perfection. Billy made his choice to run on the bottom of the track in his attempt for the win. Brent did the opposite and went to the top. Time after time, lap after lap these two would come inches apart. Thompson prevailed for the win. Smith settled for a runner up finish. Third place goes to Dash Winner, Darrell Moser. He was followed to the stripe by Erik Edgar and Kent Nations to complete top 5 honors. Kasey and Kent Nations were heat winners and the Dash belonged to Darrell Moser.
With 2010 Champion Chris Boyd moving to the B-Mod Division a new quest will begin for the Championship. Dusty Homan showed the way to the finish over a strong field of cars for his first win of 2011. However, Homan had issues getting to the front. He had to contend with 2009 Champion Brina Blair, Veteran Driver Paul Belken, a streaking Jimmy Farris and a new hot ride for Robbie Wells, plus Kennedy. Kennedy would lead at the outset for the first 4 laps of the event. A couple of caution periods later Homan found his lead and stayed there until the final checkered fell. Homan was chased to the finish by Jimmy Farris, Paul Belken, Jason Neel and Brian Blair. Farris fell short in his bid for a sixth win in a row. He finished the 2010 season with the final five. Heat winners were Kennedy and Wells.
The ever growing B-Mod Class saw some real fast race cars, but the crafty veteran Kenny Harris made two opening night victories in the Division. He also won last years season opener. Harris had to bide his time for this win. Eddie Gross and Chris Boyd got out in front early and were chased by Kyle Stolzer, John Bohn and Bryan Richards. Richard had his problems very early on as he and John Bohn were racing toward turn one. Richards jumped off the right rear of Bohn, got airborne and settled down before making contact with wall. Bohn would continue on only to have his problems later and be out for the remainder of the event. While racing for the lead gross and Boyd made heavy contact. Gross ended up in the wall and Boyd was charged with the caution and being sent to the rear. Kyle Stolzer inherited the lead at this point. Harris put the heat on and made the pass for the lead and the win. Stolzer settled for runner up honors. They were followed home by Randy Forster, B-Main Winner Chuck Huff and Chris Schuerman. Heats were won by Gross, Stolzer and Boyd.
Racing will continue next Saturday night. Admission for the grandstands will be $10.00 for adults. Children under the age of 12 and with a paying adult are free. Pit Passes are $25.00 Gates open at 4:00. Hot Laps around 6:00 and racing to follow. Our regular classes are 410 Winged Sprints, both A and B Modifieds and Pure Streets. Rules are available online by going to the track website, www. SFCR-online.com
SUMMARY;
SPRINT DIVISION
1st Heat: 1. Jimmy Bridgeman 2. Rod Crabdree 3. Curtis Boyer 4. Brian Keen
2nd Heat: 1 Mark Shirshekan 2. Kasey Burch 3. Ryan Kempin 4. Brad Greer
3rd Heat: 1. Jimmy Hurley 2. Joey Montgomery 3. Joey Boyd 4. Jeff Wurst
Dash: 1. Jimmy Hurley 2. Kasey Burch 3. Mark Shirshekan 4. Joey Montgomery
B-Main: 1. John Epperson 2. Randy Stilley 3. Brad Yoder 4. Gavin Galbraith
A-Main: 1. Jimmy Hurley 2. Joey Montgomery 3. Mark Shirshekan 4. John Epperson 5. Ryan Kempin 6. Brad Yoder 7. Jeff Wurst 8. Gavin Galbraith 9. Kenny Hambrick 10. Randy Stilley
A-MODIFIED DIVISION
1st Heat: 1. Kasey Nations 2. Danny Resinger 3. Brent Thompson 4. Erik Edgar
2nd Heat: 1. Kent Nations 2. Billy Smith 3. Darrell Moser 4. “Rooster” Griffin
Dash: 1. Darrell Moser 2. Brent Thompson 3. Kasey Nations 4. Billy Smith
A-Main: 1. Brent Thompson 2. Billy Smith 3. Darrell Moser 4. Erik Edgar 5. Kent Nations 6. Jeff Asher 7. Adam Parmeley 8. Kasey Nations 9. “Rooster” Griffin 10. Darrell Moser
PURE STREET DIVISION
1st Heat: 1. Kenny Kennedy 2. Paul Belken 3. Brian Blair 4. Garrett Mathes
2nd Heat: 1. Robbie Wells 2. Jimmy Farris 3. Dusty Homan 4. Robbie Williams
A-Main: 1. Dusty Homan 2. Jimmy Farris 3. Paul Belken 4. Jason Neel 5. Brian Blair 6. Eric Sarakas 7. Kenny kennedy 8. Kodi Savage 9. Travis Goodman 10. Garrett Mathes
B-MODIFIED DIVISION
1st Heat: 1. Eddie Gross 2. John Bohn 3. Randy Forster 4. Jim Hartzell
2nd Heat: 1. Kyle Stolzer 2. Kenny Harris 3. Mike Savage 4. Josh Hauf
3rd heat: 1. Chris Boyd 2. Bryan Richards 3. Shane Blair 4. Chris Schuerman
B-Main: 1. Chuck Huff 2. Chad Heady 3. Josh Reed 4. Terry Kick
A-Main: 1. Kenny Harris 2. Kyle Stolzer 3. Randy Forster 4. Chuck Huff 5. Chris Schuerman 6. Shane Blair 7. Chris Boyd 8. Jeff Yates 9. Greg Swearingim 10. Mike Savage