Father-Son Duo Wins Back-To-Back at MCS

Hughes picks up second straight Nonwing crown
Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Photos By: Fred Patton (www.fredericsphoto.com)

 PERU, IN.- On a day that marked the end of a magical month of May at the famed Yard of Bricks, Miami County Speedway had some magic of their own. Delphi, IN. family duo of Matt Johnson and his father Rob (Upper Middle) became the first father-son team, in recent memory to win back-to-back features in the same night at Miami County Speedway on Sunday night. "The Johnsons were the first father-son duo that I can remember to win back-to-back features here," MCS Track Owner Norm Bailey recalled.

After persistent rain showers closed out Saturday's racing action, Miami County Speedway weathered the afternoon rain, as they hosted the 2011 Denny Miller Memorial on Sunday night. The action kicked off with  Nonwing B-Main. Peru, IN. racer Braiden Black took the twelve lapper, to advance to Sunday's Nonwing A-Main. Kylee Brown, Travis Ray and Joe Taylor rounded out the top four transfers into Sunday's 25 lap Nonwing showdown.

The first of the five features came in the Junior Class. Kokomo, IN. native Kayaleb Bolton (Pictured Left) held off a hard-charging Jared Van Ness to take the Junior Class finale win. "It feels awesome to get my first feature win of 2011," Bolton said. "I'd like to thank my Dad, and my sponsors: Mouser Automative, Al Parigen Engines, Kline Chassises, and my Uncle Jimmy for all their support this season," Bolton added.

Garrett Jameson finished in third, behind Bolton and Van Ness. Seth Ireland and Jacob Bigger rounded out the top five finishers in Sunday's Junior A-Main.

Former USAC racer and Camden, IN. native Ron Dennis (Pictured Right) returned to victory lane, winning the 25 lap Wing Class A-Main on Sunday night. "It feels really cool to finally win again. It's about time we won. I haven't won a mini sprint feature since 2004. I'd like to thank the Merrell Brothers, my friends, family, and crew for all their support this season," Dennis explained.

Chase Mead scored a solid second place finish, while former USAC Mopar Midget Champion Bryan Stanfill recorded his first top three finish at Miami County Speedway. Ben Taylor and Kris Knox finished fourth and fifth respectfully.

The magical night for the entire Johnson family began with Sunday's Restrictor Class A-Main. Delphi, IN. racer Matt Johnson (Pictured Left)  raced Gary Miller's #19 Restrictor to his second consecutive feature win. Warsaw, IN.'s Jason Ormsby finished second, while Flora, IN. racer Cole Angle finished third. Fourth and fifth belonged to Dalton Walker and Braiden Black.

Matt's father Rob Johnson (Pictured Right) won the Senior feature from the pole position. Flora, IN. native Cory Angle finished second, while third went to Brookston, IN.'s Bob Harrington. Indianapolis, IN. native Jay Tutino finished fourth, while Bill Dubios rounded out the top five in Sunday's Senior Class A-Main.

"It's pretty awesome to be the first father-son duo to win back-to-back features here at Miami County Speedway. I'd like to thank Gary Miller for letting me drive his restrictor to another feature win," Matt explained. Matt's father Rob echoed the excitement. "It's really special to be the first father-son duo to win out here. It's also special to be able to get two P&D chassises in victory lane. I'd like to thank my wife for the food. I'd also like to thank Gary Miller for building this Senior Class rocket ship. I want to thank everyone at Miami County Speedway and you for coming out here and covering this," Rob explained.

Car owner/builder Gary Miller capped off the special night, by saying, "I think Matt and Rob did a great job tonight in winning back-to-back features. They made my chassis look good." 

Peru, IN. racer KC Hughes (Pictured Left) ended the magical night of racing, by winning his second consecutive feature in the Nonwing Class. "I thought this would never happen," an excited Hughes said, as he jumped out of his GRP Chassis Nonwing. "It's pretty cool to win two straight. I want to thank my Dad, my Wife, George and Tammi Gamester and everyone at GRP Chassis. I also want to thank all the MCS track officials and crews for all their hard work on the track prep," Hughes explained.

Another Peru native Brandon Rose raced his way to a strong second place finish. Third went to Mentone, IN. native Sam Kimmel. North Manchester's Jordan Lambert and Warsaw's Stuart Hanft rounded out the top five finishers in Sunday's 25 lap Nonwing finale.

It's these magical nights that make the micro sprint racing at Miami County Speedway so fun to cover. I want to thank everyone at Miami County Speedway for letting me come out each weekend and cover some awesome micro sprint racing action. This thank would include Track Owners Norm and Julie Bailey, Dwyane McIntire and Connie Edmisson. I'd also like to thank all the MCS track personnel, scorers, announcers, and the drivers for letting to come out each weekend. I can't wait for next Saturday's races.

More micro sprint racing action returns to Miami County Speedway next Saturday, June 4th, as MCS hosts their exciting five class regular micro sprint program. Hot laps start at 5:30 PM, with live heat races to follow. Come take part of more action packed micro sprint racing at Miami County Speedway next Saturday night. See you at the races!

Memorable Night for MCS

Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Photos By: Fred Patton (www.fredericsphoto.com)

PERU, IN.- A lengthy rain delay set up for a fast track, as Miami County Speedway hosted their 5th Annual Salute To The Troops race. Ninety-four micro sprints came from all over, to take part in a very special night of racing, as we honored those brave men and women who fought or continue to fight for the freedoms we have today.

Nearly half of the drivers in the program, raced in honor and/or memory of a member of our Armed Forces. These drivers were given an American flag to put on their micro sprints.

The five class program kicked off with the twenty lap Junior Class A-Main. Kokomo, IN. native Jared Van Ness (Pictured Left) put together another solid race to pick up his third consecutive Junior Class feature. After the race, an excited Van Ness said, "It's pretty cool to win my third straight race, especially at a race this big. I would like to thank my Papa for his continued support."

Denver, IN. racer Seth Ireland came home with a hard fought second place finish, while third belonged to Garrett Jameson. Noah Brooks and Conner Lane rounded out the top five features in Saturday's Junior Class A-Main.

Next up was the Nonwing Class. They had a twelve lap B-Main  Josh Daughtery won the twelve lapper. The other four  transfer spots went to Steve Cloum, Ben Taylor, Craig Swartz, and Jordan Sterling.

Peru, IN. racer KC Hughes (Pictured Right) won the twenty-five lap Nonwing A-Main from the pole. After the big win, Hughes said, "It was pretty cool to win on a special night like this. My Uncle was here. He was a service man. I would like to thank my Dad, George and Tammy Gamester, and everyone at GRP Chassis for their support."

Warsaw, IN. native Stuart Hanft raced his way to second, while another Warsaw, IN. racer Kylee Brown took the checkers in third. Fourth went to Delphi's Matt Johnson, while Jorgan Montel raced his way through the pack to take fifth.

After a top three finish in the Non Wing A-Main, Johnson (Pictured Left) raced Wayne Miller's black #19W to victory in the Restrictor Class Feature. "It was awesome to get a big win like this. It felt great to double up. We won the Non Wing feature in last year's Salute To The Troops race. I would like to thank Gary and Wayne Miller, as well as Miller Dyno and Injection. I would also like to thank my Dad, and Skyline Designs for all their support this season."

Indianapolis, IN. racer Callie Wolsiffer finished right behind Johnson in second. Third went to Jared Elberly. Cole Angle and Deavan Bolton rounded out the top five in Saturday's twenty-five lap Restrictor A-Main.

Logansport, IN. racer Dennis Corcoran (Pictured Right) won both his heat race and the feature in the Senior Class on Saturday night. "It feels pretty good to get another win. My half brother is in the military, so it was special. I want to thank my Dad for all his hard work on this car."

Delphi, IN. native Rob Johnson raced his way to a strong second place finish. Third went to Dennis Veach, who raced a micro sprint that was sponsored by the US Army. Cory Angle came home with fourth, while Wesley Bigger rounded out the top five in Saturday's Senior A-Main.

The five features concluded with the Wing Class A-Main. Columbia City, IN. racer Blane Culp (Pictured Left) returned to victory lane, winning the Wing Crown on Saturday night. "It's been awhile since we won at MCS. The last time we won at MCS was in 2009. I want to thank the track personnel for all their hard work on the track, and for getting the race in tonight. I want to thank my Dad and Joe Leek for all the help with the car tonight."

Kris Knox turned in another solid race to finish second. Kendallville, IN. native Ben Taylor came home third, while fourth went to Indianapolis, IN. native Zac Taylor. Former USAC Mopar Midget Champion Bryan Stanfill put together a solid run, to collect his first top five finish at Miami County Speedway.

Miami County Speedway is set to host another special two night event next Saturday and Sunday. The two night racing event kicks off with the Denny Miller Memorial next Saturday, May 28th. Racers in the Wing, Non Wing, Restrictor and Senior Classes will be racing for an additional $50.00 added to the purse. The Junior Class racers will be racing for an additional $25.00 on Saturday night.

Sunday night will feature another exciting night of micro sprint racing action, as MCS hosts their exciting five class feature regular program. A 2-Day Pit pass will be available for $40.00 at the track office. Hot laps start at 5:30 PM with live heat racing action to follow. If you would like more information on upcoming events, please log on to Miami County Speedway's official website (www.miamicountyspeedway.com). See ya next weekend!

Downpours Cancel MCS Saturday May 7th

Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Logo By: http://www.pacechassis.com/Contactlinks.html

PERU, IN.- Persistent downpours forced Miami County Speedway to cancel their first points race of the season for this Saturday, May 7th. MCS will return to action next Saturday, May 14th. Pits open at 2:30 PM, with hot laps starting at 5:30 with live heat racing starting at 6:30 PM. For more information, check out Miami County Speedway's official website (http://miamicountyspeedway.com/).

Fast Night at MCS

Elrod, Van Ness win second straight feature
Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Photos By: Fred Patton (http://www.fredericsphoto.com/)

PERU, IN.- A cool, windy day set up for another action-packed Saturday night at Miami County Speedway. MCS added another sponsor in Advance Auto Parts of Indianapolis.

Former USAC Pavement star Bryan Stanfill (#14 Pictured Left) made his MCS debut on night. Stanfill raced in both the Wing and Non Wing classes. Stanfill's teammate, former Open Wheel racer Jimmy Kite was on hand to check out MCS on Saturday. Kite is set to make his MCS debut in the coming weeks. Davey Hamilton Jr., son of Open Wheel racer Davey Hamilton. Hamilton Jr. (#60 Pictured Right) has been racing in MCS's Wing Class the past two Saturdays. Hamilton is getting better and better by the week.

Saturday night's five features began with the 20 lap feature in the Junior Class. Kokomo, IN. racer Jared Van Ness (Red, Pictured Left) won his second straight Junior Class feature from the pole. After another impressive feature win, Van Ness said, "It felt great to win again. We gave it all we had tonight. We are going for the gusto. I would like to thank my Papa for his support."

Kokomo, IN. native Kayaleb Bolton took second place honors, while third went to Denver, IN.'s Seth Ireland. Noah Brooks raced his way to fourth, while Jacob Bigger rounded out to the top five in Saturday's Junior Class finale.

Next up was the Wing Class feature. The Wing Class took control of the Front Row Challenge, worth $40.00. Both the Polesitter Sara Elrod and second place starter Zach Shepler turned down the Challenge. Now the Challenge will shift back to the Non Wing Class next Saturday night. The money pot will be worth $50.00 for next weekend.

 Elrod (#23 Pictured Right) scored her second consecutive feature victory in the 25 lap Wing Class final from the pole . About her exciting win Elrod said, "My car felt great. It was fast like last weekend. I would like to thank my parents, Easy Klean, TJ Racing Oils, Mike and Billy for their support this season."

Columbia City, IN. native Blaine Culp finished the night in second place. Sharpsville, IN. racer Bob Bourff raced his way to a strong third place showing in Saturday's Wing Class feature.

Warsaw, IN. racer Jason Ormsby (#51 Pictured Left) took the checkered flag on Saturday's Restrictor Class finale. "The car ran great tonight. It really feels good to get a win this early in the season. I would like to thank Miami County Speedway and my family," Ormsby said.

Kokomo, IN.'s Deavan Bolton raced his way to second, while last weekend's Restrictor Class feature winner Zane Devault put together another solid 25 laps to finish third. Dalton Walker and Cole Angle finished off the top five in Saturday's Restrictor Class finale.

Kokomo, IN. racer Ryan Kline (#91 Pictured Right) edged out Peru, IN. native Russ Gamester at the checkered flag, to win a very exciting Senior Class feature. About the close victory Kline said, "We came to race, and it feels great to get a win. We got it done tonight. I would like to thank all my sponsors: Moser Automotive Service, Blackhawk Millwright and Rigging, Fastrax Motorsports, Parigan Engines, as well as all my friends and family for their continued support this year."

Dennis Cororcan took the checkers in third, while Clarance Hoch and Bob Harrington raced their way to fourth and fifth respectively.

The fifth and final feature came in the Non Wing feature. Warsaw, IN. native Stuart Hanft (#69H Pictured Left) took the lead early on, and never looked back winning the 25 lap Non Wing finale. "It felt great to win tonight. My car handled real nice tonight. I want to thank all my sponsors: Ty Shepler, Ron Stealy at Concept Chassis, Powerstrip, Earl's Performance Plumbing, VRP Shocks, my Dad and Randy for all their support this season."

Peru, IN. racer KC Hughes put together a great run, finishing second. Third belonged to Logansport, IN. native Jake Moore. North Manchester, IN's Jordan Lambert raced his way through the field to finish fourth. Farmland, IN. native Zeke Lewis rounded out the top five finishers in Saturday's Non Wing Finale.

Miami County Speedway returns to action, next Saturday, May 7th. Hot Laps start at 6:30 with heat races to follow. I'll see you there!