8/4/2024
Birch Run Speedway
Miller Jr. gets fifth of season; Hayden and Murdock go back-to-back on MARFC and autograph night
A features-only format was utilized on Friday night to let fans get up close and personal with their favorite drivers for the first of two autograph nights at Birch Run Speedway. Fast-time awards went to:
Nelson Hydraulics American Trucks - Cam DeLong 17.233
Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks - Jim Miller Jr. 17.144
Wheeler Trucking Modifieds - 15.987
Mr. Asphalt/Bridge Lake Auto&Truck Parts Sportsmen - 16.459
Front Wheel Drives - Nicholas Murdock 16.233
Before the start of the autograph session, the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (www.marfc.org) honored Jim Miller Jr. for his outstanding sportsmanship and help for other racers with a MARFC helmet/uniform bag. The club also presented a certificate of appreciation to Birch Run Speedway owner Andy Suski for the support of their organization.
After the completion of the autograph session, the Top Speed Motorsports Spectator Drags were run, and Tanner Ruiz picked up the win.
Logan McCaslin led early in the Front Wheel Drive feature until Dan Hassard got by. Fast qualifier and point leader Nicholas Murdock made his way to the bumper of Hassard, and after a caution put him to the outside, he made the pass out of turn two and went on to claim his second win in a row. The Brant, MI driver in his Hemlock Auto&Alignment/The Shed Bar&Grille #79 extended his point lead as he finished ahead of Owen Natzel, Randy Moore, Silas McCaslin, and Logan McCaslin.
The Nelson Hydraulics American Trucks got off to a rough start in their feature with multiple cautions coming out before a lap was completed. Officials went single file formation and Anthony Duvernois paced the field. Duvernois would hold the lead until Joe Shamel made his way by. Cam DeLong was picking his way through the field and got to second as the laps were winding down. Officials from the speedway had made the call that another yellow would end the race, and with three laps to go the yellow came out for a slowing Michael Dvorscak, Shamel was leading at the time and was declared the winner as the race had reached its time limit. The two-time winner in 2023 would pick up his first feature win of 2024 aboard his Leo's Saw Shop/Auto City Used Cars and Barns #47. DeLong finished second ahead of Duvernois, Jason Dvorscak, and Charles Hamilton.
Duane Damon grabbed the lead early in the Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stock feature. Tim Kirby moved into second, bringing Austin Edmonds, Andrew Burton, Hunter Dotre, and Jim Miller Jr. with him as they made their way by Bill Livesay. A restart for a spin by Kirby put Burton to the outside of Damon for the restart. The duo raced side-by-side for a lap until Miller made it three-wide into three. The trio came out of four with Miller ahead as the caution flew. MillerJr. was on the pole for the restart and took command into one as Burton tucked in behind. Three more yellow flags would not slow Miller Jr. down as he drove his Michigan Auto Core/Wal-Built Performance #9 to the winner's circle for the fifth time this season! Burton crossed the line second ahead of Doutre, Lonnie Saumier Jr., and Bruce Dunton Jr.
Louis McGrath from Midvale, Ohio led the field early in the Wheeler Trucking Modified feature. Nick Clemens came up to challenge, but Kyle Hayden was also looking for a way by. Hayden would move to the outside of Clemens and then McGrath to take the lead. Once out front, Hayden was untouchable as the Clio,Mi driver opened up a nearly five-second lead en route to taking his Jacobsen's Mountain Inn/Rick Wiecoreck Racing #22 to victory lane for the second time this year. Clemens, Mike Luberda Jr., Nick Lechota, and Scottie Lamp rounded out the top five.
The final leg of the Me.Asphalt/Bridge Lake Auto&Truck Parts Sportsmen had a hiccup on the opening lap when a skirmish involving the cars of Zach Johnson, Jon Beach, Matt Hogan, and Clarity Pattongot together in turn one. Hogan was the only driver unable to continue. Johnson led the field on the restart, but Dan Leeck wanted to finish one spot better than the last outing. Leeck took to the outside of Johnson and once in the lead never looked back. Leeck brought home the checkers in the Steve Poniatowski-owned machine ahead of Beach, Douglas Litogot, Johnson, and Patton.
This Friday will see the return of the Monster X Metals&Gold Eve of Destruction at the Speedway! The night will feature the Push and Pull races, Flagpole races, Mid-Michigan Mayhem School Bus Figure 8s, and more! For advance tickets, visit www.birchrunevents.com
All photos courtesy of Race Photos By Mike on Facebook
Article Credit: Chuck Darling
Submitted By: Charles Darling
Article Media
