6/8/2025
Birch Run Speedway
US Speedo Takeover to Elsey Jr/Cruz gets first for first at Birch Run
Racing action resumed at Birch Run Speedway after two rainouts and a break for the Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to the Birch Run Convention and Visitors Bureau and Pure Michigan, the stands were full with spectators on a night that was highlighted by the return of the National Compact Touring Series Presented by RevX for the US Speedo Takeover, with $1,000 to the winner for the "World's Fastest Compacts".
Matthew Elsey Jr set the R&R Motorsports fast time with a 17.886. Heat race victories went to Don Vroman (his first career heat win) and Logan Charron, with Elsey Jr capturing the Milbrand Racing Components fast car dash.
Matt Elsey Sr snagged the lead early and brought son Matthew with him as the duo moved up from their ninth and 11th spots. One caution slowed the event, and as the cars rolled to a stop for track cleanup, Elsey Sr developed an overheating problem and went pitside. Elsey Jr inherited the lead and would not falter on his way to picking up the win and the one thousand dollar payday. Elsey Sr rebounded to finish second, followed by Dave Leonard Jr, Corbin Kelly, and Nicholas Murdock.
The Modified class fast time went to Michael Luberda Jr with a 16.240. Rick Wiecorek garnered the checker in heat race one. David McManus returned to victory lane in heat two.
Kyle Maki grabbed the early lead in the 35-lap Modified feature. He would hold a near one and a half second advantage over the rest of the field until a mid-race caution. When the green flew, Maki fell back as Evan Foster took command of the top spot. Nick Lechota and Luberda Jr made their way up to challenge for the lead, and eventually Luberda was the first to get by Foster as Lechota did the same. The two were consistently close until slower traffic came into play. The last five laps were nose-to-tail as McManus charged to challenge the lead duo. Luberda would hold on to score his first victory of 2025 in his Neymeier Mechanical/ Stine Seeds #1. McManus got by Lechota to take second, and Foster and Maki rounded out the top five.
Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stock fast time was awarded to Jim Miller Jr when he clocked a 17.042. Heat race wins went to Anthony Williams and Lonnie Saumier Jr.
In a race that saw two speeding tickets and multiple cautions, Jim Miller Jr emerged victorious in the Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stock feature. Miller survived battles with Hunter Doutre, going to the tail of the field, and Lonnie Saumier to put his Angie Ridleys Complete Realty/Top Speed Motorsports #9 in the winner's circle. Anthony Duvernois scored his best Pure Stock finish in second, and Bruce Dunton Jr, Saumier, and Chris Wilber finished out the top five.
Daren Burton set the fastest lap for the American Truck class, putting down a 16.916. Jason Dvorscak snagged the win in heat one. Darren Burton took the checkers in heat two.
Zane Cruz made his truck debut at Birch Run a memorable one. Grabbing the lead from his fifth spot after a few early cautions, the driver of the Horger's Automotive/Cliff's Auto #7 battled with Greg Long III and survived a late race challenge from Charles Hamilton to take the victory. Completing the top five were Greg Long Jr, Long III, and Jason Dvorscak.
This Friday will feature the 2025 debut of the Limited Late Models and Street Stocks on the four-tenths mile. The Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks, and American Trucks will be back in action as well. On Saturday, "Back in Time" a Tribute to Huey Lewis and the News concert will be taking place to benefit the East Side Soup Kitchen. Tickets to the racing and the concert are available at www.birchrunevents.com
Submitted By: Charles Darling
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