

6/16/2025
Birch Run Speedway
Father's Day Weekend Celebration Wins to Muckenthaler, Leonard, Saumier, and Long III
The Birch Run Speedway and Event Center kicked off a New Era for the facility as a new Director of Race Operations (Matt Prieur), victory lane sponsor (Backroad Beaute' Salon), and track photographer (Charlotte Lyons Photography) made their debuts during the Father's Day Weekend Celebration at the track.
Fast qualifiers for the night were:
American Race Trucks - Darren Burton 16.907
Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks - Jim Miller Jr. 17.005
Street Stocks - John Leonard 17.541
Limited Late Models - Josh Hahn 16.826
Heat Race wins were awarded to:
American Race Trucks - Jason Dvorscak and Zane Cruz
Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks - Andrew Burton
Street Stocks - Johnny Hayden
Limited Late Models - Dalton Worthy and Scottie Ulman
Jim Miller Jr was two-for-two in Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stock feature wins coming into the night's event. A second-place finish on opening night and a fourth-place finish last week had Lonnie Saumier Jr looking to improve and dethrone Miller. The two started in sixth and seventh, with Saumier being the first to get to the lead after battling with the other competitors. Miller stayed with Saumier the entire time and attempted numerous approaches, both low and high, to get around Saumier. Saumier kept Miller at bay to be the first to visit the Backroad Beaute' Salon Victory Lane in his Lonnie's M15 Towing/M57 Towing and Repair number 15. Finishing behind Miller Jr to complete the top five were Andrew Burton, Bruce Dunton Jr, and Tim Kirby.
Fast qualifier in the American Race Trucks, Darren Burton, moved from the eighth starting spot to the eventual lead after some intense battles with his fellow competitors. The opening night feature winner was looking to get win number two of the season until the right rear tire went away. Greg Long III capitalized on Burton's misfortune to snag the lead and pick up his first win of 2025. His Dad Greg Long Jr finished in second with point leader Charles Hamilton, Zane Cruz, and Jason Dvorscak making up the top five finishers.
A champion in the Street Stock class on the third-mile in 2012, John Leonard returned to his winning ways, this time on the four-tenths mile. Holding off a charge from Larry Plamondon at the end, the Flushing driver, aboard his Showcase Auto Sales 28, pulled into the Backroad Beaute' Salon winner's circle and celebrated Father's Day early with Son Carter and friends and family. Chaz Taylor finished third ahead of Johnny Hayden and John Pollion.
Dalton Worthy led the majority of the 25-lap Limited Late Model feature until slower traffic came into play. Ed Muckenthaler had closed on Worthy in the latter stages of the race when the duo encountered the lapped traffic coming out of turn four. Worthy went low, and Muckenthaler went high and was able to gain the advantage entering turn one. The 2024 Champion made no mistakes and took the win in his Dairyland Seed/Dean Arbour Chevrolet number seven.
The 2025 NASCAR Regional Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series action keeps rolling on this Friday, June 20th, with the "Welcome to Summer 2025 Spectacular" featuring the Modifieds making their third appearance of the season in a 40-lap $2,500 to win feature. The Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks, and American Race Trucks will each have 25-lap features on the third mile and will be joined by the returning Front Wheel Drive Compacts. The pit gates open at 3 and spectator gates at 5, while qualifying kicks off at 5:30 and the racing goes green at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased in advance by going to www.birchrunevents.com
All photos courtesy of Charlotte Lyons Photography
Submitted By: Charles Darling