5/16/2026
Birch Run Speedway
Birch Run Results May 15th
The NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts 2026 season at Birch Run Speedway and Event Center, originally slated to start May 1st, kicked things into high gear on May 8th, with the Limited Late Models, Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks, Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Trucks, Stock Compacts, and Stock Compact Figure 8s all in action.
In qualifying, fast time award winners were:
Stock Compacts: Nicholas Murdock 18.091 New Track Record
Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Trucks: Gregory Long III 17.193
Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks: Nick Lechota 16.969
Limited Late Models: Josh Hahn 16.764 New Track Record
Drivers parking in O’Reilly Auto Parts Victory Lane were:
Showcase Auto Sales Street Stocks: Nick Lechota
Stock Compacts: Gary Koepke
Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Trucks Heat One: Matthew Moshier
Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Trucks Heat Two: Gregory Long III
Limited Late Models Heat One: Dalton Worthy
Limited Late Models Heat Two: Joe Hodgeson Jr.
Rob Sullivan grabbed the early lead in the Showcase Auto Sales Street Stock feature. He was hounded by Duane Damon, Larry Plamondon, and Nick Lechota. Damon took the lead four laps into the event as Lechota and Plamindon split around Sullivan on the frontstretch. Lechota got to second and went to the outside of Damon in turn 2 to get the lead entering turn three. A caution with two laps to go didn’t deter Lechota as the 2023 Champion picked up his second checkered flag of the night. Completing the top five were Damon, Plamondon, Chaz Taylor, and Talen Diehl.
In Stock Compact feature action, Elizabeth Kolb led the field to green and held the lead until turn four when heat winner, Gary Koepke, got by. Koepke was challenged by his son, Mike, all over the third-mile oval. Nicholas Murdock and Daegan Clayton battled for second as the lead duo pulled away. Mike Koepke tried high and low to get by his dad, but Gary Koepke held on for his first feature win at Birch Run Speedway. Finishing behind the Koepke duo were Murdock, Clayton, and Kolb.
A lap one caution reset the field for the start of the Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Truck feature. John Harris led the first lap, and then Zane Cruz took the point a lap later. Heat race winner Gregory Long challenged Cruz for the top spot and was able to get by four laps into the event. Cruz stayed within striking distance of the leader as Josh Shaw moved into third place. As the leaders entered turn three to get the checkered flag, Cruz made contact with Long III, sending the 38 machine around. Officials decided to disqualify Cruz, and Long, who would have been the winner, was disqualified for chasing down and confronting Cruz at the top of turn four of the four-tenths mile. Those infractions allowed third-place running Josh Shaw to pull to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Victory Lane for his first-ever feature win! Second through fifth went to Ricky Gillett, Greg Long Jr, Larkyn McNalley, and Rick Gokee Sr.
Defending Limited Late Model Champion, Dalton Worthy, started outside pole of the 30-lap feature and claimed the lead at the drop of the green. The action was slowed twice in the first three laps, putting Joe Hodgeson to the outside of Worthy on the second restart. Hodgeson used the high line advantage and claimed the lead. Josh Hahn moved into third and was battling with CJ Harsen. A restart at halfway provided a close call moment for the lead duo as they got sideways on the frontstretch after slight contact, but maintained control. Hodgeson opened up his lead, but a right front tire coming apart allowed Worthy to close the gap. With the checkered flag flying, Worthy was able to pull to the inside of Hodgeson off turn four, but Hodgeson edged him out for an emotional return to victory lane in feature action. Josh Hahn, Joey Brooks, and Austin Edmonds completed the top five.
To conclude the night, the Stock Compacts ran their first Figure 8. Daegan Clayton started on the pole and led every lap to claim the win. The win was not easy as Mike Koepke got to the back bumper of the 95, and coming to the checkered flag, both drivers had to evade Elizabeth Kolb in the intersection in a wild victory for Clayton.
Birch Run Speedway and Event Center will take this Friday off for the Memorial Day weekend and return to action on May 29th. The Finish Line Seamless Gutters Pure Stocks will make their debut on the 4/10 mile and be joined in racing action by the Limited Late Models, Backroad Beaute’ Salon Sport Trucks, Stock Compacts, and Stock Compact Figure 8’s. Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.birchrunevents.com
Submitted By: Charles Darling
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