David Gough Records First USAC National Midget Victory at Anderson Speedway

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By Tom Hammond

The USAC National Midget Car Series made its final appearance of the season at Anderson Speedway on Saturday September 11, as part of the Best Way Disposal Night of Entertainment. The Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 cars also competed on the world’s fastest quarter-mile oval.

David Gough of Machesney Park, Ill. led all 40 laps in the USAC National Midget Car Series feature, becoming the second consecutive driver to score his first victory in series competition.

Gough held off repeated challenges by series point leader Bobby East to post the triumph by .429 seconds. East trailed at the checkered flag and was followed by Todd Beach, Dave Steele and Tracy Hines.

Starting from the pole, Gough charged to first position and held on thanks to a pair of early delays. Josh Wise stopped on the front straightaway after one lap, Dave Darland stopped on lap two and Mario Marietta flipped wildly on the restart only to get out of the car on his own power.

When the race resumed, East shadowed Gough's every move while trying desperately to pass on the inside. East stayed within two car lengths for nearly 25 laps before he and Gough needled through slower traffic.

With the field bunched up in the later stages of the event, East had his best opportunity to challenge for the lead. The chance was short-lived, as East faltered in turn one, suffering a half-spin and losing several positions as he drove through the grass. But he regained those spots as spins in the rear of the field brought out the caution on lap 32.

East was unable to challenge Gough on the restart, and Gough held on to win the race. Cole Carter garnered his first career fast qualifying time on pavement in a time of 11.618 seconds, with Jason Byrne, Richey Jacobs, Brad Kuhn and Wease scoring 10-lap heat victories. Aaron Fike won the 10-lap semi-feature.

In Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stock action, veteran Joe Beaver continued his hot streak at Anderson Speedway, recording his first victory in the Street Stock division. Beaver has scored two of the last three feature wins in Ed Martin Auto Group Super Truck competition.

After a full-field inversion, the Noblesville racer started deep in the field in the No. 14 Street Stock owned by Terry Burton. Beaver advanced to 15th position by lap two and then steadily advanced through the running order.

Front-row starting Kevin Brooks held the point for the first 15 laps before yielding the lead to Curtis Chapman. Beaver then took the lead with a lap 18 pass on Curtis Chapman exiting the fourth turn.

During the final 12 circuits, Beaver was able to hold off Jason Atkinson at the checkered flag. Point leader Rich Boyer railed from an early spin to place third with Chris Hanna and Jeremy Threet completing the top five.

During qualifying, Beaver established a new track record, tripping the clocks at 14.189 seconds. New Palestine’s Missy Winegar scored the victory in the first Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stock Heat, holding off Jeff Perry. In the second heat race, Chris Hanna took top honors.

The Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 cars were showcased in two 20-lap feature events as a rain-out feature that was postponed from Saturday, August 28, began the racing program.

Anderson’s Dale Phillips took the lead at the drop of the green flag and scored a dominating victory in the first feature. Point leader Jeff Swinford pressured Phillips for much of the event and grabbed runner-up honors. Third place was awarded to Ronnie Rose, with Josh Tharp and Shawn Cullen filling out the top-five finishers.

In the regularly-scheduled Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 feature, Johnny Magee scored his first feature victory of the season. He took the lead on the 16th lap after Curtis Chapman and Ronnie Rose tangled near the flag stand.

Just prior to the accident, Chapman had just passed Rose for the lead before their cars made contact, causing Chapman to spin out of control. Both Chapman and Rose were sent to the back of the pack following the incident, giving Magee the lead.

At the finish, Magee held off Phillips for the victory. Shawn Cullen placed third, followed by Joe Hart Jr. and Jeff Swinford to complete the top five.

Rose posted the quickest lap in qualifying with al lap of 20.389 seconds. Swinford took the checkered flag in the first Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 heat, with John Goforth claiming top honors in the second heat.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Friday, September 17, with The MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series. The McCrocklin Ford & Mobility Legends, Insight ThunderCars on the Oval and Figure 8 and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives be featured on Friday night.

On Saturday Night, September 18, the Sunoco Super Series Late Models make a final appearance at Anderson Speedway in the Sunoco 150 presented by Great Deals Coupon Magazine. Former series champion Joel Kauffman will make his 2004 series debut.

The Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s will also compete on the world’s fastest quarter-mile oval.

For additional information contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.




 

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