Rose, Boyer and Chapman Victorious During The Star Press Saturday Night Series

By Tom Hammond

Click to View Results

A wild night of racing wrapped up the Cooper’s Sport Bowl / Shout’s Perfect Score Weekend at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, July 9. Three familiar names graced the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle during The Star Press Saturday Night Series.

Anderson’s Ronnie Rose scored his fifth win of the season in the Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTruck feature in a race that was heavy on attrition. Only three trucks were running at the end. Scott Brooks of Indianapolis took the early lead in the 40-lap feature that was marred by several accidents. The first occurred on the third lap when Rose, Tony Broyles, Robert Lemen and Andrew Brown tangled in turn three.

Brooks continued to lead through the middle stages of the race and avoided a second crash in turn four. DT’S R Bar Rookie Josh Poore spun after contact from Josh Burton on the 12th lap, also collecting Broyles and Brown in the process.

Broyles was also involved in a spun again four laps later, but that incident saw Burton’s night come to an end. Burton was black flagged for rough driving and sent to the pit area. Broyles night ended two laps later when he made hard contact with the wall in turn wall.

Brooks, meanwhile, continued to lead until the 21st lap when Mike Mendenhall of Anderson made a pass on the inside heading down the backstretch and into turn three. Mendenhall then held the lead for seven laps before the engine blew on Lemen’s truck, bringing out the caution flag. Under the yellow, Mendenhall headed to the pit area with apparent mechanical problems. This handed first position to Rose.

Rose then held off Poore for the win with David Brown of Muncie finishing third. Brooks looked to be on his way to a second-place finish but the motor on his truck blew on the last lap, relegating him to fourth. Mendenhall rounded out the top five even though he only completed 29 laps.

Broyles scored the win in the first Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTruck heat while Poore was victorious in the second heat. Burton led qualifying with a time of 13.521 seconds.

Anderson’s Rich Boyer continued his dominance in the Terry’s RV Sales and Service Street Stocks by winning his ninth feature race of 2005. Boyer took over the lead on the sixth of 30 laps and finished ahead Rod Phipps at the checkers. Ryan Buckner of Anderson finished third followed by Bret Miles Jr. and Missy Perry to round out the top five.

Miles won the first Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stock heat while Chris Bair of Anderson took the checkered flag in the second heat. Boyer once again paced qualifying on the world’s fastest quarter-mile oval with a time of 13.976 seconds.

Curtis Chapman picked up his second win of the season in the Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 feature in what proved to be a classic race. Anderson’s Josh Tharp took the lead from the start and faced a continual onslaught from Chapman along with Mike Riddle Jr. and Jeff Swinford.

Chapman made his move on the 15th lap when he went to the high side of Tharp just past the flag stand heading into the first turn. Chapman then rocketed to the front through the second turn and into the crossover. Tharp’s night then came to an end when he spun in the crossover and Chapman pulled away for a sizeable victory. Swinford finished second followed by Cullen, Riddle and Jason Pitts.

Anderson’s Michael Phipps won the first Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8 heat, while fellow Ranny Hinton won the second heat for his first victory of the season. Shawn Cullen led qualifying with a time of 20.446 seconds.

On Thursday, July 14, Anderson’s premier bowling center, Cooper’s Sport Bowl will host Anderson 400 Bowl Your Brains Out from 8-10 p.m. kicking off the Anderson 400 Weekend. Cooper’s is located at 1920 East 53rd Street. For additional information, visit www.cooperssportbowl.com.

Activities for the 39th Annual Anderson 400 presented by The Cat Rental Store and Great Deals begin on Friday, July 15, with pole qualifying set for 8 p.m. The MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series will also be featured with Insight ThunderCars on the Oval and Figure 8 and Chappy's Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 racing.

On Saturday, July 16, a warm-up session is set for 5 p.m. with an on-track autograph session scheduled for 6. The 39th Annual Anderson 400 presented by The Cat Rental Store and Great Deals goes green at 8.

Advanced tickets for the 39th running of the legendary short track event are selling for $15. Included with this purchase is a free ticket to the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series program on Friday, July 15, which includes pole qualifying for the Anderson 400. This is a $12 savings for the two events. On raceday, adult tickets will be priced at $20 with kids 6-12 admitted for $5. Five and under are free.

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