Night of Thrills Entertains Huge Crowd on Saturday Night

One of the final big events of the racing season took place on Saturday Night, October 11, when the Night of Thrills presented by The Herald Bulletin was featured at Anderson Speedway.

In the second season appearance of Wood’s Landscaping Outlaw Figure 8’s, Charlie Hargraves took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 50-lap feature. He paced the opening 13 circuits until he couldn’t avoid the slow machine of Jon Lord, which sent Hargraves to back of the lead lap cars.

That moved Ben Tunney into the lead and he showed the way until lap 26, when RJ Norton moved around him after Tunney suffered a flat tire and he then spun a couple laps later. Tunney was able to restart on the tail of the lead lap cars.

Once out front, Norton was able to pace the field until the final circuit when he tangled with a hard charging Ben Tunney, who gained two spots during the last three laps and then tried to go around Norton for the lead. After the two leaders crashed, Hargraves and Doug Greig battled it out for the win when they tangled and Hargraves was able to finish in first position with Greig second. Jessie Tunney was third followed by Jeff Shackleford and Norton.

Danny Stanley was credited with the victory in a thrilling Pepsi School Bus Figure 8’s, in a race that was shortened two laps after the leaders were involved in an altercation. The race began with Mike Day taking the point and having several close calls while in the first position. Then on lap 10, while battling for the lead, Day and Basil Stanley made signification contact, eliminating both contenders from a shot at the victory. Day was disqualified for unsportsmanlike driving and third running Stanley benefited grabbing the race victory. Second went to Billy Hooten with Stanley in third spot.

In the Roll Over Contest, Josh Walker took the victory among the 11 drivers that attempted the thrilling event. Walker scored 14 points after three successfully roll over attempts and on the third and final attempt scored a maximum of seven points to edge out Brandon Henry by one point. Third was Craig Enterkin with seven points.

In the Powder Puff School Bus Figure 8’s, Bobby Jo Elliott led all six laps en route to the feature victory. Roxanne Grissom crossed the line in second position with Robin Burton, Teresa Dowden and Becky Stanley completing the top-five finishers.

The Culvers Trailer Race provided lots of action as 19 competitors were scheduled to start the 10 lap event in the Figure 8 course. Darby Brown took the initial lead, but was only able to complete two laps. On the second go-around, Brown lost the lead to Ryan Parrett, but Parrett was unable to complete the second lap. This handed the first spot Jim Ashton, who paced the remaining eight circuits for the victory. Ashton was one of two competitors that completed all 10 laps. Second was Donald Carpenter with Nathan Burge, Nick Warner and Josh Walker completing the top five.

In the Quick Auto Front Wheel Drives Oval race, veteran Ronnie Phipps ended the recent domination of Nick Warner, who scored four victories during last weekend’s Stock Car Festival. In this 20-lap event, Warner sailed into first position and led the opening eight circuits with Phipps completing the race-winning pass with 12 laps remaining and then driving to the victory. Following the race winner were Warner, Ricky Tharp, Ron Phipps and Casey Davis.

Ricky Tharp took top honors in the Cork Screw Race, leading all 10 laps. Chasing the race winner were Nick Warner with Harry LaShure in third position. Brandon Henry and Mike Alley rounded out the top five.

In the final event of the evening, Larry Staats won the Demolition Derby. Other top performers included Ed Woodward and Kevin Rabenstein.

Anderson Speedway concludes its 2008 racing season on Saturday, October 18th with the ThunderCar Enduro 200 and Quick Auto Front Wheel Drives showcased in the Ed Maynard 100 presented by Battery Masters and Great Deals.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.