Warner, Riall, Russell, Harmon, Stone and McKinney Score Friday Night Wins

By Tom Hammond
Staff Writer

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If the rest of the 2006 MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series at Anderson Speedway goes like opening night did, a lot of drivers will end up with feature wins. A half dozen features produced a six different names in the winner’s circle on Friday, May 5 at the World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile Oval.

Nick Warner won his second consecutive Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 feature. The 2005 points champion climbed through the field to challenge leader Travis Burge of Anderson on the 8th of 10 laps. The two tangled in turn three of the figure 8 course as Warner tried to pass Burge on the low side on the 8th lap. Warner then went to the outside on the following lap and made the pass and ended holding off Burge at the line. Randy Owen, Mt. Summit’s Keith Morris and Tim Tharp completed the top five.

Alexandria’s Alice Riall overcame mechanical problems in the pits to win the Insight ThunderCar Oval Feature. Riall took the lead with a pass on the outside heading onto the front stretch at the end of the 7th lap and held off a furious challenge from Rookie drivers Brad Stevens and Dustin Burge to pick up her first win of the season. Tim Dick and Elliott Swallows Jr. completed the top five.

Stevens posted the top qualifying lap at 15.385 seconds to pace qualifying. The first Insight ThunderCar oval heat went to Dustin Burge while Brian Morrow held off Tim Nickerson to grab the winning hardware in the second heat.

Albany’s Daniel Russell picked up where he left off in the American Awards Legends division. The 2005 points champion, driving a new car, took command from the pole position and cruised to the win in 30-lap feature. Rodney Smith finished in second position, just 0.878 seconds behind the winner. Plainfield’s Eric Black edged John Robbins for third position with Paul Holden rounding out the top-five finishers.

Robbins topped the qualifying charts with a lap of 14.042 seconds. Russell also scored the win in the first American Awards Legends heat while Tony Holden took the victory in the second heat.

Alexandria’s Kevin Harmon scored a flag-to-flag victory in the first Chappy’s Front Wheel Drive Oval feature. Harmon had a comfortable lead most of the night, but Owen was able to challenge Harmon in traffic on two separate occasions. Owen ended up second, followed by Morris, Anderson’s Tony Crum and Muncie’s Bruce McGill to round out the top five.

Misfortune for two other drivers opened the door for Anderson’s Josh Stone to win the second Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature. Mike Imel had the early lead, only to be forced to the infield when the hood blew open on his machine, blocking the windshield and obscuring his ability to see where he was going. Lawrence Jones then took the lead, only to slow suddenly two laps from the checkered flag. Stone then surged into the lead and took his first victory. Russ Bennett, Zack Patterson and Anderson drivers Amanda Boyer and Ashley Patterson filled the top five.

Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval heat wins went to Brian Lewis, Patterson and Randall Swallows. Randy Owen recorded the fastest qualifying time of the 34 drivers that were on hand.

The inaugural Insight ThunderCar Pro Division feature went to Elliott McKinney, but not without a furious challenge from Rod Phipps. The two battled tooth-and-nail for much of the 20-lap feature. They tangled on the backstretch on the 17th lap and were forced to line up behind William Coffman for the final restart.

McKinney made it around Coffman shortly after the green flag reappeared, and Phipps made it around a short time later. McKinney then kept Phipps at bay for the win. Coffman, Jack Taylor and Anderson’s Brandon Leisure completed the top five. Phipps took the checkered flag in the ThunderCar Pro 10-lap heat race. Phipps led qualifying with a time of 15.327 seconds.

On, Saturday, May 6, The Star Press Saturday Night Series showcases the Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s, Insight ThunderCars and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval.

On Saturday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the racing beginning at 8. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

Watch the NASCAR race on our big screen television provided by Chappy’s Rent to Own.

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