Smith, Banks, Phipps, Mitchell and Morris Victorious on Opening Night of Newco Metals Labor Day Weekend

Story By Kyle Larson

Click to View:  Results

Anderson Speedway kicked off three days of racing with the opening night of the Newco Metals Labor Day Weekend on September 1. The MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series featured Newco Metals Legends, Insight ThunderCars, Pro ThunderCars and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 racing.

In the Newco Metals Legends feature, Rodney Smith extended his points lead with scoring his fourth feature victory of the 2006 racing season. The 25-lap event began with Billy Smith grabbing the lead until he was involved in a hard crash with the turn 3 outside wall. He was okay, but finished for the night. That handed the lead to James Edsall lll.

Edsall paced the field for just one circuit as Tennessee’s David Moyes lll then charged into the lead on lap four. Moyes held first position until the 11th circuit when Rodney Smith completed the race-winning pass after a great battle with Moyes. Once Smith was out front, he was able to gradually pull away. At the finish, Moyes held off John Robbins for second-place honors. Daniel Russell and Paul Holden filled out the top five.

In preliminary action, Rodney Smith grabbed the winning hardware in the first heat with Paul Holden scoring top honors in the second heat. John Robbins grabbed top qualifying honors at 13.917 seconds.

Turning in a near perfect performance in the Insight ThunderCar feature, Greenfield’s Shantell Banks won her first event of the season. She got the jump on Jeff Eytchison and then held off a hard-charging Lonny Burton at the finish. Burton made several attempts to pull alongside Banks, but was unable to make the pass. Following Banks and Burton across the line included Dustin Burge, last week’s winner Alice Riall and Eytchison.

Riall won the first heat with Eytchison claiming top honors in the second heat. Burge was the fast qualifier at 15.160 seconds, just .002 seconds quicker than Nick Warner.

Point’s leader Rod Phipps returned to the Winner’s Circle in the Insight ThunderCar Pro feature after holding a furious challenge from Herb Rose. At the start, Steve Eytchison darted into the lead with Phipps grabbing the top spot on the fourth go-around.

Phipps was forced to hold off Chris Bair in the next portion of the event. Then with four laps remaining, Rose advanced to second around Bair and made a challenge to get underneath Phipps for the lead, but Phipps was able to hold on for the win. Bair placed third with Brandon Leisure and Ronnie Phipps rounding out the top five.

Bair grabbed the victory in the heat race with Rose setting a new qualifying record with a lap of 14.901 seconds.

Devin Mitchell recorded his second victory of the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval season with a dominant performance. He grabbed the lead on the second circuit after passing early race leader Eric Shell. Once Mitchell was out front, he cruised to the victory. Following the winner included Keith Morris, Randy Owen, Shell and David Baker.

Morris and Anderson’s Rickie Craig won heat races while Kevin Harmon posted the best qualifying time at 16.272 seconds.

In the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s, Morris scored his second consecutive feature victory. Allen Wagner led the opening two laps with Ronnie Phipps out front on the third circuit. With a three-wide move, Morris advanced from third to grab the first position.

Nick Warner made a late bid to capture the win, but settled for second-place honors behind Morris. Randy Owen placed third with Phipps and Wagner rounding out the top-five finishers. In qualifying, Morris posted the best lap at 21.700 seconds.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Saturday Night, September 2, with the Newco Metals Legends showcased in the 10th Annual Grant Fritz / Greg Dietzen Memorial. The Star Press Saturday Night Series will also include Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stocks and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s.

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.

On Sunday, September 3, don’t miss the rescheduled Night of Thrills. The exciting lineup includes School Bus Figure 8’s, Roll-Over Contest, Mattress Race, Cork Screw Race, Powder Puff Front Wheel Drives along with Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives on the Oval. The Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s will also make a special appearance on Sunday night.

On Sunday, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with the Thrills beginning at 6. 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 on Sunday.

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