MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series Champions Crowned

Story By Tom Hammond

Click to View:  Results

The opening night of The Star Press Season Championships at Anderson Speedway crowned five division champions on Friday, September 29. Fans were treated to some hard-fought battles on a cool fall night on the World’s Fastest Quarter Mile Oval during the MAX/WLBC Friday Night Summer Series.

Anderson’s Nick Warner won the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 title for the second straight year after a second-place finish in the feature event. Indianapolis’s Derrick Young scored the win in the feature event that had several near-misses in the crossover. Anderson’s Randy Owen finished third followed by Mt. Summit’s Keith Morris and Anderson’s Jerry Smith.

Indianapolis’s Rodney Smith avoided disaster and held on to win the Newco Metals Legends title. Smith and Ohio’s Bryan Nuckles tangled on the front stretch at the end of the fourth lap, relegating both cars to the tail of the field. Both Smith and Nuckles worked their way back up to the top five as the race unfolded.

Meanwhile Frankton’s John Robbins and Albany’s Daniel Russell dueled in front of the field. Robbins was able to keep Russell at bay to take the feature. Smith ended up third followed by Nuckles and James Edsall.

Russell scored the win in the first Legends heat, while Plainfield’s Eric Black was victorious in the second heat. Robbins posted the best qualifying time at 13.890 seconds.

In the Insight ThunderCar Pro division, Rod Phipps capped off his championship season in the Insight ThunderCar Pro division with a second-place performance in the final event. Anderson’s Shane Cullen dominated the race as Phipps held off Anderson’s Herb Rose for the runner-up spot. Anderson drivers Damon Fulp and Ronnie Rose completed the top five.

Ronnie Rose took the top spot in the ThunderCar Pro heat while Cullen was quick timer at 14.935 seconds.

In the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature, Randy Owen and Keith Morris staged a dandy battle before Owen pulled away for the feature win. Morris, by virtue of running in the top five, won the season title. Alexandria’s Kevin Harmon finished third, followed by Anderson drivers Devin Mitchell and Bill Leisure.

Owen also won the first Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval heat with Anderson’s Robert Moreland scored the victory in the second heat. Owen grabbed fast-time honors at 15.999 seconds.

Anderson’s Dustin Burge captured the Insight ThunderCar Oval championship after a third-place finish in the feature race. Warner roared out to a commanding lead from the pole and never looked back. Fortville’s Lonnie Burton finished second, followed by Burge, Alexandria’s Alice Riall and Greenfield’s Shantell Banks.

On Saturday Night, September 30, The Star Press Season Championships will take place for Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Boss Hogg Catering & Jerky Figure 8’s and Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stocks.

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.

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