Results - July 14, 2007

For once, the individuals behind the scenes actually got to play a part in the outcome of a race while the race was taking place. All the hard work and dedication put forth by the crewmembers week in and week out as they help prepare the cars for each weekly event is rarely recognized. This one was different. The teams all participated on pit road for a real pit stop with a tire change. This was perhaps one of the most enjoyable Pony Stock events ever held at Springport Motor Speedway.

Ponies Pit Under Green
at Springport

The #55 Dan Gokee crew signals their driver during the pace laps to let him know where his pit stall is. -Bob Cantine Photo The Pony Stock division ran a very unique event, the "Snap On Tools 60", that included a mandatory green flag tire change in a makeshift infield pit area. The concept was very innovative and seemed to be a real crowd pleaser. No power tools could be utilized to complete the tire change, so crews had to execute the tire change the old fashioned way. Mandatory pit stops were to be made no sooner than lap ten and no later than lap 50. The orange #23 of Jerry LaFontaine gets crossed up in the early going, resulting in damage to the front end and ending his chance at a victory. He was able to ride it out for the entire distance and finished. -Bob Cantine Photo A variety of pit strategies played out, as a couple of drivers opted to pit on lap eleven, while the leader opted to pit on lap 43, knowing that a pit stop took upwards of seven laps, and he could realistically end up on the same lap as the leader, as they were also down the same number of laps following their pit stops. It was this fast pit stop for the #76 Darren Bohne crew, aided by Pure Stock driver Aaron Spearling (working the 4-way lug wrench), that helped bring home the victory. -Bob Cantine Photo Eaton Rapids' Dennis O'Neil led through lap 43, with Fraser's Darren Bohne taking over the lead. Point leader, TJ Conroy, of Charlotte, had mechanical difficulties early on, opening the door for a new winner for the first time this season. It was a big disappointment for TJ Conroy as his day was ended by a broken alternator bracket which resulted in overheating after losing the belt that drives the water pump. They were all set to change a tire when the steam started coming out from under the hood. -Bob Cantine Photo Bohne went on to win, followed by O'Neil, Charlotte's Steve Wrenn, Lansing's Dan Gokee, and Grass Lake's Brent Marriott. The #11 driven by Brent Marriott is in for his stop as his crew changes the right front tire and gets him going quickly to score a very nice 5th place at the end. -Bob Cantine Photo The #55 driven by Dan Gokee takes on fuel as the rest of the crew goes to work changing the right front tire. -Bob Cantine Photo Most teams chose to change right side tires to save the few seconds that would be required to run around the car for a left side tire. Bill McBride's crew elects to change the left rear tire anyway, while the jackman (unseen in this photo) saves a few seconds and slides the jack under the rear of the car. Bill brought the #80 home in 6th. -Bob Cantine Photo It's the stop everyone was waiting for as the leader Dennis O'Neil brings the #95 in on lap 43 for a right front tire change. It was an excellent stop but not quite good enough as Darren Bohne took over the lead while O'Neil was exiting pit road. An official watches carefully to make sure all the lug nuts get tightened. -Bob Cantine Photo Darren Bohne and crew are all smiles as they share the victory together. Stated Darren, "This was the most fun race I have ever participated in." -Bob Cantine Photo The Engine Pro Winner's Circle was crowded as the ponies parked on the front stretch to sign autographs after their feature, with Bohne bringing home a special trophy to commemorate his win. O'Neil and Rowley scored heat wins for their division. Mike Ammerman, of Mason, put another check in the win column, as a caution, on lap 20 of the feature, eradicated a 3 second lead that Dan Lewis, of Lansing, had opened up over Ammerman in second, Tom Stone, of Linden, in third, Steve Oberst, of Okemos, in fourth, and Charlotte's Matt Kirchen in fifth. Stone slowed on the track and caution waved. The field closed up behind Lewis and on the restart, Ammerman drove under Lewis as he drifted high in turn two. Lewis battled back but slipped up the track in turn four, giving Ammerman the advantage. Oberst challenged Lewis for the second position, taking it away on the last lap. Kirchen came home fourth, followed by Johnson. Ammerman and Johnson made trips to the Engine Pro Winner’s Circle for heat wins. Eleven Pure Stocks lined up for a wild 20-lap feature, possibly a carryover from Friday the 13th. Jackson's Jeremy Lutz came out on top, in spite of a couple of scrapes that required trips to the pit, relegating him to the rear of the field. On lap ten, Lutz worked his way to the front to challenge the leader, Jon Smith, taking the top spot away from Smith with a last lap pass. CJ Ewing, of Concord, came home third, followed by Lansing's Ian Schafer and Williamston’s Russ Potter IV. Jackson’s Rich Kinch and Ewing tallied heat wins. Lou Caposey, of Sturgis, captured the VROA mid-season championship race win, outrunning Rob Parker, of Sparta, and Bob Martin, of Dowagiac. Rick Nelson jumped out to the early lead with Rob Parker taking away the number one position on lap four. Parker led through lap fourteen, when Caposey made his move to the front around Parker and Martin. Jenison’s Don Deyman moved up to fourth ahead of Nelson. Caposey put some daylight between himself and Parker to win the 25-lap feature. Please join us each and every Saturday night at the Springport Motor Speedway. Saturday, July 21st, will feature Kid's Night with a huge bike giveaway, face painting, and a Girl Scout bake sale. The Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series, the Formula Mini Indys, a Snap-On Tools 40 for Sportsmans, Pure Stocks and Pony Stocks will be in action. For additional information, please check out our website at springportmotorspeedway.com. As always, we’'ll see you at the races!

VROA Qualifying

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