06/29/10 This past Friday night at the Plymouth Speedway began moist and soggy as Mother Nature tried to wipe out the show with a light rain and mist. After it finally sopped track officials and drivers took vehicles out on the track to dry it out and make the racing happen.
After the track was dried and safe to go the drivers got a hot lap session and went into qualifying. In qualifying Brian Ross of Plymouth set the pace for the Dragon Racing Fuels Outlaw Late Models with a time of 13.304 seconds around the 3/8 mile. In the Teacher’s Credit Union Late Models John Marshall set fast time with a time of 13.922 seconds. In mini stocks Darin Harrell set down the fastest lap with a time of 15.077 seconds. In street stocks competition D. J. Frost of Plymouth set a new track record with a time of 15.034 seconds for the division.
After a brief driver’s meeting and opening ceremonies resented by Oliver Ford, Lincoln it was time for the racing action to begin with heat racing. Heat racing started with the outlaw late models going two heats. Picking up heat wins were Cory Pressler and Grant Galloway.
The Teacher’s Credit Union Late Models the heat racing was tight but prevailing for heat wins were rookie Tom Hellinga of Plymouth and John Barlow.
The street stocks driver’s watched on as Jim Gilbert grabbed his second heat win of the season just ahead of Pee Wee Warren.
In the mini stocks Darin Harrell continued his dominance with the heat win to give him more momentum going into the feature event.
After a brief intermission it was time for the forty lap feature in the outlaw late model division. Grant Galloway shot out to an early lead, but long time local veteran Brian Ross ensued and was able to clear the rookie Galloway. Ross looked to pull away but late in the event Galloway challenged Ross once again for the lead. The checkered flag fell however with Ross out in front of Steve Stacey which cleared Galloway on the closing lap for second. Galloway held on for second straight podium finish.
In the late model feature Ron Maynard Junior looked to be the dominant driver for most of the event until John Marshall performed a bump and run on the backstretch for the top spot. Marshall held on for his first win of the season. Finishing second was John Barlow and Maynard eventually slipped back to finish third.
The street stocks ran twenty-five laps in their feature event with Jeff Stettler doing an amazing job without slipping up in front of D.J. Frost for his first win of the season. Frost held on for second and Jim Gilbert received his first podium finish of the year.
In the mini stock feature Darin Harrell was leading for most of the race until a late race ordeal with Ben McCallum forced them both to the tail. The event gave Michael Mast the lead for the green/white restart and Mast held on for the win. In second was Jim Newman and Darin Harrell fought back for a third place finish.
This weekend the Plymouth Speedway will host the 2011 Mid-Season Championship for all its regular divisions with fireworks to begin the Independence Day weekend. The divisions include the Outlaw Late Models, Late Models, Street Stocks, and Front Wheel Drives. The racing will begin at 8:00 p.m. For more information visit the track online at www.plymouthspeedway.net.
Andrew Hayn Correspondent
