06/24/13 It was a wild night of racing at Plymouth Speedway as a new leader sits atop the Modified Division and one driver’s temper boils over in the Super Streets feature.

With a third place finish in the Modifieds Division, Tommy Beezley II takes over the top spot in the overall standings.  The leader going into this race, Frank Marshall, got caught up in two accidents that created a tire issue and cosmetic damage.  Marshall’s eighth place finish in the 20-lap feature caused him to fall in the points.

Derek Losh looked like he would finish on the podium, but he bobbled out of turn two on the last lap which allowed Dylan Woodling and Tommy Beezley II to nab the other two positions on the podium.  Losh dropped back to fifth after that and finished there.

26 cars started the race – the most cars in a feature in that division all season.  Dylan Woodling got his first podium finish of the season in the second spot and it was Zeke McKenzie who got the feature win and he did it from the pole.

“I lost power steering in the fifth lap and we had quite a few cautions so I could rest my hands and arms for a little while,” smiled an emotional Zeke McKenzie.  “I can’t thank my Dad and my Grandfather for all of their work.  We have a lot of great talent in this division.”

It was on lap 11 when Brandon Roundtree took over the second place position in the Super Streets race and as he did, Dean Baker got into the back of him and he went around on the back straightaway.  The caution had come out when Josh Elliott stopped in the cushion off of turn one.  Roundtree, not happy with Baker, stopped to speak to officials.  When he started his car back around the racetrack, he gunned the car throwing up dirt as crews were still on the racetrack.  Roundtree was found to have compromised the safety of those workers and was escorted off the track by security officials.

Baker won the 20-lap feature and he apologized for what happened between him and Roundtree.

“I apologize to Brandon Roundtree and didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” said Baker.  “We’re buddies and I apologize.  It was a great race though and I thank everyone who turn wrenches on this car.”

David Short finished in the second spot while Mike Hoagland got his first podium finish of the season in third place.

John Rhoads won the Thunder Stock feature and felt pretty confident about his car after the win.

“That car’s always been good on a dry track.  The drier the better!” he said.

Rhoads took the lead on lap two and had a comfortable lead by lap 7.  Bryce Shidler, who stands second in points finished in the second spot Saturday night and Brian Merritt rounded out the top three on the podium.

The USAC 600 Sprints Open Feature found Craig Ronk as the winner after he took the lead on lap two and didn’t look back. He ran ahead of the field by at least half of a lap and put four cars down one lap.  Points leader Billy Cribbs moved into second place on lap nine as he worked on third place finisher Tim Neal for a few laps.

“Feels good to race and to finish good,” laughed Ronk.

Three cars participated in the USAC r600w Sprints race.  It was Nicholas Schaefer who picked up the win after he got by Garrett Saunders on lap four.  Garrett Saunders, who had trouble in heat laps with a motor, looked strong at the beginning of the race, but the motor gave him more trouble as he slid to the second position.   Bud McCune finished in third.

“We were loose in the heat race and thought about making some changes but didn’t.  We thought the track would come to us and it did,” said Schaefer.

Join us next week for the Open Wheel Red, White and Blue race featuring UMP Modifieds, USAC Ignite Midgets, USAC 600 Sprints Open and USAC r600w Sprints.  Each winner will receive a special six-foot red, white and blue trophy.  Stay for a spectacular fireworks show after the races.  Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. ET at the Playground of Power.  For more information, visit www.plymouthspeedway.net.

By: Anita Soltis