Justin Grant is still atop the United States Auto Club standings after winning at Plymouth Speedway Friday night.
Grant, who came in to Plymouth with just a two-point season lead, left with only one point separating him and Chad Boespflug. The duo wound up 1-2 at the Playground of Power Friday night.
While Boespflug and Chris Windom came into Plymouth in hot competition with each other, Grant sealed himself as someone to watch as well. Windom left Plymouth 58 points behind, in third place, finishing eighth Friday night.
Grant told USAC Media’s Richie Murray: “I tried to end our night pretty early on during qualifying,” Grant said with a grin. “I was coming to the green and about spun out. “
He said after turning around, taking a deep breath and giving it another shot, he all but turned over. “I was able to salvage a respectable time on the second lap,” Grant said. “Fortunately for me, a couple guys missed the transfer through the heat races and that put us on the front row.”
Windom and Boespflug started third and fourth, but it was Boespflug who made significant strides to catch the leader by the halfway point. Lapped traffic caused Grant’s lead to diminish, yet Boespflug fell third to Tyler Courtney in the last couple of laps.
All 22 starters finished the caution-free race. Grant took the checkers for the second time this season.
Following the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint race, the UMP Mods and Mod Lites took to the track.
Randy Lines won the UMP Mods race, while Bobby Stremme came in second, just .22 seconds behind the leader. Dylan Woodling was third; Derek Losh was fourth and Chad Bauer was fifth. “Flyin’ Brian” Ross returned to the Playground of Power to finish 13th.
In the Mod Lites, Will Bennett finished almost three seconds faster than Andy Sherely in second and 9.5 seconds ahead of Jeff Swiford in third. Rounding out the top five were Ross Sanders and Gavin Taylor.
This weekend brings the World of Outlaws, sponsored by Wheeler Mechanical Services LLC, Friday night,April 28. Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6 p.m., with racing at 7. General admission is$37; children 6-12 are $15 and children 5 and under are free. Pits are $40. Additionally, UMP Mods will award season points.
Regular season racing kicks off Saturday, May 6 with Cabin Fever at 7 p.m.Adults cost $12; children 6-12, $5; 5years and under are free. Pits passes are $30.
For more information, visit Plymouth Speedway on Facebook.
Media contact: Maggie Nixon, plymouthspeedwayPR@gmail.com
