August 2, 2011
08/03/11 This past Friday night was a scorcher but the racing action was even hotter with four classes of cars on hand and a special guest appearance by Indy car star Davey Hamilton for the tracks second $20 a car load special.
In qualifying Adam Terry set the pace for the outlaw late models with a time of 13.561 seconds around the 3/8 mile oval. In the late models John Marshall set the pace with a time of 14.217 seconds. The 15.173 second lap time set down by Shawn Amor was the fastest lap for any street stock on hand. In the front wheel drives Bill Miller set the pace of 16.419 seconds.
The outlaw late models ran two eight lap heats. Picking up the first heat win of the night was Cory Pressler. The fast heat for the division was won by Steve Stacy.
In the late models John Marshall looked strong as he raced his way to a victory to help out his point lead over the other competitors in the division.
Jim Gilbert of Palos Heights, Illinois took the first heat out for the street stock division. The fast heat was captured by D.J. Frost as he sliced and diced his way for the win off of turn two early.
The heat racing was closed out by the front wheel drives with an eight lap affair. Tom Hellinga took the win and the checkered flag for a victory lap.
The outlaw late models presented by Dragon Racing Fuels in 2011 ran a forty lap feature to end their night of action. Cory Pressler ran a hard fought with Brian Ross after Ross chased him down. Ross however could not overtake the Michigan native and had to settle for second. Pressler’s win is his first at the Plymouth Speedway in 2011 and continuing the non-repeat winner tradition for the season in the division. Bobby Stremme finished third.
The Teacher’s Credit Union Late Models ran a thirty lap feature event that was filled with close racing and attrition took a big toll on the field. Tom Hellinga grabbed his first ever late model feature win on the final lap as he overtook John Barlow in the corner coming to the checkers. Barlow finished second ahead of Nick Pressler as he limped his car across the ling for third.
The street stock’s saw their second back-to-back feature winner of 2011 as Shawn Amor drove on a rail for a smooth victory. Finishing second was Dave Long of Tippecanoe. Jeff Stetler became the new division point leader on Friday night by rounding out the podium in third.
The final race of the night featured the front wheel drives. The race was fast and Bill Miller became the first driver of the season to stand a top the podium besides Tom Hellinga. Hellinga tried to chase Miller down but to no avail and had to settle for his first second place finish of the year. Finishing third was Fred Miller.
This Friday night the Plymouth Speedway will play host for the USAC Midgets, Teacher’s Credit Union Late Models, and street stocks. For more information visit the track online at www.plymouthspeedway.net.