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May 22, 2001 BY KEVIN DENKE The water truck took laps watering down the dirt track, the cars started revving their engines in the pit, the fans packed the grandstand and when the sun went down last Friday night is when the racing began. The Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Association kicked off the 2001 season on Friday night, May 18, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds with all classes racing. A good crowd was on hand. The night began with the Hobby Stock heat. The night got off to a bumpy start with Ron Leonard spinning out on the first lap. When the green flag came out again, it was Jason Duggins and Russ Hammel dueling for all ten laps. Duggins held on for the win with Hammel in second and Marvin Cramer finishing third. Action really picked up with the two dwarf heats. In the first heat it was Nick DeVelviss motoring by the competition. In the second heat, Raymie Bristow got off to a quick start and was able to hold off Harry Nelson and Matt Clugston for the win. In the street stock heat, rookie Jeff Graham had an early lead but when he spun out on lap four bringing out the yellow flag, it opened the door for David Higgins. Higgins took advantage of the spin out and finished first, Gary Smouse was second and Graham finished in third. In the second street stock heat, Larry Bradley was in the lead early on but when he bumped with Ryan Neely, it blew out his front right tire. Roger Cordary rolled to the victory with Bucky Knipp close behind. In the mini stock heat, Jimmy Wilson took the early lead and never relinquished it as he won the heat. Steve McDaniel was second and Billy Schaaphok was third. The smell of burning methanol was in the air as the modified cars started their first of two heats. In the first one, it was Robert Gallegos winning with Larry Cornell in second and Tom Cadle crossing the finish line in third. In the second heat, Aaron Spagler would began his impressive night by beating out Dennis Rieb, in second, and Craig Nelson, in third for a victory. The main events of the night began with the 20 lap hobby stock race. Hammel started out on the pole and never gave it up en route to a sizable victory. Iley Jackson was a distant second and Dave McFalls was third. The dwarf main event was marred by repeated spin outs and yellow flags. In the end Bristow won by half a track but was later disqualified, giving the win to Clugston . The street stock main event was one of the most competitive races of the night. Graham took the early lead as Ralph Klemish and Smouse battled for second. On the 18th lap, Klemish passed Graham right before the caution flag came out. Graham took back the lead when the green came back out and held off Klemish by a fender skirt. Neely finished in third place. In the mini stock main event, McDaniel held off Schaaphok and Jimmy Scott for the win. In the final main event of the night, the dry track meant the dust was kicking up and it was hard to see. All Spagler needed to see was the checkered flag as he led from start to finish and won the modified class. Racing at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds will continue this Friday, May 25, at sundown with the Dwarf Shootout and an $800 purse up for grabs. Preseason work on the race track is nearly complete including new bleachers and lighting improvement |
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez Journal.
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