Stories

Pickerill, Montague pick up first wins at Salina

By DUSTY WIEGERT

Special to The Hays Daily News

SALINA, Kan. -- The weekly racing events continued with a Friday the 13th edition of action at the Salina Speedway. Two out of the five divisions chalked up first time winners with three others returning to the Xtreme Motorsports Victory Lane.

For the T&R Dirt Construction Mini Stocks it looked as if Russell Roberg was on his way to another win until he tagged the wall exiting turn 4, flattening a tire, and ending his night early. From there the race was on between Paco Montague and Dallas Dunn. Dunn tried repeatedly to outrun Montague on the bottom but came up short in an excellent race going green to checkered with the top 5 all running close at the end. Montague crossed the stripe first, followed by Dunn, Braden Stoner, and Stacey Fuller. Spring Fling Champion Stoner was the Hard Charger after starting sixteenth and finishing third. Roberg and Jeremy Hedberg won the heat races.

Another driver who has been so close this season is Corbin Pickerill in the Auto House Mod Lite division. Pickerill picked up a decisive heat race win and then worked hard to reel in last week's winner Brandon Gray to pick up his first win at the Speedway. Not only did Pickerill pick up the win but he also took over the points lead as Chris Unruh was involved in a crash ending his night early. Pickerill was followed by Gray, Nick Watts, and Brian Davidson. Bud Lee was the Hard Charger after starting fourteenth and finishing fifth. Pickerill and Gray won the heat races.

Austin Carter once again put on a performance with the Coors Light IMCA Stock Cars to strengthen his points lead. Carter wrestled the lead away early and wasn't challenged the rest of the race. He was followed at the end by Justin Murdock, Bob Arnold, and Scot Granzella. Carter was the Hard Charger for the race after starting fourth. Carter also won the heat race.

Shane Meeks looked to have things under control in the Xtreme Motorsports IMCA Northern SportMod feature until reigning champion Josh Rice had other plans. Rice worked past Meeks and on to another feature win on the season with Meeks second, Seth Schroer in third, and Jesse Levin in fourth. Levin was the Hard Charger after starting twelveth. Rice, Schroer, and Jacob Schmutz won the heat races.

Win number three on the season was marked down for Belleville's Darrick Klima as he took control of the lead in the Friesen Chevrolet Late Models presented by M&H Motors and Cave Diver's Liquor. Justin Kinderknecht was the early leader before mechanical issues put him to the back, giving Klima the eventual win. Delbert Smith tried to close in but settled for second, with Chris Kratzer third, and Kelly Dunn fourth. Dunn and Smith were the heat race winners.

Racing continues next Friday night as the Belleville Motorsports IMCA Modifieds and Budweiser IMCA Hobby Stocks return. The Friesen Chevrolet Late Models and Coors Light IMCA Stock Cars will have the night off.

For more information on the Salina Speedway please visit www.racesalinaspeedway.com.