JUNE 1, 2007 --- Another of our track sponsors, Reese Wholesale, was on
hand with a great group of their people to enjoy a tremendous evening of
racing. And, it's safe to say that not a one of them went home disappointed.
In addition to a great evening of racing from all three of Bloomington
Speedway's divisions, the fans on the hillside were treated to something real
special. The Ben's Tire sprint car that Sheldon Kinser drove to two of his
three USAC sprint car championships was on display. The beautifully restorec
sprint car almost certainly looked better than it ever did when Sheldon drove
it.
SAFETY-KLEEN SPRINT CARS - SHELDON KINSER MEMORIAL
It was a Fox night last night at Bloomington Speedway. The Fox brothers and
their driver, Jon Stanbrough, are well into their second great season of
sprint car racing. However, they have probably not had a better night than
they had last night. Sheldon Kinser was a big part of their youth. Sheldon
Kinser drove sprint cars and Indy cars wrenched by their father, Galen Fox.
And, last night Galen was in the pits helping with the car and just enjoying
being with his boys while they worked to win a race honoring one of his former
drivers.
The Genesee Beer Wagons, both sprint cars and Indy cars, were always
meticulously prepared; and Sheldon always gave them the ride that they
deserved.
Steve and Brad have carried on the family's tradition. They toil daily
building engines for scores of race teams. But, while they're at it, they
manage to keep the most successful dirt sprint car anywhere ready to race and
win. Over the past several years Brad has spent less and less time in the
cockpit and more time building motors to carry other drivers to victory.
However, Brad's experience as a driver has helped him to prepare their car to
win. As a driver, he can understand what Jon is telling him that the car is
doing; and the mechanic in him translates the information that he receives
into the changes that make the car still faster. All of this brought the team
a very satisfying Sheldon Kinser Memorial Championship.
Fifty two cars unloaded to vie for one of the biggest independent titles in
sprint car racing. Mike Miles has built the Sheldon Kinser Memorial into a
race that every driver was to have on his list of championships. He has chosen
not to dilute the race by draining off sanction fees. He puts that money into
the purse and lap prize money; and he lets the quality of the show speak for
itself.
Daron Clayton set quick time followed by Mat Neely, Jon Stanbrough, Chad
Boat, and Kyle Robbins.
The heat races were won by Kent Christian, Bobby Stines, Brady Short,
Critter Malone, and Danny Holtsclaw. Because of the large field of cars, only
three drivers transferred from each heat race; and, of the five fastest
qualifiers, only Chad Boat transferred from his heat to the feature. Daron
Clayton, Shane Cottle, Jesse Hockett, Hunter Schuerenberg, and Ted Hines had
to race the "C" feature just to make it to the "B"
feature.
The cars transferring from the "B" feature to the Sheldon Kinser
Memorial was even more remarkable. Jon Stanbrough won the "B"
trailed by Clayton, Hockett, Cottle, and Neely.. A lot of very good drivers
loaded up after the "B" feature with their desire for a Sheldon
Kinser Memorial Championship put on hold for another year.
When the green flag waved, A.J. Anderson took the lead from his starting
position on the pole. Chad Boat started directly behind Anderson; and, of the
fourth circuit, Boat charged past Anderson into the lead. However, he would
not be permitted to enjoy of for long; because Jon Stanbrough was on his way.
Everyone on the hillside and in the pit area knew that it was just a matter of
time. On the 16th lap, Stanbrough passed Boat to take the lead. Tree laps
later, Brady Short passed Boat and went after Stanbrough. However, it was
equally clear that, barring some kind of mechanical disaster, he had no chance
of catching him. Stanbrough drove on to another convincing win .while short
raced on to a nearly equally convincing second place finish. Boat, Daron
Clayton, and Jesse Hockett rounded out the top five.
Jesse Hocket took the Sprint Mart Hard Charger honors by starting 11th and
driving to a strong fifth place finish.
SAFETY - KLEEN SPRINT CARS --
FAST QUALIFIER: Daron Clayton
AUTO HEAVEN AUTO PARTS HEAT 1: Kent Christian
MONROE COUNTY SERVPRO HEAT 2: Bobby Stines
WALNUT STREET AUTO SALES/CAMPUS RENTAL HEAT 3: Brady Short
CRYSTAL PURE WATER HEAT 4: Critter Malone
HEAT 5: Danny Holtsclaw
"C" Feature: Daron Clayton
JB SALVAGE/WESTSIDE AUTO PARTS "B" FEATURE: Jon Stanbrough.
ROOTS RV FEATURE: 1.(4) 53 Jon Stanbrough, 2.(7) 36 Brady Short, 3.(3) 30
Chad Boat, 4.(6) 92x Daron Clayton, 5.(11) 75 Jesse Hockett, 6.(12) 10E Shane
Cottle, 7.(5) 17N Mat Neely, 8.(9) 3 Danny Holtsclaw, 9.(8) 5 Critter Malone,
10.(13) 56 Jared Fox Lap Leaders: A.J. Anderson (1-3), Chad Boat (4-15), Jon
Stanbrough (16-40) Sprint Mart Hard Charger Award: Jesse Hockett
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