Drivers can always tell you where and when they picked up their first main event
win. For one Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series driver he will remember
Friday July 20th, 2007 and Winston Speedway. After nearly an hour and numerous
cautions including a red flag John Lowe found him self on the front stretch
celebrating his first sprint car win of his career.
The Michigan Traditional Sprint Car Series started their main event four
different times before the first lap was taken off the record book. The longest
stop in racing action happened when Muskegon driver Nate Bostrom rode up on top
of another competitors wheel on the front stretch. Bostrom’s car flipped and
twisted with a hard impact right in front of the stands. Bostrom’s hit was so
hard his fuel cell came loose from his racecar. Bostrom was able to exit his car
very gingerly on his own, but was taken by ambulance for further evaluation.
When racing action resumed it looked like Mike Astrouskas was going to lead
from start to finish from his pole starting position. Astrouskas set a torrid
pace on the low groove of the track while John Lowe and Nick Landon kept working
the high groove. As laps wound down fans witnessed Lowe’s and Landon’s
efforts come to life. With six laps to go Lowe, Astrouskas and Landon had the
fans on their feet as they came out of turn two three abreast. By the time they
completed the lap Astrouskas had fallen from first to third and Lowe and Landon
were racing side by side.
Lowe finally gained a comfortable lead with three laps to go. Landon’s
effort to grab the point away from Lowe resulted with him sliding to the top of
the track in turn two on the white flag lap. Landon’s error cost him as
Astrouskas took advantage grabbing the runner-up spot. Landon settled for third.
Steve Irwin was fourth followed by Tim Evilizer.
Heat Race winners were Steve Irwin and Mike Astrouskas.
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