6/5/2023
Owosso Speedway
Elsey Wins Fourth in a Row on $5 Night
On a beautiful evening in Ovid, Michigan, the cars and stars were ready to go in front of a packed house on $5 Admission night.
The Durotech Automotive Street Stocks were first up for feature racing. Nick Johnston would start things off up front, but it would be Duane Damon taking the lead early on. While the top contenders would try to work their way through the traffic, Damon was able to hold steady up front, taking his first win of the season. Jon Beach would finish second after starting at the back after not qualifying in the car normally piloted by Chris Munson. Ron Hart, off of two straight feature wins would still finish in the top three and extend his points lead. Bo Smith and Tim Lahar completed the top five. Bo Smith and Ron Hart picked up heat race wins, while Chris Begg set the mark in qualifying at 16.629.
The Reefer Peterbilt All-American Trucks would be up next and it was more of the same from Zane Cruz. The young driver, undefeated in the Trucks division, would not relinquish that streak on this night. Cruz would put on another dominating performance on his way to his third consecutive victory. Anthony Hart would be second, his best finish of the still young season. Greg Long Jr., Greg Long III, and Josh Shaw would complete the top five. Cruz also claimed heat race glory, and completed the hat trick by establishing a new track record for the second straight week, lowering it to an 18.632.
The M&K Truck Center Pure Stocks would be a heartbreaker for Dan Gokee. The Lansing, Michigan driver would look like he was on his way to victory lane, filling in for Bob Elliott this evening. While driving away with the race seemingly well in hand, the car would suddenly lose power, stopping in turn two. Unfortunately the problem would become evident as the driveshaft rolled from underneath the car down the banking. This would crack the race wide open. Lonnie Saumier, who had seemed destined to run fourth came to life, taking the lead and marching on to his third straight victory as well. If that wasn’t enough, Saumier would also jet over to the Birch Run Speedway about an hour away. Not only would he make the start of their Pure Stock feature, he would win that as well! Jake Pearson had a career best run to finish second, with Defending Track Champion Jason Spencer, Bryan Thompson and Scott Garcia closing out the top five. Bryan Thompson and Dan Gokee took heat race glory, while Saumier set quick time with a 18.328.
The Gross Construction Late Model Sportsman would race for the second time in 2023 and another unexpected winner would emerge. Steve Dorer was an unexpected victor, not because lack of ability, but the fact the car had to sit idle for most of the night as parts were repaired and replaced. Dorer would miss the call for qualifying and his heat race and start tail of the field. The Lakeland, Florida driver formerly from Coldwater, Michigan would march his way to the front systematically to take the victory, surprisingly the first ever for the former Red Bud 400 winner at Owosso. Lane Head would be the bridesmaid after a strong performance as well. Clarity Patton, Steve Poniatowski, and Brent Drobny completed the top five. Poniatowski took the heat race win, while Jon Beach was fastest in qualifying with a 15.890.
A pair of MacAllister Rental Sport Compacts features would complete the night of racing. Matthew Elsey Jr. would continue his dominance, taking a fourth straight feature win. The Workhorse of the Sport Compacts Johnny Eastman gave it his all but had to settle for another second place finish. Adam Krzykowski would return after a short lay off to finish on the final step of the podium. Nick Murdock and Matt Elsey Sr. were the last of the top five. The B feature would see a thrilling game of cat and mouse as Marq Eaton did everything in his power to attempt to hold off a hard charging Dan Hassard. Eaton would manage to make it home before Hassard could get by snagging his first win of the season. Eric Rabb, Tyler Vanderhoff, and Josh Shiver completed the top five. Both Elsey Sr. and Jr. would claim heat races along with Bill McBride and Eaton. Elsey Jr., claimed top honors in qualifying with a 17.244.
Submitted By: Chris Fobbe
