From MudclodBob
Spartan Speedway held it’s first non wing sprint car event of the year Friday evening and a large crowd witnessed a little history as Taylor Ferns took the checkers in her first ever sprint car event.
A summer like April evening greeted fans and racers to the quarter mile paved oval for some open wheel racing. Heat number one saw Doug Dietsch win followed by Chris Hettinger, Mike Astrauskas and Mark Strpko. Heat two was picked up by Jimmy McCune who was chased by Taylor Ferns, Derek Snyder and Jim Heeney. The 42 of Tom Fedewa did not start his heat race due to mechanical troubles.
A quick and well run program for all classes resulted with the sprint cars lining up for their main before nine o’clock. The 70 of McCune and 3A of Astrauskas made up the front of the 25 lap event and at the drop of the green McCune set the pace. On the 3rd lap 6th starting Taylor Ferns moved into 3rd. Due to not running his heat race, last place starting Tom Fedewa was on the move and was up to 6th on lap six. As the ninth circuit was completed the black 42 of Fedewa was in 3rd. By lap sixteen Ferns had moved in on McCune and was looking for an opening. On the 19th lap that opening appeared in turn four as McCune moved up the track just slightly and the 15 year old driver shot into the hole. Wheels touched lightly without incident and the black #55 led at the stripe.
The remaining 6 laps saw the field stay pretty much in line and saw Ferns take a wildly popular victory. She was followed by McCune, Fedewa, Snyder and Hettinger. Rounding out the field was Dietsch, Astrauskas, Mark Strpko and Jim Heeney.