From Jim Hanks
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Mike Ling captured his first career BIOBASED USA/Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series victory at Kalamazoo Speedway on Saturday night, using a strong late-race surge to prevail in the 50-lap feature over Troy DeCaire and Travis Miniea.
The night saw 15 of the 28 car field qualify under the existing track record, with quick time of 10.270-seconds posted by Jason Blonde in the BIOBASED sprint car.
Ling, of Mt. Brydges, Ont., Canada, took the lead following a lap 27 red flag for an oil fire on the car of Union City, Michigan’s Jim Swain. Swain was unhurt in the blaze, and the race restarted with the field trailing leader Ryan Litt.
Litt was immediately pressured by DeCaire, but within two laps Ling asserted himself to sweep past DeCaire, then Litt, in convincing fashion. Ling led the rest of the way to become the fifth series winner in six races.
“I was definitely being conservative in the early going, trying to save my tires,” said Ling. “After that restart, I knew it was time to go, and that’s when I put the pedal down and gave it all I had.
“I’ve got to hand it to (car owner) Jimmy Brown and my crew, they had the Southwestern Truck Services car hooked up perfectly. It’s good to finally get that first series win, and now we work on putting our energy toward the next race.”
DeCaire, the series point leader, continued his strong season with another strong performance.
“Mike was the car I figured we would have to beat tonight, and I was right about that,” said the Tampa, Florida driver. “The Jobsite Concrete/Maverick Concrete Cut & Drilling car was really good, but he was just a little bit better. I’m disappointed that we’re still chasing our first win, but I’m glad for another good finish.”
Fourth was Jeff Bloom, trailed by Jimmy McCune. The second five consisted of Litt, Kevin Feeney, Jason Cox, Tim Cox, and Kyle Flint.
Heat races were won by Ling, Kevin Feeney, and Dorman Snyder.
The entire racing program will be telecast on a tape-delayed basis to nearly 90 million U.S. homes. Airdates and other information can be found at www.mustseeracing.com.
Up next for the BIOBASED USA/Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series is the “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial” at Salem Speedway on Saturday night, Aug. 14.
BIOBASED USA/Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series 50-lap feature:
1) Mike Ling, 2) Troy DeCaire, 3) Travis Miniea, 4) Jeff Bloom, 5) Jimmy McCune, 6) Ryan Litt, 7) Kevin Feeney, 8) Jason Cox, 9) Tim Cox, 10) Kyle Flint, 11) Hank Lower, 12) Eddie Kelley, 13) Scott O’Connor, 14) Joe Swanson, 15) Geoff Kaiser, 16) Dave Baumgartner, 17) Jim Sheets, 18) Dorman Snyder, 19) Jim Swain, 20) Jacob Wilson, 21) Mike Astrauskas.
BIOBASED USA/Xtreme Sprint Series winners in 2010
May 8 – Salem Speedway – Winged Sprint Spectacular – Aaron Pierce
May 23 – Winchester Speedway – King of the Wings Showdown – David Steele
May 26 – Anderson Speedway – MustSeeRacing 60 – Jimmy McCune
May 29 – Anderson Speedway – Little 500 – Eric Gordon
June 26 – Auto City Speedway – MustSeeRacing Twin-20s – Jimmy McCune
July 17 – Kalamazoo Speedway – MustSeeRacing 50 – Mike Ling