From Terry Lehnertz and Greg Parent
In the first nine races for the upstart UMSS Traditional Sprint Car Series (TSCS) in 2011, Johnny Parsons III from Owatonna is showing non-winged sprint car fans why he is the driver to beat in TSCS action during the inaugural season. Parsons raced to his fourth win on Friday night August 19 at the St. Croix Valley Raceway in the TSCS 12-lap nonstop feature race. For the Reactor Racing Team, it was the fifth time the #22 sprinter has sat in Victory Lane this season. Joseph Kouba also drove the car to victory at the Cedar Lake Speedway on July 30. Parsons teammate, Tommy Kamrath, has one win as well.
Coming from his third starting spot, Parsons used the bottom groove to propel his Reactor Racing non-winged sprint car into the lead on the opening lap. Parsons never looked back and was never seriously challenged in the green-white-checkered twelve lap run. Jack Clark ran second for a good share of the race, but with a right rear tire slowly deflating, Clark was under heavy pressure in the closing laps. Kevin Bradwell shot by a slowing Clark on the final lap. Clark and Rob Caho, Jr. had a virtual tie for third at the finish line with official scoring awarding third to Clark by maybe an inch or two over Caho. August 5 feature winner Tom Kamrath completed the top five out of the seven car field. All cars finished the entire distance in the feature race. Earlier in the evening, Kamrath topped the heat race.
Next Friday night, the thunder returns to The Valley as the UMSS winged sprint cars invade St. Croix Valley Raceway for their second “Thunder in the Valley” special event. Joining the winged sprints will be Future Fours, Pure Stocks, Pro Modifieds and UMSS Traditional Sprints. The Pro Stocks will have the weekend off. As is customary with “Thunder in the Valley” specials, it’s also kids’ night at The Valley; anyone under age sixteen is admitted free of charge. Racing is slated to get underway at 7:00 on Friday night August 26 at the newly reopened 1/4 mile oval located between St. Croix Falls and Centuria, Wisconsin.
Race Summary (unofficial):
Friday, August 19, 2011
UMSS Traditional Sprints, Feature: Johnny Parsons, Kevin Bradwell, Jack Clark, Rob Caho, Tommy Kamrath, Jeff Pellersels, Aaron Wisch
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