By Trevor Hollis
With blue skies above the Lane Automotive Michigan Traditional Sprints made a
triumphant return to Winston Speedway. Twenty two cars checked in for the night
and a packed grandstand was not disappointed.
Three heat races would start the night off. Ovid Michigan native Keith Love
would bring his Waste Management machine to victory lane over Mike Galadja and
John Watson in the first heat while it would be Chuck Wilson visiting victory
lane over Don Smith and Jay Steinbach in heat two. The final heat of the night
saw a little extra action as 2011 MTS rookie of the year Kevin Hawk locked
wheels with another racer and from that point on was along for the ride. His 1h
would roll end over end a couple of times before coming to a stop. Kevin would
be ok but a lot of work would be needed to get his car ready for the feature.
In the four car dash it would be Nate Bostrom picking up the win and getting a
final look at the track before the 25 lap feature would roll out on the track.
As the feature hit the track it was Love starting on the front row but before
the race even began mechanical problems would force him to drop off the track,
moving the inside lane up a row. The action would start at the back of the pack
as current points leader Steve Irwin, who had been battling motor problems all
night would start at the tail. As the green flag flew it was obvious that Irwin
and defending champion Joe Bares were going to be the drivers to beat. Bares who
started on the inside of the third row would take the lead but have problems in
turn three and fall back to seventh at about the same time that Irwin had races
his way up to the eighth position. Canadian driver John Watson and 2008 MTS
champion Mike Galajda would battle wheel to wheel for a number of laps before
Galajda would take over the lead for good. With only a couple of laps left
Bares would make one final push for the lead, but would run out of room making
contact with the front stretch wall, forcing him off the track in turn one.
Galajda would hold on for the win. Mike Austraukus, Steve Iriwin, John Watson,
and Jay Steinbach would round out the top five. The Lane Automotive sprint
series will next be in action at South Bauxton Raceway in South Bauxton, Ontario
Canada for a special $1000 to win $250 to start show.
Special thanks goes out to all those who helped make this show possible.
Northwestern Auto Machine, Mark Strpko Engineering, Lane Automotive, Hoosier
Race Tire, Sunset Auto Body, Maki Auto Sales, Jonny Mac’s Automotive, Priority
Auto Parts, Tejchma Auto Repair, Bowmans Body Shop, Gomery Automotive, Bolduc’s
Radiator, Jims Auto Sales, Boes Auto Salvage, ASAP Towing, The Buyers Guide, and
last but certainly not least Tom Sprague and the whole crew at Winston Speedsway
Without you racing would not be possible. Thank you!
Northwestern Auto Machine A-main
1. Mike Galajda , 2. Mike Astrauskas, 3.Steve Irwin, 4.John Watson, 5.Jay Steinebach, 6. Joe Irwin, 7.Chuck Wilson, 8. Kevin Hawk, 9. Mark Irwin, 10. Phil Rutledge, 11. Eric Smith, 12.Mark Strpko 13. Don Smith 14. Mike Baker, 15. Joe Bares, 16.Chris Pobanz, 17. Nate Bostrom, 18. Don Bostrom, 19. Jacob Caines, 20. Nick Landon , 21. Keith Love