By Bob Buffenbarger
Mason, MI — (April 26, 2013) — Joe Swanson from Warsaw, Indiana picked up the opening night 30 lap feature win at Spartan Speedway Friday evening. Swanson started outside of the front row and jumped out front at the drop of the green. Cars were falling into place with 6th place starting Leroy Ellis moving up to 2nd on lap four.
Caution waved on lap five when Cody Hoover spun in turn four. On the restart it was Swanson, Ellis, Rohrback, Jim Heeney and John Turnbull Jr. in a pack, however Swanson and Ellis quickly put distance between themselves and the pack.
Another yellow appeared for a minor run in with the turn one wall for Steve Irwin. He was able to continue. After another restart sprint car newcomer John Turnbull Jr. had charged into 3rd from his 7th starting spot with the front three cars running under a blanket. Meanwhile Rohrback, Heeney, Doug Dietsch and Steve Smith were engaged in a torrid fight for positions 3rd -6th.
After 20 circuits, the leaders, Swanson and Ellis had left the field behind. Ellis was right on Swanson’s bumper and nearly pulled even several times. As the laps wore down it was Swanson, Ellis, Turnbull, Heeney and Smith. As Swanson was about to take the checkers, Cody Hoover spun in turn four on lap 29, creating a green/checker finsh. Swanson was up to the task as Ellis was unable to make a pass at the finish line followed by John Turnbull Jr., Jim Heeney, Steve Smith, Doug Dietsch and Don Hamilton.
Heat races were won by Jay Rohrback and Leroy Ellis. Fast time for the 12 cars on hand was Jim Heeney.