By Bob Buffenbarger
Mason,Mi. (8-29-2014)- Steve Irwin took the lead on the 2nd of 30 laps at Spartan Speedway Friday and won the feature as well as the 2014 track championship.
MudclodBob photo
With rain approaching the area, it was decided only a feature would be run in order to insure the points champion could be determined tonight. #1r Chris Randolph was the pole setter with #31 Don Hamilton along side. As the green flew, the #6 of Tony Main spun coming out of turn four but luckily the back half of the field was able to avoid making contact. On the next attempt to start, several cars made contact with Hamilton suffering damage and saw him retire for the event.
With the third time the charm, a successful start was in the books with Randolph leading the first two laps. The #0i of Steve Irwin managed to slide under Randolph taking the point. The point leader Irwin was determined and driving a smooth race passing cars high and low.
As Irwin was methodically picking his way through traffic, 8th starting #4 Donnie Adams Jr. was charging through cars and closing on the leaders. At the ten lap mark, Adams had moved into 2nd and had his sights on Irwin who now had caught lapped traffic again. But Irwin was on a mission and was patient and making passes when opportunity afforded itself.
As laps were wearing down, Adams appeared to be the only car with a shot at Irwin and with five to go, heavy traffic again was ahead. Irwin made the most of openings and managed to negotiate his way. However Adams also sailed through and was on Irwin’s tail as the white flag flew. This was Irwin’s night though and he motored on to the victory and the season chamionship.
Adams finished a strong 2nd, followed by Chris Andrews with a nice run, Doug Dietsch, John Turnbull, Anthony McCune and Gary Sherman.
16 cars took the green flag in tonights feature. We would like to thank Spartan Speedway for another successful season of semi weekly sprint car racing.