The Hoosier Race Report: Hot Hoosier Nights

By Danny Burton

Danny Burton’s Hoosier Race Report appears courtesy of OpenWheelRacers.com

Seemingly, all of a sudden, hot weather arrived in Indiana this past weekend. I’m in the minority of people who don’t mind hot weather, so this was just fine with me. Even hotter than the weather was a pair of Indiana’s finest, namely Kevin Briscoe and A.J. Anderson, two of our feature winners on this most hallowed of holiday weekends.

It has been my experience that one does not let minor roadblocks ruin one’s plan. With that in mind I kept my cool as I crossed into Monroe County on my way to Bloomington this past Friday night. As it turned out, a little old tree in the road wasn’t going to keep me from making my way to the world famous Bloomington Speedway, but I was a bit late.

No matter, 29 sprint cars were in the house and the racin’ promised to be typical Bloomington, which is to say outstanding. Things got underway with Brady Short taking the first heat over Derek Scheffel (from seventh), Josh Cunningham, Steve Rone, and Cole Whitt. Short had checked out but behind him things were attention-getting as Scheffel made a last lap pass to get second. The draw system is causing drivers to race hard for second when possible, as the top two in each heat are all re-drawn for feature starting spots. And the four time champ probably knew that before I figured it out. Jon Stanbrough, in a D. Roberts car tonight instead of his usual Fox Brothers 53, won the second heat over Kevin Briscoe, Kent Christian, Chris Windom, and Jared Fox. The third heat was plagued by five caution flags and reached the time limit before 10 laps were run. It mattered not to Kenny Carmichael Sr. as he won with Hunter Schuerenberg finishing second. Eric Smith was third, followed by Chris Babcock and Joe Gilbert. And just like that, 15 cars were locked into the feature.

Bobby Stine used a last lap pass to take the last chance race over Kenny Carmichael Jr. Kyle Stuchell, Mitch Cunningham, and Jon Sciscoe also transferred into the main event. A yellow flag turned into a red flag as Lee Stark took a tumble, apparently not seeing the yellow flag and/or yellow lights. As others can tell you, it happens. Stark was not hurt.

The re-draw for the feature saw Schuerenberg and Short in the front row. Behind them and ready to pounce was Briscoe, Carmichael Sr., Stanbrough, Scheffel, J. Cunningham, Christian, Smith, and Rone. Schuerenberg, the kid from Missouri, led the first lap, but early on Briscoe took over and waved good-bye to everyone else. As usual with such situations, one didn’t have to look too far to find some fine open wheel racing, Indiana style. The so-called smart money would have guessed and/or bet that Stanbrough would quickly move to the front and at least challenge for the lead. But it didn’t happen. Jon did move up as far as third and actually passed Short for second at one point. But on a late race re-start Short re-passed the veteran and held his own to take second. Stanbrough held on for third with Carmichael fourth and Scheffel fifth after abandoning his strategy of using the low groove and moving up. Positions six through ten were Christian, Scheurenberg, Windom, J. Cunningham, and Stine.

Other winners included Ray Humphrey in the modifieds and Jeremy Hines in super stock action.

Do not forget!! This coming Friday the National Sprint Tour, led by the King of sprint cars of all types, Mr. Steve Kinser, will be at Mike Miles’ racy little quarter mile very high banked red clay oval.

Another hot night and off to the equally world famous Lawrenceburg Speedway we went. Promoter Tom Wieck had opened the gates and welcomed 34 sprint cars. This would be round three in the King of Indiana Sprint Series. And yet another “homeboy,” namely Tim Spindler, ran off to win the first heat. Tony Beaber was second, followed by Brent Beauchamp (last week’s ‘burg winner) and Derek Scheffel after a late charge from seventh. Jonathan Vennard won the second heat with A.J. Anderson, Mat Neely, and Jon Stanbrough also transferring. Stanbrough needed a last lap pass to make it into the feature. Brandon Petty, who has had his major share of woes lately, won the third heat in a Jeff Walker car over Kyle Stuchell, Kevin Briscoe, and Travis Welpott. And Kevin Huntley, tonight in the Roberts 21r, took the fourth and final heat and led Matt Westfall, Scotty Weir, and Justin Marvel to the feature.

During the support series’ heats I took a break from note taking and visited with fellow race fans, Marv, Gregg, Ben, and Jerry (no, not the ice cream guys). My grandson and his mom had accompanied me to the track and so the little guy took over the note taking duties. Here is his report: Dsleowejhfbvid49C;OQWgoea7,ls8453?

Give the kid a break; he is only 3 and a half years old. (Of course, he already writes better than my buddy Dave Foist.)

After two yellow flags and one red flag for a Rick Vaughn flip (he was not hurt), Derek O’Dell won the B Main with Chris Windom, Broc Burton, and Derek Franks all transferring into the feature. And this race saw a few decent teams loading up early to head out, namely Jason Knoke and Scott Hatton, the midget standout, all the way from northern Illinois.

The draw for feature starting spots had Beaber and Vennard in the front row. Stuchell, Anderson, Westfall, Huntley, Petty, Spindler, Beauchamp, Neely would make up the first part of the lineup. And the sixth row would have to be watched as well. Scheffel and Stanbrough, who has been the winner of the first two KISS features, would be there. Vennard took the early lead and held on to lead the first lap, but Anderson passed the kid from Vincennes to lead the second lap. Soon Huntley was an unwelcome visitor to this party and began to challenge A.J. for the lead. A lap eight re-start saw Anderson leading Huntley, Petty, Vennard, Westfall, Beaber, Stuchell, and Briscoe. The order at the top stayed the same at the halfway mark, but Huntley and Anderson were both locked into the classic Lawrenceburg duel, with the “Pup” in the top groove and A.J. on the bottom. Not long after the halfway mark Huntley took the lead, finally. Petty moved up to join the party, albeit briefly before fading. And the seesawing continued, with Huntley leading the white flag lap. But Anderson had himself a good run off the bottom of turn four on the final lap and eked out a well-earned win over the Bloomington, Indiana veteran. Petty was a strong third, followed by Vennard and Stanbrough. Westfall was sixth, with Beaber, Briscoe, Weir, and Windom rounding out the top ten.

Dave Cook was the modified feature winner. Jerry Back won the super stock feature. And Lynn Ambrose was the AMS mini-sprint victor.

As we write, the ‘burg is the scene of more racing tonight, of the fendered variety. And next week Lawrenceburg will have its regular program with the KOIL Legends’ Series in town.

A.J.Anderson had a pretty decent holiday weekend, also winning Friday night at Gas City. Two sprint car races were held at Anderson this past week. Darren Hagen won a controversy filled USAC feature on Wednesday and Brian Tyler was the Little 500 winner on Saturday night. Jeremy Wallen was the IMOD winner up at Angola. At Indianapolis Raceway Park Bobby Santos was the Night Before the 500 winner in USAC Midget action. Richie Hedrick was the late model winner at Kamp’s Speedway. Mike Jewell was the late model winner at Brownstown. Jon Stanbrough won at Kokomo with 25 cars on hand. Brandon Petty was the winner in MSCS action at Haubstadt with an impressive 50 cars in the pits. Gregg Cory and Josh Cunningham were the Paragon winners with “only” 47 cars there. Nick Allen was the modified winner at Shadyhill while Toby Howard was the I-Mod winner at the little track way up north. Kent Christian was the sprint feature winner at Lincoln Park. Sam Hornish won some race in Indianapolis, overcoming various obstacles to do it. And Terry Goff was the winner in UMRA/TQ Midget racing at Twin Cities with 40 cars signed in.

This one is for the boys and girls who gave it all up for our freedom, from Bunker Hill to Baghdad.

Resigning from my job as the Busch Brothers’ anger management counselor, I’m…

Danny Burton

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