Kyle Jones won the second leg of the Ohio 300 for late models to highlight racing at Shady Bowl Speedway on Saturday.
The night’s racing was dedicated to the memory of Daryl Miniard, who passed away last week. Miniard operated Trotwood Towing and was a fixture with his wrecker on race nights. A group of local tow operators ran several parade laps in his memory.
he Ohio 300 was the first event, with 19 Dave Nagel Excavating Late Models taking the green flag.
Kenny George Jr. paced the field for the first 17 laps as drivers battled for spots behind him. The action slowed when Jones, who won the first leg of the series and Ryan Fleming made contact restarting both on the tail.
Former track champion Bud Perry took the lead from George and appeared headed for his first win. Brandon Oakley, who was fast qualifier made his way to the second spot behind Perry with about 20 laps to go. Jones had battled his way all the way to third and appeared to have the fastest car.
Oakley put pressure on Perry until lap 62 when contact sent both to the tail end of the field. Jones of Springfield then had his hands full as he had to hold off Fleming the final 13 laps in a thrilling battle. Fleming, who began leaving a plume of smoke with about five laps to go, could only watch as Jones took the checker in his BMC sponsored ride.
Jones took home $2,000 for his night’s work. Jim Lewis Jr. turned in a strong performance to finish third, with Perry putting the pedal down to finish fourth after going to the end of the field. Don Mahaffey Jr. claimed fifth spot. Fleming claimed dash honors, with Matthew and Dearl Parsons winning heat races.
The Adams Automotive Street Stock 25-lap main saw sixteen competitors take the green. Buck Purtee led the first ten laps, but it was great racing, he and fast qualifier (14.693) Josh Sage went to war for the top spot. The pair traded paint and sheet metal before Sage took over the lead on lap eleven. Sage of Piqua, opened up a lead and sped to the win, followed by Purtee, Rodney Roush, Rob Schaeff and Nick Frazier. The dash checker went to Austin Eaton, with heat honors going to Purtee and Aliza Houser.
The Bullet Liners of Dayton Thunder Cars took to the oval next. Eleven cars took the green to start the 20-lap feature. Bob Coppock led the field into turn one at the drop of the green flag. Coppock, who had won a heat race earlier dominated the first11 laps before Xenia’s Scott Drake motored by.
Drake looked to have the feature in hand before fast qualifier Brad Blue ran him down.
The pair made contact, putting Blue in the pits and Drake on the tail. Blue took blame for the incident and Drake was given his spot back. Drake led the final laps in his Winget Race Cars Monte Carlo to post his third win of the season. Dash winner Curtis Noble was second, followed by Brandon Helton. Robert Roush and Landen Jones.
Quincy’s Tyler Brandyberry dominated the Noble Powder Coating Crown Vics, Brandyberry put his Parker Construction and Properties car out front on lap one and led all the way. Craig Boling Jr., Ken Rosebrook, Troy Shepherd and Curtis Noble filled out the rest of the top five. Shepherd and John Lister were heat winners. There were several cash awards up for grabs for the race. Tyler Brandyberry picked up bonus money for leading the most laps and the halfway lap.
The Harrod Septic Solutions Compacts closed out the night’s program. Tony Heath put his car in the lead at the start and led the first five laps. Trey Gregory then took his turn out front as the third-generation driver led until lap nine.
Bellefontaine’s Ethan Pope then took over the lead. Pope then led the rest of the way to get the monkey off his back and post his first win of the season in his Wooten Automotive four cylinder. Larry Adams. Michael Litchfield, fast qualifier Keven Baggett and Aaron Jewell took second through fifth. Jesse Valentine and Litchfield won B mains.
This Saturday, Shady Bowl will host Modified Madness Race #2, a 50-lap feature for the Wooten Automotive and Towing Modifieds paying $1,500 to win. The Adams Automotive Street Stocks, Bullet Liners of Dayton Thundercars, Tuners and Vintage American Race Cars will also be on hand. It will also be Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club Night, with all DARF members admitted to grandstands for 50 percent off. Racing begins at 7 p.m.