Kettering’s Mike Carroll picked up $1,500 for winning the 50-lap Modified Madness modified feature Saturday at Shady Bowl Speedway.
It was the first of four Modified Madness events of the season. Carroll took the lead on lap 21 from Brad Yelton and never looked back as the breezed to the win. Logan McPherson battled with Yelton and Jerry Stapleton before claiming the second spot.
Yelton was third, with Stapleton fourth and Jim Lewis Jr. fifth.
Stapleton was the dash winner, with Scott Jones and Zach Brandyberry winning heat races. Chris Parker was the fast qualifier with a 13.713 lap.
The Adams Automotive Street Stock 25-lap feature saw several spins and minor crashes slow the pace. Terry Purtee led the first lap, before his son Buck Purtee went in front on the second lap. The DeGraff second generation driver was in command of the race when a yellow flag lew on lap 14.
Fast qualifier Josh Sage had been stalking Purtee for several laps and started outside of Purtee’s Ford on the restart. Sage appeared tp be edging ahead of Purtee after a bit of contact when Sage had mechanical woes and coasted to a stop on the front straight.
When the green flag flew again, nine-time track champion Rodney Roush made a surge to the front. But the surge came too late as Buck Purtee took the checkered flag for his first win of the season. Rodney Roush was the dash winner, with Buck Purtee and Richard Roush getting heat wins.
The wild Harrod Septic Solutions compacts took to the track next. Aaron Jewell led the first three laps before two-time feature winner Tony Heath took over the lead. Heath looked to be on his way to another win as he opened up a lead, but dash winner Mike Wintrow of Piqua stormed to the front and passed Heath on lap 14. Wintrow stayed out front to get the win. Jewell was second, Jordon Sage third, Keven Baggett fourth and fast qualifier Dustin Hughes fifth. Larry Adams, Scott Henson and Eddie Kemp were heat winners.
It was a very emotional victory lane for Wintrow, who dedicated his win to his father, who he recently lost. Tragedy again struck this week when one of his best friends Justin Dreer was killed in a motorcycle accident. Dreer’s family, including his infant daughter and friends, joined Wintrow in victory lane. There was also a parade lap earlier in the evening in his memory.
The-20 lap Noble Armor Plating Crown Vics rounded out the night’s festivities.
Columbus driver Jimmy McElfresh led every lap to pick up the win. Tyler Brandyberry, Alex Zerkle, Craig Boling Jr. and John Zornes filled out the top five. McElfresh and Zerkle were heat winners.
Racing returns to Shady Bowl on Saturday with the highlight event being the Bill “Hot Rod” McElfresh 55, a 55-lap feature paying $1,000 to the win. Racing begins at 7 p.m.