Weekly Notebook presented by JRi Shocks
Notes: Moreland nabs holiday-week victories
Kenny Moreland takes the checkers for his first Winchester (Va.) Speedway victory, (Travis Trussell)
Kenny Moreland of Waldord, Md., celebrated on both sides of Independence Day last week, winning July 3 at Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek, Md., and on July 7 at Winchester (Va.) Speedway.
The 30-lap victory at Winchester was his first at the 3/8-mile oval. His third overall victory of 2012 made him the 10th different late model winner at Winchester this season.
The heads-up start placed Moreland and fellow linemate Mark Pettyjohn on the front row for the start of the feature. As the green was displayed, Moreland outdragged Pettyjohn into the first turn.
Although Moreland led all the way, it was no easy task. Two-time Winchester winner Keith Jackson chased Moreland for 27 laps before 10th-starting Ronnie DeHaven Jr. made his way to second by the 28th lap. DeHaven was all over Moreland for the final three circuits but was unable to make the pass and settled for runner-up honors.
“Wow, two wins in one week, that’s pretty awesome!” Moreland said in victory lane. “I knew there were a lot of good cars behind us and I certainly saw DeHaven coming, but I knew If I did what I had done all race we’d be OK.”
Moreland had never cracked the top five at Winchester this season.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck here this season,” he said. “I’m glad our first top-five was a win. I’m just so proud of what we’ve done lately. It’s a whole team effort.” — Doug Watson
Weekly highlights
• Breaking a three-season drought, Chad Lerch of North Liberty, Iowa, won July 7 at Independence (Iowa) Motor Speedway over Rory Metcalf. Lerch’s three previous Late Model victories at Indee came over a six-week span in 2009.
• Outdueling Mike Zemo Jr., Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., won July 8 at Quad City Speedway for his fourth straight victory at the track in East Moline, Ill.
• In a rare Late Model event at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, ninth-starting Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind., went from third-to-first on the final lap when Scott James and Duane Chamberlain tangled heading into turn three.
• Notching a pair of home-state victories, Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., had July 6-7 triumphs at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown and Marion Center Speedway.
• Trevor Glaser of Tangent, Ore., outran Jeremy Shank and Russ Sell for a 100-lap Super Late Model victory at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore.
• Michigan standout Rich Neiser of Fruitport had a two-victory weekend on July 6-7 at Winston Speedway in Rothbuy and Merritt Raceway.
• With his July 7 victory at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., Bobby Beard wrapped up the three-race miniseries held at Lincoln, Williams Grove and Trail-Way Speedways. He edged Gene Knaub by two points.
• Crate Late Model racer Adam Beeler of Knoxville, Tenn., had a pair of victories during a week-long stretch, winning July 2 at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., and July 7 at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn.
First things first
First-time occurrences in Dirt Late Model racing:
• Snapping the three-race win streak of D.J. Troutman, Dave Leidy of Neelytown, Pa., notched his first Limited Late Model victory at Allegany County Speedway in Cumberland, Md.
• Chuck Sarver of West Sunbury, Pa., won July 6 at Lernerville Speedway for his first victory at the Sarver, Pa., oval.
• In his first Late Model victory at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in a 19-year racing career, Chad McClellan of Stoystown, Pa., took the lead from Scott Rhodes on the third lap July 7 and led the rest of the way in Markleysburg, Pa.
Weekly points chases
UMP DIRTcar (Super Late Models): Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., leads with 2,027 points over Jim Moon (1,901)) and Ryan Unzicker (1,890).
UMP DIRTcar (Crate Late Models): Mark Oller of Highland, Ill., is on top through July 1 races with 1,328 points, 10 more than Clayton Miller of Elkton, Ky.
AMRA: Chris Garnes is out front through the end of June with 1,092 points to lead Andy Bond (853) and Ronnie Mayle (850).
IMCA: Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., is on top through July 5 races, 36 points ahead of Nate Beuseling.
ULMA: Jason Russell of Henley, Mo., has a 40-point edge on Brandon Imhoff of Lake Ozark, Mo.
WDLMA: Winningest driver Russ Scheffler of Waukesha, Wis., is on top with 267 points over Tim Buhler (251) and brother Rick Scheffler (245). Russ has nine WDLMA victories.
WISSOTA: Todd Frank of Mellen, Wis., has a 120-point lead over two-time and reigning champ Ricky Wiess of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
NeSmith Chevrolet Series: Shannon Lee of Lumberton, Miss., moved into the series points lead via bonus points while Mickey Trosclair of Luling, La., won his 17th race but fell to second.
Upcoming weekly specials
Among non-touring and independent special events coming up at dirt tracks around the country:
Elkins Raceway, Kerens, W.Va. (July 13): The Richard Skidmore Memorial pays $7,500-to-win for Super Late Models.
Little Valley (N.Y.) Speedway (July 13): The half-mile oval pays $3,000-to-win for the Coca-Cola Classic for Super Late Models. BRP Can Am Series Late Models and Crate Late Models are also in action.
Winchester (Va.) Speedway (July 13): The Red Nininger Memorial pays $3,000-to-win for Super Late Models in a Shootout event.
Southern Ohio Speedway, Wheelersburg, Ohio (July 13): The Southern Showdown pays $3,000-to-win for Late Models and modifieds.
Moler Raceway Park, Williamsburg, Ohio (July 13): Sunoco Race Fuels Night, presented by L&M Performance, pays $1,500-to-win for Super Late Models.
Richmond (Ky.) Raceway (July 14): The 25th annual Sunoco Race Fuels Butterball Wooldridge Memorial pays $7,500-to-win for Super Late Models.
Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway (July 14): The track’s Late Model championship pays $2,000-to-win and an increased purse for the 25-lap feature.
Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (July 14): The Red Nininger Memorial pays $3,000-to-win for Super Late Models.
Talladega Short Track, Eastaboga, Ala. (July 14): The track’s 35th anniversary race pays $2,500-to-win for Super Late Models.
Eriez Speedway, Hammett, Pa. (July 15): The Dick Litz Memorial pays $2,900-to-win for the Super Late Model feature.
