Long Scores Big at South Bend Motor Speedway

 

By Scott Binkley

South Bend, IN (6-15) A light rain greeted drivers as they arrived on Saturday at the South Bend Motor Speedway but it didn’t last long as the clouds moved away shortly after 3 pm. As the staff fielded phone inquiries from as far away as Grand Rapids and Chicago, the cars steadily arrived. There was a strong field in the Pro Late Model class in preparation for round 2 of the “Layin’ Down the Law 100” series specials. The sun broke though and the 13 event program was completed just after 10 pm.

 

The Front Wheel Drive cars started the evening with point leader Bryant Ragsdale of Mishawaka taking the win in their 20 lap main event, holding off a very determined Bryan Banta of South Bend. Newcomer, Craig Ponsler of South Bend, who led much of the event in his very first outing held on for third over Jason Horton of South Bend and Kyle O’Dell of Plymouth. Sean Stuart of North Liberty worked his way back up to 6^th after a speeding penalty relegated him to the tail around the half way mark. Helmut Forstinger Jr of South Bend, Devin Lauderback of North Liberty, Ronnie Hollaway of South Bend and Allen Walker of New Carlisle completed the top ten. Bryan Banta took the fast car dash win over Horton and O’Dell while Rowdy Ronnie Holaway beeat out James Haisley Jr of South Bend and Devin Lauderback for the win in heat one. Heat two went to Helmut Forstinger Jr ahead of Jason Horton and Allen Walker and Banta took heat three ahead of James Trussell of Niles and Sean Stuart. James Trussell turned in fast qualifying time with a lap of 14.910.

 

The Street Stock 30 lap feature went to South Bend’s Kevin Clash as he held off repeated challenges from Danny Brown Jr of LaPorte and Robbie Ferrier of Dowagiac. Eryn Hartz of Mishawaka held on for 4^th over Jay Coffin of Hamlet and A.J. Lubelski of North Liberty. Doug Fox of South Bend, Derek Wunder of South Bend, Joe Coffin of Plymouth and Mark Swan of Mishawaka rounded out the top ten. Danny Brown Jr took the dash win over Kevin Clash and Mark Swan while Vernon Knight of Michigan City took the win in heat one over Doug Fox and Eryn Hartz. Heat two honors went to Kevin Clash over Danny Brown Jr and Joe Coffin. Kevin Clash posted fast time at 13.284.

 

Sixteen drivers lined up for the 100 lap Pro Late Model “Layin’ Down the Law” series feature event. John Long of Niles moved to the point from his 14^th starting spot and never looked back. As the laps wound down, Robbie Ferrier of Dowagiac closed in but was unable to catch Long, settling for 2^nd. Nick Pressler of South Bend came home in 3^rd ahead of Rodney Smith of Elkhart and Rich Boal of Plymouth. Chris Shannon of Lawton, MI was next ahead of Terry Humphries of Battle Creak, John Ferrier of Niles, Robert Haisley of South Bend and Jeremy Campbell of Rolling Prairie. 2012 points champion, Brandon Zachary of Paw Paw scored the dash win over Rodney Smith and Nick Pressler while Robert Haisley took the win in heat one over Rich Boal and Terry Humphries. Corey Woods of South Bend scored a popular win in heat two over Zachary and Smith. Robbie Ferrier turned in quick time, stopping the clock at 12.649.

 

Action resumes at the “Best Little Short Track in Indiana” this Saturday night as the Bellman Oil Outlaw Late Models return along with the Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Front Wheel Drive cars. It will be kid’s night with a huge autograph session to be held following qualifying. Fans will be invited onto the track to meet their favorite drivers and see the race cars up close. Pit gates open at 3 pm with qualifying at 5:30 and racing set to go at 7 pm. Spectator gates open at 4 pm. General admission is just $12 for adults with kids 6-12 only $5 and free for those 5 & under. Small coolers are welcome but no glass or alcohol is allowed. The front grandstand area is wheelchair accessible so that all fans can enjoy the action. So, grab the kids, come on out and enjoy an exciting evening and we’ll see you at the races.

 

Front Wheel Drive:

Dash:

1) Bryan Banta - South Bend, IN

2) Jason Horton - South Bend, IN

3) Kyle O’Dell - Plymouth, IN

Heat 1:

1) Rowdy Ronnie Holaway - South Bend, IN

2) James Haisley Jr - South Bend, IN

3) Devin Lauderback- North Liberty, IN

Heat 2:

1) Helmut Forstinger Jr - South Bend, IN

2) Jason Horton - South Bend, IN

3) Allen Walker - New Carlisle, IN

Heat 3:

1) Bryan Banta - South Bend, IN

2) James Trussell - Niles, MI

3) Sean Stuart - North Liberty, IN

Feature:

1) Bryant Ragsdale - Mishawaka, IN

2) Bryan Banta - South Bend, IN

3) Craig Ponsler - South Bend

Qualifying:

1) James Trussell - Niles, MI - 14.911

2) Kyle O’Dell - Plymouth, IN - 15.066

3) Sean Stuart - North Liberty, IN - 15.100

 

Street Stock:

Dash:

1) Danny Brown Jr - LaPorte, IN

2) Kevin Clash - South Bend, IN

3) Mark Swan - Mishawaka, IN

Heat 1:

1) Vernon Knight - Michigan City, IN

2) Doug Fox - South Bend, IN

3) Eryn Hartz - Mishawaka, IN

Heat 2:

1) Kevin Clash - South Bend, IN

2) Danny Brown Jr - LaPorte, IN

3) Joe Coffin - Plymouth, IN

Feature:

1) Kevin Clash - South Bend, IN

2) Danny Brown Jr - LaPorte, IN

3) Robbie Ferrier - Dowagiac, MI

Qualifying:

1) Kevin Clash - South Bend, IN - 13.284

2) Danny Brown Jr - LaPorte, IN - 13.472

3) Robbie Ferrier - Dowagiac, MI - 13.485

 

Pro Late Models:

Dash:

1) Brandon Zachary - Paw Paw, MI

2) Rodney Smith - Elkhart, IN

3) Nick Pressler - South Bend, IN

Heat 1:

1) Robert Haisley - South Bend, IN

2) Rich Boal - Plymouth, IN

3) Terry Humphries - Battle Creek, MI

Heat 2:

1) Corey Woods - South Bend, IN

2) Brandon Zachary - Paw Paw, MI

3) Rodney Smith - Elkhart, IN

Feature:

1) John Long - Niles, MI

2) Robbie Ferrier - Dowagiac, MI

3) Nick Pressler - South Bend, IN

Qualifying:

1) Robbie Ferrier - Dowagiac, MI - 12.649

2) John Long - Niles, MI - 12.656

3) Nick Pressler - South Bend, IN - 12.729