The annual Blackford Memorial race at Shady Bowl Speedway Saturday was won by Urbana driver Mike Ward. It was the first win of the season for the former track champion. Ward was behind the wheel of his Fetz Plumbng Chevy. Columbus driver Buddy Townsend led the first 38 laps before Ward took the helm on lap 39. The final laps were hotly contested with Townsend never far off the rear bumper of Ward. Jim Lewis Jr joined the front pair to make it a three car scramble. Ward was able to hold the challenges of both drivers to the checker. Lewis failed a post race inspection and was disqualified. Josh Smith was moved up to third, with Mike Holland fourth and fast qualifier Don Mahaffey Jr fifth. Nic Burnside was the dash winner with Lewis and Matt Jackson winning heats. The 55 lap feature paid $1555.00 to Ward.
The 25 lap street stock main was a dogfight with several drivers trying to take the win. Dayton’s Josh Longstreth took command of the field at the drop of the green flag. Longstreth lost the lead to DeGraffs Buck Purtee o
n lap nine. Purtee, driving his Whitetail Properties Mustang had it far from easy, as Josh Sage, Rodney Roush, Jim Lewis Jr and Jason Mahaffey traded paint and positions the final sixteen laps before finishing in that order. The win was the second of the season for Purtee. Lewis set quick time, with Jason Mahaffey carrying the checker for the dash. Rodney and Robert Roush were heat winners. Josh Sage and Chad Small were winners of the DeGraff Service Center Hard Charger Award.
The Buckeye FWD Mini Stocks took the oval next. The 20 lap feature turned out to be a battle between brothers Ethan and Justin Pope. The two had fans on their feet as laps wound down and neither could build a lead. When the checker flew, Ethan had edged out Justin to post his first win of the season. Pope was sponsored by L&B Auto Repair. Matthew Haygood, Ryan Tamburro and Eddie Kemp rounded out the top five finishers. Justin Pope was fast qualifier. Ethan Pope won the dash, with Matthew Haywood and Jimmy Huffman were winners in heat action.
In the Hanger 18 Hobby Stocks DeGraff’s Jason Purtee continued his winning streak, a he won his 7th feature of the season. Purtee is sponsored by L&B Auto Repair Ford. Andy Pine, Steve Fowler, Les Rhoades and David Reynolds filling out the top five. This Saturday will be the Ed Tapp Classic for the modifieds. The open wheelers will run a 50 lap main with the winners share being $1500.00. The street stocks, Buckeye FWD Mini Stocks and Spectator Drag cars also will be on the schedule. Racing will begin at 7.
Summary 7-28-18.
Late Models:
Fast qualifier: Don Mahaffey Jr. 13.587
Dash winner:Nic Burnside
Heat winners: Jim Lewis Jr. and Matt Jackson
Feature 55 lap Blackford Memorial: 1. Mike Ward 2. Buddy Townsend 3. Josh Smith 4. Mike Holland 5. Don Mahaffey Jr. 6. Brad Coons 7. Kenny George 8. Harrison Hall 9.Bill Cantley 10. Craig Borland 11. Matt Jackson 12. Caleb Reschar 13. Jacob Muncy 14. Nic Burnside 15. Jim Hursey. Jim Lewis Jr. disqualified after post race inspection
Buckeye FWD Mini Stocks:
Fast qualifier: Justin Pope 16.419
Dash winner: Ethan Pope
Heat winners: Matthew Haygood and Jimmy Huffman
Feature 20 laps: 1. Ethan Pope 2. Justin Pope 3. Matthew Haygood 4. Ryam Tamburro 5. Eddie Kemp 6. Ryan Smith 7. Curtis Noble 8. David Asher 9. Rob Fraley 10. Alex Young 11. Bobbi Jo Perez 12. Andrea Swink 13. Mike Wintrow 14. Jimmy Huffman
Street Stocks:
Fast qualifier: Jim Lewis Jr. 14.677
Dash winner: Jason Mahaffey
Heat winners: Robert and Rodney Roush
Feature 25 laps: 1. Buck Purtee 2. Josh Sage 3. Rodney Roush 4. Jim Lewis Jr. 5. Jason Mahaffey 6. Jacob Heckman 7. Mike Carroll 8. Chad Small II 9. Josh Longstreth 10. Jason Drummond 11. Cory Plunkett 12. Randy Walton 13. Robert Roush 14. Chester Frazier 15. Richard Roush 16. Chandler Little 17. Mark Smith 18. Nate Purtee 19. Scott Sullenberger
Hanger 18 Hobby Stocks:
Fast qualifier: Jason Purtee 16.555
Feature 10 laps: 1. Jason Purtee 2. Andy Pine 3. Steve Fowler 4. Les Rhoades 5. David Reynolds
