April 3,2016 Montgomery, Al: The most anticipated event to visit Montgomery Motor Speedway in quite a while hit the track Sunday as the Nationally acclaimed King of the Wing tour rolled into the historic ½ mile facility. Sprint car drivers from across the United States and Canada converged on the southeast for a weekend of racing. Friday night mother nature was the winner as a torrential rain hit 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola Florida cancelling the first race of the weekend. Saturday the tour rolled into Mobile International Speedway and raced in front of a packed house with Tampa’s Troy DeCaire winning the 35 lap winged sprint event, with fellow Floridian Mickey Kampgens finishing second. Rounding out the top 5 were Canadian Ron Larson from Quesnel, British Columbia, Sierra Jackson from Middleton, Idaho, and Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. The event was sponsored by the Mobile Sports Authority and Theadore Recycling.
Sunday the sun was shining and the cars were flying as the tour hit the track to the amazement of the fans. Expectations were high as practice times were already breaking the old track record set by the “Malabar Missle” Kenny Adams in 2000 at 16.352. The Program consisted of qualifying, heats and a 40 lap feature. The first heat was won by #5 Mickey Kempgens. Second heat saw British Columbia driver Ron Larson #12 leading the way. Budweiser fast time pole award went to Bobby Santos as he crushed the track record with a time of 15.038. The top 8 cars all bested Kenny adams time and showed the fans they were in for a treat when these winged warriors hit the track.
The 40 lap feature saw the #23 of Robert Stout and the #88 of Jason Conn take the green. By lap 1 Ron Larson #12 had grabbed the point with #23 Stout, #5 Kempgens, #45 Hamilton and #22a Santos all running in a pack on his tail. The #6 car of Kevin Blue fought mechanical issues all day and found themselves going down a lap early in the race. The field had a couple of USCS Racers in it as 11 time Champion Terry Gray #10 and 2015 USCS National Champion Morgan Turpen made the trip to Montgomery Motor Speedway after their race was cancelled in Ocala Florida the night before. Turpen was not the only female racer in the field as the crowd saw #25j of Sierra Jackson compete in her powerful machine. Mechanical issues struck her machine and had to retire early. The Battle was for second place as #22a santos continued to dog the #45 of Hamilton Jr. Hamilton said after the race that he used up too much of his right rear Hoosier tire and just could not hold off the hard Charging Santos. When the Checkered fell it was Quesnel, British Columbia’s Ronald Larson #12 in Royal Purple Victory lane.
- #12 Ronald Larson
- #22a Bobby Santos
- #45 Davey Hamilton Jr.
- #11 Kyle Edwards
- #07 Jacob Wilson
- #10 Terry Gray
- #6 Kevin Blue
- #88 Jason Conn
- #5 Mickey Kempgens
- #23 Robert Stout
- #25J Sierra Jackson
- #10m Morgan Turpen
- #100 Tom Patterson DNS
Montgomery’s Street Stock division took to the track with #38 Brian “Bubba” Hutchinson starting on the pole after 2014 Street Stock #31 Champion Dwayne “Collard Green” Wesenberg set fast time in European style qualify but rolled a 5 in opening ceremonies putting him in the 3rd row beside last race winner Charles Davis #6. It took a couple of attempts to get the 30 lap feature started but it was Game on when it did. #38 Hutchinson jumped out to an early lead and looked strong but a flat left rear tire sent the Montgomery driver to the pits for some attention from his crew. He returned to action but was 4 laps down. David wood #24 worked his way to the lead lap on circuit 36 and had Wesenberg right on his tail. A gentle tap from the #31 could not shake the #24 of wood as he held the top spot. The #12 of Josh Wilson had a good race going as he made some aggressive moves and was working his way to the front but had to take his Smurfman racing machine behind the wall on lap 20. The street stock division saw a couple of new drivers in the field as Jody Cash’s Dodge was piloted by Scott Graham and the #7 car had a new driver in William Smith.
The action up front was heating up as #6 Davis worked his way to the front as he was able to get to the 2nd place car of Wesenberg. Davis Looked for his opportunity patiently and it came when the lead pack got into lapped traffic on lap 25 allowing Davis to take the second position.
Street Stock Finish
- #24 David Wood
- #6 Charles Davis
- #31 Dwayne Wesenberg
- #42 Scott Graham
- #7 William Smith
- #38 Brian Hutchinson
- #12 Josh Wilson
Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman qualified earlier in the day with Dave Mader in a borrowed car from AIR / Ruese racing setting fast time of 21.482 followed by Perry Patino #51 and and #21 Jason Furrow.
The feature started with Brad Edwards #18 on the front row and Furrow outside. Edwards lead the first lap but furrow took over the top spot on lap 2. The field set in to a rhythm and started logging laps. Furrow stretched out his lead but that decision would come back to bite him before the race was over.The race progressed with Furrow on the point #51 Patino running second, #89 mader in third and the #88 of Roger Reuse in fourth. Lap 27 was when Patino made his move on Furrow who shot up the track in turn 4 and allowed the young driver to take the lead. Seeing that the tires had gone away on the #21 VETERAN Mader followed right behind Patino on lap 29 to capture the second spot. A fierce battle ensued between the #21 of Furrow and #88 of Reuse as the laps winded down.
- #51 Perry Patino
- #89 Dave Mader
- #21 Jason Furrow
- #88 Roger Reuse
- #18 Brad Edwards
- #1b Bobby East
- #19 John Adams
- #1 Daniel Jacks
Montgomery Motor Speedway returns to action Saturday April 16th for Autograph Night featuring Modified Mini, Street Stocks, Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman and the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour. Gates will open at 5 Budweiser qualifying at 6 and racing at 7 Tickets are only $10 for adults $8 for military and seniors $5 for kids 6-12….. 5 and under are always free.
