I returned to CJ Speedway on Friday night to see the completion of the Modified feature from two weeks ago, along with mid-season championship racing in all five divisions. The Modifieds, scheduled to be the program finale on July 3, fell victim to rain on that night to set up double features for the division.
The feature lineups were based straight-up on total points through five weeks, however in a unique move, heat races were not only run but drivers were awarded points to ensure competitive racing for the fans in the otherwise meaningless "qualifiers."
The make-up Modified feature was first to the track and Tim Sands set the early pace. He led the field for the first few circuits until caution slowed the event. When racing resumed, Todd Hansen shot to the inside of the leader as the green flag was displayed. Bruce Hanford made his way around Sands a short time later and quickly chased down the new leader. Hanford tried numerous times to sneak beneath Hansen's #21. Although Hansen was too strong from the higher groove, Hanford stayed close, eventually making his way past Hansen on the low side with only a few laps to go. Hanford drove away to the win, his second of the year, ahead of Hansen.
The mid-season feature wasn't quite as difficult for Hanford, the points leader, as he started from the pole for the 15-lapper. Hanford quickly assumed command and left the field in his dust, walking away to the win by more than a straightaway margin. Adam Bell, Steve Stewart, Hansen and Mark Winkel completed the top five.
Geoff Theobald entered the night 19th in 4-Cylinder points, but he didn't let his poor starting position discourage him. After just two laps, Theobald put the #33 into sixth place. Then, just two laps later, Theobald ducked under Bill Whalen for second just prior to the race's only caution. Following the restart, Theobald swept to the outside of race leader John Whalen and cruised to the victory in the 10-lapper. Tyler Whalen, John Whalen, points leader Bill Whalen and Darrin Smith completed the top five.
Points leader Justin Buchholz left little doubt that he was the man to beat in the Mod Lite 12-lapper. From his pole position start, Buchholz shot into the lead, leaving Scott Walker and Troy Philpot to give chase. Philpot made his way around Walker for second following a mid-race caution, but nobody was strong enough to catch Buchholz as he cruised to the win. Todd Hansen and Jeff Miller ran fourth and fifth.
Points leader Lane Kauffman led the way in the early stages of the 10-lap Hobby Stock feature. Running the low groove, Luke McLaughlin chased down the leader and the two engaged in a side-by-side battle for the lead midway through the event. McLaughlin changed lanes once he reeled in the leader and motored around the high side of Kauffman on lap six to snag away the lead. McLaughlin drove to the win, leaving Kauffman to take runner-up honors.
Trent Vrchoticky paced the field at the start of the 10-lap I.M.C.A. Stock Car main event. A number of cautions slowed the feature early, however Vrchoticky held the point as David Hemsted, Tad Payne and Aaron Summy applied pressure. The leaders made it a four-car breakaway from the field at various stages between caution flags, but Vrchoticky's competitors were never able to mount a serious challenge as he drove to the flag-to-flag win. Hemsted, Payne and Summy completed the top four while Les Blakey came home fifth, a straightaway behind the leaders.
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