Huntley, Walker, Partin & Nichols Claim Opening Night Wins at Brushcreek
By: Mike Ross
(Peebles, Ohio) After suffering the disappointment of last weeks rain out, competitors and fans were treated to a bright spring day in the Peebles area this week. As the warm Saturday afternoon faded into the cool spring night the racing action heated up on the 1/3 mile speed plant. West Union, Ohio's Marty Huntley drove his Huntley Napa Auto Parts, Huntley Racing Engines, American Sound, AFCO, American Racer Tire, Sunoco Fuels, Swartz chassis to the seasons first late model feature win. Portsmouth Ohio's, Rick Walker drove his Wades Western Wear, South Shore Auto Parts, Smitt's Custom Exhaust, Lightning Chassis to the modified feature win. While Tom Partin took the Chevette/4 cylinder feature win. Matt Nichols claimed the trophy 4 cylinder dash. Tom Partin claimed legends feature win and Matt Nichols took the enduro checkered. Ronnie Farmer was the first fan to qualify for the spectator rookie of the year finals to be held on August, 18th.
Marty Huntley and Clint Jamison brought the late model feature field to the green. It was Huntley jumping out to the early lead. Huntley would set a torrid pace early, catching the back of the field on lap 4. Huntley continued to stretch his lead over Jamison until the 65 of Daniel Kattine and the 9 of Paul Moore made contact spinning in turn 4 on lap six to bring out the caution. On the restart, Huntley pulled to a three car length lead over Jamison. Jamison mounted a charge over the next two circuits of the 1/3 mile speed plant, pulling to the rear deck lid of Huntley, but as heat began to build in the tires Jamison began to fade. Huntley cruised to the feature win followed by Clint Jamison, Brian Arnett, Terry Smart, and Darran Kattine rounding out the top five.
When asked about the new configuration of the track in a post race interview Huntley stated "It's a step in the right direction. A little more work on the backstretch and this will be one fun track to drive."
Portsmouth Ohio's Rick Walker and Peebles Ohio's Mike Gross brought the modified feature field to the green. Walker shot to the early lead, but the field would quickly be slowed when the 222 of Brad White slid up the track making contact with the 93 of Ty Mitchell and the D4 of Dave Jamison resulting in a three car spin on the first lap. A hole in the oil pan would end White's night early, while Ty Mitchell and Dave Jamison were able to continue. On the restart, Walker once again shot to the early lead with Mike Gross in tow. Walker continued to hold the lead over Gross until the second caution waved on lap 2 when the 316 of Joe Brewer spun in turn three after contact from Dave Jamison. Jamison was charged with the caution and sent to the tail. On the restart Walker would maintain a slight advantage over Gross. Gross would mount a charge pulling along side Walker on lap six, however Gross couldn't make his car stick. Gross slid up into the Walker mount in turn two. Walker would spin and Gross got a flat as a result of the contact ending his night early. On the restart, Walker would pull away leaving the rest of the field to battle for second place. Following Walker across the line was Dave Kirker, Joe Brewer, Greg Anderson, and Dave Jamison.
When asked about the race in a post race interview Walker stated, " I hated that for Mike Gross. It was just on of those racing deals though. I wish I could have raced him for the entire race."
Kent Knoblauch and Tom Partin brought the chevette/4cylinder field to the green. Knoblauch a first year racer jumped out to the early lead over Partin. In the early stages of the race Knoblauch would gain a sizable lead over Partin, but Partin would began to reel the 18k of Knoblauch in by finding the high line around the 1/3 mile speed plant. With just 2 laps to go Partin finally closed down on the chevette and made his move on the rookie front runner, taking over the top spot. Following Partin across the line was Knoblauch, Matt Nichols and Gary Rowland.
Tom Partin took the first ever Legends race at Brushcreek. Tom stated " I really want to get this class started. I'm going to take tonight's first place winnings and add it to next weeks purse."
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex is scheduled to be back in action on Saturday May 19th with a regular race program of Late Models, Modifieds, Chevettes, Legends, and the Trophy 4 cylinder class. The new go kart track is also slated to open on May 19th.
For more information on Brushcreek Motorsports Complex visit the Brushcreek Motorsports web site at
www.brushcreekmotorsports.com or call the track office at (937) 544-3344.
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex is located 3 miles south of Peebles, Ohio on OH 41 Directions: from Cincinnati, OH take 1-275 to OH-32 East. to OH-41turn right onto OH-41. From Columbus, OH take 1-270 to US-23 South to OH-32 West to OH-41 turn left onto OH-41. From Athens, OH take OH-682 S. Merge onto OH-32 W to OH -41 turn left onto OH-41
The Summary
Late ModelsHeat 1 - Marty Huntley, Darran Kattine, Terry Smart, Paul Moore, Ron Creighton
Heat 2 - Clint Jamison, Brian Arnett, Daniel Kattine, Joel Ortberg, Steve Duederstadt
Feature - Marty Huntley, Clint Jamison, Brian Arnett, Terry Smart, Darran Kattine, Joel Ortberg, Daniel Kattine, Steve Duedersadt, Ron Creighton, Paul Moore
ModifiedsHeat 1 - Rick Walker, Brad White, Joe Brewer, Dave Jamison, Greg Anderson, Kelly Lippert
Heat 2 - Mike Gross, Darren Dryden, Dave Kirker, Ty Mitchell, Joel Buttelworth
Feature - Rick Walker, Dave Kirker, Joe Brewer, Greg Anderson, Dave Jamison, Joel Buttelworth, Kelly Lippert, Ty Mitchell, Mike Gross
Chevette/4 cylindersHeat - Kent Knoblauch, Tom Partin, Matt Nichols, David Chamblin
Feature - Tom Partin, Kent Knoblauch, Matt Nichols, Gary Rowland
Trophy 4 Cylinders[/b]
Dash - Matt Nichols, Tom Partin, David Chamblin
Legends - Tom Partin
Enduro winner - Matt Nichols
