Third generation Crane gets first I-70 win
 

Odessa, MO - August 06, 2006
By: I-70 Speedway

Steve Oliver Automart/97.3 MAX FM night at the races featuring the Late Model 100 lapper at America’s Fastest Weekly race track was a special night as Redneck Night at the Races was enjoyed by all. A historical win also made the night memorable for all.

The Late Model feature made history at this historic track tonight as a third generation racer became a feature winner following in the steps of his grandfather and father – young Billy Crane outlasted the field and won his first ever late model feature race. With father Kent and family cheering him on and late grandfather Bill surely looking down from up above – the celebration was on in victory lane. Crane grabbed the second spot passing David Kidwell on lap 90 and assumed the front position as Austin Siebert’s front tire went flat a lap later. Siebert led more than half the event after taking the lead on lap 35 after Steve Barber experienced problems and left the track. Rod Cordon led from the green as a first lap melee took out the Kevin Foster, AJ Wood and David Wood cars. David Wood returned to the event. Barber took the lead from Cordon on lap 10 and then spun having apparent tire problems on lap 57. David Kidwell was second, Siebert was third, Tracy Killian fourth and David Glass rounded out the top five. Rod Cordon was the fast qualifier.

The Super Truck feature event was a replay of past weeks as Steve Barber battled to the front and then raced in a class of his own running away from the field for yet another victory. The bumper to bumper action was for 2nd thru 4th spots as Jeremiah Gibson, Chad Culp and Brandon Jordan fought for position lap after lap. Culp and Jordan traded spots running high and low as Gibson held the second spot to the checkered. Jordan was third, Culp fourth and Randy Price fifth. Culp was DQ’d for a weight issue after the event moving Price to fourth and Joey Frey fifth. Barber was the heat race winner also.

In Kenny’s Tile Modified action Ronnie Hartford held the early lead until Shane Roach grabbed the front spot on lap 4 and went on to collect his fourth feature victory of 2006. Terry Smith and Brad Smith were runners-up in second and third with Hartford holding on to fourth spot. Springfield’s Lendal Alexander was fifth spot. Brad Smith won the heat event.

The 15-lap Dash event also had it’s share of crashes and bangs as Mike Vannoy and Michael Deschenes battled for the lead during the first five until a 4-car wreck on lap 5 claimed Jason Isabell, Ashley Fann, David Russell and Billy Littrell. After the restart – Deschenes took the lead on lap 8 and won his eighth feature of the season. Vannoy held on to second spot, Steven Littrell was third, Isabell fourth and Gary McGinnis fifth. Deschenes and Isabell won heat events.

Super Stock action saw Mark Spillman lead early in the 15-lap event until Paul Carter took the top spot. While Carter led Mike Higley and Chris Reiff continued their side-by-side battle from last week running until lap 7 when Higley moved to the lead after the duo passed a faltering Carter. Lap 8 saw a rough crash on the front stretch as Rodney Phillips and Mark Spillman got together. After the restart Higley and Reiff continued their battle bumper to bumper until Higley took the checkered for his 6th win of the year. Reiff was runner-up, Carter recovered for third, Brandon Davis was fourth and Damon Bacus fifth. Higley was the heat winner.

The Joslin’s Jewelry 12-lap event began with a bang literally as a three car melee send all three to the pits on the first lap. Wade Sherman, John Nelson and Duffy Muehlberger all retired after the front stretch crash.

On the second restart Danny Anders again led the field until Robert Rodriguez using an outside groove passed several cars to take the lead on lap two. Jeremy Roberts following Rodriguez took his share of the lead on lap 4. Roberts would keep the front spot ahead of Brian Bamesberger and Rodriguez taking his 2nd feature of the season. Aaron Naylor and Aaron Williams finished the top 5 spots. Roberts and David Walker won heat events.

Racing continues next Saturday night August 12th – Kerrie Schaffner Memorial with 5 classes of cars running the high banks. Hot laps begin at 5:15pm – and racing begins at 7:00pm every Saturday night at America’s Fastest Weekly Race Track. Check www.I70SPEEDWAY.NET for updates and information.