“Justin Cullum Wins Second Straight UMP Modified Feature”
“Billy Sonner Jr Wins First Career Hobby Stock Feature”
By Brent Hottle
Winchester(VA)-It was a very windy Saturday afternoon in the Shenandoah Valley, however, the
temperatures were decent and there were no rain clouds in the area. This would make for a dry
slick combination for the speedway surface. It would be interesting to see which driver could
limit his or her wheel spin out of the corners and which team could get the most grip out of their
setups to find victory lane. We would see a few drivers in various classes go for a spin or two
during hotlaps and the heat races, as they found the limitations of their cars. Once all of the
qualifying races were over. It would be time for our Invocation and playing of our National
Anthem. Next up would be feature time!
The Pure Stocks would pull out onto the speedway first. Buddy Wilson would take the early lead
from his pole position starting spot. Chuckie Johnson and Tony Johnson would quickly find their
way around outside polesitter Trent Holmes to move into second and third position. Wilson
would begin to slowly pull away from Chuckie Johnson just before Trent Holmes would go for a
spin, bringing out the yellow flag on lap five. Wilson would continue to lead after the restart.
However, we would see the Johnson’s switch positions as Tony Johnson would move around
Chuckie Johnson for the second position. Wilson would pull away and extend his lead a little
each lap as he cruised to his victory! Tony Johnson and Chuckie Johnson would round out the
top three.
Next, we would see the Rush Crate Late Models pull out onto the speedway. This race would
almost be a race of attrition as we would see the yellow flag wave eight times during the twenty
lap event. The first yellow coming at the start of the event as Steven Powell would spin in turn
one causing a complete restart of the event. Logan Roberson would lead lap one followed by
Craig Parrill and Isaiah Gochenour. Powell would spin again this time in turn four bringing out
the caution once again just after the completion of lap one. Roberson would begin to pull away
from the field during the next few laps before slowing once again as the yellow would fly on lap
four due to a multi car pile up in turn one. There would be no change in the top three yet after
this restart as the field raced around the speedway for a few laps. Then Mike Franklin would
slow in turn two bringing out the caution on lap seven. After the next restart we would see
Roberson and Gochenour continue to run first and second. However, Davin Kaiser would slip
around Parrill and move into the third position. The field would complete the eighth lap just
before Parrill would come to a stop at the top of turn two. On the next restart we would see a
four car pile up in turn four resulting in another restart. As the field completed lap nine Roberson
would continue to lead, as Kaiser had now moved around Gochenour for the second position.
Scott Sweeney Jr would come to a stop at the top of turn four bringing out the caution on lap
thirteen. Roberson would once again show his strength and hold onto the lead during the next
restart. Gochenour would move back into the second position, sliding Kaiser back to third.
Roberson would pull out to around a three-quarter of a straightaway lead over Gochenour, just
before Dave Loudin would slow on the back straightaway bringing out the caution on lap
sixteen. Roberson would once again hit his marks on what would be the final restart of the event
and cruise to the victory with around a four car lead over Isaiah Gochenour and Davin Kaiser.
After such a lengthy and caution filled event just ending, it would be the UMP Modifeds turn to
pull out on the speedway. Justin Cullum would pick up where he left off last week. Cullum would
take the lead on lap one from the outside pole position. Donnie Farlling and Michael Altobelli
would give chase. However, Cullum would begin to pull away from Farlling as he had begun to
pull away slightly from Altobelli. Cullum would pull out to a half straightaway lead over the field
by the halfway point in the event. Cullum would have to tend with some lap cars by the end of
the twenty lap event allowing Farrling to slightly cut into this lead. It wouldn’t be enough to stall
Cullum as he would go on to win the caution free event. Donnie Farlling and Michael Altobelli
would round out the top three.
Next we would see the Legend cars pull onto the speedway. Chris Transeau would lead lap one
from his pole position, followed by Austin Bellemare and Shaun Abney. Transeau would slide up
in turn one allowing Bellemare to take the lead out of turn two. Bellemare would lead lap two
followed by Transeau and Abney. Transeau would move back around Bellemare to lead lap
three, Abney would follow Transeau to take the second position away from Bellemare as well.
Abney would get a big run out of turn two, this would give him the extra momentum to take the
lead away from Transeau and lead lap four. The caution flag would wave as Steve Seibert Jr
would spin in turn three. Abney would continue to lead the next lap, as the caution flag would
once again wave due to a five car spin in turns one and two. Abney would lead after the restart,
as Stephen Wurtzer would move into the second position ahead of Transeau. The top three
would battle hard for the next few laps. Scott Spidle would spin in turn two bringing out the
yellow flag on lap ten. Heartbreak would ensue for Shaun Abney under the yellow flag as the
driver side mount for his rear bumper had come apart. This would cause an unsafe condition,
INEX rules state “you must have both bumpers on the vehicle and attached by their approved
mounting rules,” this would cause Abney to be sent to the pits for the necessary repairs. After
the restart we would see Transeau lead lap eleven, followed by Scott Houdeshell and Stephen
Wurtzer. Houdeshell would pull to Transeau’s right rear tire as the pair took the white flag. A
three car spin in turn two would stall Houdeshells bid for the lead bringing out the caution and
setting up a one lap shootout. Chris Transeau would take the win, followed by Scott Houdeshell
and Stephen Wurtzer.
The final event of the night would be the Hobby Stock feature. Billy Sonner Jr would take the
early lead from his pole starting position and lead lap one. Chris Sumption and Kristopher
Hutton would battle side by side for the second position. Sonner Jr would continue to leap lap
two as Sumption had pull ahead of Hutton for the second position. Sonner Jr would begin to pull
away slightly as the race progressed. Sonner Jr has had a fast car the previous two weeks, as
mechanical gremlins would end his prior two nights early. This week, however, looked to be his
night. As he would go on to lead every lap of the fifteen lap event and take his first career victory
in the division. Making this victory even sweeter for Sonner Jr, is the fact it was his father’s
birthday on this day. Billy Sonner Sr. was face many can remember from the pit area of the
Winchester Speedway for many years. Sadly Billy Jr lost his father ten years ago. It was fun
seeing him pick up the win on his dad’s birthday. Chris Sumption and Kristopher Hutton would
round out the top three.
We want to thank everyone who attended this week's events and we look forward to seeing you
back at “The Action Track” next Saturday!
Pure Stock Results
Buddy Wilson, Chuckie Johnson, Trent Holmes, Jerry Jenkins Jr, Delmar Grady, (DNS) Andy
Adkins (DQ) Tony Johnson
Rush Crate Late Models Results
Logan Roberson, Isaiah Gochenour, Davin Kaiser, Jeremy Wonderling, Jeremiah Marshall, Trae
Armel, Codey Breedan, Steven Payne, Tyler Hoy, Kurt Stebbins, Keith Walls, Lane Brock,
Scooter Tippett (DNF Jim Pownell, Dave Loudin, Lincoln Smith, Scott Sweeney Jr, Craig Parrill,
Travis Campbell, Mike Franklin, Cameron Campbell, Dylan High, Steven Powell, Braeson
Fulton)
UMP Modifieds Results
Justin Cullum, Donnie Farlling, Micahel Altobelli, Cody Williams, Glenn Elliott, TJ DeHaven,
Mike Corbin, Mike Grady Jr, Gary Warehime, Frank Dibella, (DNF Anthony Reeder, Scott
Daniels, Kirk Baker)
Legends Results
Chris Transeau, Scott Houdeshell, Stephen Wurtzer, Colton Friese, Jorgie Sweger, Logan
Cabaugh, Zac Smith, Scott Musselman, Jeremey Hahn, Dalton Friese, Steve Seibert Jr, Ben
Goldsmith, Hunter McElroy, Shaun Abney, Scott Spidle, Brian Rampmeyer, Ernie Shirley,
Michael Goldsmith, Tyler Rampmeyer (DNF Mike Mohelski, Grady McGrew, Austin Bellmare,
Rick Hartwig, Dustin Wiles)(DNS Colan Droneburg)
Hobby Stock Results
Billy Sonner Jr, Chris Sumption, Kristopher Hutton, Sam Caravello, Tom Caravello, Justin Hottle,
Robert Wilson, Sam Hoffman, Dalton Dilman, Dale Kirby (DNF Russell Fox, John Catlett)