Davenport wins Eldora Million

Jonathan Davenport survived a two-lap shootout with Chris Madden to win the Second Annual Eldora Million on Thursday Night at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Davenport collected $1,002,022 for the victory, his seventh of the season.

Davenport had built a nearly six-second lead over the field until Tim McCreadie caught him. The two dueled for the lead between Laps 80 and 90. McCreadie, who led Laps 84 and 86, suffered a flat tire with two laps to go, setting up the Davenport-Madden showdown.

Madden tried twice to slide Davenport, but the three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion hung on for the win. Madden, who started 19th, earned a $100,000 payday for second. Devin Moran, whose father Donnie won the inaugural million-to-win race in 2001 at Eldora, came home in third.

The only other two cars on the lead lap at the finish were McCreadie, who placed fourth, and Chris Ferguson, who finished in fifth. Completing the top 10 were Dale McDowell, Mike Marlar, Kyle Bronson, Brandon Sheppard and Hudson O’Neal, who started from the pole position.

Tonight, Eldora will host the Dirt Late Model Dream, paying $128,000 to win. For ticket info, visit eldoraspeedway.com.

Kofoid hot in midget week

Buddy Kofoid captured the first two events of the 2022 USAC Indiana Midget Week in the Columbus-based Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 67 entry. Kofoid won at Bloomington Speedway on June 3 and Lawrenceburg Speedway on June 4. Thomas Meseraull won at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt on Sunday.

The event scheduled for Wednesday at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis was rained out and rescheduled for June 12. Tonight, the midgets will be at the Kokomo Speedway. For up-to-date info, visit usacracing.com.

King of Columbus results

Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing, which holds events at the Tony Stewart Speedway located on the grounds of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, was able to finally complete it’s King of Columbus racing on May 30. The division winners were Nik Brown (rwyb), Mike Dickerson (super heavy), Dustin Heath (heavy), Troy Deppe (medium), Colby King (pred), Oliver Osborn (junior 3 and junior champ), Cash Johnson (junior 2 and pro purple), Landon Schneider (junior 1 ), Connor Perry (rookies) and Chris Buchanan (king race).

The next scheduled event will be on June 30.

Neal wins at Putnamville

Tyler Neal won the Indiana Pro Late Model Series event on June 4 at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville. Steve Peeden was second, with Tyler Collins taking third.

Rounding out the top five were Tory Collins and Raymond Humphrey. The rest of the top 10 in the crate traveling series event were Chad Stapleton, Dakota Jackson, Jug Wethington, Alan Magner and Justin Bowling.

Haudenschild takes Lawrenceburg

The traditional Memorial Day Spectacular returned to Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30 and yet again, lived up to the name in spectacular fashion. With a star-studded field of 43 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars on hand, the Indiana 3/8-mile capped a sensational weekend of racing.

Becoming the third different leader in a wild 30-lapper, Sheldon Haudenschild drove to the point on Lap 11 and never relinquished his lead. His Series-leading fifth victory was far from easy, however, as the NOS Energy Drink/Stenhouse Jr./ Marshall Racing #17 faced steep traffic and relentless challengers in the closing stages.

“I’m just happy we survived and came out with the win,” a relived Haudenschild said. “I had so many close calls through traffic, those lappers were tough to battle. That’s just normal Lawrenceburg, though. I knew there would be some holes, you just have to run the track smart. More than anything, I just want to thank the men and women and the families who have sacrificed so much that allow us to race on this Memorial Day.”

Tonight, Lawrenceburg will host a regular show of sprints, modifieds, pure stocks and hornets. For further info, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com

Rice wins Rayburn Memorial

James Rice wont he C.J. Rayburn Memorial held on May 30 at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis.

Tyler Erb was second, followed by Spencer Hughes, Devin Gilpin and Andy Bond. Completing the top 10 were Cody Bauer, Ryan Gustin, Rusty Schlenk, Bill Sheets and Jayme Zidar.

Brownstown off tonight

There will be no racing tonight at Brownstown Speedway. The next scheduled race will be June 18 with the Don Russ Memorial, featuring pure stocks, pro late models, super stocks, hornets and crown vics. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com

Rock Crest Raceway update

Rock Crest Raceway, formerly known as Twin Cities Raceway Park, in Vernon will present the BOSS Sprint Car Series on Friday. Also racing will be super stocks, hornets and crown vics.

This week in racing history

From 70 years ago in 1952 at Columbus Speedway, it was Bud Greathouse winning the feature race over Gene Minor, Harry King, and Wayne Ford.

From 50 years ago this weekend in 1972 at Brownstown, Jim Curry won the late model feature over Chris Bradley, Dennis Boknecht, Ed Covey and Mel Vails.

Also from 50 years ago this weekend at Twin Cities, it was determined that Phil Fultz and Bob Myers had tied for the win at the finish line in the six-cylinder main event. Jim Giltner was third, with Kenny Knapp taking fourth.

From 1972 at Haubstadt, Dean Shirley (sprints) and Jim Curry (late models) were the feature winners in their respective divisions.

From 50 years ago, the Columbus Kart Club division winners were Randy Ragin, Bruce Cunningham, Bill McCleery, Charles Steigerwalt, Tony Boaz, Bob McClure and Bob Spillman.

From 40 years ago in 1982 at Brownstown, Russ Petro won the late model feature over Kenny Simpson, Noel Witcher, Dick Phillips, and Barry Magers. Darrell Hunter won the street stock feature over Rodney Harris, Rodney Gaines, Bob Johnson and Ted Pfeiffer.

Also from 1982 at Twin Cities, Dee Kramer won the limited late model feature over Steve Boley, Paul Crockett, Gregg Lyle, and Jim Ruddick. Troy Burton won the street stock feature over Tom Franks, Willie Sallee, Clyde James and Earl Plessinger.

From 1982 at Haubstadt, Chuck Amati won the sprint car feature over Randy Kinser and Gary White. Tom Helfrich won the late model feature over Kevin Claycomb and Rick Carneal.

Also from 40 years ago at Paragon, Chuck Amati won the sprint car feature over Kelly Kinser. Ernie Barrow won the stock car feature over Terry Buster.

From 30 years ago in 1992 at Brownstown, Steve Barnett won the late model feature over Don O’Neal, Paul Shafer, Earl Plessinger, and Marty O’Neal. Scott Patman won the street stock feature over Delbert Ross, Mark Barber, Scott McKeand and Phil Fultz. George Berry took the bomber feature over Bruce Turner, Frankie Coomer, Dale Hobbs and Bobby Davis.

Also from 1992 at Haubstadt, Kevin Thomas won the sprint car feature over Ray Morgan and Bob Kinser. Doug McCammon grabbed the late model feature over Rick Carneal and Kevin Claycomb.

From 1992 at Paragon, Bob Kinser won the sprint car feature over Dave Peperak, Sheldon Kinser Jr., Joe Miller and Jim Whiteside. Lee Hobbs won the pro stock feature, Steve Blair the pure stock main and Kenny Carmichael won the modified feature.

From 20 years ago in 2002 at Brownstown, Billy Drake won the Kenny Simpson Memorial over Don O’Neal, Greg Johnson, Jim Curry and Doug Ault. John DeMoss won the modified feature race over Adam Sasser, Earl Plessinger, Matt Boknecht and Jeremy Hines. Gary Green won the super stock feature over Mike Fields, Terry Arthur, Michael Vest and Mike Cawood. Jim Ruddick won the bomber feature over Bubba Woods, Matt Cummings, Chris Streeval and Ray Godsey Jr.

Also from 20 years ago at Terre Haute Action Track, Danny Lasoski won the World of Outlaws Sprint Car feature over Mark Kinser, Steve Kinser, Joey Saldana, and Daryn Pittman.

From 2002 at Bloomington Kevin Briscoe won the sprint car feature over Eric Burns, Danny Holtsclaw, Derek Scheffel and Kevin Thomas. Clint DeMoss won the modified feature over John DeMoss, Rodney Harris Jr., Ryan Thomas and Brady Short. Chris Deweese won the super stock main event over Jerry Adams, Danny Harris, Brad Cummings and Mel Bigham.

James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]