Conner Smith, left, celebrates with his father Johnny after both won their respective divisions of go-karts on Aug. 16 at Tony Stewart.Speedway in Columbus.
Submitted photo
Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing hosted several divisions of racing on Aug. 19 at Tony Stewart Speedway located on the grounds of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The division winners were Robby Young (heavy and pro heavy), Arika Rudicel (rookie), Maverick Brison (junior 1), Conner Smith (junior 2), Jacob Chadd (junior 3), Sawyer Bohall (junior champ), Grant Hiler (medium), Jeff Purdue (sumo and super heavy), Johnny Smith (pred), Leroy Blevins (rwyb), Tyler Kissinger (senior champ) and Brenden McGlothlin (mod lites).
Several new winners at Brownstown
It was a great night at the Brownstown Speedway on Aug. 19 for some “Saturday Night Racing” as there were five racing divisions highlighted the night with 120 cars on hand. Four of the five feature winners recorded their first Brownstown feature wins of the year. Racing was completed by 10:30 p.m.
In Graphix ILMS Pro Late Models, Tyler Cain of Seymour came from his seventh starting spot to take the lead by Lap 5. Cain fought off a mid-race challenge from Chad Stapleton and eventually drove off to a comfortable win. Cain’s first ILMS Brownstown win of the year was ahead of Chad Stapleton, Jug Wethington, Steve Peeden and Tyler Collins.
Brayden Watson of Bedford led all the laps in Signals Driving School Modified feature action to record his first Brownstown win of 2023. Watson was followed by Brent Lee, Travis Shoulders, Jacoby Hines and Jarod Deckard.
Matt Boknecht of Seymour rode the rim to the front of the field in Pewter Hall Super Stocks and went on to score his first Brownstown win of the year. Zach Sasser, Tanner Chastain, Tucker Chastain and Greg Amick trailed Boknecht at the checkers.
Defending track champion, Michael Brewer of North Vernon picked up win No. 2 for 2023 in Haymaker Customs Hornets. Brewer crossed the finish line ahead of Jeremy Shemwell, Shannon Walp, Brian Pollitt and William Wingate.
For the Flag 2 Flag Media Crown Vic feature, Matt Cranmer of Memphis took advantage of his pole starting position to lead flag-to-flag for his first win of the year & first ever Brownstown feature victory. Dustin Cross, Phillip Boudreaux, Cordell Moore, & Anthony Finley rounded out the top five.
Crate Late Model Feature Results: Tyler Cain, Chad Stapleton, Jug Wethington, Steve Peeden, Tyler Collins, Justin Shaw, Rohn Moon, Marty O’Neal, Derek Groomer, Patrick Shumaker, Zack Burton, Robert Rainey, Alan Magner, Zac Gibbs, Brian Wilhite, Dakota Kibel, Joey Kramer, Conner Mertens, Shelby Miles, Caleb Schryer.
Modified Feature Results: Brayden Watson, Brent Lee, Travis Shoulders, Jacoby Hines, Jarod Deckard, Steve Haefke, Zachary Stalker, Ben Harmon, Jaden Mayhan, Ryan Sterling, Mark Cole, David Winters Jr., Kyle Cole, Chris Cole, Derek Groomer-DNS.
Super Stock Feature Results: Matt Boknecht, Zach Sasser, Tanner Chastain, Tucker Chastain, Greg Amick, Blake Hull, Colton Sullivan, J.T. Huffman, Jim Ruddick, Trey Chastain, Bryson Clark, Chris Batchelor, Isaiah Sasser, Roger Reichenbacker, Skyler Cohee, Brian Sims, Sam Lee, Marty Cooper, Shayne Wilson, Jack Roberts.
Pure Stock Feature Results: Michael Brewer, Jeremy Shemwell, Shannon Walp, Brian Pollitt, William Wingate, Brandon Crockett, Jeremy Ogle, Curtis Roccia, Kameron Arthur, Brett Barger, Greg Garriott, Marshall Claycamp, Chase Hatton, Robert White IV, Jon Ortman, Max Claycamp, Scott Smith, Kiah Wingate, Levi Hayes, Brian Mitchell-DNS.
Crown Vic Feature Results: Matt Cranmer, Dustin Cross, Phillip Boudreaux, Cordell Moore, Anthony Finley, Jeff Cranmer, Matt Weston, Stacie Fitzgerald, Nathan Lewis, Todd Cain, Eric Lewis, Brandon Lange, Peyton Walker, Wayne Shoff, Daniel Chambers, Ray Weston, Chris Hawn, Blake Daniels, Ryan Woods, Adam Reynolds, Zachary Hall.
Bilbee wins Dick Gaines Memorial
Nick Bilbee won the Dick Gaines Memorial on Aug. 19 at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Robert Ballou was second, followed by J.J. Hughes, Garrett Abrams, and Joss Moffatt. Brian Gray won the modified feature, Bobbo Smith took the hornet main event and Joel Andrews won the pure stock feature.
Pollitt wins at Scottsburg
Brian Pollitt of North Vernon won the hornet division feature on Aug. 18 at I-65 Speedway in Scottsburg. Shannon Walp was second, followed by Curtis Roccia, Warren Laufer and Buzzy Jurek.
Ben Harmon of Brooks, Kentucky won the modified feature over Jeff Deckard, Ryan Sterling, Lucas Pace and Thomas Mulvaney. Dusten Carr of Underwood won the pure stock feature over Jaden Mayhan, Mickey Hines, Dalton Roark and Dalton Fleenor. Joel Smith took the crown vic feature over Nick Cooper, Dustin Cross, Curtis Lamb and Nathan Hall.
This week in racing history
From 70 years ago in 1953 at Taylorsville Speedway, Calvin Gilstrap won the stock car feature over Jim Quillen and Jim Waltz.
From 60 years ago in 1963 at Lawrenceburg, Ross Smith won both the stock car and super modified feature events.
From 50 years ago this weekend in 1973 at Brownstown, Jim Curry won the late model feature over Ira Bastin and Bob Fleetwood.
In 1973 at Twin Cities, Johnny Robbins won the feature race over Chuck Gilpin, Bruce Steinert, Joe Davis and Harold Lucas.
Also from 50 years ago at Paragon, Frank Hollingsworth won the sprint car feature over Rex Mitchell, Chet Johnson, Larry Gorman and Al Redman. Horace Lake won the stock car feature over Joe Roberts, Clyde Harris, Glenn Sheeks and Slim Simpson.
In 1973 at Lawrenceburg, Bob Papoy won the sprint car feature over Johnny Krebbs, Dave Peperak, Tony Solomito and Dean Gummere.
From 50 years ago at the Whitewater Valley Speedway in Liberty, Floyd Gilbert won the late model feature over Vern LeFevers. Bob Smith won the super-six feature.
From 40 years ago this weekend in 1983 at Brownstown, Steve Barnett won the late model feature over Russ Petro, John Gill, Doug Ault and Kenny Simpson. Pete Willoughby won the limited late model feature over Lee Fleetwood, Daryl Herbert, Tim Engelau and Steve Trabue. Mike Jewell won the street stock feature over Merrill Downey, Willie Sallee, Don Barnett and Rodney Gaines.
In 1983 at Paragon, Steve Butler won the sprint car feature over Rodney Ritter Jr., Jack Zeigler, Randy Kinser and Mike Johnson. Jim Nichols won the limited late model feature over Marvin O’Neal, Jim Purtlebaugh, Dave Weddle, and Dave Kerr. Mel Paul won the street stock feature over Dave Peeden, Mike Gibbs, Jack Klose and Mark Oliver.
Also in 1983, the Columbus Kart Club winners were Chris Simpson, Chris Coers, John Pollock, Steve Stuckwisch, Taulby Donnell, Jerry Mellencamp and Gary Cunningham.
From 30 years ago in 1993 at Lawrenceburg, Jim Nier won the sprint car feature over Jon Stanbrough, Jeff Deckard, Kerry Norris and Sheldn Kinser Jr. David Mills won the modified feature over Tim Johnson, Danny Eichler, Doug Bildner and Greg Baum. Eichler won the pro stock feature.
In 1993 at Bloomington, Stevie Reeves won the USAC Midget feature over Tony Elliott, Chris Malone, Andy Michne, and Andy Pierce. Bob Kinser won the winged sprint car feature over Brad Devereaux, Kevin Briscoe, Jason Smith and Todd Shields. Scott Patman won the street stock feature over Denny Campbell, Cale Kern, Danny Carmichael and Buddy Frye.
From 30 years ago at Martin County Speedway in Loogootee, Joe Lucas won the street stock feature over Albert Webb Jr., Danny Carmichael, Kurt Sheetz and Tim Kramer. Lynn Ambrose won the UMRA Midget feature over Wayne Mullikin, Travis Welpott, John Linville and Jerry Frickman.
From 20 years ago in 2003 at Brownstown, Don O’Neal won the Night Before the Jackson 100 feature for late models over Dennis Erb Jr., Dan Sturgeon, John Gill and Billy Drake. Mike Fields won the super stock feature over Jay Deckard, Tim Clark, Jeremy Hines and Gary Green. The next night Jim Curry won the Jackson 100 for late models over Steve Barnett, Darren Miller, Billy Drake,and Bob Pierce. Earl Plessinger won the modified feature over Matt Bex, Brandon Reed, Clint DeMoss and Matt Boknecht.
Upcoming local racing schedule
Today: Brownstown Speedway — Carey Ruwe Memorial for crate late models plus super stocks, pure stocks, hornets, and crown vics. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Today: Paragon Speedway — Tony Stewart’s All0Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets plus sprints, super stocks, bombers, and hornets. For more information, visit paragonspeedway.com
Today: Lawrenceburg Speedway — hornets, pure stocks, modifieds and school bus races. For more information, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com
Friday: Bloomington Speedway — MSCS sprints plus MMSA mini-sprints and modifieds. For more information, visit racebloomingtonspeedway.com
Friday: Circle City Raceway, Indianapolis — Tribute to C.J. Rayburn for super late models. For more information, visit circlecityraceway.com
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]
