Thomas gets first win of the year at Florence Speedway

Ryan Thomas of Brownstown is interviewed in Victory Lane at Florence Speedway after winning his first open wheel modified feature of the year on May 20.

Submitted photo

Ryan Thomas of Brownstown, behind the wheel of his Diamond Race Cars house car, won his first open wheel modified feature of 2023 on May 20 at Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky. Thomas led Billy Green, Trent Green, Daniel Dehner and Caleb Burgess across the finish line.

Joey Kramer of Hanover won the crate late model feature over Daniel Dial, Trent Green, Jim Couch and Elliott Williams.

In other racing action at Florence, Carson Freeman won the sport mod feature and Brandon Gibson Jr. took the hornet feature.

Several new winners at Brownstown

There were five divisions on hand for Saturday Night Racing action at Brownstown Speedway on May 20. In three of the five divisions, the first-place finishers all won their first features of their careers at the Jackson County Fairgrounds track.

In Graphix ILMS Pro Late Model feature action, Steve Peeden of Paragon took the lead from Marty O’Neal near the halfway mark of the race and went on to record his first ILMS win for 2023.

Peeden led Jordan Wever, O’Neal, Chad Stapleton and Tyler Neal at the finish. Completing the top 10 were Britan Godsey, Alan Magner, Dakota Kibel, Zack Burton and Patrick Shumaker.

Blake Hull of Nebraska was a first-time-ever Brownstown winner in Pewter Hall Super Stock feature action. Hull, the fourth different 2023 winner out of four races for Super Stocks, led Greg Amick, Tucker Chastain, Isaiah Sasser and Tanner Chastain at the finish.

Brent McMillan of North Vernon in All in One Pools Pure Stocks, also picked up his first-ever Brownstown feature win. A.J. Warren, Hunter Perry, Josh Hayes and Davey Waggoner trailed McMillan at the checkers.

Blake Daniels of Franklin, the third first-time-ever Brownstown winner of the night, visited Victory Lane in the Flag 2 Flag Media Crown Vic feature. Daniels had to hold off Phillip Boudreaux in the closest finish of the night for the win. Following Daniels and Boudreaux was Anthony Finley, Matt Cranmer and Stacie Fitzgerald.

Jeremy Shemwell of Indianapolis in Haymaker Customs Hornets recorded his third feature win in a row. Coming from his 14th starting spot, Shemwell took the checkers ahead of Shannon Walp, Scott Smith, Matt Miller and Kameron Arthur.

Indiana Pro Late Model Feature Results: Steve Peeden, Jordan Wever, Marty O’Neal, Chad Stapleton, Tyler Neal, Britan Godsey, Alan Magner, Dakota Kibel, Zack Burton, Patrick Shumaker, Zac Gibbs, Richard Shirey, Nolan Wells, Robert Rainey, Barry Gerkin, Houston Roark, Caleb Schryer, Bodi Henry, Conner Mertens, Bryce Burton, Keaton Streeval.

Super Stock Feature Results: Blake Hull, Greg Amick, Tucker Chastain, Isaiah Sasser, Tanner Chastain, Austin Perry, Cale Kern, J.T. Huffman, Jack Roberts, Steve Hollars, Hayden Groomer, Sam Lee, Ross Smith, Zach Sasser, Jenna Boknecht, Trey Chastain, Colton Sullivan, Webb Lee, Chris Batchelor, Bryson Clark.

Pure Stock Feature Results: Brent McMillan, A.J. Warren, Hunter Perry, Josh Hayes, Davey Waggoner, DJ Dunn, Donnie Wilson, Eric Lewis, Ronnie Pardue, Tommy Fleenor, Cody Ellison, David Bloom III, Kevin Bloom, Alvi Applegate, A.J. Wilson, Daniel Hupp, Mickey Hines, Preston Carr, Buddy Stearns, Bobby Woods-DNS, Paul Ortman-DNS.

Crown Vic Feature Results: Blake Daniels, Phillip Boudreaux, Anthony Finley, Matt Cranmer, Stacie Fitzgerald, Wayne Shoff, Nathan Lewis, Kilie Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, Amos Calloway, Brandon Lange, Ray Weston, Doug Cooper, Ryan Woods-DNS, Zachary Hall-DNS, Peyton Walker-DNS.

Hornet Feature Results: Jeremy Shemwell, Shannon Walp, Scott Smith, Matt Miller, Kameron Arthur, Don Boling Jr., Nathan Jones, Marshall Claycamp, Scott Howe, Brett Barger, James Simmons, Chris Hillman Jr., Davey Waggoner, Blake Durbin, Landon Hayes, William Wingate, Shane Reed, Josh Arthur, Nate Byrd, Kenneth Eaton.

Short, Boknecht win at Bloomington

The 410 non-wing sprints had 19 entries on May 19 at Bloomington Speedway, and the three fast groups were led by Jadon Rogers (12.117), Charles Davis Jr. (11.706) and Sterling Cling (11.712). This set-up

The 3 heats and the wheel spin for the invert was a 3. Heat race 1 was won by Nick Bilbee in his first attempt this year at the red clay over Brandon Spencer and Jadon Rogers. Heat race 2 was won by Charles Davis Jr. from 3rd over Cody Trammell and Andy Bradley. The final heat was a wild one, as Brady Short had to pull off during qualifying, so he had to start on the tail of the heat. Short came from sixth to win the heat over Harley Burns and Brayden Fox.

That set-up the 25 lap A-main, as the track was dodging rain the whole night so far. The wheel spin for the feature was a 6, which put Harley Burns and Cody Trammell on the front row. Early in the feature Burns jumped out to the lead running the bottom on the tires. Burns was able to build a decent lead but two drivers were coming to the front quickly and that was Short and Trammell. With Burns on the bottom, Short was trying the middle and the top groove, and it was working. He was closing in on the lead. Jadon Rogers also was ripping the top trying to make his moves also. Short got the middle to work and he took the lead from Harley for the top spot.

A scary incident happened with Jordan Kinser in the 04 Burton car had a bad flip off of Turn 1 after making contact. Thankfully, he climbed out of the car OK. On the restart Short was able to keep command of the top spot and pick up a big win at Bloomington. Following Short at the checkers, it was Burns with a strong run in second, with Bilbee, Rogers and Davis rounding out the top five.

The UMP Super Stocks had 13 entries. The quick times were led by Matt Boknecht (14.042) and Derek Groomer (13.759). That set up the two heats with a wheel spin invert of a 4. Heat race 1 was won by Greg Amick over Cale Kern and Josh Litton. The second heat was won by Zach Sasser over Hayden Groomer and Jordan Almanza. This set up the A-main with a wheel spin of 2. That put Amick and Sasser on the front row for the feature. At the start of the race, Amick and Sasser had a great battle, but while they were battling it out, Boknecht was rolling to the front from seventh. Boknecht was strong wherever he put his car and took over the lead. He held on for his second win over Sasser, Litton, Amick and Kern.

This week in racing history

From 60 years ago in 1963 at Brownstown, Steve Sullivan won the midget car feature over Bud Bogard, Tommy Krehl, Jim Adair, and Nick Wilhelm.

From this weekend in 1963, the Columbus Go-Kart Club kicked off its racing season. The division winners were Dick Smith, Bob Baker, Jim Mobley, Jim Devening and Mike Green.

From 60 years ago at Bloomington, Cecil Beavers won the super modified feature over Dick Gaines, Wib Spalding, Bill Dugger and Richard Jackson.

From 50 years ago this weekend, Russ Petro won the feature at 25th Street Speedway in Columbus over Tom Sterrett, Don Hobbs, Al Woodard and Paul Crockett.

From 1973 at Twin Cities, Tommy Day won the feature over Denny Long, Bill Cummings, Mike Stewart and Cecil McQueary.

Also, from 1973 at Whitewater Valley Speedway in Liberty, Ron Edwards won the V-8 late model feature over Gene Petro, Dick DeBolt, Chick Hale and Bruce Merz. Bob Smith won the super six feature over Alan Scott, Dave Breeden, Gary Herbert and Tom Thomas.

From 40 years ago in 1983 at Brownstown, Russ Petro won both the make-up and regularly scheduled late model feature races. In the first main event, Petro outran Barry Magers, Ray Godsey, Steve Barnett and Gerald Dixon. Petro took the second feature over Godsey, John Gill, Charlie Sentman and Charlie Glotzbach. Troy Burton took one of the two street stock feature held. Burton took the first feature over Mike Jewell, Dave Kerr, Gary Lonsberry and Mark Elzey. Jewell won the second street stock main over Burton, Rodney Gaines, Rick Hines and Elzey.

Also from 1983 at Twin Cities, Lee Fleetwood won the limited late model feature over Steve Boley, Tim Engelau, Pete Willoughby and Dee Kramer. Earl Plessinger won the street stock feature over Larry Gingery, Howard Montgomery, Willie Sallee and Bill Franks.

Fromm 1983 at I-65 Speedway in Scottsburg, Charlie Glotzbach won the late model feature over Gerald Dixon, Steve Boley, Larry Detmer and Bob Gullion. Dany Blackwell won the street stock feature over Justin Murphy, Don Barnett, Willie Sallee and Earl Plessinger.

From 30 years ago in 1993 at Haubstadt, Randy Kinser won the sprint car feature over Kevin Briscoe and Gary Hayhurst Jr. It was Doug McCammon winning the late model feature over Kevin Claycomb and Ron Fisher. Mark Johnson won the modified feature over Danny Claycomb and Everett Bradham.

From 20 years ago in 2003 at Twin Cities, Terry Goff won the UMRA midget feature over Matt Arrington, Oogie Goff, A.J. Nigh and Bobby Walton.

Also from 2003 at Lawrenceburg, Cory Kruseman won the sprint car feature over Kevin Thomas Jerry Coons Jr., Mike Miller, and Dickie Gaines. Brad Wieck won the modified feature over Greg Beem, Jerry Back, Wayne Chinn and Roger Williams.

Upcoming local racing schedule

Tonight: Columbus Speedway Go-Karts, Tony Stewart Speedway, Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds – King of Columbus.

Tonight: Brownstown Speedway – Bobby Wilson Memorial for super late models, modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets.

Tonight: Paragon Speedway – Sheppard Memorial for sprints, super stocks, bombers and hornets.

Sunday: Tri-State Speedway – Haubstadt – MSCS sprints, MMSA mini-sprints, modifieds. For more information, visit tri-statespeedway.com

Monday: Lawrenceburg Speedway – World of Outlaw Sprint Cars, modifieds. For more information, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com

Friday: Bloomington Speedway – sprints, modifieds, super stocks, IMCA sprints and mod lites. For more information, visit racebloomingtonspeedway.com

Friday: Circle City Raceway – Indianapolis – sprints, modifieds, pro legends, and super stocks. For more information, visit circlecityraceway.com

June 3: Brownstown Speedway – hornet special plus Indiana Pro late models, super stocks, pure stocks and MMSA mini-sprints.

June 3: Salem Speedway – ASA/CRA Super Series, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, Diesel Boys GAS Series. For more information, visit salemspeedway.com

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