Mason, MI (07/02/2021) – Perfect temperatures and a packed grandstand greeted the 96 drivers on the property Friday night at the Corrigan Oil Speedway for the return of the Wild Child. A race night held in honor of a former racer, Brian Heeney that tragically passed away 15 years ago. Brian was the brother of now track owner Tracy Hernly.
22 Shaheen Chevrolet Outlaw Super Late Models signed in at the speedway for the Northside Towing.net Big 8 Super Late Model Series presented by Auto Value, and transfer heat races were won by Craig Everage, Phil Bozell and Andy Bozell. All cars would start the feature, and the top three finishers in the heat races would redraw for the top nine starting positions. This is an area where Phil Bozell has had good fortune this season as his young daughter has been doing the drawing, and has provided her Father with very good starting positions so far this season in this series. This race was no different as Phil started second, right beside Jimmy O Smith on the front row.
Smith was able to edge his nose out front after the first lap, but that would be the only lap anyone else would lead on this night, as Phil gained the advantage on lap 2, and never was seriously challenged. Action was happening behind him as drivers traded paint and positions through the field during the 100 lap grind. Only four cautions slowed the event, with Phil Bozell able to hold off any challengers on the restarts, including his Father, Andy.
A lap 4 caution for a John Ledwidge spin brought an interesting moment when race #3 winner, Dan Leeck, and Frank Jiovani were both sent to the rear for a “choose rule” violation. In earlier races in this series there was some controversy on how it was implemented and ruled on. Track officials have cleared that up and made it perfectly clear how the procedure works, and both drivers were found to be in violation. No other such penalties were issued during the race.
Problems for a stopped Josh Hahn on lap 6 brought the second yellow, and the next caution didn’t fly again until lap 39 when Austin Thiel got together with Craig Everage, who was running third at the time, and sent him around. The damage was fatal as Everage was not able to return. At this time, Jack Landis, who had started the race 19th, had made his way up to seventh place. But he was doing it unlike anyone else on the track. He was using the outside line coming off the corners, and catching drivers off guard by the move.
A lap 43 caution for a stopped Blake Childers brought the field together for the last time as the race would go 57 green flag laps to the finish. Landis restarted sixth on the final restart, and drove his way around Andy to third by lap 57, and got around Jason Felver for second, on lap 73. Landis did cut the deficit, but it was too great to overcome and had to settle for second place. Phil Bozell takes a commanding point lead with the victory. Felver was third, followed by Andy Bozell, Justin Claugherty, Doug True, Adam Terry, and Dan Leeck, the last car on the lead lap. Blake Childers and Tyler Heeney rounded out the top 10.
The next race for the Northside Towing.net Big 8 Super Late Model Series presented by Auto Value at Corrigan Oil Speedway is on Friday, July 16th. Go to http://www.corriganoilspeedway.com/ for more details.
Story - Ed Inloes, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - Rand Thompson, Level Pebble Racing Pics