Owosso, MI (August 7, 2021) – The Outlaw Super Late Models were the headliner for the 10th running of the Ron Hauser Memorial Saturday night at the Owosso Speedway. The memorial race is a tribute to the former co-owner of the track, who passed away while still running the speedway with Dave Bigos. This race has been run in his honor ever since his passing. Alex Hagon set fast time for the division and started eighth in the nine car starting field for the 60 lap affair (which was originally scheduled for 75 laps but was reduced due to the lower car count). Jimmy O Smith would jump out to the early lead from outside pole starting position, and would hold that position to the one and only caution flag in this event on lap 7. On the restart, Owosso, Michigan’s, Jason Felver got a great run on the inside and was able to take the lead through turn two. Felver tried to pull away, but Hagon proved to be the faster car and kept pace with him. Lap after lap, Hagon would pressure Felver, but was never able to fully pull past the #11. In the end, Felver grabbed the win with Hagon valiantly accepting second place. Dan Leeck finished third as the final car left on the lead lap, with Dave Bigos fourth, and Kalamazoo’s Zach Cook driving up to fifth late. Josh Hahn, Mike Samson, Smith, and Justin Holloway completed the running order.
In Geyer Auction Services Sportsman action, Ryan Cords set fast time, with Fred Cummings Jr. winning the heat race. In their 25 lap feature, Ryan Cords was able to pick the right lane and move to the front quickly. Once he was in the lead, he found his groove in the high lane and kept his father, Russ, behind him. Russ was busy keeping a determined Cummings behind him and the three competitors pull away from the field, but could not get around the other one, and Ryan went on to win his second feature of the season. Russ and Cummings followed him, with Hunter Forrester and Rob Sullivan completing the top five. With seven races in this season, the three competitors will be within 15 points of each other in the season long point’s chase going into next week.
The Parisian Home Improvement Front Wheel Drive class got to run first in the order for a change this race night, and again, Dylan Spencer paced the field in qualifying. Rick Gokee Sr. and Ollie Workman won heat races, while Corbin Kelley won the four car dash. In the 20 lap feature, Dylan, along with his father, Eric, and Kelley, sliced their way through the field to the front with Kelley grabbing the lead. The rookie driver would hold that position with intense challenges coming from the Spencer Family to about halfway. Dylan got around on the outside and looked to drive away. But that didn’t happen. Kelley continued to challenge on the inside, and Eric was positioned on the outside as the trio approached slower traffic. Dylan was able to negotiate the traffic and come away with his fifth feature win of the season. Eric Spencer brought it home second in front of Kelley, Workman, and Jeffrey Asmus.
It was a career night for Jim Gokee Jr. in the Finish Line Auto Repair Truck division. He not only set fast time, but blistered the track record in qualifying, with an 18.890, and then won the heat race. He wasted no time in the 20 lap feature getting to the front and driving away with his first ever feature win at Owosso in the Truck division. Point leader, Brad Reseigh finished second, with Rich LeFeur, Tony Hart, and Josh Shaw rounding out the top five.
The final division up on Saturday was the Owosso Auto Mall Pure Stocks and to no one’s surprise, Jason Spencer set fast time again. Mark Palmer won the heat race, and Lonnie Saumier Jr won the dash. In their more than exciting 25 lap feature, Saumier fought his way toward the front amongst a stellar field of competitors. Halfway through the event Lonnie was able to wrestle the lead away from defending track champion, Nick Johnston. The battle didn’t end there as Johnston hounded Saumier to the finish line. When the dust settled, it was Saumier once again in victory lane, his seventh win in seven tries. A “bounty” was established before the race night began for anyone that can successfully beat Saumier in a feature race in the next three weeks. A $125 bonus would have been paid to anyone to beat him on Saturday. This will carry over to next Saturday where it’ll be a $200 bonus. If Lonnie wins then it all carries over to the following Saturday, where it’ll grow to $275, and if Lonnie keeps his streak intact, he will claim all the bounty money. Johnston did bring it home second, with Jake Pearson, Kyle Callahan, and Andrew Burton filling out the top five.
By: Ed Inloes