Nic Bidinger bettered last week’s USRA A-Mod finish by just one place.
Of course, he finished second last week, so this week it meant a victory. It was no give me, as he started 9th and had to race his way through tough competition to take the lead.
Early on, it looked like Justin Johnson was going to earn his first career victory, but a lap-17 caution put an end to that. Bidinger took advantage of the bunched up field and motored for the lead. Johnson finished second. Tyler Schmidt made the best of the last two laps by getting around Tim Karrick for third. Terry Schultz raced from dead last to finish 5th in the 25-lap event.
Tim Shields showed his dominance in the 15-lap Grand National feature by running a smooth line and leading every lap. Starting fourth, the former Stock Car champion used the high-side cushion to guide him to victory. Defending champion, Gary Donaldson gave chase running second every lap. 15-year-old Houston Johnson, raced from 6th to 3rd while pole-sitter, Marshall Jewett, edged out Chris Littrell to round out the top-five.
The USRA B-Modifieds put on another exciting 15-lap feature as high school student, Shadren Turner, took early command of the 29-car field. While Turner was maintaining the lead, veteran driver, Gene Claxton, was meticulously picking off the field on his way to the front. Finally on lap 9, Claxton was able to make his move to take the lead. It would, however, be short lived as Mike Higley was also working his way up from an 18th starting position. Higley saw to it that Claxton would only lead lap 10 and 11 as he drove his Ford powered rocket to the lead and then victory lane. Claxton and Yancy Shepard finished, second and third, respectively while Chad Clancy and Turner rounded out the top-five.
Jim Powell showed that the USRA Stock Car division is going to be a tough class to win in again this year. Powell powered from fourth to first in the first lap and managed to hold off the field for the first 6 laps. Joe Smith, Jr put an end to Powell’s run as he made the most of consistent laps to take over the reins on lap 7. As Smith took the lead, defending champion, Brett Heeter, followed him lap for lap, charging by him on lap nine. Just when it looked like Heeter would amass career win 22 in the class, Powell made the most of lapped traffic, and shooting low out of the last corner was able to beet Heeter to the finish line, side by side. Smith finished third, ahead of last week’s winner, Justin Siefert. Jay Shultz rounded out the top-five.
“Racing on the rivers edge” continues every Friday night through October with the USRA A-Modifieds, Grand Nationals, USRA B-Modifieds and USRA Stock Cars. Gates open at 5:00pm, hot laps at 6:45 p.m., and the first race gets under way at 7:30 p.m. Adult ticket prices are $12, kids 7-12 $6, and children 6 and younger admitted FREE. Senior citizens and military personnel with ID are admitted for $10.
For more information on special events or ticket information, call the Lakeside Speedway office at (913) 299-9206 or visit our official website at www.lakesidespeedway.net. You can also find us on Facebook at Lakeside Speedway or Tweet us at #lakeside.
