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Stanbrough Wins Sheldon Kinser Memorial
From Bloomington Speedway
Another of our track sponsors, Reese Wholesale, was on hand with a great group of their people to enjoy a tremendous evening of racing. And, it's safe to say that not a one of them went home disappointed.
In addition to a great evening of racing from all three of Bloomington Speedway's divisions, the fans on the hillside were treated to something real special. The Ben's Tire sprint car that Sheldon Kinser drove to two of his three USAC sprint car championships was on display. The beautifully restorec sprint car almost certainly looked better than it ever did when Sheldon drove it.
SAFETY-KLEEN SPRINT CARS - SHELDON KINSER MEMORIAL
It was a Fox night last night at Bloomington Speedway. The Fox brothers and their driver, Jon Stanbrough, are well into their second great season of sprint car racing. However, they have probably not had a better night than they had last night. Sheldon Kinser was a big part of their youth. Sheldon Kinser drove sprint cars and Indy cars wrenched by their father, Galen Fox. And, last night Galen was in the pits helping with the car and just enjoying being with his boys while they worked to win a race honoring one of his former drivers.
The Genesee Beer Wagons, both sprint cars and Indy cars, were always meticulously prepared; and Sheldon always gave them the ride that they deserved.
Steve and Brad have carried on the family's tradition. They toil daily building engines for scores of race teams. But, while they're at it, they manage to keep the most successful dirt sprint car anywhere ready to race and win. Over the past several years Brad has spent less and less time in the cockpit and more time building motors to carry other drivers to victory. However, Brad's experience as a driver has helped him to prepare their car to win. As a driver, he can understand what Jon is telling him that the car is doing; and the mechanic in him translates the information that he receives into the changes that make the car still faster. All of this brought the team a very satisfying Sheldon Kinser Memorial Championship.
Fifty two cars unloaded to vie for one of the biggest independent titles in sprint car racing. Mike Miles has built the Sheldon Kinser Memorial into a race that every driver was to have on his list of championships. He has chosen not to dilute the race by draining off sanction fees. He puts that money into the purse and lap prize money; and he lets the quality of the show speak for itself.
Daron Clayton set quick time followed by Mat Neely, Jon Stanbrough, Chad Boat, and Kyle Robbins.
The heat races were won by Kent Christian, Bobby Stines, Brady Short, Critter Malone, and Danny Holtsclaw. Because of the large field of cars, only three drivers transferred from each heat race; and, of the five fastest qualifiers, only Chad Boat transferred from his heat to the feature. Daron Clayton, Shane Cottle, Jesse Hockett, Hunter Schuerenberg, and Ted Hines had to race the "C" feature just to make it to the "B" feature.
The cars transferring from the "B" feature to the Sheldon Kinser Memorial was even more remarkable. Jon Stanbrough won the "B" trailed by Clayton, Hockett, Cottle, and Neely.. A lot of very good drivers loaded up after the "B" feature with their desire for a Sheldon Kinser Memorial Championship put on hold for another year.
When the green flag waved, A.J. Anderson took the lead from his starting position on the pole. Chad Boat started directly behind Anderson; and, of the fourth circuit, Boat charged past Anderson into the lead. However, he would not be permitted to enjoy of for long; because Jon Stanbrough was on his way. Everyone on the hillside and in the pit area knew that it was just a matter of time. On the 16th lap, Stanbrough passed Boat to take the lead. Tree laps later, Brady Short passed Boat and went after Stanbrough. However, it was equally clear that, barring some kind of mechanical disaster, he had no chance of catching him. Stanbrough drove on to another convincing win .while short raced on to a nearly equally convincing second place finish. Boat, Daron Clayton, and Jesse Hockett rounded out the top five.
Jesse Hocket took the Sprint Mart Hard Charger honors by starting 11th and driving to a strong fifth place finish.
SAFETY - KLEEN SPRINT CARS --
FAST QUALIFIER: Daron Clayton
AUTO HEAVEN AUTO PARTS HEAT 1: Kent Christian
MONROE COUNTY SERVPRO HEAT 2: Bobby Stines
WALNUT STREET AUTO SALES/CAMPUS RENTAL HEAT 3: Brady Short
CRYSTAL PURE WATER HEAT 4: Critter Malone
HEAT 5: Danny Holtsclaw
"C" Feature: Daron Clayton
JB SALVAGE/WESTSIDE AUTO PARTS "B" FEATURE: Jon Stanbrough.
ROOTS RV FEATURE: 1.(4) 53 Jon Stanbrough, 2.(7) 36 Brady Short, 3.(3) 30 Chad Boat, 4.(6) 92x Daron Clayton, 5.(11) 75 Jesse Hockett, 6.(12) 10E Shane Cottle, 7.(5) 17N Mat Neely, 8.(9) 3 Danny Holtsclaw, 9.(8) 5 Critter Malone, 10.(13) 56 Jared Fox Lap Leaders: A.J. Anderson (1-3), Chad Boat (4-15), Jon Stanbrough (16-40) Sprint Mart Hard Charger Award: Jesse Hockett
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