Dodge City Raceway Park

Tony Bruce, Jr. Wins ASCS 360 Sprint Main in Last Lap Pass
Midgets, ASCS Winged Sprints & NMMRA Non-Wing Sprints Invade DCRP

By Fran Engelcke

DODGE CITY, Kansas (Sunday, July 23, 2006) - Day two of the Third Annual Coors Light Kansas Midget Klassic, co-sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) and Southern Midget Racing Series (SMRS) resulted in classic, close and aggressive open-wheel racing.

Brady Bacon took home the winner trophy in the Midget Klassic feature. Brady commented that his car "ran well all night." The pill draw start position "was not so good, but I knew if I was patient I would move up." And move up he did from his seventh position start to third on the first lap. In turn three and four of lap seven. Bacon moved by Gary Taylor for the lead and was not challenged for the rest of the 25 lap feature. As good as the action was for the fans interested in this first year midget racer his father, Leon Bacon, the previous nights winner, was even more exciting to watch. Starting 10th, Leon patiently worked through traffic until he was able to pass second place Taylor in turns three and four of the 21st lap. From there on it was son and father to the checkers. Brady commented that "this was the first time they've finished one and two in midgets." About his success so far he said, "I would like to stay in midgets for now, but maybe move on to non-winged or 410's in the future." Bacon was followed home by his dad, Taylor, Rick Forbes, and Don Droud rounding out the top five.

The first of three midget heats were won by Taylor, the second by Matt Mitchell and the third by Dustin Morgan.

The NMMRA Non-Wing Sprint feature was won by Preston Peebles. "I new I would have to be patient" regarding his sixth place starting position and by the 10th lap he had passed into the lead which he would hold for the final 15 laps. Peebles commented regarding his setup, "I knew if there was anything left up top that I would do well there, my car ran best there." Peebles was followed to the finish by Ronnie Smith, the previous night's winner Tom Ball, Leighton Crouch and Joe Taylor.

The first NMMRA heat was won by BC Baker and the second heat was won by Peebles.

The modified feature winner, John Schwab, starting third was able to take the lead on lap eight by passing Dale Wanger. Reggie Green in second place would have his best shot at the lead as Schwab encountered lapped traffic throughout the final 17 laps, but Schwab was just a bit better picking his lines. Green settled for second followed by Wanger, Pat McVicker and Tim Lieker to make up the top five.

The first of three modified heats were won by Chadd Brown, the second by Pat McVicker and the third by Schwab.

The ASCS 360 sprints put on a great race with a big upset in the final lap of the 25 lap feature. The winner Tony Bruce Jr. starting third was looking like he would finish third until the last lap. The leader going into the final lap was the previous night's winner, Garry Lee Maier, followed by Gary Taylor. Tony commented on his speed at the end of the race, "on the lap 17 restart I decided that I would move my wing from all the way forward to all the way back. I got lucky, I found where my car worked best and I new I could move to the front." He made his move on Taylor going into the 25th lap through turns one and two and swept by Maier in three and four to take the checkers. Bruce also praised the "awesome track."

The ASCS B feature saw a winning performance by John Jacobs followed by Landon Brown, Jeff Heffner, Brian Herbert and Josh Fellows rounding out the top five.

The first of three ASCS heats were won by Scott Box, the second by JD Johnson and the final heat was won by Ricky Montgomery.

The Hornets (class) were out tonight to spice up the evening. The youth/hornet feature was won by Dwayne Bowman with Levi Shirley in second. The super hornets saw Alex Wessel first to the checkers followed by Brian Shirley in second.

Racing continues Saturday night, July 29, when Dodge City Raceway Park hosts a Dodge City Days Special event featuring School Buses, Modifieds, Street/Pure Stocks and Hornets.