Brown takes I-80 ASCS Opener

By Joey Sparano

(GREENWOOD NEB., 04/14/07) Brian Brown would lead the entire 20 lap ASCS Midwest and Northern Plains Regions "A" feature event to take the victory on opening night at I-80 Speedway. Marty Steinbach would make a late race charge after a caution with three laps to go to win the Certified Transmission Pro Stock main event. Jake Leighty would also visit victory lane in the 305 Sprint division.

The 20 lap ASCS Midwest and Northern Plains Regions feature event would start with two major accidents. The first would see the #57x of Jake Peters taking a wild ride down the front stretch. Peters car would end up in two pieces, but he was able to walk away. The second accident took place when the #23C of Chad Humston went flipping down the front straightaway. Humston was transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons, but he was able to get out of his car on his own power. Since both accidents occurred before an official lap was complete, 20 laps still remained on the scoreboard. With 13 of the original 20 drivers still on the track, the green flew and it was all Brian Brown. Brown led flag to flag, Wayne Johnson finished second with Chuck Swenson finishing third.

The Certified Transmission Pro Stocks saw their 18 lap feature event come down to the final laps. After a caution on lap 15, Marty Steinbach took advantage of the stacked up field to win the event. Tim Podraza edged out both Joe Feyen and Shawn Bulin at the line for second, with Terry Cleveland taking home fifth.

The 12 lap 305 Sprint car division "A" feature would see the #99 of Matt Stelzer jump to an early lead. Stelzer would lead the first nine laps until he would loose control of his machine in turn one. With Stelzer having to go to the rear of the field for bring out the caution, that gave Minnesota driver Jake Leighty the lead. Leighty would hold the top spot for the final three laps to take the victory over Michael Oliver and a hard charging Stelzer.

The NCRA 360 Sprints will join the ASCS Sprints on Sunday, April 15, and will be supported by the Grand Nationals and B Mods. The Grand National and B Mod races are not sanctioned so no license is needed. Pit Gates will open at 3:00 p.m., and grandstands at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps at are at 5:00 p.m., and racing at 6:00 p.m. Driver registration closes at 4:45 p.m. and a pit meeting will immediately follow. Admission is $15 for adults and kids 10 and under FREE. Pit passes are $30 and $25 for ASCS members, and NASCAR license holders.