7/5/2023
Owosso Speedway
Lahar Lands Midwest Modified Tour Glory
On a weekend celebrating Independence Day, 32 cars would converge on the Owosso Speedway for the first appearance of the Midwest Modifieds Tour powered by Wheeler Trucking since 2014.
But before the Tour could get their program in, a two and a half hour rain delay would put a damper on the events, but only temporarily. Track officials went right to work immediately getting the track surface dried! With upwards of 13 vehicles and three blowers, the surface was ship shape in record time! With an adjusted schedule the M&K Truck Center Pure Stocks would be first on the track.
Kyle Callahan would take the lead in the early laps of the event, but would suffer a mechanical failure. In the scramble behind Callahan as he pulled out of the pack, Lonnie Saumier, thus far undefeated in 2023 Pure Stock competition, would jump out to the lead with masterful negotiation of the traffic ahead. Saumier would get out in front of the field and drive away as he claimed his sixth straight victory. Landon Hidy was second over Jim Miller Jr., Bob Elliott and Bryan Thompson. Jeremy Johnson would pick up his first ever checkered flag in the one completed heat race before the rains came. Saumier was quickest in qualifying with a 18.153.
After the Last Chance race for the Midwest Modifieds Tour, the Durotech Automotive Street Stocks would be next up for a truly thrilling feature event. Larry Seeley would lead the opening few laps, keeping the field bunched up behind, the top six runners kept locked together in an intense battle. Eventually Lonnie Saumier, looking to take his second feature win of the evening. Johnny Hayden would keep him honest, but Saumier would be able to hang on, wrestling away his second win of the night. Johnny Hayden held on for second with Buddy Head, Tim Lahar, and Ron Hart completing the top five. Despite Hart also finishing in the top five, Saumier would move to the top of the points chase by one marker over Hart. Hayden was fastest in qualifying with a 16.444.
The Midwest Modifieds Tour powered by Wheeler Trucking would be next up for the Wheeler Trucking Firecracker 50. Tim Lahar, fresh off a Durotech Automotive Street Stock feature win and Valley Truck Center Modifieds runner up finish the week before, would start on the pole. While he was able to start up front, it was far from a foregone conclusion. Reigning MMT Rookie of the Year Aaron Taylor would make Lahar put in the work to stay out in front. The two would trade the lead back and forth after restarts throughout the event. In the end, it would be Lahar picking up his first career victory with the MMT, and first ever in a Modified at Owosso Speedway! Taylor was second with David McManus, Danny Jackson, and Trevor Berry completing the top five. Jason Congdon won the last chance race to be the first of eight to transfer into the main feature. Trevor Berry would establish a new MMT Track Record in qualifying with a 15.227.
The MacAllister Rentals Sport Compacts would be back with a trio of exciting feature events. The C Division would run first with Chad Baker doubling down after winning the most recent feature division. He would have his hands full however with a rabid pack of cars. While the competition was fierce, Baker would win. “Sugar Baby” Josh Shiver would come home second, with Maddy Orta, Silas McCaslin, and Charlie Boone completing the top five. The B Division would be next. Dominick Salander, the opening night C Feature winner, would make his step up to the B worthwhile as he went on to claim his second victory of the year against the faster competition. Damian Watters and Bobbi Jo Jernigan would follow close behind with Zane Cruz and Adam Whittaker The A Feature would close out the Sport Compacts portion of the evening, and reigning Champion John Eastman Jr. would have his crowning moment of the 2023 season as he found his way to victory lane. Eric Spencer would give chase, but come home one spot short, Pat Dent, Mitch Dorin, and Nicholas Murdock would complete the top five. Spencer was quick time in qualifying with a 17.636.
The Reefer Peterbilt All-American Trucks would close out the festivities. Zane Cruz would continue his winning ways. After starting deep in the field, he would be the quickest to navigate his way to the front. Cruz would extend his lead in the Championship with a fifth victory in six races. Anthony Hart would finish second with Greg Long III, Brad Reseigh, and Greg Long Jr. finishing out the top five. Reseigh was fastest in qualifying with a stout lap of 18.911
Article Credit: Chris Fobbe
Submitted By: Chris Fobbe