6/21/2022
Thunderbird Raceway
Allstar Performance Challenge Series for the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort UMP Super Late Models
06/18/22 Feature Winners
Mini Wedges Restricted- 88S Elleighanya Sheren
Mini Wedges Unrestricted- #0 Ajay Davidson
Warriors- 8M Estevan Martinez
Cyber Stocks- 88M Estevan Martinez
IMCA Modified- #15 Austin Harnick
Pro Late Models- 12T Trevor Sloan
UMP Late Models- #50 Greg Gokey
Saturday June 18th Thunderbird Raceway was the site of the Allstar Performance Challenge Series for the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort UMP Super Late Models and it did not disappoint. Great weather and great fans were on hand for quite a show.
The usual suspects were on hand for the featured attraction trying to take home the $4,000 payday and the bragging rights of winning the Allstar Performance Challenge Series, but, nobody had anything for pole sitter, Greg Gokey. Gokey started on the pole position, and, even though there were heavy challenges at certain points in the race, he would prove to be too strong to be outdriven. He would see challenges from Rich Neiser, Eric Spangler, Dona Marcoullier, Travis Stemler, and Brandon Thirlby, but held on for the victory at the end of 40 laps. Methodically and decisively picking his way through slower traffic while fending off the challengers, Gokey would park the Scott's Quick Stop #50 in the Allstar Performance Victory Lane. 2nd place- Neiser 3rd-Spangler 4th-Marcoullier and 5th- Stemler. Heat races were won by Chad Finley, Neiser, and Gokey. Fast time overall during group qualifying was Chad White with a lap time of 12.913.
The BMR Motorsports IMCA Modifieds were in action with last weeks winner, Casey Smith, trying to repeat, but, unable to do so. The top 5 finishers this week all started from 7th-11th. Alot of passes in order to get it done with the race almost going green to checkered without cautions. Picking up the win would be Austin Harnick from 8th 2nd- AJ Ward from 9th 3rd- "Bad Boy" Mitchell Hunt from 10th 4th- Casey Smith from 7th and 5th-Jacob Poel from 11th. Heats were won by Ward, Hunt, and Poel.
This week's winner in the Auto Value Pro Late Model feature wanted retribution for finishing 2nd last week to the other #12 in the division and he would get it. Picking up the win this week was the #12 Trevor Sloan 2nd- Tyler Habetler 3rd- Jerid Bisson. The heat was won by Corey Ausra.
The House Of Hobbies Cyber Stocks had some of the biggest recent winners in compacts all battling it out at Thunderbird.
Leading almost all of the laps would be Ryan Hamm in the borrowed #14 of Jordan Seigel, but, ultimately, losing the lead with only a few laps left. Going on to pick up the victory would be Estevan Martinez 2nd-Nick Jenema 3rd- Ryan Hamm 4th-Chadd Freed 5th-Allen Hite.
Heats were won by Mike Currier, Hite, and Freed.
In the Sunshine RV Warrior division, we are seeing a friendly rivalry shaping up as two drivers have won the last few features and this night being no exception. Estevan Martinez and Brandon Tichelaar have been the top 2 drivers this season in warriors and this week, Martinez would hang on for the win. 2nd-Mike Currier 3rd-Brandon Tichelaar 4th-Chase Willard 5th-Heidi Barnhard. Heats were won by Cam Hendrickson, Tichelaar, and Nick Kruzel.
A healthy field of Awards Plus Mini Wedges were in attendance starting with the restricted class (age 6-9). 1st-Elleighanya Sheren 2nd-Joshua Stafford 3rd-Brayden Sloan. The heat was won by Sloan.
The Unrestricted Awards Plus Mini Wedges (ages 10-14) was won by 1st-Ajay Davidson 2nd-Dallyn Ellis 3rd-Audee Proctor.
Heat races were won by Proctor and Kolton Wellman.
Photo Credit: Dirt XTC Images
Article Credit: Jeremy Pearson