SALINA, Kan. — With ninety-six cars in the pit area racing for the Salina Speedway’s 2013 season kicked off on a special Saturday night edition on April 13th.
For two of last year’s Champions victory would be reached, giving them a solid start in defending their titles.
Last year’s Friesen Chevrolet Late Models presented by M&H Motors Champion Delbert Smith was one of those as he drew the pole and drove to a distant win while piloting a 604 crate motor for the first time. The battle amongst the rest of the top five was a wild one with Darrick Klima claiming the second spot at the line, with Justin Kinderknecht third, and Jimmy Segraves in fourth. Smith and Chris Kratzer won the heat races.
Joe Cleveland also captured the win following a Championship in the Belleville Motorsports IMCA Modifieds. Cleveland made short work of the field at the start of the feature, going from fifth to first nearly instantly. He then held off a late charge by Danny Morrison Jr. for the win. Morrison finished second with Brian Knoell edging out Rodger Peck by inches for third. Cleveland, Brandon Blochlinger, and Knoell won the heat races.
No stranger to victory lane, Tyler Frye took home an easy win on opening night for the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Northern SportMods. Frye took advantage of a third place redraw starting spot to capture the loot, followed by Austin Carter, Seth Schroer, and Adam Patch. Schroer, Kurtis Pihl, and Josh Rice won the heat races.
Corbin Pickerill kicked off the 2013 campaign for the Auto House Mod Lites with a big win. Pickerill shot to the lead from the outside pole and never relinqueshed it. Tyler Bradshaw settled for second with Danny Morrison Jr. third and Brandon Gray fourth. Gray and Morrison won the heat races.
The biggest car count of the night went to the Budweiser IMCA Hobby Stocks with twenty-three and the top two spots were captured by Nebraska invaders who sorted out those positions in the closing laps. Shane Sleazak looked to be on his way to a feature win until Roy Armstrong used a final restart to seal the deal for victory. Slezak finished second with Mike Traskowsky third, and Brian Stich fourth. Slezak, Jacob Harms, and Stich won the heat races.
Russell Roberg picked up where he left off last year with a dominating feature win in the T&R Dirt Construction Mini Stocks. Rookie Chris Dittrick started dead last to run to second at the end, followed by Dallas Dunn, and TJ Eidet. Brian Dunsworth and Roberg won the heat races.
Racing goes back to Friday nights starting April 19th when the Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Northern SportMods, Mod Lites, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mini Stocks return to action.
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