(Fremont, In) The record books were shattered at the Angola Motor Speedway on Saturday night May 2nd with a record 44 Super Late Models jammed into the pits. The Main Event Super Late Models saw one of their biggest car counts in series history and also made their first appearance ever at the Angola Motor Speedway. Also the front wheel drive (FWD) class made their first appearance at the track helping jam the pits full with 88 cars on the opening night for the Wide Open Tour.

The top 14 fast qualifiers were locked into the feature race for the Super Late Models. This was going to prove tough enough for Mike Kugler out of the 44 Late Models in the pits, but he showed his skills set quick time at 13.701 at 98.533 MPH. Some of the names that didn’t make their way through in qualifying were Tim Ice, Jason Shively, Tony Dager, Doug Finley, Dave Stehower, and Bud Perry. They all have series championships, track titles, or feature wins all over the Midwest, proving how tough the field of Super Late Models were. The Main Event Series officials made two last chances races, taking the top three out of each to the 100 lap feature. The first to open the show was the odd last chance race featuring Tim Ice taking the checkered flag followed by teammate Charlie Schultz, and Mike Mizer taking the transfer spots to the big show. Dave Stehower out Grand Rapids, MI drove like a true sportsman almost racing his way in with a fourth place finish having many chances of pushing his way to the front, but electing not to. Stehower was followed by Rick Sibila, John Crumrine, Fred Elkins. The second last chance race saw Tony Dager, the 2008 CRA Sportsman Champion, taking the win over Doug Finley and Shawn Stroble taking the transfers positions. “Smokin” Bud Perry was on the outside looking in followed by Jasper Case, Jeff Brunt.

The 100 Lap Main Event Series saw some great racing action. Chad Finley from the Spartan Speedway and Berlin Raceway took the early lead and held off hard charging Angola Motor Speedway veteran Jack Landis for over 40 laps. Landis started to fall back as Jimmy Carter and John Doering, Jr. started to work their way through the field. On lap 49, Doering overtook the Michigan youngster for the race lead and continued to lead for the remainder of the race. Jimmy Carter ran Doering down in the last few laps and tried to pass him on the last lap. However, he encountered traffic and blew a break line, finding himself head on into the turn four wall. The feature win went to Doering, Jr. followed by Chad Finley, Canadian Mike Luberda, Jr., Mike Kugler, Gary Whipkey, Jack Landis, Don Harvey, Jimmy Carter, Doug Sommers, and Charlie Schultz rounding out the top 10.

The Angola Motor Speedway “Mod Squad” saw Brian Nester set quick time with a lap of 14.832 at 91.019 MPH besting 19 Superior Auto Modifieds. The first heat race saw Dennis Kurtz take the heat race over Tom Wiedman, Nate Moon,. The fast heat
saw Michigan native Justin Kazmar take the win over Dyck Maurer, Steve Minich, Jr., Jason Timmerman, and Bud Perry. It was time for the Superior Auto Modified 50 Lap Main Event that almost stole the show. Jason Dietsch cruised out to the early lead with Dyck Maurer attached to his back bumper for several laps before some crashing and banging that saw Maurer take the lead. It looked like Maurer was going to race to victory until Brian Nester came from behind on lap 49 for the lead. Nester stayed out front for the last lap to win over Maurer, Jason Timmerman, Steve Christman, Steve Minich, Jr., Bud Perry, Brad Springer, Scott Coe, Eric Schaeffer, and Justin Kazmar to round out the top 10.

Chad Poorman set fast time in The Jonny on the Spot Street Stocks with a lap of 16.024 at 84.249 MPH. The heat race saw veteran Street Stock driver Tommy Little take the win over Chad Poorman, Troy Moyer. The 20 lap feature saw Troy Moyer get
out to an early lead until lap ten, when Tommy Little took the lead. Tommy Little looked like he had things wrapped up until Ohio veteran Chad Poorman used lap traffic to his advantage to take the lead coming to the white flag. Poorman hung on for the win over Little, Moyer, Zach Henderson, and Gene Fisher rounding out the top 5.

The Smith Enterprise Mini Stocks saw Fort Wayne driver Zach Sipe set fast time with a lap of 18.279 at 73.855 MPH. Zach Sipe also took the heat race over Taylor Oberlin, Pete Marrotti, Alan Tink, and Andrew Jones rounding out the top 5. Then the Everage Auto FWD heat race was on the track that Jeff Shelmadine took the win over Dan Foulk,. The combined FWD and Smith Enterprise Mini Stock feature saw some great action in both classes. The Mini Stocks saw Zach Sipe take the clean sweep in the class by wining the 15 lap feature over Taylor Oberlin, Pete Marrotti, and John Sattison, . The FWD portion of the event saw young Jeff Shelmadine use a last lap pass past his Grandpa Dewayne Miller to take the win Miller followed by Cale Gardner, Mike Hooper, and Verrel Sipe to round out the top five.

The Angola Motor Speedway and Everage Motor Sports saw a lot of history made on opening night. This was the first time at the historic track that a driver from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio each won a feature. Also a record of 44 Super Late Models on hand. The next event on tap for the Wide Open Tour will be on May 23rd featuring 75 Super Late Model Feature paying $2,000 to win, Super Pro Series 75 Feature, Short Track Trucks 50, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and FWD’s making it a big 6-1 show. The racing action will start at 7 p.m. sharp. Please visit the website at www.angolamotorspeedway.com for more information and a complete schedule.