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[ramrodd00]

Off the Wahl.....by Jerry Wahl Dayton, OH (6/28)- Saturday night we ventured to what is billed as "dirt track racing's best kept secret is out!" here in MAARN and that it is, Waynesfield Raceway Park located just eight miles east of I-75 at exit 110. Several promoters have tried their hand at promoting the wide banked quarter-mile dirt oval and this year long time racing enthusiast Dean Miracle is operating the track. Miracle, a former driver himself and most recently operator of the IRS late model series which he sold is the man in control of the track this year and Miracle is a hands on operator. You'll find him all over the facility checking to make sure the show runs smoothly and it certainly did. Most importantly the racing started at the advertised time and from then on it was rapid fire events with two heats (three in trucks) and features in each of the four classes and the final checker waved on them at 9:30. Early enough to get the kids home before they get tired and bored or at McDonalds for a late night snack. No reason to do that though as the food is moderately priced and served by a very friendly staff who are decked in staff shirts. Gotta say the popcorn is the best deal I have come across at any track at only a buck for a large bag and Mr. Ridgeway, hot dogs are only a buck also so I ate two for you. My wife Nancy is a restroom checker and she gave her approval on cleanliness. Didn't get a chance to personally meet photographer Kenny Poling, aka skinnykenny but did get a chance to talk to him on his wife's cell phone as he was busy shooting pictures in the infield and he shoots a bunch of them. And it was good to see the safety crew dressed in fire fighting attire, something you seldom see at small tracks. And the announcer, he could of fooled me as I assumed he was a vet behind the mic as he did a terrific job calling the events with enthusiasm and one could certainly tell he was well informed on racing. My hat off to Gerry Keysor who stepped up to the tower only a couple of weeks ago after being the restart cone man, never calling a race before that. Of course growing up in a family of racing is a big plus as his late father, Bobby Keysor was a long time competitor at Limaland. As for the racing, well if you like bullring racing on dirt as I do then the banked quarter-mile dirt oval will wet your appetite. Three wide racing is common and plenty of battles for position. Sixty-three cars/trucks were on hand and as I mentioned it was rapid fire events with the cars lined up one after another ready to go soon as the event on the track was over, no messing around. What division did I like, all of them. The compacts were making their first appearance of the year with eleven on hand and were well accepted by the fans. Former Shady Bowl track champ Jeff Kimes was the big winner as he claimed his heat and then the feature which was a challenge for him as it sure looked like David Yoder with a big lead but once Kimes moved into second it was really flying as he closed the gap and take the lead just before the checker for the win. Not only did he win but he picked up $50 by choosing the right box out of four that contained different amounts of money. And the modifieds, well it is hard to beat Jeff Babcock. They ran hard as they diced for position with slide jobs but it was eighth place starter Babcock who was really cranking on as he worked his way up and finally caught leader Bill Keeler for the win. My wife likes the trucks and of course I do too and with a full field of twenty starting we saw a lot of hard racing and of course several spins and a little rubbing. In the end crowd favorite Matt Twining took the win. The mini sprints had seventeen of the winged screamers on hand and to me seeing a gal do well against the guys is rewarding. Becca Stiefel who's parents put on the annual Piqua car show beat the guys in her heat for the win and in the feature she was running about fourth until a couple of the guys slipped by with her finishing seventh. Rod Henning took the win from his pole starting slot. Rounding out the night was nine brave young lady's who slipped behind the wheel of a truck for a powder puff event. and the winner, lady flagwoman from the flagstand to victory lane, Bridget Brunk. And second was none other than Joanne Poling, photographer Skinny Kenny's wife. Yea, its worth a trip to Waynesfield for a fun night of racing and by the way they will not be running this Saturday in observance of Independence Day but will come back with events on both Friday, July 10 with the UMP late models highlighting the program and then on Saturday, July 11 which for DARF members it will be half off grandstand admission. Another bullring track for you dirt trackers is Moler Raceway Park east of Cincinnati off of highway 32 where they run on Friday night's on the quarter-mile track. But don't go this Friday as they are running on Saturday with an unheard of $1500 to win the 40 lap Chevette special with a huge fireworks display after the nights racing. Seems like John Whitney just keeps racking up feature wins as he added another last Friday at Moler. Kil-Kare Speedway has a great bonus for the late models and modifieds this Friday for the Independence Day championships. Fifty lap features are on tap and for the driver that advances the most positions in each class will receive a $500 bonus from Airway Construction in the late models and Gutters 2 Go for the moods. Admission for the special event is being held at just $10 per adult, kids 12-15 $5 and 11 and under free. History was set Friday night at KOKI as for the first time in known history of the track a female posted fast time in time trials. Rookie late model driver sixteen year old Sloan Henderson recorded a lap at 14.362 to top the guys. With the field fully inverted for the feature she place seventh after being third in her heat. The modified feature had a different twist as Dick Dun came from the tail to take the win so who says you can't pass. Of course if you ask Dun he will tell you it is experience, and that he has. If you get your copy of MARNE early enough you can catch a full program of action at Shady Bowl Thursday night where the sport stocks will be featured in a $500 to win feature with racing starting at 8 up.me. Outtalk space, got go, catch yaw at the track somewhere. Comments welcome at jlwahl1@hotmail.com.

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HOTDOGS A BUCK!!!!! MMMMMM DINT KNOW THAT.

[studebaker 55]

skip last weeks track was great, racing good.I hope dean can have the track like last Sat. night for the rest of the year.I don't see why any one could complane about that track.

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Should be two nice shows friday and sat. yes the track was alright.