ROCKINGHAM, N.C.. (Jan. 6, 2008) - For the first time in several years, the sounds of racing engines were heard roaring to life at Rockingham Speedway.
The first races at the reopened track featured the INEX-sanctioned RACEceiver Legends Cars, Bandolero and Thunder Roadsters.
Seventy-four drivers from eight different states took to the track competing in nine different races. The Legend and Bandolero drivers raced on a six-tenths -mile road course built mostly in the infield of the Superspeedway. One section of the course allowed drivers onto the high-banks of the mile before turning back into the infield course.
The Thunder Roadster drivers had the thrill of racing on the one-mile oval and they did not disappoint. It was the best race of the day with Thomas Van Wingerden winning by half a car-length over Bryan Silas. The 10-car field had five of the finishers taking the checkered flag less than a second from each other.
Ryan Glenski won the Bandolero Young Gun division race on the fast road course. Chad Finchum led the first four laps of the race, but Glenski slipped past him and pulled away for the victory. Finchum was second with Robert Poole third.
RACEceiver Legend Car veteran Cotton Spry became the first winner of the Masters Division at "The Rock" by leading every lap for the victory. Jan Ingram pressured Spry during the first part of the race, but Spry was able to comfortably pull away by the end of the race.
The Beginner Bandit Bandolero race was won by Kyle Donahue over Brian Kolb and Angela Donahue. The division is designed to give young drivers without experience a chance to race for the first time against other young drivers. K. Donahue will have the honor of racing with the Bandits next week after taking Sunday's victory.
The Young Lions division, a division of Semi-Pro for Legends drivers age 12-16, put on a great race on the road course. Dylan Presnell led the first few laps of the race before Devin Jones got around him and took the victory. Presnell and Ronnie Bassett Jr. then battled for the second position for the remainder of the race. The two drivers ran very hard and clean and were almost side by side taking the checkered flag. Presnell held onto the second spot with Bassett coming home for third.
Bailey Daniels dominated the Bandolero Outlaw division race and cruised to the race win while the rest of the field battled for the second spot. Marcus Limehouse eventually grabbed the position from Jason Wells finished in the third position.
The Legend Pro Division was won by Christian Pahud over Thomas Van Wingerden. Van Wingerden's attempt to win two races in one day fell short as he was not able to keep up with Pahud who led every lap of the race. Daniel Moskowitz rounded out the top-three.
Sean Salvoy started in the fifth position of the Bandolero Bandit division and worked his way to the lead by lap seven of the 10-lap race. Salvoy would go on to win the race with Blake Jones finishing second and Justin Carroll in the third spot.
The Legend Semi-Pro division had the largest field of cars, and they did not disappoint with one of the best races of the day. Steven Ross led the first seven laps of the 12-lap race - at the start-finish line. There were several passes throughout the early laps but Ross managed to lead by the time they got back to the start finish line. He was pressured first by Gene Kirila and then by Matthew Harris. Harris eventually got to the lead, and he would not let go, taking the winner's trophy. Kirila finished second with Chad Hackenbracht finishing third. Ross was not able to make it to the checkered flag pulling off before the finish of the race.
Race Results:
Thunder Roadster: 1. Thomas Van Wingerden; 2. Bryan Silas; 3. Mike Ferre; 4. Andrew Rodgers; 5. Michael Van Wingerden; 6. Terry Horak; 7. Kara Clarke; 8. Jim Fluharty; 9. Ed Evans; 10. Scott Evans
Young Gun: 1. Ryan Glenski; 2. Chad Finchum; 3. Robert Poole; 4. Tyler Lester; 5. Kevin Donahue; 6. Gregory Lang; 7. Hunter Synan; 8. Dylan Barbian; 9. Chandler Levan
Master: 1. Cotton Spry; 2. Jan Ingram; 3. Ron Munnerlyn; 4. Carlos Moore; 5. Bruce Silver; 6. Tad Segars; 7. Mark Veftt; 8. Bill Baldwin; 9. Charlie Branbot
Beginner Bandit: 1. Kyle Donahue; 2. Brian Kolb; 3. Angela Donahue; 4. Drew Whidby; 5. Keegan Stray; 6. Casey Hillenburg; 7. Garrett Biggers; 8. Anthiny Berube; 9. Reece Weich
Young Lion: 1. Devin Jones; 2. Dylan Presnell; 3. Ronnie Bassett Jr.; 4. Jordan Stillwell; 5. JD Abrahams; 6. Brock Baldwin
Outlaw: 1. Bailey Daniels; 2. Marcus Limehouse; 3. Jason Wells; 4. Dawn Eagens; 5. Scott Beaver; 6. Ashley Hillenburg
Pro: 1. Christian Pahud; 2. Thomas Van Wingerden; 3. Daniel Moskowitz; 4. Kyle Beattie; 5. Michael Van Wingerden
Bandit: 1. Sean Shalvoy; 2. Blake Jones; 3. Justin Carroll; 4. Mason Hudson; 5. Kyle Weatherman; 6. Dillon Bassett; 7. Charlie Stray; 8. Clayton Weatherman
Semi-Pro: 1. Matthew Harris; 2. Gene Kirila; 3. Chad Hackenbracht; 4. Tyler Devault; 5. Kyle Pierce; 6. Ronald Mander; 7. Adam Congrove; 8. Cody Johnson; 9. Bryan Silas; 10. Steven Ross; 11. Landon Bullock; 12. Johnny Love.