Jones Clenches Sam Pierce Chevrolet 50 at ORP

            The weather was perfect as the O’Reilly USA Modifieds traveled to the amazing O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis to once again be part of the annual UAW Family Night at the Races. When the gates opened 28 O’Reilly USA Modifieds unloaded with mechanical problems causing 2 to head home early, leaving 26 posting times during qualifications.  Tim Burkett of North Manchester, IN took the Sam Pierce Chevrolet Fast Qualifier Award with a time of 24.052.  Burkett backed up his fast time with a 6 Fast Dash Win with Cicero, IN native, Jeff Weston victorious in the Heat Race of the night.  Jon Beach of Mount Morris, MI sailed to a B Main win for the evening.

            When all 26 O’Reilly USA Modifieds were given the chance to start the Sam Pierce Chevrolet 50 event it was Vandalia, MI driver, Tom Jewell on the pole with Dave Stacy from Enon, OH on the outside front row.  Stacy led the pack around on the first lap with Hudson, IN driver Brad Springer looking for the top spot.  Springer looked to the inside of Stacy on lap 4 for the lead and rocketed to an outstanding lead over second place, Stacy.  Springfield, OH native Kyle Jones sat quietly in third place during the first 15 laps until Stacy coasted up high and allowed Jones the opportunity to drop down low and take over second.  Caution flew on the speedway just before the halfway mark with Louisville, OH’s Nick Diano blowing a tire and sending him hard into the turn one wall.  Before the caution Springer had about a 7 car advantage over Jones and now the pack would tighten for the restart.  When the green was displayed again Springer still held the lead but Jones moved to the outside line and grabbed the lead as Springer reported to have a tire going flat.  As Jones put distance on the rest of the field Stacy would have his hands full as Bob Curry of Plainwell, MI attempted to make a pass for the second spot.  Fast qualifier, Burkett worked his way into the top 5 by passing Lincoln Electric Rookie of the Year Contender, Joe Axsom of Franklin, IN.  At the end it was Jones taking the win with Stacy holding on for second with Curry on the inside for third.  Burkett finished fourth with Axsom having a fantastic night with a fifth place finish.  Mike Hadley, Jr. of Indianapolis took the AllStar Performance Hard Charger Award by being the highest finishing position with advancing 8 spots.  The LEAF Racewear Hard Luck Award was awarded to Springer as he looked to have what it takes but encountered tire problems after a caution.  

            The next event for the O’Reilly USA Modified Series is scheduled for Sunday September 2 at Angola Motor Speedway.  For a complete schedule of events and more information on the O’Reilly USA Modified Series log on to www.usamodifieds.com.