Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
When the night started, it looked as though three-time and defending series champion Gary McLean would not be in attendance. However, as the drivers got set for racing, he would show-up, ready for a night of racing. The driver of the No. 8 McLean Farms Modified was flat out fast from his first laps on the track, scoring the victory in the Hoosier OSCAAR Modified in the Hoosier Spring Velocity at Sunset Speedway.
Chris Milwain would win the first heat for his first career OSCAAR victory ahead of Shane Stickel, Gary Elliott, Dan Price, John Baker Jr. and Mark Saul.
Defending race winner Chad Strawn won the second heat ahead of Cory Horner, Mike Hearty, Gary McLean, Ryan Dick, Brian McLean and Bill Burrows. Tommy Robb was scheduled for this heat, but was unable to compete due to a battery problem, while Dean Scott headed down pit road with problems on lap five.
The third heat would not go smoothly as Saul went for a spin in turn four on lap eight. Corey Horner went on to grab his first career victory ahead of Stickel, Dick, Milwain, Baker Jr., Burrows and Saul.
Gary Elliott would win the final heat ahead of Gary McLean, Price, Hearty, Strawn, Emms, Robb and Brian McLean.
Come feature time, Mike Hearty would start pole ahead of Chad Strawn, Gary McLean, Shane Stickel, Gary Elliott, Cory Horner, Dan Price, Ryan Dick, A.J. Emms, John Baker Jr., David Balych, Bill Burrows, Brian McLean, Tommy Robb, Mark Saul and Chris Milwain.
The initial start wouldn’t go smoothly as Hearty would get a little loose, resulting in Gary McLean checking up not to hit him. It would sort itself out, though, with Strawn and Stickel side-by-side for the top spot. Stickel would grab the advantage on lap two, with McLean slipping into second as Strawn battled Cory Horner for third. Horner would get the spot on lap three as Strawn drifted back to fourth ahead of Elliott, Dick, Price, Emms and Balych as Milwain headed down pit road with problems. Near the front, Strawn would get alongside Horner for third, but was unable to complete the pass before the first caution came out. Emms and Balych would make contact while battling for position, resulting in Emms going for the spin.
Stickel would get a good restart, maintaining the advantage over Gary McLean, Horner and Strawn. That advantage wouldn’t last, though, as McLean would get alongside Stickel for the lead, taking the lead on lap 13. Horner would move into second with Stickel dropping back to third ahead of Strawn and Dick. Stickel would grab the second spot back, while Strawn was able to pass Horner on lap 17 to move into third. Elliott would run fifth behind them ahead of Brian McLean and Dick. Strawn would get sideways off of the corner, saving it and able to stay ahead of Horner for the third spot. They looked headed for the checkered, but a caution would fly with four laps to go as Price spun off of turn four.
Stickel would challenge Gary McLean on the restart, but it wouldn’t be enough as Gary McLean would take the victory ahead of Shane Stickel, Cory Horner, Chad Strawn, Gary Elliott, Brian McLean, David Balych, Mike Hearty, Ryan Dick, A.J. Emms, Tommy Robb, John Baker Jr., Dan Price, Bill Burrows and Mark Saul.
The Hoosier OSCAAR Modifieds will get a week off from competition before heading to Flamboro Speedway on May 30th.
