After rain cut the first Fire-Cracker 100 weekend short, most teams returned to see what kind of sparks they could make this time around. With many of the teams already qualified into the feature, the only spots left where that of the C and B-mains. The Fire-Cracker was the finally to a long swing that saw the World of Outlaw Late Model Series traveling through many states and one Canadian Province. The Wild West tour took the traveling ten all over the mid-west and western states on an eight race run. Then they ran five more races in a row as part of the Ohio Speedweek. It was all capped off by a thrilling 100 lapper that didn’t fail to entertain – not to mention the Uncle Sam 30 for the non-qualifiers.

The night began with hot laps for those already with a starting spot in the feature. They also ran a C-main in which the top four qualifiers would transfer to the B-Mains. Ken Schalenbrand, Russell King, Jared Miley, and Rick “Boom” Briggs kept the hope alive through the C-main. The B-Mains were next and were crawling with talented wheelmen going for one last shot. The B’s would be 20 laps in distance and take the top four to the Fire-Cracker. Local talent, David Scott took first followed by Outlaw regular, Rick Eckert. The final two transfers went to Vic Coffey and John Mollick. The 2nd B-main of the evening went to defending champ, Scott Bloomquist. He was followed into the event by Dan Stone, and locals Ron Davies, and Matt Lux. The line-up was now set for both the Fire-Cracker and the Uncle Sam and the crowd was ready to watch these guys fight it out tooth and nail.

Mike Knight finds L’Ville’s Victory Lane

The Uncle Sam 30 was filled with local and national talent and saw NY’s Mike Knight take the Checkered in his first ever win at the Sarver, Pa track. Hollywood took the lead on the 9th lap from Ron Davies and wasn’t giving it up, he led the next 21 laps and was ecstatic to reach victory lane. “I’d have loved to make the big race but to win the Uncle Sam was really a high point, the field was stacked with talent, and it was my first win at Lernerville so it was a great night overall,” said an excited Mike Knight. The biggest surprise of the night was seeing the Titusville Terror, Rob Blair pull off early, most thought he’d transfer or at least win the 30 lapper. Finishing 2nd was Boom Briggs followed by Ron Davies and Brent Rhebergen. Rounding out the top 5 was Waterford, PA’s Dave Hess Jr.

Now it was time for 100 laps of the country’s best drivers all wanting the 40k and the prestige of winning the big event. Well not exactly time, there were the pre-race ceremonies and the lengthy driver introductions, and then of course the four-wide parade laps – then it was time to race. The race only ever had two leaders, Lanigan who led the first 69 laps, and then Birkhofer who snuck by and led the last 31 laps and won. The one to watch was Bloomer who from transferring via the B-Main took his Bloomquist Chassis to 7th by the time the race was over. On lap 19 the fight for 3rd heated way up as Josh Richards got into Shane Clanton. The two got hooked together and stopped high on the track. Clanton seemed upset and let Richards know it as he leaned in Kid Rockets car and discussed the incident, the discussion continued once Josh left his car. One thing that is commendable is that the two had words and that was it. (Luckily for Josh, cause he’s just a shadow of the man that Clanton is) Josh salvaged a 12th place spot as Clanton eventually pulled off with heavy body damage. Fighting over on track incidents has no place in our sport and makes us look like dumb rednecks when this is actually a very sophisticated sport. Anyway, the race only saw three more cautions giving drivers many green laps to shake and bake. Once Birky took the lead he started to run away from Lanigan and the pack. It was obvious that tires played a key role in his late race charge. In the first fifty laps it looked like Steve Francis could’ve been this years winner, but as the race stayed green he faded back a bit and had to settle for forth. From 13th to 3rd was Shannon Babb in his Bowyer owned Rocket. Lanigan settled for 2nd, and Billy Moyer took fifth from Chub Frank in the closing laps.

As for my predictions the fire-Cracker will be a great race for years to come and will draw top-notch talent. The PA mudslingers wont make it easy for the travelers to come snatch up all the money, though. In the coming years expect good showings from Blair, Hess, Knight, Ferree, the Davies brothers, Miley, Slow Ride ….etc. Hopefully next year Mother Nature cooperates.