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Wow, you talk about good racing! The thirty degree temperature drop from noon to midnight couldn’t deter Butlers Speedways drivers or fans, as they endured a long night of great racing. The rain across the Midwest cancelled some tracks and brought all of the regulars and an excellent showing of others to Butler for an exciting night of racing. Drivers pulled in from Northern Michigan, Pennsylvania, Southern Indiana and Ohio to come compete at Butler Speedways legendary 3/8th’s mile fast dirt track. The winged Sprints brought in twenty-seven high fliers, the Modified’s new class continued to grow with a showing of eighteen, the Late Models stayed consistent with a solid twenty-three, Street stock brought thirty out and the Sportsman a strong twenty eight car field. Butler fans that are the best in the Tri-State region packed the stands again to support their drivers. With good food, warm drinks in hand, and lots of blankets everyone settled in for an action packed show that Butler always delivers.

The hot laps ran quickly and the show kept in pace to pack the full five-in-one show for the night. Heats were quick and spots were quickly lined up for A and B features. The Winged Sprints ran with fewer cautions this week, picking up the pace as the Sportsman series had its plague with cautions and crashes this week. Heat winners in the sprints Ken Mackey No. 25M, Andy Shammo No. 48S and Mark Broughman No. 52 pulled together to help line up a packed feature. The sprints dropped the B main and started twenty-three in the 410 show. While it was a tight fit, but the sprints held on and sent the dirt flying! Unfortunately for the nine time track champion Mackey No. 25M would see trouble early on as engine problems sent him to the pit, clearing the way for the field behind him. Shammo and Dalman No. 49T, kept hold of the front row, with little changing and dominated the race. Aldrich No. 1a and Bevard No. 6 fought back and fourth as Broughman worked his way up the field to finish 6th.

The Sportsman feature would end on the front stretch under red as the No. 11, No. 14S, No. 45 and No. 09 got tangled up in a nasty four way crash that sent Butlers fans to the fence to see if their favorite drivers were ok. A tough night for Jessi Sroufe No. 14S as she took the B main feature to secure her spot in the A main, she started in the end of the field and worked her way through the pack up to the fourth position were she would be taken out in the four way pile up, that caused a great deal of damage to all four cars, and some damage to Jessi’s fingers as well. There is no doubt in my mind that girl is tough! As Sroufe made her way on her own to the ambulance, her car limped it’s way back to the trailer, both were banged up and sent home. There were red flags, black flags and the race was  finally called under red with the win going to Logan Beckwith No. 79. I talked to J. Sroufe after the race, and she assured me, that she would get the car and herself back together and see me in the pits next weekend!

Next week promises to be another great night of racing as Butler presents Countryside Trophies Spring Championship. All drivers will be battling to take home the hardware in their class along with points and purses. Countryside sponsors Butler Speedway's drivers and brings dominating trophies to the track to showcase each divisions winner. While the drivers put their efforts in each week, this gives them a little more for bragging rights to hold up proudly to their fans and crews.

We look forward to seeing you at the races,  remember the gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp!