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Mason, MI May 8, 2009. Friday night at ‘The Track the Stars Call Home’ it was the gorgeous weather and the larger car count that made it a spectacular MARFC night at the races.

Some of racing's biggest names made their way to Spartan Speedway on May 8th. Andy and Phil Bozell who regularly race Saturday nights at Kalamazoo Speedway, as well as Tommy Fedewa driving the familiar No. 10 from the Ohio Posse in the Super Late Model division were among them.

Modified driver Ben Raber from Kalamazoo also made the trip. The No. USA 3 driver stated “I just wanted to thank all of you people at Spartan that welcomed us Kalamazoo guys to come and race at your facility. It isn't often that outsiders can come in, and feel welcomed. We're all looking forward to coming down Sunday May 17th."  

During a heat race for the Andrews Chevrolet Late Models the trip from Kalamazoo would end quickly for Phil Bozell as his No. 8 climbed the back straightaway wall causing extensive damage to the front of the racecar. The staff at Spartan Speedway held the Late Model feature until later in the evening to give Phil a chance to repair the car, but unfortunately his night would be over.

After changing the running order of the divisions the Mid Michigan Snow Equipment Boss Snow Plows Pony Stocks would be first up. The fast qualifier of the night, Wayne Beckner Jr. No. 47, would start the feature in the rear with a total invert for the division. Wayne would race his way to finish fourth.  Edson Rowley III No. 55 and Todd Metz Jr. No. 79 (taped over the No. 62 on the side of his father’s Neon) would race side by side for almost 10 laps until Rowley pulled out front. Metz would end up third with Jeremy Lafontaine No. 23 earning the second position. Rowley climbed from the car with a smile on his face saying “that was fun! Racing with Metz all those laps side by side is what I love to do."

The Valvoline Instant Oil Change Modifieds went out the chute next with the fast qualifier being Ron Parish No. 31. The invert would find Parish starting in the eighth position and finishing in the same position. The battle for the checkers in the Modifieds would be between Leroy Ellis No. 50, Chris Ozanich No. 0Z and Perry Davenport No. 6 with Perry finding victory lane in his first night out. Rounding out the top three was Ellis in second and Ozanich in third. Davenport speaking about his victory said “I am very pleased with the Hoosier tire. I could hear Leroy behind me, but I kept it hammered and won this thing! When we got here the car was way off, but with the help of my wife Shawn and buddy Jay we got it figured out.”

The Andrews Chevrolet Late Models came out for their feature with fast qualifier Jon McNet No. 7 starting in ninth place with the invert, but his night would end early and he'd be credited with 14^thplace. The end of the race would find Logan Beckworth No. 3 up in flames crossing the finish line in 5^th place. Winner Doug Finley No. 29 out ran his nephew Chad Finley No. 42 and Tom Fedewa No. 10 finished third.

Speaking of the win Doug Finley said “this is awesome after crashing two weeks ago.  The guys worked so hard on this car." Doug also wanted to thank his Mom and Dad his crew Corey, Eric, Jeff, Tom, Jim Martzle and Chad Finley as well as his sponsors Dowker Engines, Northside Towing, Childers Excavating, and Signsmith.

The Pure Stock division had two first time winners. In the heat race Matt Childers No. 33 would find victory lane saying “the first checker is always the sweetest." Feature winner and fast qualifier Justin Lewis No. 103 would also claim his first victory.

“Finally!” said Lewis climbing out of the car. “I want to dedicate this win to my beautiful children.” Justin also said “I was so nervous. It's nice to finally get this first win and now we will go get some more." 

Mark Carson No. 77 finished second and Matt Childers No. 33 finished third in the feature race.

The final race of the night was the Performance Automotive Northwest Sportsmen. Dane Long No. 7L would set the fast time of the night and earn his second feature win of the young season.  Dane stated “I still get in the car and I am nervous." Dane will be approaching his 50^th feature win this season.  Robby Johnston No. 55 would finish second saying “I had this thing until the caution fell there. Man, Dane has a strong engine in that hotrod."

Finishing third was 2008 track champion Jack Koone Jr. No. 01.

With the season's second night coming to a close Spartan Speedway is looking forward to next weekend with Friday night racing starting at 7 p.m. and Sunday May 17 will spotlight the Brian “WILD CHILD” Heeney 100 Memorial Race.

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