DeGRAFF – Shady Bowl Speedway celebrated the Memorial Day holiday with two nights of racing. It was also the annual running of the Denny Shatto Memorial for the late models.
In late model racing on Saturday, Jim Lewis Jr. of Fairborn notched the victory in the 55-lap feature. Lewis was behind the wheel of the Shatto/Gross Motor Sports Chevy. The car is sponsored by Helman Brothers Body Shop. Russ Bobb, Jesse Gade, Brian Reeser and fast qualifier Mike Ward rounded out the top five. Lewis also carried the checkered for the dash, with Buddy Townsend taking the heat checkered.
On Sunday night, Columbus driver Jacob Muncy won his first ever late model feature in his Muncy Motor Sports Chevy. Jesse Gade was second, with Russ Bobb third and Jim Lewis Jr. fourth. Muncy was fast qualifier. The dash win went to Russ Bobb.
The tuner feature on Saturday was won by fast qualifier Matt Jackson of New Carlisle. Jackson was chased across the finish line by dash winner Gary Eaton Jr., Ron Masters, Terry Eaton and Eddie Kemp. Austin Eaton was the heat winner.
The street stock on Saturday saw Buck Purtee of DeGraff in victory lane in his L&B Auto Service Falcon. Jim Lewis Jr was second, with heat winner Rodney Roush third. Fast qualifier Chad Brandyberry was fourth and Josh Longstreth fifth. Jacob Muncy was the dash winner with Jimmy Hirt also winning a heat.
Jay Lakins of New Carlisle was the winner of Saturday’s pure stock main. It marked the second win of the season for Lakins in his Decker Trucking backed racer. Jason Purtee, Rob Bryant, Nicholas Meade and Lane Crabtree rounded out the top five. The dash win went to Justin Durflinger with Purtee setting fast time. Durflinger crossed the finish line first in the feature but was disqualified when his car failed a post-race inspection.
Racing resumed Sunday and got off to a rough start as heavy rain and hail hit the area during hot laps. The track was dried and the action resumed.
The modifieds were on the Sunday schedule with Troy’s Greg Stapleton setting fast time and winning the feature. Stapleton is sponsored by Spring Hill Auto Wrecking. Heat winner Mike Carroll was second, with Brad Yelton, Chris Parker and Chad Poole rounding out the top five. Jerry Stapleton was the winner of the dash.
New Carlisle driver Josh Foltz scored two feature wins as he captured both the pure stock and compact headliners. In the pure stock feature, Foltz’s Moore Trucking sponsored racer was chased by Jason Purtee who was fast qualifier, dash winner Rob Bryant and Jeff Binkley. The compact main saw Foltz, Larry Adams and Nick Barrett battle for the win before finishing in that order. Brian Smith was fourth and Zach Doolin fifth. Adams was fast qualifier with Foltz winning the dash and Bill Ramey carrying the checker for the heat race.
This Saturday will be a day-long event at Shady Bowl. The activity will start early as a custom car and motorcycle show will also be going on. Registration will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be a total of 12 classes on display. There will also be a DJ and Greg Jaqua a Elvis Presley impersonator on hand. There will also be arts and crafts dealers and a swap meet.
The F.A.S.T. Racing Series will tackle the oval in racing action. The Michigan-based group has rented the oval for this event. The 100-lap feature will pay $6,000 to win with $1,100 to start. Bud Perry of Edgerton and Quincy’s Josh Smith have entered. Both are former track champions. The modifieds will also be racing in a $1,000 to win feature. Racing will start at 7 p.m.
