24th Tri-Oval Classic H.O. Scale Slot Car Racing ProRail Speedway
LMSCD, LMS, Sportsman Central City, IL
After two Late Model Stock Car races this year, Marty Thompson came into the Tri-Oval event with two 2nd place finishes. Last night He took over the lead in both the Driver and Point Standing by winning the 24th UTAC Classic Tri-Oval race.
Marty lead many of the early laps and by the halfway point of the race it looked like a 2 car battle between Marty and Scott Hanks. With ten laps to go however things changed when Thompson wrecked along with Rick Fair on opposite ends of the track to bring out the caution.
Marty and Eric Holtz, #88, both 1 lap down, got in front of the leader Hanks, with 8 to go when Marty crashed again.
That brought out the caution again and put Eric on the lead lap and left Marty one lap behind with 2 wrecks.
Hanks then crashed 1 lap later while Marty lead Eric across the line bringing out yet another caution, and putting Marty back on the lead lap again, and leaving Hanks 1 lap down.
With 3 to go and batteling for the lead, Eric crashed out with his 3rd wreck leaving Marty to cruise the final 3 laps for a one lap victory over Hanks, Eric finished 3rd.
John Busscher was absent from the event and was leading in both Driver and Point Standings. Ed Holtz finished 5th and his other car finished 4th with Rick Fair driving. Sterlng Thompson battled up from the Consi race to take 6th.
3 races with 3 different winners this year.
With 2 wins in as many events, Eric Holtz is starting to make some noise in all the UTAC divisions. Eric has landed a car in every Feature over the last two events, including a win last month in the Challenge division and backing it up this month with a win in Late Model Sportsman.
Last nights LMS race had to be the best of the night . With several fast cars starting out the Feature race, it wasnt clear until late who had the cars to beat. When Ed Holtz crashed with 13 to go there were still 4 cars on the lead lap. Marty Thompson driving for Rick Fair Racing had lead many laps and was leading when trying to hold off Scott Hanks who was 1 lap down. Hanks crashed in turn 3 taking Thompson with him. That left Eric, Rick Fair #66 and Kevin Gramlick #27 on the lead lap with 10 to go.
The next several laps were tight between the three cars when an accidental caution was thrown with 3 to go. Eric had about a
1ft lead over Rick when the cars stopped, with Ed and Marty right in the mix trying to get there laps back.
A 3 2 1 go! was ordered and at the finish it was Eric by half a car length over Rick Fair.
Kevin finished 3rd and Marty acually lead across the line to finish 4th on the lead lap.
3 races with 3 different winners this year and all 3 were first time winners in LMS.
With two wins in a row Marty Thompson takes the lead in the Sportsman Driver and Point Standings. Marty hadnt won a race until last month and now has 3 wins after winning the Late Model and Sportman races last night.
The Sportsman Feature got off to a rough start with 2 wrecks on the first lap by #67 Sterling Thompson.
By lap 12, wrecks had been charged to 4 cars, Marty being one of them.Marty was up front of the leaders when Eric Holtz wrecked with 10 to go, that left Scott Hanks, and Marty on the lead lap.
Marty lead the remaing 10 laps making it look easy in his #4 Camaro. Kevin Gramlick crashed on the white flag lap finishing 4th and giving 3rd to Rick Fair who had two early wrecks both on lap 12.
Marty has won with both of his Sportsman cars this year.