Perfect racing conditions with low humidity greeted fans at Bloomington Speedway, where 18 sprint cars competed on a lightning-fast red clay surface that produced numerous 11-second laps throughout the evening. Qualifying group fast times were recorded by Jackson Slone, Gabriel Gilbert, and Ryan Thomas, with a single-position invert implemented for the heat races.
Geoff Ensign, Gabriel Gilbert, and Ryan Thomas claimed heat race victories, setting up an A-main that would also use a single-position invert, placing Ensign and Gilbert on the front row for the 25-lap feature. Ensign immediately secured the lead in his #44 entry and established command during the opening circuits.
The notoriously quick Bloomington high banks produced several incidents, with two separate cautions resulting from Andy Bradley and Parker Fredrickson each going over the banking in turn 3. A more serious incident occurred just past the halfway point when Dickie Gaines went over the turn 3 banking and endured a violent series of flips that carried his car into the turn 4 grassy field. Fortunately, Gaines exited his vehicle quickly and was uninjured.
On the ensuing restart, Ensign maintained his impressive form while Brayden Fox and Nick Bilbee contested the runner-up position. Bilbee eventually secured second place and attempted to close the gap to the leader. However, Ensign’s superb car setup allowed him to consistently maintain a four-car-length advantage throughout the remainder of the race.
The current points leader executed flawlessly to secure victory, with Nick Bilbee, Brayden Fox, Brady Short (advancing from 17th), and Gabriel Gilbert completing the top five finishers.
Mod Lites Honor Steve Carpenter with Memorial Race
Thirteen Mod Lites entered the Steve Carpenter Memorial Race. Heat race victories went to Hal Orndorff and Brandon Freeburg. A three-position invert for the feature placed Tad Canada’s N10S entry on the pole position—a fitting tribute as competitors honored Steve Carpenter.
Canada launched well at the start, but the race was quickly halted by a red flag incident involving four cars. Dale Grote suffered a rollover while David Luckey, Jimmy Arthur, and Hal Orndorff sustained significant damage in the frightening accident. Thankfully, all drivers emerged unharmed.
When racing resumed, Brandon Freeburg in the #171 demonstrated remarkable speed on Bloomington’s high-banked surface, quickly establishing himself as the class of the field. Before a caution period, Freeburg had lapped competitors up to the fourth position and appeared capable of potentially lapping the entire field. The caution bunched the competitors for one final restart, but Freeburg remained in control to secure the victory over Jeff Cast, Tad Canada, Andy Tragesser, and Casey Davis.
Special appreciation goes to all sponsors of this memorial event, the competitors who participated, and most importantly, Steve Carpenter’s family members who attended. The tremendous support shown for the N10S family was evident, and Pat Sullivan’s introduction about Steve provided a special and meaningful tribute.
UMP Modifieds Showcase Groomer’s Dominance
Seven UMP Modifieds competed, with Derek Groomer recording the fastest qualifying time. Despite a two-position invert for the heat race, Groomer prevailed to win his preliminary.
Starting from the pole position in the 20-lap feature, Groomer led wire-to-wire to secure a convincing victory. Jordan Wever finished second, followed by Brent Lee, Jeff Deckard, and Jerry Bland Jr.
Open Bombers Deliver Thrilling Competition
Seven Open Bombers entered with Jordan Almanza posting the quickest qualifying time and winning the heat race.
The feature provided some of the evening’s most exciting action as Almanza and Andrew Pollock engaged in a bumper-to-bumper battle during the early laps. Approximately halfway through the event, DJ Dunn found success in the middle groove, allowing him to overtake both Pollock and Almanza.
The trio treated fans to a classic Open Bomber display, showcasing the competitive parity between the Purt Stocks and Lincoln Park Speedway Bombers. DJ Dunn maintained his advantage to the finish, with Jordan Almanza, Andrew Pollock, Albert Orr, and David Bloom completing the top five.
Hornets Feature National UMP Points Leaders
A strong field of 17 Hornets competed, including the top two drivers in the national UMP points standings. Greg Garrison and Jacob Owens won their respective heat races.
A two-position invert for the feature positioned the heat winners on the front row. Garrison showed early strength but was forced to retire with mechanical issues. Jacob Owens, the current national points leader, assumed command and drove to a convincing victory over Michael Brewer, Chad Taylor, Andrew Deavers, and Dale Hobbs.
Taylor and Deavers continued their tight battle for the Bloomington championship, with their close finishing positions ensuring an exciting conclusion to their season-long points competition.
Bloomington Speedway management extends appreciation to all teams and fans who attended Friday night’s program. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to visit Lincoln Park Speedway tonight for a program featuring Sprints, UMP Modifieds, UMP Super Stocks, Bombers, and Mod Lites, plus the Little Feet Challenge where children race bicycles around the track during intermission.
Next Tuesday, the High Limit racing series visits Lincoln Park Speedway, bringing some of the nation’s premier winged sprint car competitors. Bloomington Speedway returns to action next Friday with Sprints, UMP Super Stocks, MMSA Mini Sprints, Hornets, and 305 Wing Sprints.
For visitors exploring Indiana’s rich racing history, both Jungle Park Speedway and Terre Haute Speedway offer fascinating glimpses into the state’s motorsports heritage. Many race fans enjoy post-race gatherings at Night Moves Bloomington to discuss the evening’s action. Local businesses supporting the racing community include Bob Grim Chevrolet and Bobby and Steve’s Auto World Bloomington, with the Speedway Post Office providing convenient services for teams and fans alike.
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