Twenty-eight sprint cars rolled through the gates at Bloomington Speedway for the season’s final red clay showdown. Quick times belonged to Brayden Fox (13.029), Geoff Ensign (12.619), Braxton Cummings (12.655), and Gabriel Gilbert (12.374) across their respective groups. An ace draw kept the heat race lineups straight-up, with victories going to Alec Sipes, Geoff Ensign, Jadon Rogers, and Gabriel Gilbert. Brady Short captured the final transfer spot in the last chance qualifier.
The track surface maintained excellent grip throughout the night, keeping lap times consistently fast. A five-car invert positioned Brayden Fox and Gabriel Gilbert on the front row for the main event. Both drivers showed early strength, but Jadon Rogers in the #14 machine swept to the lead and reached lapped traffic by the tenth circuit.
Geoff Ensign closed the gap on Rogers and executed a pass several laps later to claim the point. The red clay witnessed an outstanding three-way battle as Ensign, Rogers, and Fox traded blistering lap times. Contact between the top two appeared to occur in turn four with two laps remaining, yet both drivers maintained their momentum. Geoff Ensign held his position to capture both the victory and the 2022 Bloomington Speedway championship.
The #44 team celebrated their title with dual champagne bottles in victory lane. Jadon Rogers finished second, followed by Brayden Fox, AJ Hopkins, Sterling Cling, and Tye Mihocko, who advanced from fourteenth to sixth. All sprint car teams deserve recognition for providing outstanding Friday night entertainment throughout the season, much like the action fans enjoy at jungle park speedway and terre haute speedway.
UMP Modified Championship Decided in Commanding Fashion
Seventeen UMP modifieds filled the pit area, with Ryan Thomas (13.460) and Jordan Wever (13.577) posting the quickest qualifying marks. Derek Losh and Jeff Deckard claimed heat race victories. The four-car feature invert placed Jordan Wever and Ryan Thomas on row one.
Wever seized the early advantage and maintained his position for the complete twenty-lap distance, securing both the race win and the 2022 championship. The 29J team’s stellar season includes leading state points standings and holding tenth position nationally with several weeks remaining. Ryan Thomas, Derek Losh, Jeff Deckard, and Tyler Loughmiller completed the top five finishers.
Bob grim chevrolet and other local sponsors have supported these modified teams throughout their exceptional Friday night performances on the red clay surface.
Super Stock Division Sees Title Battle Conclusion
Fourteen UMP Super Stocks competed in their championship finale, with Jeff Allen (15.267) and Grant Simpson (15.016) setting fast time. Andrew Davis and Austin Phelps took heat race honors. The evening brought disappointment when smoke appeared from Zach Sasser’s #79 car during his heat race, ending his night and preventing a potential back-to-back championship run at Bloomington Speedway.
Austin Phelps controlled the twenty-lap feature from start to finish, claiming both the victory and the championship for the 81P organization. Zach Sasser led points for much of the season and deserves recognition for his competitive effort. Both drivers have battled intensely for the UMP title with weeks remaining in the season.
Jeff Allen, Greg Amick, Austin Perry, and Cale Kern rounded out the top five. The Super Stock division provided exceptional racing throughout the year, drawing fans who often visit the speedway post office and bobby and steve’s auto world bloomington for racing-related business.
Hornet Class Caps Evening with Championship Celebration
Fourteen Hornet entries concluded the final night program. Chad Tayler and AJ Hobbs earned heat race victories. An ace draw placed Chad Tayler on the pole position for the fifteen-lap main event.
Tayler led every lap to capture both the race victory and the championship in dramatic style. Jacob Owens, Michael Brewer, Matt Miller, and Dale Hobbs followed him across the finish line. The #56 team celebrated their title with victory donuts in victory lane, capping the evening’s festivities.
Night moves bloomington and other local establishments have supported these grassroots racers throughout the 2022 campaign. All teams and fans contributed to filling the hillside spectator areas for another successful season.
The 2022 season concludes with appreciation for every team that provided outstanding entertainment and the loyal fanbase that supported Bloomington Speedway. The awards banquet approaches, followed by preparations for the track’s 100th anniversary celebration beginning in April 2023.
Leave a Reply