The beloved 410 non-wing sprint car division opened their 2023 regular season campaign at Bloomington Speedway with an impressive 26-car entry list. Three qualifying sessions saw Brady Short (12.330), Harley Burns (12.211), and Damon Fortune (11.994) establish the fastest times in their respective groups. A four-car heat race invert positioned the quick qualifiers on row two, creating competitive starting lineups.
Jordan Kinser seized command of heat one from the outside front row, successfully defending against quick qualifier Brady Short for the victory. Braxton Cummings, Brayden Fox, and Brandon Spencer secured the remaining transfer positions. Heat two produced an outstanding battle between Sterling Cling and Trey Osborne, with Osborne ultimately prevailing ahead of Cling, Jake Scott, Harley Burns, and Dickie Gaines.
Tye Mihocko delivered a strong performance in heat three, advancing from third position to defeat Jack Hoyer (who charged from sixth), Andy Bradley, John Sluss, and Cindy Chambers. The B-main provided the final transfer opportunities, with Rylan Gray capturing the victory over Koby Barksdale, Matt Thompson, Scott Bradley, and Jackson Slone.
A six-car feature invert placed Jack Hoyer and Sterling Cling on the front row for the main event. Cling established early control while both front-row starters appeared formidable in the opening circuits. Brady Short’s #36 machine emerged as the dominant force from third position, displaying rocket-like speed in his pursuit of the lead.
Short assumed command before the halfway mark, maintaining an aggressive pace that challenged the entire field. A frightening red flag period occurred when a slower car caused Cindy Chambers’ #18c to launch skyward after contact, resulting in a violent flip down the front straightaway. Fortunately, Chambers emerged okay despite the severe impact, though she was understandably sore from the wicked tumble.
The restart bunched the field and revealed Jordan Kinser’s #04 machine as a serious threat, along with Trey Osborne’s #6T and Tye Mihocko’s #24p, all ready to challenge Short’s dominance. The feature’s second half intensified as Kinser discovered the high groove was coming into play, enabling him to overtake Short’s bottom-running machine for the lead.
Kinser built a substantial advantage, but Mihocko also found speed on the cushion reminiscent of his dominant performances at terre haute speedway and jungle park speedway. With five laps remaining, Mihocko had advanced to second and was closing rapidly on the leader. The final circuits showcased Kinser’s mastery of the high line, hitting his marks perfectly while holding off Mihocko’s equally impressive top-groove charge.
Jordan Kinser secured his second consecutive victory following his triumph at LPS the previous Saturday, demonstrating the #04 team’s growing momentum entering May competition. Tye Mihocko, Brady Short, Trey Osborne, and Jake Scott completed the top five finishers. Teams often celebrate these victories at night moves bloomington while discussing the outstanding competition level achieved by all 26 entries on the lightning-fast red clay surface.
IMCA RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars Open Indiana Points Season
Twenty-one IMCA RaceSaver 305 sprint cars participated in their season opener at Bloomington Speedway. Rod Henning (11.576), Kevin Newton (11.130), and Ethan Barrow (11.282) led their respective qualifying groups. A two-car heat race invert established competitive starting positions.
Carson Dillion appeared exceptionally strong in heat one, successfully defending against Rod Henning and Terry Arthur. Bradley Sterrett dominated heat two from the pole position, defeating Kevin Newton and Jeff Wimmenauer. Ethan Barrow engaged in an excellent battle with Bryce Norris in heat three, ultimately prevailing over Norris and John Paynter Jr.
The feature’s three-car invert positioned Barrow and Sterrett on the front row for Indiana’s first IMCA points event of the season. The main event immediately turned chaotic as Sterrett grabbed the early advantage and approached lapped traffic by lap four. Exiting turn two, Sterrett nearly contacted a slower car, and his braking effort spun the #21A machine, forcing him to surrender the lead and restart from the rear.
Barrow inherited the lead but suffered an identical fate while running at high speed out of turn four, spinning and also relinquishing his position to restart at the back. The crowd witnessed both drivers mount impressive charges through traffic during the remaining fifteen laps.
Rod Henning’s #22H machine flew to the front and appeared dominant until halfway, when Bryce Norris, who started sixth, reached second position and began pressuring for the lead. Norris successfully overtook Henning to add another chapter to his remarkable early season success, having already made his first World of Outlaws feature in 2023.
Norris secured his first major Indiana victory of 2023 on Bloomington’s red clay, holding off the competitive 305 field ahead of Rod Henning, Bradley Sterrett, John Paynter Jr., and Jeff Wimmenauer. These teams continue their weekend schedule at Lincoln Park Speedway for night two of their series. Drivers often coordinate their travel plans by visiting the speedway post office for scheduling updates and entry information.
UMP Modified Division Delivers Multi-Leader Feature
Thirteen UMP Modified entries competed with John Clippinger (12.890) and Ryan Thomas (12.854) setting the pace in their respective groups. A one-car heat race invert positioned the fast qualifiers on pole.
Heat one featured an excellent battle between John Clippinger and Josh Harris, with Harris ultimately overtaking Clippinger for the victory ahead of Logan Mounce. Ryan Thomas controlled heat two from start to finish, defeating Jacoby Hines and RT Gamble.
The feature’s two-car invert placed Ryan Thomas and Josh Harris on the front row for the twenty-lap main event. The night produced a wild affair with multiple lead changes as Thomas, Harris, and Logan Mounce all took turns at the point. Turns three and four became increasingly challenging as track conditions evolved throughout the evening.
Harris dropped to fourth position before the midway point but mounted a determined charge back to the front. The Kentucky driver’s persistence paid dividends as he regained the lead and secured victory just one week before UMP Modified racing’s biggest purse of the season.
Harris crossed the finish line ahead of Logan Mounce, Jacoby Hines, John Clippinger, and Brent Lee. Teams often prepare their equipment at bob grim chevrolet and bobby and steve’s auto world bloomington before major events like next week’s Roddy Harris Memorial, which offers a $9,999 winner’s purse and will attract the country’s top UMP Modified talent to complement Indiana’s exceptional weekly competitors.
UMP Hornet Division Caps Evening’s Competition
Twelve UMP Hornet entries participated in their season opener, with Jeremy Shemwell and Michael Brewer capturing heat race victories. Dale Hobbs emerged uninjured from a frightening rollover on the backstretch during his heat race, providing relief for the entire racing community.
A one-car feature invert positioned both heat winners on the front row for their main event. Both drivers demonstrated exceptional form in their 2023 season debut at Bloomington Speedway. Michael Brewer displayed the same strength that characterized his 2022 campaign, smoothly navigating lapped traffic to secure the fifteen-lap victory ahead of Jeremy Shemwell, Alex Wilson, and Shane Reed.
Next Friday’s Roddy Strong Memorial represents one of the largest racing events in the United States, featuring one of Bloomington Speedway’s biggest purses in the track’s historic 100th season. The UMP Modified spectacular promises to attract national attention and showcase the facility’s continued prominence in American dirt track racing.
All teams and fans deserve appreciation for supporting Friday’s season opener at Bloomington Speedway. The upcoming Roddy Strong Memorial will undoubtedly provide another memorable chapter in the track’s centennial celebration, continuing the tradition of outstanding racing that has defined this legendary red clay oval for a full century.
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