The second night of the Lentz Paving Racesavers season attracted 19 entries to the red clay at Bloomington Speedway. The format included three heat races with all competitors advancing to the main event. Ethan Barrow, Jordan Welch, and Dillan Baldwin recorded the quickest times in their respective groups, with the invert wheel landing on 3 for the heat race lineups.
Carson Dillion claimed Riverway Plumbing Heat 1 victory, holding off Ethan Barrow with John Wolfarth finishing third. Ashton Thompson showcased impressive speed in Riverway Plumbing Heat 2, taking the win over Keith Langley and Dustin Clark. Rod Henning prevailed in the final Riverway Plumbing Heat, staying ahead of Bradley Sterrett and Dillan Baldwin. All three preliminary contests set blistering paces with lap times consistently in the 11-second range around the historic oval.
The A-main featured an invert of 2, positioning Ashton and Carson on the front row for the 20-lap feature. Thompson displayed remarkable skill and consistency during the race’s first half. As the field entered dense lapped traffic, the complexion of the race transformed dramatically.
Thompson, while leading, encountered an issue—potentially contact or mechanical—forcing her retirement to the infield. This transferred the lead to Ethan Barrow, but as traffic intensified, Bradley Sterrett in the 21A executed masterful passes to secure the top position. Sterrett maintained control through the closing laps to secure the Brawley Group Feature victory. Ethan Barrow, Dustin Clark, Jordan Welch, and Dillan Baldwin completed the top five. The Bridlewood Consulting Hard Charger award went to Jordan Welch, who advanced from 11th to 4th. Fans of this division can anticipate next weekend’s doubleheader at Bloomington Speedway and LPS for the Lentz Paving Indiana Racesavers.
Wethington Shows Strength in Late Model Competition
The Indiana Late Model Series brought 12 competitors to Bloomington. Jug Wethington topped Heat 1 ahead of Steve Peeden, Brent Lee, and Zach Stalker, while Marty O’Neal secured Heat 2 over Alan Magner, Zac Gibbs, and Robert Rainey.
In the feature event, Wethington delivered a commanding performance to claim victory. Marty O’Neal, Steve Peeden, Alan Magner, Brent Lee, Zac Gibbs, Zack Burton, and Zach Stalker followed in the finishing order, demonstrating the talent found throughout the regional late model ranks.
Bland Dominates UMP Hornet Division
Nine UMP Hornets registered for competition, with Ty Bland and Jeremy Shemwell capturing heat race victories. The invert wheel again landed on 2, placing the heat winners on the front row for the main event.
Ty Bland controlled the 15-lap A-main throughout, with Jeremy Shemwell, Skylar Ashley, Todd Dasenbrock, and Dakota Jackson completing the top five. The affordable Hornet division continues providing an accessible entry point for newcomers and a competitive option for veterans seeking budget-friendly racing opportunities.
Crown Vic Division Makes Successful Bloomington Debut
The inaugural Crown Vic race at Bloomington Speedway saw Matthew Weston set the pace by winning both his heat race and the feature event. Ryan Woods secured second place in the main event, followed by Stacie Fitzgerald, Rodney Porter, and Ray Weston.
Track officials expressed optimism that this affordable class will expand as awareness grows, offering an excellent option for beginners and experienced racers seeking cost-effective competition. This new division adds another accessible path into motorsports, reminiscent of entry-level classes that once populated Jungle Park Speedway and Terre Haute Speedway during their peak years.
Burns Triumphs in 410 Non-Wing Sprint Car Action
Despite competing against major events like those at Eldora, the 410 Non-Wing Sprint Car division produced another classic night of racing on Bloomington’s red clay. Matt Thompson and Harley Burns posted the quickest times in their respective qualifying groups. With an invert of 2, both drivers started from outside front row positions in their heats.
In Heat 1, Trey Osborne drove the Burton 04 to victory from the pole position, finishing ahead of Brandon Spencer and Gabriel Gilbert. Heat 2 saw Harley Burns leverage his outside front row starting spot to secure the win over Brayden Fox and Austin Cory.
The A-main invert again produced a 2, placing Burns and Osborne on the front row for the 25-lap feature. Despite early morning rainfall, the track maintained remarkable speed throughout the evening, with drivers consistently turning 11-second laps while barely lifting in the corners.
Burns and Osborne battled intensely throughout the distance, with both drivers displaying exceptional car control. Ultimately, 2023 track champion Harley Burns continued his strong start to the season by claiming the victory. Trey Osborne, Brayden Fox, Ricky Lewis, and Matt Thompson completed the top five.
Racing fans can anticipate next week’s USAC Larry Rice Classic at Bloomington, which will also feature Racesavers and UMP Hornets. For locals seeking weekend entertainment alternatives to Night Moves Bloomington, the historic speedway delivers comparable excitement with its high-speed action.
Spectators planning to attend future events might consider handling any postal needs at the Speedway Post Office before heading to the track, or stopping at Bobby and Steve’s Auto World Bloomington for automotive supplies. Local businesses including Bob Grim Chevrolet continue supporting racing at this historic venue, which has provided entertainment for generations of Indiana racing enthusiasts.
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