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I have been looking forward to coming back to this track for a long time. Over the years, I have not attended many races here and I don't know why, but the ones I saw were good ones.
The first race I attended here was in 1977 for the USAC Sprints. My first USAC Sprint race actually. I remember Gary Bettenhausen, Larry Dickson, Pancho Carter and Jan Opperman, Rollie Beale, Sheldon Kinser, and on and on. Clark Templeman couldn't get his motor to run and Jan couldn't keep the brown Langhorn racing 7 from sliding over turn 1 and 2. This was before Millstream was surrounded by a concrete wall and it was alot like Attica is now, in that regard. Then in 1985 I think, Rick Ferkel had the lead with about 5 laps left in an All Star race when Steve Butler passed him and drove away for the win.
Driving to Findlay, I was amazed at the number of old farmhouses that still stand along 224. Old Victorian and Italianate architecture, red brick and white wood siding with ornate trim still adorn many of these century homes. As we got to Findlay, I was impressed at how big of a town it has become. Much more developement to the east of old downtown than I remember. As we pulled into the track at around 5 o'clock, I noticed that the parking area is huge. And the number of people already there was impressive as well. Upon entering the facility, everything was painted and fresh looking. Not a spot of rust anywhere that I could see. The bleachers had new boards, the concrete wall around the track was newly painted and the track looked smooth. A top rate facility. Didn't look like it was idle for the last 4 years or so.
The grassy bank off of turns 1 and 2 were full of blankets and lawn chairs with people all around. Same for the turn 3 grassy bank. A strip of grass separates the front straight fence and the grandstands, wide enough for the kids throwing their nerf football back and forth all night long, so cool.
The track is semi-banked 3/8 mile with wide sweeping turns and there were 30 All Star sprints on hand to try it out. The microphone went out halfway through time trials so I couldn't keep track of the times anymore, but I do know that Danny Smith had a motor let go on him. In the first heat Sheldon's right rear dug in and he turned over, smashing his wing. Darrah won from 4th and Dale Blaney slipped back to third from the front row. Tim Shaffer looked really fast as did Kemenah in heat 2. PPM and Travis Philo finish in dash spot in heat 3, Greg Wilson was coming. Philo and Shaffer finish 1-2 in the dash, Caleb Griffith hooks a rut in 3 and a nasty flip ensues. The track developed a few rough places as the show progressed. Sheldon Haud wins the B main as Duncan makes a charge to finish second. Sheldon, after timing poorly and turning over in his heat, looks to be on a mission, with his new wing on top, minus a number.
The feature starts and Philo gets the lead. He's going good but Shaffer is reeling him in. With about 8 laps in or so, Philo up high and Shaffer low split a lapped car going into turn 1. I don't think Travis saw Tim and turned into him and they both ended up rolling over. What a disapointment for both of the leaders to go out like that! Then the restart and Cody Darrah has the lead with Kemenah and McFadden in tow. All the while, Sheldon, who started 19th, was up to 4th! Next McFadden flips in turn two and that leaves Sheldon in 3rd. Darrah leads, Kemanah can't seem to get close enough to pass and Haud is right there as well. Yellow ith 3 to go. On the restart, Darrah goes ahead and Sheldon slide jobs Kemenah for second on the last lap! Wow, Sheldon, what a race! Totally overshadowed the winner Darrah. If you get a chance, go watch Sheldon and PPM race because they are putting on a show right now. Sheldon would have won at Mercer the other day as well if not for a flat left rear.
Good job Millstream! Beatiful facility, show went well. Can't wait to get back there! Thank you Hammers!
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