Stewart, Ohio-

The Ohio Valley Sprint Cars were honored to participate in the memorial event for
one of the region's most recognized ladies in dirt track racing. Sarah Bond is
known throughout the area as the "mother of racers." Her husband Ronnie, local
legend is still active each week in supporting the sport and his sons, Larry
Bond and Andy Bond in both late models and modifieds as well as his grandson,
Kyle Bond. The entire Bond family was recognized throughout the evening and
participated in trophy award presentation to the top three drivers in each
class. As always, OVSCA put on a great show, but on this extra special night,
Danny Smith, Josh Davis and Kory Crabtree were able to bring home the top three
and give the Bond family an extra memory in honor of their beloved Sarah.

With a full field of sprints in the house, Jim Stinson set
fast time with an 11.99 and drew exactly what he wished for the inversion; a
one. This would line the heats "straight up" with the fastest qualifiers
sitting on the inside pole position of their heat.

As Stinson and Josh Davis rolled the first group to the
green flag lap of heat one, sponsored by Alky Racing Alcohols, Davis wasted no
time blasting to a commanding lead. Kory Crabtree and Aaron Higgins started in
row two, but Crabtree quickly took over second putting Stinson in third
followed by Higgins. Benson and Andre Layfield rounded out the running order as
Josh Davis claimed the checkers after distancing himself from the entire field
by nearly an entire straight-away.


Greg Mitchell earned himself a $50 gift certificate from
heat two sponsor, Racegear by Impact. Mitchell started on the pole inside Chris
Myers and never looked back. Myers was challenged for second by Keith Baxter in
the famous Charlie Brown number 99 machine for a few early laps, regaining the
spot on lap five. Ryan Broughton and Mark Imler rounded out the top five
followed by Kris Davis.


The third and final heat sponsored by Octane Racing Products
was lead to the green by Danny Smith and Nathan Skaggs followed by Wes McGlumphy
and Dave Dickson. Skaggs jumped out to an early lead with Smith hot on his heels
but the caution flags flew and the field would be realigned for a complete
restart. Wes McGlumphy suffered suspension damage and was able to slow his
machine just before head on contact with the turn two wall. As the green
dropped again and now while running in the fifth position, Jeff Conrad took a
hard hit after slamming an infield tire that send him airborne. Conrad was
shaken, and a bit sore, but able to walk away free of injury. With seven laps
to go, and just three cars left, it was a shootout from the restart, Skaggs
continued his run while Danny Smith attempted every line and option on the
track but settled for second. Dickson finished in third.

C & S Racing Photos sponsored a "Dash for Cash" and
included six lucky kids in the participation of the event. The top six
qualifiers took to the track and awaited their starting positions, which were
drawn by the six randomly selected kids from the stands. Ashtyn Donahue drew
the pole position for Greg Mitchell and Casey Rankin's draw put Jim Stinson on
the outside. Myers and Skaggs were lined up in row two followed by Josh Davis
and Danny Smith. The bad-fast dash was completed in just a hair over a minute,
with Jim Stinson claiming victory followed by Greg Mitchell, Nathan Skaggs,
Danny Smith, Josh Davis, and Chris Myers. The event may have only been for
$100, pride and a little extra fun, but these six guys let it all hang out as
if it were a feature event. The excitement from the kids was extraordinary and
the continuous support from C & S Racing Photos made the event a perfect
bonus and touch of excitement for fans and the OVSCA competitors. Not only did
C & S provide the race winner with $100, but also a bicycle to the winning
kid. Congratulations to Casey Rankin on his draw for the dash and his brand new
bicycle!


As the feature event pushed off and approached the green,
Josh Davis and Greg Mitchell battled on the front lines for position. Davis
continued on his tear to the front while Mitchell settled in line followed by
Skaggs Crabtree and Smith. Jeff Conrad pulled his car pitside on lap two after
piecing his machine back together just long and well enough to take the green
thanks to the help of fellow OVSCA competitors. By lap three the first of two
cautions came out when Kris Davis spun and made a bit of contact with an
infield tire. Although he was able to rejoin the field, damage from the
incident forced him to retire just a few laps later. On the restart everyone maintained
their position, except for Mitchell who was running second. Skaggs took
advantage of opportunity, moving Mitchell to third followed by Crabtree, Smith,
Broughton, Dickson, Stinson, McGlumphy and Higgins. By halfway, Smith had
worked his way into third, but Davis and Skaggs were still quite far out of his
reach. Wes McGlumphy moved into the fifth position after picking off an average
of one car per two laps in just nine laps! The "Team Mitchell " car driven by
Andre Layfield pulled to the infield and battle up front continued.


As leaders approached lap traffic, Skaggs struggled to find
an available line to his liking allowing Smith and Crabtree to pass for
position. Davis continued the reign and just as he cleared Brian Benson and
again lengthened his control, Keith Baxter brought out the yellow. With just
ten laps to go in the 30 lap main, Danny Smith stepped on the loud pedal and
took charge. As the laps ticked away, Davis remained in second, Crabtree
followed in third while lap cars held Skaggs in fourth followed by McGlumphy.
Smith maintained a smooth run for the final countdown and claimed victory. As
the top three crossed the scales and returned to the front stretch for
trophies, fans showed their appreciation for an awesome racey sprint car event.
Danny Smith has been out of the region for a few weeks and was glad to pick up
the win after some recent disappointing finishes. He plans to finish out a good
portion of the season with OVSCA and not only recognized his sponsors but also
gave props to the competitors giving him a run for his money and making him
work every lap for the big win. In addition to sponsors, Danny thanked his crew
chief and brains behind the operation, David Smith, as well as crew member Dave
Graves and wife, "the boss" Stephanie.  


Complete Finish: Danny
Smith, Josh Davis, Kory Crabtree, Nathan Skaggs, Wes McGlumphy, Jim Stinson,
Aaron Higgins, Greg Mitchell, Dave Dickson, Chris Myers, Ryan Broughton, Mark
Imler, Brian Benson, Keith Baxter, Andre Layfield, Kris Daivs, Jeff Conrad.


UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Thursday, August 29, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Racefest, $2000 Win/$275 Start

Friday, August 30, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Racefest, $2500 Win/$300 Start

Saturday, September 7, Ohio Valley Speedway

Friday, September 13, Brushcreek Motorsports Complex

Saturday, September 14, Atomic Speedway, $2000 to Win/$250 to Start

CONTACT

Todd Frye:  [304] 428-5000    [email protected]

Katie Dickson: [740] 525-2500   [email protected]

SERIES SPONSORS

 

Hoosier Tire and Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley is the title sponsor of the
series.  Among the series sponsors are
Dave Poske's Performance Parts <www.poske.com > ;  Hoosier Tire <https://www.hoosiertire.com
>; Racegear by Impact <www.impactracing.com >; Alky Racing Alcohol
<www.bazellracefuels.com>; Octane Race Products
www.octaneraceproducts.com>;  Pine
Tree Towing & Recovery <www.pinetreetowing.com>;  Fisher Performance, 330-798-5420;  B&J Contracting;  Wetzel's Racing Collectibles.