Levi Rouster, the winningest driver in Legends Cars at the Dixie Motor Speedway nailed down his second feature win of the 2010 season this past Friday night when the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Michigan Legends Series presented by Z-Max made its second and final stop of the season at the Birch Run Speedplant on June 25th.
The first order of business was three heat races to determine the starting line-up for the 30 lap feature race later in the evening’s racing program.
Rouster started off the night by grabbing the win in heat #1 over Loren Short and Brandon Mahoney. Point’s leader, Tony Monge took home the win in the second heat over Matt Todd and Sean McPherson. Tyler “The Red Rocket” pulled out the win in the third heat over the ageless Rick Kilbourn and Chris Bither.
By virtue of the draw, Rick Kilbourn would bring the 17 car field down for the start of the 30 lap main event. Brandon Mahoney occupied the outside of the front row with Rycenga and Short filling out the second row. Kilbourn would grab the lead at the drop of the green flag and hold on to the top spot until lap 5 when Tyler Rycenga got by for the lead bringing Levi Rouster along with him to the second spot. Rouster was glued to Rycenga’s bumper and was able to get by for the lead on lap 8. Rouster would hold the top spot to the checkers although the field would be slowed for caution 3 times during the event. Each time the field would re-start, Rycenga put the pressure on Rouster but the wily veteran was able to muster up enough speed to hold off the hard charging Rycenga. While all this was going on, Brandon Mahoney and Rick Kilbourn along with Tony Monge were having a dogfight of their own along with Loren short, Adam Van Cleave, Matt Todd, and Sean McPherson.
At the end though it was Rouster taking his second feature win of the season over Rycenga, Mahoney, Kilbourn, and short rounding out the top five. Van Cleve, John Turnbull Jr., Ben Rouster, Sean McPherson, and Tony Monge made up the remainder of the top ten.
Next up for the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Michigan Legends Series presented by Z-max is a national qualifier for the US Legend Cars International Asphalt Nationals at the 3/8 Mile Angola Speedway in Angola, Indiana on July 3rd. Typically this race draws cars from not only the Michigan Series but also from Indiana and Ohio. So come on down to Angola this 4th of July weekend for some great racing action.
For complete results be sure to check the official website of the Michigan Legends Series at www.michiganlegnds.com for complete standings and results or to check out the 2010 racing schedule. Until next time, “We’ll see you at the Races”.