DEGRAFF, Ohio – Shady Bowl Speedway kicked off its racing season Saturday with a full night of racing.
The Heath and Sons Farms Street Stock division saw Josh Smith dominate the field in his Jamie Hunt Racing Camaro. Smith set fast time and won the 25-lap main. Terry Purtee came out of retirement to lead the first 20 counters before Smith sped by. Purtee had been out of the seat for 22 seasons. Jacob Heckman, Rob Schaeff and Phil Gussler Jr. rounded out the top five. Gussler took the dash checker with Terry Purtee winning the heat.
The Pine Home Solution Thunder Cars were on hand. Brad Blue set quick time during time trials. The feature belonged to rookie driver Hunter Hicks. Hicks led all the way to win his first ever feature in his Monte Carlo sponsored by J and J Enterprises. Dylan Pippin was second followed by Patrick Woods and Landen Jones. Blue was disqualiied for failing to go to tech after the feature.
The Wooten Towing sponsored modifieds took to the track next. In qualifying Chris Parker set the pace. Parker, the defending track champion blistered the field in the feature. Parker was behind the wheel of the Chuck Lensman-Chads Automotive Repair open wheeler. Brad Yelton, Daniel McPherson, Logan McPherson and Gregg Jackson chased Parker to the checker.
The Harrod Septic Solutions compacts feature turned out to be a rough and tumble affair. The 30 lap main was a crash fest with 27 cars taking the green. When the dust had cleared Nick Barrett was in victory lane. He won his second feature in his Barrett Tool and Technology ride. Austin Eaton battled back from a crash to finish second. Jimmy McElfresh was third, with Cory Plunkett fourth and Alec Young fifth.
The 100-lap Enduro went well with lots of action for the fans. When the checker flew it was Bobby Terry was posing alongside of the Southtown Heating and Cooling backed ride.. The win was far from easy as he and Gary Williams battled nearly the full race. It became a race to be decided by who could work thru traffic. Williams could only watch as Terry took the checkered flag. It was the second win for Terry. Zack Beaty-Lakins was third. Nick Barrett and Don Mahaffey Jr. filled out the top five.
Fans had to adhere to rules set forth by local health officials, which included maintaining the six foot buffer zones between groups of fans. The concession stands were closed.