GAS CITY, Ind. — Thomas Meseraull came, saw, and conquered the 25-lap non-wing sprint car feature Friday night at Gas City I-69 Speedway as the quarter-mile dirt oval staged its “Salute to the Military” show to kick off the Memorial Day weekend.
“Kid Smooth,” 17-year-old Logan Kirkman captured his first UMP modified feature victory in a 20-lap race that attracted 34 cars. Andy Bishop won the 15-lap street stock feature and Bill Lewis took his second 15-lap super street feature of the year at Gas City. Josh Gamblin came out on top of 24 entries in the hornet class.
It was the second Gas City feature victory of the year for “T-Mez,” as the 2010 Gas City champion also won the feature on May 17. This time he started third in the Physical Medicine Consultants DRC owned by Tom Eades and wrestled the lead from defending track champion Clinton Boyles with a move to the outside in turn two working lap four.
Despite four cautions for spins that tightened up the field, Meseraull had a straightaway lead over runner-up Scotty Weir at the checkered. Weir drove the Benic Enterprises DRC owned by Scott and Donna Pedersen, which is sponsored by Reds Racing Engines and Indy Race Parts.
Weir took second from Boyles on lap 13. Boyles hung on for third in Paul Hazen’s DRC, which is sponsored by Physical Medicine Consultants, Wix Filters, Rod End Supply and KECO Coatings.
Dallas Hewitt, the nephew of two-time USAC Silver Crown champion Jack Hewitt, finished fourth. Cole Ketcham rounded out the top five.
Kirkman started on the pole of the UMP modified feature, led all 20 laps despite numerous restarts, and was one of the most jubilant feature winners ever at the track.
Frank Marshall started fourth, took just seven laps to move into second place, and finished in that position. The third-place car of defending track champion Dillon Nusbaum and the fourth-place car of Ryan Cripe came together at the beginning of the backstretch on the last lap, which allowed Zeke McKenzie to slip into third at the checkered. Nusbaum held on for fourth and Cripe was fifth.
Chris Tippet led all the laps of the 22-car street stock feature except the one that paid. On the 15th and final lap, Bishop and Joey Spiewak slipped under Tippet, with Bishop taking the victory over Spiewak. Tippit crossed the line in third followed by Travis Wolford and Jerrad Krick.
Polesitter Lewis increased his lead in the super street point standings with his second victory in as many races with his Thompson Trucking-sponsored car. He had a straightaway lead over runnerup Bill Bradley at the line. Jeff Jessup, Robert Pardo and John Halsey rounded out the top five.
Gamblin started on the pole of the hornets feature and led all 15 laps.