Josh Turner of Edinburgh won the pure stock feature on April 6 at the Brownstown Speedway for his first feature win of 2024.
Submitted photo
It was opening points night on April 6 at Brownstown Speedway and the running of the “2nd Annual Ira Bastin Memorial” featuring the Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series for Slicker Graphics Super Late Models. There were 39 Super Late Models on hand gunning for the $5,000 top prize.
Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Illinois, led all 40 laps, getting his 27th career Northern Allstars Late Model victory. A great battle from second on back saw Jason Jameson, Tanner English, Josh Rice and Seth Daniels round out the top five.
For Erb, it was his 27th career win in the Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series, a series that was resurrected in 2023 after being dormant since 2012. It was Erb’s seventh career win at Brownstown and his first at the Jackson County Fairgrounds track since 2015.
Hard charger of the race Cody Mahoney finished sixth from his 14th starting spot, followed by fast qualifier Tristan Chamberlain, Devin Gilpin, Rod Conley and Greg Johnson.
Isaiah Sasser of Bedford took the lead from Tucker Chastain with 10 laps to go in Pewter Hall Super Stock feature action, and Sasser went on to pick up his first-ever Brownstown win. Following Sasser and Chastain were Zach Sasser, Colton Sullivan and Rick Gumm.
Keaton Streeval of Edinburgh jumped to the early lead in the Crossroads Truck Equipment Pure Stock feature, but would drop out of the race at the halfway mark. Josh Turner took over the lead and held off a charging Brent McMillan for the win. Mickey Hines, Davey Waggoner and Jacob Owens completed the top five.
The Crown Vic feature wasn’t decided until the checkers when Chris Young, Jeff Roberts and Dustin Cross were all fighting for the win, mixed in with several lapped cars as they crossed the finish line. Young, from Louisville, came out the winner, his first ever Brownstown win. Jeff Roberts, Dustin Cross, Ryan Woods and Joel Smith followed Young at the checkers.
Ira Bastin Memorial Feature Finish: Dennis Erb Jr., Jason Jameson, Tanner English, Josh Rice, Seth Daniels, Cody Mahoney, Tristan Chamberlain, Devin Gilpin, Rod Conley, Greg Johnson, Stormy Scott, J.R. Gentry, Jug Wethington, Josh Dietz, Jared Bailey, Adam Stricker, Zak Blackwood, Michael Chilton, Matt Boknecht, Jordan Wever.
Super Stock Feature Finish: Isaiah Sasser, Tucker Chastain, Zach Sasser, Colton Sullivan, Rick Gumm, Blake Hull, Trey Chastain, Greg Amick, Justin Massie, Grant Simpson, J.T. Huffman, Jenna Boknecht, Skyler Cohee, Austin Burton, Dustin Petro, Jack Roberts, Wade Goodale-DNS, Hayden Groomer-DNS, Ralph Groomer-DNS.
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Josh Turner, Brent McMillan, Mickey Hines, Davey Waggoner, Jacob Owens, A.J. Wilson, Josh Hayes, Cody Ellison, Tanner Short, Tommy Fleenor, Daniel Hupp, Donnie Wilson, Kevin Bloom, Preston Carr, Hunter Perry, Keaton Streeval, Justin Walters, Randy Shipley, Brian Sims, Phillip Boudreaux.
Crown Vics Feature Finish: Chris Young, Jeff Roberts, Dustin Cross, Ryan Woods, Joel Smith, Geremy Hays, Dustin Wiggins, Todd Cain, Jacob Kruse, Brayden Reed, Brandon Lange, Coby Greenlee, Ray Weston, Matthew Clouse, Bobby Jackson, Stacie Fitzgerald, Eric Lewis, Anthony Finley, Chad Reed, Zachary Hall, Josh Woods.
Ballou takes Lawrenceburg opener
Robert Ballou won the opening night sprint car feature on April 6 at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Nick Bilbee finished second to Ballou, followed by Joss Moffatt, Anton Hernandez and J.J. Hughes. Nick Snell won the modified feature over Dustin Moore, Scotty Kincaid, Don Grace and Dalton Smith. Kevin McCoy won the hornet division feature over Gary Hume, Michael Brewer, Lucas Walters and Ryan Paciocco. Joel Andrews captured the pure stock feature event over Will McRoberts, Rylan Chase, Conor Heaston and John Heaston.
It was the first race for new promoter Shane McHenry and his family. Tonight, Lawrenceburg hosts the USAC National Sprint Car Series.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago in 1964 at Lawrenceburg, the season opening feature races went to Mike Johnson (super modifieds) and Chuck McWilliams (stock cars).
From 50 years ago in 1974 at Eldora Speedway, Jan Opperman won the USAC Sprint Car feature over George Snider, Bruce Walkup, Lee Osborne and Pancho Carter.
From 40 years ago in 1984 at Brownstown, Noel Witcher won the late model feature over Roger Absher, Gerald Dixon, Bob Pierce and John Lawhorn. Danny Blackwell won the modified street stock feature over Bobby Johnson, Rick Hines, Jack Woodward and Phil Wood.
Also from 1984 at Twin Cities, Steve Boley won the late model feature over Robert Brison, Reynold Gould Jr., Chuck Gilpin and John Mitchell. Merrill Downey won the modified street sock feature over Willie Sallee, Phil Fultz, Daryl Herbert and Buddy Franks.
From 30 years ago in 1994 at Brownstown, Don O’Neal won the late model feature over Freddy Smith, Steve Barnett, John Gill, and C.J. Rayburn. Earl Plessinger won the street stock feature over Darren Davis, Scott Patman, and Joe Lucas. Scott Smith won the modified feature over Dale Dubois, Mike Bowersox, Albert Webb and John Davis. Murl Robinson took the bomber feature win over John Passmore, Todd Richey, Randy Knapp and Morgan Huebner.
Also, from 30 years ago at Eldora, it was Frankie Kerr winning the USAC Sprint Car feature over Kevin Huntley and Tray House.
Upcoming local racing schedule
Today (weather permitting): Brownstown Speedway — crate late models, super stocks, pure stocks, hornets and crown vics. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Today (weather permitting): Lawrenceburg Speedway — USAC National Sprint Cars, modifieds and pure stocks. For more information, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com
Today (weather permitting): Paragon Speedway — super late models, hornets, modifieds and mod lites. For more information, visit paragonspeedway.com
Today (weather permitting): Florence Speedway — Union, Kentucky – super late models, modifieds, sport mods, hornets and crown vics. For more information, visit florencespeedway.com.
Sunday: Salem Speedway —Season Opener: Salem super cars, legends, crown vics and scrappers. Racing starts at 2 p.m.. For more information, visit salemspeedway.com
April 20: Brownstown Speedway — crown vic special plus crate late models, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets.
April 20: Paragon Speedway — 410 sprints, super stocks, hornets and MMSA mini-sprints.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]
