Devin Gilpin of Columbus won the Born Free 40 for late models on July 6 at Brownstown Speedway. It was his fifth career win in the annual event.
Brownstown Speedway hosted the annual Fourth of July weekend running of the “Born Free 40” on July 6. The “Born Free 40” event featured the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series paying $5,000 to win.
Devin Gilpin of Columbus jumped to the lead at the start of the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series feature and led all 40 laps to record the win. Gilpin had built a large lead over the field and lost his brakes near the halfway mark of the race. Jordan Wever cut into Gilpin’s lead at that point, but Gilpin was able to stretch out his lead once again.
Gilpin has won three of the past four Super Late Model events at the track this year. This was his fifth career “Born Free 40” win. Jordan Wever, Rusty Schlenk, Shelby Miles and Zachary Stalker completed the top five. Matt Boknecht, Rod Conley, Chad Finley, Seth Daniels and Jared Bailey were sixth-throuth-10th.
Tucker Chastain of Bedford picked up his third straight Pewter Hall Super Stock feature win and his fourth win of the year. Tucker Chastain built a huge lead over second-place runner Zach Sasser. Sasser also had a comfortable lead over third place, but third on back was up for grabs. Following Tucker Chastain and Sasser at the finish were Greg Amick, Blake Hull and Tanner Chastain.
The Crossroads Truck Equipment Pure Stock feature saw Preston Carr lead in the early laps of the feature. Jeremy Hines then took the lead, with Brent McMillan staying close. McMillan, who hails from North Vernon, took over the lead with seven laps remaining and went on to record his fourth win of 2024. Jeremy Hines, Ross Smith, Edgar Godsey and A.J. Wilson followed McMillian at the checkers.
Todd Cain of Columbus led flag-to-flag in the 20-lap caution-free Crown Vic feature to score his first Brownstown Crown Vic feature win. Ryan Woods, Matt Cranmer (from his 16th starting spot), Eric Lewis and Jesse Stewart Jr. rounded out the top five.
Cordell Moore led the first four laps of the Hornet feature until Michael Brewer of North Vernon took the lead. Jeremy Shemwell moved to second and kept Brewer in his sight. With three laps to go, Shemwell pulled alongside Brewer, and the pair raced door-to-door the rest of the race. Brewer just edged Shemwell at the line in a photo finish. Following Brewer, who now has five wins for the year, and Shemwell were Cordell Moore, Preston Righthouse and Hunter Perry.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago in 1964 at Bloomington, Bob Kinser won the super modified feature over Cecil Beavers, Calvin Gilstrap, Carl Williams and Larry Miller.
From 1964 at Paragon, Orville Yeadon won the super modified feature over Jim Waltz, Don Fisher, Bob Rose and Calvin Gilstrap. Chuck Tyler won the stock car feature over Buford Ward, Kenny Simpson and Sheldon Kinser.
From 50 years ago this weekend at Brownstown, Russ Petro won the late model feature over Luther Burton and Ira Bastin.
From 1974 at the 25th Street Fairgrounds Raceway in Columbus, Gene Petro won the late model feature over Paul Crockett, Jack Smith, Carl Collins and Bob Sinnard.
From 50 years ago at Twin Cities, Tommy Day won the feature race over Jon Peddie, Larry Exner, Dee Kramer and Mike Stewart.
In 1974 at Bloomington, Dick Gaines won the sprint car feature over Bob Kinser, Bobby Black, Larry Curtis and Larry Goad. Kenny Simpson won the late model feature over Ira Bastin, Don Hobbs, Ezra Bastin and Chris Bradley.
From 50 years ago at Paragon, Bob Kinser won the sprint car feature over Rex Mitchell, Allen Barr, Frank Hollingsworth and Bobby Black. Steve Messmer won the stock car feature.
From 50 years ago at Haubstadt, Cliff Cockrum won the sprint car feature, and Tom Helfrich took the late model feature.
From 40 years ago in 1984 at Twin Cities, Steve Boley won the late model feature over Merrill Wilson, Bud Seymour, Marvin Strong and Chuck Gilpin. Willie Sallee won the modified street stock feature over Larry Gingery, Earl Plessinger, Phil Fultz and Powell Ballard. Ray Hughes won the street stock feature over Gregg Lyle, Dennis Barber, Steve Kimberlin and Randy Petro.
From 40 years ago in 1984 at Brownstown, Kenny Simpson won the late model feature over Paul Shafer, John Davis, Norm Swift and Tony Darnell. Terry Eaglin won the modified street sock feature over Bill Norton, Dan Londeree, Mike Bechelli and Rick Hines.
In 1984 at I-65 Speedway in Scottsburg, Kenny Simpson won the late model feature over Kevin Claycomb and Gerald Dixon. Mike Bechelli won the modified street stock feature over Earl Plessinger and Bill Norton.
From 40 years ago, the Columbus Kart Club winners were Chris Simpson, Chris Coers, John Pollack, Steve Stuckwisch, Josh Ritter, Dave Keith and Gary Cunningham.
From 1984 at Lawrenceburg, Greg Staab won the sprint car feature over Allen Barr, Danny Milburn, Gary Gray and Leon Thickstun. Gary Herbert won the late model feature over Ed Eschmann, Jeff Herbert, Len Spille and Phil Dabbs.
From 40 years ago at Paragon, Brad Marvel won the sprint car feature over Andy Hillenburg, Kevin Thomas, Mike Johnson and Mike Helm. Jim Nichols won the limited late model feature, and Mike Gibbs took the street stock feature race win.
From 30 years ago in 1994 at Brownstown, Jeff Wilson won the late model feature over Mike Jewell, Doug Ault, Jim Curry and Steve Barnett. Darin George won the street stock feature over Delbert Ross, Earl Plessinger, Jim Ruddick and Jeff Hehman. Scott Smith won the modified feature over Dusty Chapman, Alan Magner, Brad Barrow and David Shoemaker. Murl Robinson won the bomber feature over Randy Sutton, Larry Pratt, Steve Gilbert and Rick Schrader.
From 20 years ago in 2004 at Brownstown, Mark Barber won the late model feature over Jeff Wilson, Brad Barrow, Frankie Coomer and Steven Godsey. Mike Fields won the super stock feature over Kevin Applegate, Tim Clark, Jay Deckard and Kevin Jones. Steven Godsey won the bomber feature over Bub Walters, Matt Cummings, Mike Seal and Ray Godsey Jr.
Upcoming local racing schedule
Today: Brownstown Speedway – Scott Patman Memorial – super stock special plus crate late models, pure stocks, hornets and crown vics. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Today: Lawrenceburg Speedway – sprints, modifieds, pure stocks and hornets. For more information, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com
Today: Paragon Speedway – bombers, modifieds, mod lites and FAST winged sprints. For more information, visit paragonspeedway.com
Friday: Bloomington Speedway – Maverick Winged Sprints, plus 305 IMCA RaceSaver winged spring, plus hornets. For more information, visit racebloomingtonspeedway.com
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]
