3rd Annual Salute to the Troops Race at Miami County Speedway

Written By: Matt "Night" Rider
Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Miami County Speedway hosted the 3rd annual Salute to the Troops race on Saturday, May 16th. It was a very special race for many reasons. We were able to give thanks to all the service men and women that have fought or continue to fight for our freedom. Admission to grandstand seating was free to all current or retired service men and women, including auxiliary members.

"The men and women that fight for our freedoms don't receive the thanks they deserve. This is our small way of saying thanks," said Miami County Soeedway co-owner Julie Bailey. Miami County Speedway co-founder and promoter Dwayne McIntire echoed this appreciation. "It's a great way to honor our service men and women," McIntire said.

The racers that was racing in rememberance or honor of a service man or woman, displayed the American flag on their micro sprint cars, throughout this special night of racing.

The regular four classes (Juniors, Restrictor, Nonwing and Open) were run on the dirt oval, but with a special twist.

The four classes ran with sponsors. The sponsors were as follows: Nonwing (Marine Corps League), Open (Air Force), Junior (Alcardi Angels), and Restrictor (Lucky Bill Racing). The feature winner received an additonal bonus of $50 along with the winner's purse.

There was also special sponsors for the leaders of laps No. 9 and No. 11, to honor the 9/11 victims, the hard charger from each class, and the first car out of each class feature.

"In each class, the car that leads laps 9 and 11 will receive a bonus of $25. The hard charger from each class will receive a $20 bonus, and the first car out of each feature will receive a $20 bonus," said Bailey.

There were many sponsors that helped with donations and sponsorship for this special race. The main sponsorship came from Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Kokomo. Other big sponsors included: Gamester Racing Products, Frederic's Photography, C&D Racing Supply, Red Dot Trophy, and C&K Trucking.

Bailey said, "We appreciate all the sponsors that came on board for this race."

It was an action-packed race on Saturday, May 16th, as we saluted the troops, under the lights of the one and only Miami County Speedway.

Kokomo native No. 36S Halen Shafer raced to his fourth straight victory in the open class feature. "It feels good to win tonight...We ran the top, where I'm always at," Shafer said. "The top line is known as the Cottle (Shane "The Throttle" Cottle) line", Shafer explained. Second place went to No. 4 Sam Kimmel, while No. 29 Logan Jarrett rounded out the top three finishers.

Kokomo racer No. 95 Garrett Miller ran away with the feature win in the restrictor class. "It feels good to win," Garrett said after picking up the big win. Taking a strong second place finish was No. 29 Nick Abbott, while the No. 44 restrictor sprint of Barbie Kimmel brought home a third place finish.

Francesville's No. 66G Jerod Glasford dominated en route to picking up his third straight junior class feature win. "I'm glad to win my third straight feature, and I would like to thank Flaco for their support," Glasford said. Kaleb Kinsler rocketed his way to a second place showing, while MCS newcomer No. 6 Parker Price-Miller took home a third place finish.

In the Nonwing feature, No. 15 Joe Leek raced his way to a big win. No. 2J Jacob Moore took second place honors, while No. 92 brought home a third place finish.

The last feature of the night was the seniors feature. The senior features victory went to Brookston's No.1 Bob Harrington. "It felt great to win tonight. This was my first win in five years," Harrington said. No. 22 Bob Baker raced to a strong second place showing, while No. 40 Mike Stahl brought home a third place finish.

There is more micro sprint racing this weekend. It's a special weekend of racing, as we race both Saturday (May 23th) and Sunday (May 24th). On Saturday, May 23th, MCS will run the Denny Miller Memoria Race. There's an additional bonus of $75 for the nonwing and open class winners. There's a $50 bonus, for the feature winners of juniors, restrictors, and seniors. Each class will pay a $15 bonus to the hard charger of each class. Each class pays $25 to start. We run our regular five feature program on Sunday, May 24th. Please bring the family and come watch great racing at the Miami County Speedway this weekend.