Local racing schedule
Kil-Kare Speedway
Today: EMT/Firefighter Night; NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late models, modifieds, sport stocks, compacts. Gates open at 6 p.m., racing at 8.
Kil-Kare Dragway
Saturday: NHRA-sanctioned racing: Buckeye Nationals, Pro Top Outlaws. Gates open at 9 a.m., time trials at 11.
Shadybowl Speedway
Saturday: Late models, modifieds, compacts, sport stocks, tuners. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing at 7.
Waynesfield Raceway Park
Saturday: Meet the Drivers Night; UMP modifieds, stocks, trucks, nonwing sprints, mini sprints, compacts. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6, racing at 7.
Edgewater Motorsports Park
Saturday: NHRA-sanctioned racing, Great Lakes Nostalgia Cars. Gates open at 2 p.m., racing at 7.
Sunday: Hot rod drag racing, car show. Gates open and time trials at 9 a.m., racing at 1 p.m.
Winchester Speedway
Saturday: Modifieds, street stocks, compacts, Winchester Old Timers Vintage Cars. Gates open at 1 p.m., racing at 7.
Sunday: Xtreme sprints, late models, compacts, Winchester Old Timers Vintage Cars. Gates open at 10 a.m., racing at 2 p.m.
Tri-State Dragway
Sunday: NHRA-sanctioned racing. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., eliminations at 1 p.m.
Some points races are so close you can throw a blanket over the top two or three cars, the saying goes. In the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) modifieds at Eldora Speedway, the battle is so close a wrapper from one of Eldora’s famous hot dogs might do the trick.
A four-car battle had separated itself from the pack with Indiana's Joey Kramer, Eaton's Rob Williams, Ludlow Falls' Matt Westfall and Coldwater's Ryan Sutter all within five points of each other. They entered last weekend's race separated by a single point. Kramer — who won his fourth feature last week — left with a two-point lead over Williams, a four-point lead over Westfall and a five-point lead over Sutter.
“It’s the first time I’ve been the hunted, so I don’t know how to feel about it,” said Williams, whose best modified finish at Eldora is second in 2004. “It’s nice to be on top, I know that.”
Williams won the modified feature on June 30 and has six finishes inside the top 10. A night of bad luck on May 27 resulted in his worst showing of 22nd. Kramer, meanwhile, hasn’t finished worse than fourth but he didn’t race on June 30, which cost him points.
In addition to the three drivers joining him in the points chase, Williams is keeping an eye on another driver looking to gain ground on him. His son, Scott Williams, is 11th in points.
“He’s been jonesing to beat me here the last three years he’s ran here,” Williams said. “If he ever beats me he’ll be more excited than winning a race, I think.”
For Williams, he can think of nothing better than celebrating his 25th season of racing with a coveted points title from Eldora. He wasn’t planning on running for the championship this season, but a fast start changed his mind.
“Yeah, I’d like to have one of them,” said Williams, whose No. 11 is sponsored by TA and Petro travel centers. “I have trophies sitting everywhere in the room but I’d like to have one of them points champion trophies.”
Hot laps
Winchester Speedway celebrates its Old Timers Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, with a special appearance by the Winchester Old Timers Vintage Cars. USAC midget sprint legend Mel Kenyon serves as the Grand Marshall. … Kil-Kare Dragway hosts the Buckeye Nationals on Saturday, highlighted by a visit from the Pro Top Outlaw series. … Kil-Kare Speedway's popular Cot Races are tonight pitting teams of EMTs from around the area against each other. … The Great Lakes Nostalgia Cars make a visit to Edgewater Raceway Park on Saturday. A car show highlights Sunday's show.
About the Author