Roach notches win at Enid Speedway Park

By Cheryl Licklider, Staff Writer

April 07, 2008 12:17 am

— Modified hot shoe Mike Roach continued his run as he dominated the opener at Enid Speedway Park Saturday night, piloting his Boomer Well Service/Midwest Refrigeration sponsored Kraft race car to his first win of the season for the fourth year in a row.
“We’ve been struggling with this new car and we’re finally figuring it out,” said Roach. “I’m not sure we were the fastest car on the track tonight, but it is a great way to start the season.”
Pacesetter Allen Chickering accelerated into a strong lead on the start of the fast and furious race, only to see the track come under caution as Brendon Gemmill spun to a halt in turn two.
The second start was a charm for Ryan Machimch as he put his ride out front. Machimch appeared invincible until lap 14 when the hard charging Roach took command of the track.
With a clear track in front of him, Roach was unstoppable and took a strong lead to the checkered flag. Darren Hacker battled through the field to finish second, followed by Machimch, Troy Gemmill and Chickering.
Veteran Jerry Derr showed he still has all the right stuff and he put his quick Chevy in victory lane in the first street stock main of the season.
Derr hurried off the outside pole and led the early goings. A yellow flag flew in lap six, as Ed Simpson flew off the track and stopped in front of the grandstands.
Derr resumed the point when the green flag waved and sported a strong straightaway lead at the race’s midpoint. Derr kept command of the track and skillfully maneuvered through lapped traffic on his way to the winner’s circle.
Jon Herring Sr. chased down second with Lance Sessions, James Lott and Adam Schrag trailing at the finish.
Robert Elliott outlasted the field to capture the win in the wild and woolly limited modified A feature.
Elliott exploded off the pole and headed up the quick paced race. A caution waved before a lap could be complete for mayhem in turn four which left five cars stopped in the groove.
Elliott picked up where he left off when the race went green and sported nearly a half-lap lead when Kory Vendetti came to a rest in lap four and brought out another yellow flag. Elliott accelerated away from the field on the third restart, but all that effort was for naught, as Ricky Austin spun to a standstill and put the track back under caution in lap eight.
Elliott headed up the field once again but a yellow flag flew the next time around for a three-car pile-up in turn one. The fifth restart put racing veterans Milt David and Mark Wilson on his bumper. It was a heated battle for nearly two laps before Elliott made a clean break.
A red flag flew in lap 14 as the car piloted by Tommy Morgan, Jr. burst into flames on the back straight. Track officials quickly extinguished the fire and Morgan exited the car without injury.
Elliott sped away on the restart and never looked back. David settled for second with Greg Deterding, Ronnie Ramer and Austin rounding out the top five.
John Whitley led all 15 laps of the factory stock main to post his first win of the season.
Whitley raced off the outside pole and, undaunted by two cautions, took a commanding lead to the line.
Fred Ramer battled to second, followed by Ronnie Ramer, David Fisher and Landon Maddox.
Michael Meek neatly wrapped up the feature win in pure stock with a flawless victory run. Duane Head raced to second trailed by Tim Smart, Chris Clift and Mike Watts.
Heat winners in modified were Roach and Machimch. Logan Macy, Elliott and David posted the heat wins in limited modified. Street Stock heat wins went to Derr and Herring with Whitley and Meek picking up wins in the factory and pure stock heats.
Enid Speedway Park’s next card of racing will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.