Rowland nails down first victory

By Cheryl Licklider, Staff Writer

August 12, 2007 11:48 pm

— Bryan Rowland found track conditions to his liking as he put his Road Runner Trucking/Woodward Diesel-sponsored Skyrocket modified in victory lane for the first time this season in racing action at Enid Speedway Park Saturday night.
“We finally had a little bit of good luck,” said Rowland. “The track was dry-slick, and the slicker it gets the faster we go.”
Rowland sped off the second row and took the lead in the main event. But all his effort was wasted as a caution waved for a two-car collision on the back straight.
Joe Adams took command of the track on the restart, with Rowland in the chase. Rowland used an inside line to take the point in lap eight and set up a straightaway advantage in a mere two laps. With a clear track in front of him, Rowland was unstoppable. Jim Ciampi raced to second, trailed by Darren Hacker, Adams and Kip Hughes.
Tony Sessions had the fans on their feet with a dazzling victory run that culminated in a photo finish as he posted his sixth win of the season aboard his Hennessey Well Service/Eastco Rentals-sponsored limited modified.
“The car ran good tonight,” said Sessions. “I was able to hit the cushion on the high side.”
Two cautions waved for mayhem all over the track before the competitors could get the race underway. Cleo Adams sped off the outside pole and took command when the race finally went green. Adams sped away from the field, but it was apparent Sessions had the fastest car.
Sessions marched from the back of the field and sailed past Adams with an outside challenge in lap 16. Adams stepped it up, and it was a drag race to the line, with Sessions winning by inches. Mike Shenberger captured third, with Nick Shenberger and Tommy Morgan Jr. trailing at the finish.
Persistence paid off for Bud Longpine as he dominated in street stocks, capturing his second win of the season.
A.J. Brochu rushed off the outside pole and hurried away from the aggressive field. Brochu sported nearly a straightaway advantage when a caution waved at the race’s mid-point.
Brochu resumed the hot seat when the race went green, with Longpine in the hunt. The duo sped away from the field, locked in a heated battle. Longpine made a daring outside challenge in lap 13 to take command and held a tenuous lead to the line. Brochu made a late charge but settled for second, with Jay Arnold, Adam Schrag and Cliff Morrow rounding out the top five.
Kenny Adams continued his reign over factory stock as he put his Platinum Motorsports ride in the winner’s circle for the ninth time this season.
Adams exploded off the third row and showed the way, but all that effort was for naught as Matt Norwood spun to a halt in turn two and put the race under caution. R.J. Ramer took the point on the restart, with Adams in hot pursuit. Fred Ramer stalled at the top of the track and brought out a second yellow flag in lap six.
R.J. Ramer took command when the race went green, only to see a caution wave the next time around. Adams made a daring low challenge when the race went green and, despite two additional yellow flags, never was challenged on his path to the checkers. Ramer settled for second, followed by David Fisher, Brad Costello and Brandon Gibson.
Michael Meek was in the right place at the right time as he posted his fourth win of the season in pure stock.
Willis Adams rushed off the second row and charged past pacesetter Meek in lap three. Adams skillfully maneuvered through lapped traffic and looked to be the man to beat but fell off the pace on the white flag lap, which saw Meek take the win. Adams held onto second, trailed by Tommy Bohnstedt, David Dunkin Sr. and Justin Pruett.
Heat winners in modified were Rowland and Todd Decker.
Randy Miller and Nick Shenberger won their heats in limited modified, with Longpine, Brochu and Ryan Bohnstedt posting the heat wins in street stock.
Factory stock heat winners were Adams and Ramer, with Meek taking the honors in pure stock.
Enid Speedway Park’s next card of racing will be 7 p.m. Saturday.