Todd Turns Back French in SMP Modified Main
Sprint Car Double Header Saturday
   

by John Rittenoure

  
KELLYVILLE, Okla. (July 15, 2010) - Close racing on a very fast track highlighted a night of racing that featured the SMP Modified Tour Thursday night at Creek County Speedway.

Twenty-nine modified drivers from as far away as Tennessee entered the third night of the five-race Speedweek Tour and Randy Todd turned back a very strong challenge from Matt French to win the 30-lap feature and pocket $1,500. Todd led most of the way but French worked his way into second late in the race challenged Todd for the lead. The two battled through traffic as third place Allen Chickering joined in. French briefly had the lead but lapped traffic came into play and Todd managed to hold on for the victory over French. Chickering finished third while Steve Lacy and Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five.

The mini stock feature was equally exciting as Jonathan Fisher edged Justin Cartwright at the finish line to win his second main event of the season.

Corey Westfall led the early laps before Daniel Ray Denton challenged after a lap eight restart. For four laps Westfall and Denton raced side-by-side with Denton finally edging into the lead just before a yellow waved on lap 12. Westfall challenged on the restart but Fisher was coming on strong from the outside and battled with both Westfall and Denton. Fisher wheeled into the lead on lap 14 just a lap before Cartwright broke loose for second. Cartwright closed in and challenged off the final turn but fell short by half a car length.

Racing resumes Saturday with a sprint car double header on tap. A transformer problem and some light rain forced the sprint feature to be postponed after the race was stopped on lap one for a flip. The race will be a complete restart and will be run at the start of Saturday's show. Twenty-one cars are in the starting lineup and 16-year old Kacee Frazier will be sitting on the pole.

After the feature is completed the regular program for all seven classes will be run with the night ending with another sprint car main event. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7.