Middaugh claims Callaway opener
Ryan Middaugh won the USRA Modified feature.
Friday, April 14, marked the first night of racing at the 3/8-mile racetrack in Fulton, Mo., in 2017. Callaway Raceways managed to outlast the spotty weather that loomed over the area all week and kicked off the season in thrilling fashion.
Fourteen USRA Modifieds drew in for the opener and the track was fast from the get-go. In the first heat race, we saw Ronnie Woods pick up the win over Sportsman graduate turned Modified rookie Johnny Wyman. In the second heat race, Kevin Blackburn surged to the lead, but after an intense battle, it was Ryan Middaugh taking the advantage around the low side en route to the heat win.
In the A-Main the track looked to be widening out as Woods and Middaugh paced the field. The 53 looked to have the slight advantage as the two raced through the first turn but Middaugh was able to power his way around the cushion and around Woods to lead the first lap.
The first yellow waved as smoke trailed a car at the rear of the field. Following the restart, it was Middaugh out front as Blackburn and 2016 track champion Robbie Reed made their moves to get around Woods for the second and third positions. Reed briefly slipped by Blackburn on the tenth lap but a yellow would negate the move and bunch the field back up.
Middaugh wasn't fazed though as he continued to rip around the high side and build a half straight-away advantage over the battle for second but another caution flew on lap 18 as newcomer James Pelster spun around. Middaugh finished off his flawless run over the final seven laps en route to his first win of the young 2017 season over Blackburn, Reed, Woods and Tyler Shaw.
Racing resumes next Friday, April 21, with action kicking off at 7 p.m.
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit Racing USRA Weekly Racing Series
Callaway Raceway, Fulton, Mo.
Friday, April 14, 2017
USRA MODIFIEDS
Feature:
1. 21 Ryan Middaugh
2. 26k Kevin Blackburn
3. 5 Robbie Reed
4. 53 Ronnie Woods
5. 85s Tyler Shaw
6. 88s Allen Meyer
7. L75 Eddie Whitney
8. 95jr Johnny Wyman
9. 21p James Pelster
10. 14 Kyle Grave
11. 28c Isaac Cuno
12. 97 John Rathegeber
13. 00 Terry Blackwell
14. 27 Craig Roden
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