The 2nd Annual Fast Freddy Classic had 27 entries and it was a loaded field to battle it out for 5 grand as the top prize. The format would be 3 heats taking the top 5 with 1 b main taking the top 5. The fast times for the 3 groups were Alec Sipes 13.196, Seth Parker 13.482 and Geoff Ensign 12.938. This setup the 3 heats with an invert of 3. Heat race 1 Jadon Rogers looked very strong and won it over Brian Hayden, Alec Sipes, Brayden Fox and Jordan Kinser making the A. Heat race 2 Seth Parker came from 3rd to win it over Brent Beauchamp, Mitch Wissmiller, Frank Guerrini and Dave Darland transferring. The final heat was won by Zack Pretorius over Geoff Ensign, Tye Mihocko, Brandon Spencer and Harley Burns. This setup the B main with 5 spots going to the 30 lap Fast Freddy Classic. Brayden Clark won it over Kyle Johnson, Ivan Klotzbach, Kyle Shipley and John Sluss. The invert spin for the A main was a 6 which put Geoff Ensign and Brent Beauchamp on the front row. This 20 car field for the Fast Freddy Classic was loaded and the front 2 started off looking really strong with Geoff on the bottom and Brent trying up on the cushion. By lap 3 Jadon Rogers had made his move from 6th to the front and looked to be on a mission. Jadon took the lead in the 14 car and stayed up on the massive curb building a big lead. Back in the pack there was all kind of moves being made. At the halfway point Tye Mihocko had made it from 9th to 3rd. With the extra laps Jadon would get into lapped traffic and he did a great job dicing through them and staying strong on the top. The final 5 laps he just kept building his lead and picked up the big check and a huge win just 2 weeks before the Sprintacular. Following Jadon at the finish it was Geoff Ensign, Tye Mihocko, Mitch Wissmiller, Brent Beauchamp, Jordan Kinser, Dave Darland, Ivan Glotzbach, Harley Burns and Brayden Fox. Austin Nigh was the winner of the 2nd feature over Dave Gross. Thanks again to all 27 teams and the entire Hopkins Family and all the Sponsors who put on an amazing show at the awesome Fast Freddy Classic night.
Another huge field of IMCA 305 Racesavers to complete the double weekend. 38 entries would be split into 5 groups and their quick times were AJ Hopkins 12.746, Carson Dillion 12.928, Logan Anderson 12. 878, Ethan Barrow 12. 737 and Kevin Newton 12.982. This setup the 5 heats taking the top 3 to the A. The invert was a 3 for the heats. AJ Hopkins came from 3rd to win his heat race over Rod Henning and Schulyler Nahre. Heat race 2 went to a very strong looking John Paynter Jr. over Bryce Norris and Alfred Galedrige. Heat race 3 was won by Jordan Welch from 4th over Tres Mehler and Logan Anderson. Heat race 4 was won by last nights winner Ethan Barrow from 3rd over Max Guillford and Dustin Clark. The final heat went to Alex Nalon from the pole over Dillan Baldwin and Greg Dobrosky. This setup 2 b mains only taking the top 3 each and they were almost like mini features stacked with great talent in the 305 ranks. The first B main was won by Bradley Sterrett over Terry Arthur and Blayne Ridgley who made the big show. The final B main was won by Andy Bradley over Ryan Hall and Ivan Glotzbach who also made the big show. This setup the 305 Fast Freddy Classic and the invert for the main was a 2 which put John Paynter Jr. and AJ Hopkins on the front row. This was a loaded field for 2 nights in a row with some of the best talent in the IMCA 305 ranks with 44 Friday and 38 tonight WOW. The first part of the A John Paynter Jr. and AJ Hopkins had a good battle but AJ Hopkins was very fast up on the cushion that we have seen him on for many years. He took the lead and started to grow his lead but it would get into lapped traffic really fast with the quick laps they were running at the front of the field. AJ would do a good job through lapped traffic and the field was slowed for a red with a bad crash between Andy Bradley and Greg Dobrosky. We are very thankful both drivers would be okay out of the scary wreck right in front of the crowd just passed the flagstand. On the restart it would be AJ Hopkins in the lead with Ethan Barrow and Jordan Welch trying to get close enough to take the top spot. The 18 of AJ got above the cushion in turn 4 and opened up the door for Ethan Barrow to make a move to the lead. AJ was able to save it and would try to run down Ethan again but both of them were really fast on the top groove and Jordan Welch was really fast also using the lower groove. The final few laps Ethan Barrow was able to not miss his marks on the tricky curb that was almost as tall as a whole tire at certain points and took the big Fast Freddy Classic. At the finish it was Ethan Barrow, Jordan Welch, AJ Hopkins, Rod Henning and Bradley Sterrett who put on an amazing hard charger from 16th to 5th. This was another great show from the IMCA 305's 2 nights in a row for our great fans. Thanks goes to the teams that put on an amazing 2 nights.
The UMP Mods had a great turnout of 25 entries. The 3 fast times in their groups were Dave Baldwin 15.407, Jeff Deckard 15.004 and Wes McClara 15.318. The invert for the heats was spun a 1 so all 3 fast times were on the pole. Heat race 1 was won by Dave Baldwin who held off Will Bennett and Jake Leitzman. Heat race 2 Jeff Deckard held on to his win over Matt Mitchell and John Demoss. The final heat made it a clean sweep for the 3 fast times with Wes McClara winning it over Derek Losh and Chris Cole. Derek came from 8th to 2nd after starting last in his heat. This setup the A main and the invert was a 1 again which put Dave and Jeff on the front row. Dave and Jeff would have a good early battle the first 5 laps. Jeff Deckard looked really strong and it was great to see him lead part of the race on his 60th birthday showing how strong the 28 has been this year. It didn't take long for Derek Losh to come from 6th to 2nd and he was starting to gain on Jeff Deckard looking for the top spot. Derek would take the top spot away and another driver John Demoss had came from 8th to 3rd also in the closing laps. Derek Losh would once again keep his streak of wins going as he was strong on the bottom after taking the lead and went on for the win. Following Derek Losh at the finish it was Jeff Deckard, John Demoss, Matt Mitchell and Dave Baldwin rounding out the top 5. Another great show by the 25 UMP Mod teams that joined us at LPS.
The Bombers had 11 entries for the night and the 2 fast times in their groups were Scott Tidwell 16.754 and Corey Anstead 16.523. The wheel spin invert for the heats was a 2. Heat race 1 David Wallen from the pole was able to hold off David Bumgardner and Scott Tidwell for the win. Heat race 2 Corey Anstead won the heat over Joey Raber and Megan Cavaness. This setup the A main with an invert of 1 so both heat race winners were on the front row. David Wallen would look strong early and him and Corey had a good battle early. They were both fast but David Bumgardner was showing a lot of speed from the 3rd spot and would work his way to the front. David Bumgardner would take the top spot and not miss his marks the rest of the feature and take the big win. Following David Bumgardner at the finish was David Wallen, Joey Raber, Megan Cavaness and David Bumgardner II .
The UMP Super Stocks had 16 entries and the 2 fast times in their groups were Larry Raines 15.662 and Chris Bennett 15.641. This setup the heats with an invert of 1. Heat race 1 was lead the whole way by Larry Raines who won over Wade Goodale and Justin Massie. Heat race 2 had a great battle between Matt Raber, Chris Bennett and Devin Wallen. Matt Raber would get the heat win over Devin Wallen and Chris Bennett. The invert for the feature was a spin of 2. This put Matt and Larry both on the front row. Larry had a good battle early for the lead with Matt both looking for a big win. Matt would get the bottom to stick as Larry was trying the cushion. Matt would take the lead and put some distance between him and the upper groove cars. Halfway through the A main it was Matt by himself up front. He would hit his marks perfectly and pick up his first ever UMP Super Stock A main. Following Matt Raber at the finish it was Devin Wallen, Wade Goodale, Larry Raines and Justin Massie. On to next Saturday where it is our biggest fireworks show of the year celebrating the July 4th at LPS on the Saturday before the 4th weekend. Thanks to all the Hopkins Family and all the Sponsors of this great race. Thanks goes out to all the teams and the huge crowd who saw an awesome night. See you next Saturday night!!!
- Jill Spiker on Jun 22, 2023
- Article Date: 6/22/2023 by Kenny Clark