In a scene reminiscent of the movie Rudy, Saturday night at Park Jefferson Speedway became the place where dreams come true. After leading all 25 laps of the American Sprint Car Series race Isaac Schreurs, who lost the use of his legs at age 14, pulled into victory lane. But unlike other victory lane photos, the driver didn’t quickly exit the car. Instead, with the crowd on its feet, a four-wheeler appeared with Schreurs father appeared from the pits. Rushing to the side of his son’s car, the elder Schreurs leapt off the back and reached into the cockpit and scooped his son up in his arms. Then, father and son went around to the front of the car where the crowd roared its approval to the young twenty one year old. In doing so, Schreurs became the first paraplegic to win a major sprint car race.
A front row of Schreurs and Cody Ledger led the American Sprint Car Series event to the green flag. Schreurs quickly took the lead. Facing multiple challenges from Ledger, he continued to lead until lap 17. Ledger put a slide job in front of Schreurs but the yellow flag flew placing Schreurs back in the lead. Schreurs once again led the field green until a violent flip from Jack Dover off of turn 3 which saw him flip over 50 feet until his car came to rest. The accident was the result of a broken front axle. Schreurs was able to hold the lead for the final laps to take the checkers. He was followed by Cody Ledger and Billy Alley rounded out the top three. Schreurs will next take on the American Sprint Car Series at the upcoming 36th running of the Jackson Nationals on Labor Day Weekend, August 29-30. Tickets and information are available at www.jacksonspeedway.com.
The sport modified feature saw a total field of 27 cars participate. When the dust cleared, Matt Fredricksen was able to hold off the challenges of Jefferson local Todd Boulware to take home the checkers. The B Main was taken by Ron Beckstom.
The hobby stock class had 18 entrants on Saturday night and saw multiple challenges for the lead. The action was marred by a vicious flip by Tim Pickle off of turn number 1. Pickle flipped his car over 3 times and then had the car catch on fire. After the accident, Malik Sampson took his 27 to victory lane to win his first feature this year at Park Jefferson.
The feature event that first brought the fans to their feet was a thrilling A main by the sport compacts. Mark Holmes Jr. was able to eke out a victory by no more than the length of a bumper over Luke Jackson. Holmes and Jackson dueled much of the race, and with 1 lap to go all eyes were on third place Cody Thompson. Thompson, who started shotgun, had passed 10 cars and made his move for the lead on the bottom of turns 1-2. By turn number 3, Thompson wasn’t able to gain any further and Holmes and Jackson slid through turns 3-4 for the drag race down to the checkers.
The sport mods, hobby stocks and sport compacts return with the A Mods, Street Stocks and Thunder Cars this Saturday August 23 at Park Jefferson Speedway. All details can be found at www.parkjeff.com.
- administrator on Aug 18, 2014
- Article Date: 8/18/2014