Owendale, MI – Great Lakes Lightning Sprints presented by Maxima Racing Oils, traveled to Silver Bullet Speedway for their first ever visit and the first time winged sprints have ran there in over 10 years. Jac Nickles (Harrod, OH) in the family #31 car, flew around the Bullet like a yellow bumble bee Saturday night winning his heat race and taking home the win in the feature!
With some attrition from the GLLS opener the night before, losing 5 cars, we still pulled into Silver Bullet with a good field of 14 cars. With the park like atmosphere at the track and the laid back hospitality of the track staff, the 2nd night of racing was a good time in the pits!
The sprints hit the track first for the evening to group qualify. When qualifying was complete Thomas Parker (Wyoming, MI) in the #17 “White Bullet” sat on top of the field with quick time of a 15.011 second lap. Alex Cogley (Findlay, OH) finished 2nd with Brendan Cascadden (Traverse City, MI), Nickles and Bill Dunham (Bellevue, MI) rounding out the top 5.
Lindsay Erickson (South Boardman, MI) took the checkered flag in the Engler Machine & Tool Heat Race One, leading from green flag to checker, with Parker following across in second. Starting fourth, Parker moved up in the field and secured second and a redraw spot. Cascadden, Dunham and Matt Cogley (Findlay, OH) rounded out the top 5.
In the Chaney Creek Construction Heat Race two, Nickles started 3rd, but was able to get around the field and lead all 8 laps, with average speeds nearly a full second and a half faster then in qualifying. Alex Cogley chased Nickles down, but had to settle for second with Bud Schrader (Benzonia, MI), Johnny Roberts (Wheeler, MI) and Mack Erickson (South Boardman, MI) rounding out the top five.
In the redraw, Nickles drew the number 1 position, giving him the pole for the Maxima Racing Oils Feature. Next to him was Alex Cogley, with Parker and Lindsay Erickson filling the second row and Schrader and Cascadden filling the third row.
Nickles brought the field around turn 4 as the green flag dropped and he was off like a shot, pulling a head of the field by 5 car lengths. As the laps clicked off, the battle for second was fierce between Cogley, Parker and Cascadden. With only 3 laps to go, the caution flag flew as a car clipped a tire and spun in front of the field. The caution took away the lead Nickles had built and gave Cascadden and Cogley a chance to keep Nickles close. But Nickles was dialed in and wouldn’t be denied as he took the checkered flag and the win 3 laps later, followed by Cascadden, A. Cogley, L. Erickson and Schrader rounding out the top 5.
GLLS will be off Memorial weekend, but will return to racing Friday, June 4th at Mount Pleasant Speedway. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and for a full schedule, race results and points standings, go to our website at www.greatlakessprints.com.
Thank you to our sponsors, Maxima Racing Oils, Engine Pro/Perfit, Engler Machine & Tool, Chaney Creek Construction, Beacon & Bridge Markets, Specialty Fuels & Logistics and Hoosier Racing Tires.
- Barry Marlow on May 25, 2021
- Article Date: 5/23/2021 by Great Lakes Sprints Staff