Miller Lite Season Points Championship Doesn't Disappoint At Lakeside Speedway
by: Larry Lowrey

KANSAS CITY, KS (Sept 7) - Tonight Lakeside Speedway had everything to offer the race fans in attendance. Drama, Joy and heartache were just a few emotions that flew through the Speedway on points championship night. Everyone seemed to be on edge as Lakeside waited to crown their 3 champions for 2007. This goal was finally achieved after some great racing and solid excitement.

Nic Bidinger started the Grand National main event with a two point cushion over, Tim Billings and Cody Owens. For the entire feature event, Bidinger did exactly what he had to do; stay out in front. When the checkered flag dropped on the race, Bidinger was the first to cross the line. Champagne was handed out, his picture was taken but post - race tech inspection had not made it final yet.

In the tech inspection, it was presented to Bidinger that he lost lead off of his car during the running of the A Main. No yellow was thrown for this debris and before going back to green a number could not be seen on the weight. After the race it was discovered that it was Bidinger's weight. After a lengthy stay in the tech area, Bidinger was informed that he was being disqualified from the night's main event. Not only did this take away the win on the night, but it also took away his first points championship at Lakeside Speedway.

"This sucks, not only to lose the lead," said Bidinger, " I wanted to race him (Tim Billings) for it. I wasn't told that I was DQed until we were leaving the tech area."

The main benefactor in this twist was the runner-up in tonight's main, Tim Billings. In the reverse fashion of Bidinger, Billings was awarded the win for the night and the season points championship.

"I didn't care whose it was," said Billings, "I was focused on getting to the front."

Getting to the front is what Billings did. By the time the white flag came out, he had pulled along side of Bidinger and made his final run. Coming off of turn 4 he wasn't able to get it done. After the turn of events in the tech area, Billings was a happy racer.

"I put in my dues for this one," said Billings, "everyone on this team has made some mistakes, but we have gotten through them and worked hard. I have mixed emotions about this, because I wanted to win it on the track not like this."

Jim Baker put on a solid run to finish 2nd, finishing 3rd was Jimmy Winkler, 4th went to Cody Owens and rounding out the top 5 was Darrin King.

The modified race packed all the excitement for one race on Friday night. John Allen was the point leader with Tim Karrick hot on his heals. A great battle never materialized when Karrick cut down a tire on the opening lap.

Danny Charles led a large majority of this race. Something became a miss with his car about 2/3 into the race. When this happened, Kerry Davis made his charge for the point.

With 2 wins to his credit, Davis was seeking his 3rd win of the season. He wouldn't be denied as he pulled across the finish line first.

Point leader, John Allen had a long night of work coming in as the points leader. He discovered some problems after the race and had to go to work before the A main. After the race was over with, it was well worth the wait, as he and his crew would celebrate their 1st championship at Lakeside Speedway.

"This feels pretty good (on winning the championship)," said Allen, "This ranks right up there in championship wins, it's pretty high up there. It feels good to get the Lakeside Monkey off your back. I feel that we have one of the best maintenance programs around with our cars, but it's the adversity that you face night in and night out that you have get through. My crew never gave up."

Allen would come home 2nd tonight, Mark Schafman logged a 3rd place finish while Rodney Sigg and John Washburn rounded out the top 5.

Tim Shields started out the season on a torrid pace. People began to give him nicknames, such as Superman, some wondered if he was going to win them all or some pondered whether he could hold it together for the entire season.

Just like in the Modified Feature, the Factory Stocks got off to wild start too. Ten cars were involved in a melee on the track. Eight cars would be unable to return to the track.

"I just wanted to be safe, " said Shields, "I didn't expect the race to start like it did. When we got back to rolling around the track, I began to look for Will (Whisler). When I didn't see him, I knew that I had to get into the top 10. Getting caught up in that wreck earlier had me nervous."

Fans in the stands couldn't tell that Shields had a nervous disorder. He took his time working through the traffic in front of him. When it was over with, Shields finished in 7th spot.

Again fans are favoring the Factory Stocks for their competition and clean racing when on the speedway. Competition was going to get close as the officials were getting ready to put Shields to the back. This move left Will Whisler unattended at the front of the field, but it was never meant for Whisler this season. Some how contact knocked down the left rear tire. As this was discovered, Whisler was shown the exit to the track.

Brian Mills put on a 3rd place finish, Jason Ryun (who won last week's feature) ended in 4th and Buzz Kaster finished in the top 5 as the checkered flag was dropped.

Don't forget next weekend is the 8th Annual Jayhawk Modified Classic presented by McCarthy Chevrolet. $5,000 to win and $1,000 to start will bring out the best talent in the Midwest. Gates open up at 4:30 and races start at 7:30.

Modified A Main Results

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Race Points
1 7 68 Kerry Davis Parkville , Mo 25
2 10 98 John Allen Chanute , Ks 24
3 6 34 Mark Schafman Edwardsville , Ks 23
4 13 18R Rodney Sigg Iola , Ks 22
5 2 77J John Washburn Kansas Ctiy, Ks 21
6 9 8 Terry Bruner Ii Kansas City, Ks 20
7 15 5 Scott Crystal Overland Park, Ks 19
8 21 4P Scott Pippert Piper , Ks 18
9 17 89 Jake Newman Kansas City, Mo 17
10 23 9G Dylan Gentry Kansas City, Ks 16
11 24 8X Mark Hoover Maryville , Mo 15
12 4 17 Mike Taylor Topeka , Ks 14
13 22 5G Craig Gordon Olathe , Ks 13
14 14 19 Duane Walker, Sr. Merriam , Ks 12
15 19 15 John O'neal, Jr. - 11
16 3 81J Danny Charles Bonner Springs, Ks 10
17 5 12P Jeff Herbers Holton , Ks 9
18 16 13 Aaron Poe - 8
19 25 3 Larry Harvey, Jr. Kansas City, Ks 7
20 12 94 Allan Lawrence Gardner , Ks 6
21 1 57JR Dennis Melvin Basehor , Ks 5
22 8 81 Tom Charles Bonner Springs, Ks 4
23 20 99R Billy Roberts - 3
24 18 5C Don Crnkovich Lenexa , Ks 2
25 11 1K Tim Karrick Basehor , Ks 1

Grand National - Feature
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Race Points
1 12 25 Tim Billings Liberty , Mo 25
2 11 52 Jim Baker Leavenworth , Ks 24
3 8 16 Jimmy Winkler Parkville , Mo 23
4 9 32 Cody Owens Kansas City, Mo 22
5 4 30 Darren Kling Basehor , Ks 21
6 10 99 Brad Dibben Kansas City, Mo 20
7 16 33 Nick Newton Kansas City, Ks 19
8 18 33N Tom Newton Kansas City, Ks 18
9 6 45 Ben Kyle Gardner , Ks 17
10 3 69 Steven Dibben Smithville , Mo 16
11 7 2 Dave Powell Kearney , Mo 15
12 19 9 Don Marrs Shawnee , Ks 14
13 5 6 Marshall Jewett Gardner , Ks 13
14 13 57 Jason Booze Olathe , Ks 12
15 14 29S Jeff Smith Kansas City, Mo 11
16 17 75P Jason Park Kansas City, Ks 10
17 20 11T Mike Taylor Jr - 9
18 2 76 Gary Dellinger Westwood , Ks 8
19 15 33X Kevin Elam Liberty , Mo 7
20 1 3B Nic Bidinger Perry , Ks 0


Factory Stock - Feature
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Race Points
1 2 56 Joe Smith, Jr Kansas City, Ks 25
2 5 7 Marshall Jewett Gardner , Ks 24
3 4 69 Brian Mills Gladstone , Mo 23
4 11 27 Jason Ryun Gladstone , Mo 22
5 9 54 Buz Kaster Kansas Ctiy, Ks 21
6 10 49 Don Chaffin Kansas City, Mo 20
7 7 42T Tim Shields Kansas City, Mo 19
8 23 55 Sean Foster Smithville , Mo 18
9 16 44M Edward Meyers Mclouth , Ks 17
10 6 40 Keith Jennings Lansing , Ks 16
11 21 73 Mike Mccullough Kansas City, Ks 15
12 15 74 Bud Wallis Baldwin City, Ks 14
13 19 63 Daniel Stimson Kansas City, Mo 13
14 25 17 Bill Ruisinger Bonner Springs, Ks 12
15 14 11T Mike Taylor, Jr. Gladstone , Mo 11
16 20 53R Kyle Robison Basehor , Ks 10
17 13 96 Jake Newman Kansas City, Mo 9
18 1 50 Ronald Caldwell Kansas City, Mo 8
19 3 46W Will Whisler Kansas City, Ks 7
20 8 44 Jay Kelly Kansas City, Ks 6
21 12 66T Tyler Schmidt Easton , Ks 5
22 17 8J Jordan Custer Pleasant Valley, Mo 4
23 18 2 Randy Hand Bonner Springs, Ks 3
24 22 52M Mike Belt Shawnee , Ks 2
25 24 8Z Ron Zink Tonganoxie , Ks 1