7/1/2024
Meridian Speedway
Sommerfeld Strikes Late, Scores Surprise Win
The heat was on at Meridian Speedway on Saturday, June 29, as the quarter-mile asphalt oval played host to the Beacon Plumbing Outhouse Grand Prix. The Zamp NASCAR Latemodels, Pepsi Sprintcars, Project Filter Pro-4s, Firehouse Pub and Grill Bombers, Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets, and Trammel Construction Stingers battled the heat and each other as they raced for the night’s H&H Auto Sales feature flags.
The Zamp NASCAR Latemodels beat and banged for forty laps in the night’s longest feature. Nevaeh Hull jumped to the early lead in her Diversified Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning machine with Coleman Green in her tire tracks. Niko Heinzel was next to join the youth movement up front as he dispatched Neil Wassmuth, which also opened the door for Josh Fanopoulos, Melissa Weaver, and Andrew Palmer to move forward.
Once in open racetrack Heinzel fell back as Fanopoulos roared around he, Green, and Hull to take the lead. Palmer was the next to pass Hull, but did so with a rearview mirror full of division rival Johvan Dillon.
Everything changed on lap 25 when Fanopoulos’ Certified Services racer lost power on the back stretch and rolled to a stop in turn three. This handed the lead to Palmer and allowed Dillon to move his Dillon Toyota Lift machine beside the leader for the restart.
The green flag waved and the lead duo fired into turn one locked in a dead heat. Palmer’s Bobby’s Transmission car was fast, but Dillon was faster and he zipped around the inside line to take the lead. Once out front Dillon never looked back as he cruised into the Caleb’s Chop Shop Winner’s Circle. Palmer held on for second place ahead of Weaver, Green, and Heinzel.
Eleven Pepsi Sprintcars rumbled to green for their 35 lap feature race. Jett Nelson took the early lead in his YMC Mechanical, Giesler’s Auto Repair sprinter, but soon came under fire from Nate Little.
While the top three battled amongst themselves, Casey Tillman lit the wick on his TS Fuel & Oil, Air Filter Superstore machine and clawed his way forward from a back of the pack starting spot. By lap ten Tillman was wheel-to-wheel with Jordan Harris for third place, and a few laps later the veteran Meridian Speedway racer moved himself into the runner up spot behind Little and his Bachman Custom Homes, Fisher’s Technology mount.
As the laps wound down Tillman tried to reel Little in, but to no avail as he was forced to settle for second place. Daytona Wurtz finished third, with Harris fourth and Nelson fifth.
The Project Filter Pro-4s followed Jessika Harris and Sam Harris to green on their 25 lap feature. Disaster struck early for division points leader Jordan Harris as his Kim’s Kars, Allan Marsh Travel Center machine lost power after just five laps on track. Harris was able to correct the issue and rejoin the race for the restart.
Once the green flag waved Harris tore through the pack and soon had leader Niko Heinzel in his sights. Heinzel wheeled his Metro State Automation, Kim’s Kars racer as hard as he could to stay up front, but didn’t have enough to keep Harris at bay, and he lost the lead on lap nineteen. Once out front Harris pulled away and sped to the victory.
The Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets utilized the backstretch chicane in their raucous 25 lap feature where leading back-to-back laps was outlawed. Bumpers and fenders a plenty flew as the field of eighteen cars wove their way through the first handful of laps.
Stefano Meeks and Titus Clancy showed the way early before Cris Endicott and Dale Bolinger raced their way into the lead fight. But a three-wide restart on lap eight brought Trenton Wilson and Ben Sommerfeld into the mix as well.
As the white flag waved the lead gaggle of cars stomped on the brakes, but Bolinger couldn’t avoid rolling over the start-finish line. While the rest of the leaders struggled to get back up to speed, Sommerfeld took his PBT Auto Sales, Automates machine to the high groove and blasted around everyone on his way to the checkers.
Dustin Budell was fastest through the Beacon Plumbing Outhouse Grand Prix obstacle course with the most toilet paper in hand and won the night’s intermission event.
Trenton Wilson piloted Boss Hogg to the Firehouse Pub and Grill Bomber win.
Makayla Trafford tallied another Trammel Construction Stinger victory over Ryat Gorringe. Behind the lead duo Alannah Trammel outdueled Kalli Weller to come home third while Trinity Sheckells finished fifth.
We celebrate Independence Day at Meridian Speedway this Thursday, July 4, with the Stinker Firecracker 50 and Fireworks Spectacular. The Speed Tour Sprint Cars powered by Pit Stop USA ditch their wings for the first time as they run the night’s namesake 50-lap feature. Alongside the wingless warriors the NASCAR Modifieds, NASCAR Trucks, Idaho CDL Training Street Stocks, and Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets duel for the night’s Data Tel trophies before we light up the sky with a breathtaking fireworks display. General admission to Thursday’s Stinker Firecracker 50 and Fireworks Spectacular is just $21 for adults, $19 for seniors and military members, $8 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, with racing at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at dark. Log on to www.meridianspeedway.com to purchase your tickets while they last. We’ll see you under the big, yellow water tower this Thursday, July 4, for the Stinker Firecracker 50 and Fireworks Spectacular at your NASCAR Home Track, Meridian Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild