Records fall on opening night at Mt Lawn

Kevin Claborn of Cambridge City, Neil Marcum of Morristown and Brian Reynolds of Mooreland picked up feature wins on opening night 2010 at the Mt Lawn Speedway located 5 miles west of New Castle.

In Motion Motors Late Model action Claborn, who started fifth in the thirteen car field, held off a strong effort from “Tail Gunner” Jeff Marcum of Morristown. Marcum was fast qualifier of the evening with a time of 16.462 rolled a one on the dice and as a result gave him first option to accept the Tail Gunner Challenge an option he quickly took. After taking the challenge, Marcum started 13^th instead of 10^th and if he could have won the feature he would have picked up an additional $600.

Bill Clark of Rushville took the lead at the drop of the green flag and led the first eleven laps of the thirty lap feature. On lap 12 Claborn moved to the front and was quickly joined by Marcum on the same lap after Marcum made a dandy move in traffic to climb from fifth to second as he passed Eric Evans of Greenfield, Terry Cater of New Castle, and Clark. Claborn and Marcum dueled side by side after a lap 15 restart. Another yellow came out on lap 23 for oil on the track coming from Clark’s machine. After an extensive clean up the two lined up once again side by side for a 7 lap shoot out to the end. Marcum actually led laps 26 and 28 but Claborn holding the inside groove held on for the win. Evans finished third followed by Cater, Joe Woodring of Muncie and Johnny Fugate of Cambridge City. Ryan Amonett of New Castle, who was making his first Late Model start after capturing the Thunder Car title in 2009, finished seventh followed by Brandon Mefford of Knightstown, Bill Pierce of New Castle, Clark, William Mefford of Knightstown and Brock Anderson of Albany. Heat winners were Claborn and Clark with Cater winning the Razzles Dash for Cash.

Thompson Builders Thunder Car started with Indy driver Tony Hackme leading lap one. On lap two Jim Walker of Cambridge City moved in front giving way to Cody Walker of New Castle on lap six. Neil Marcum moved in front on lap 10 and led the rest of the way. Pam Neal recovered from two yellow flag restarts from the rear of the field to finish second. Cody Walker finished third followed by Jim Walker, Adam Bolyard of Rushville, Donnie Matthews of Indianapolis, Hackme, Allen Pierson of New Castle, Eddie Claborn of Cambridge City, Jason Walker of New Castle and Jesse Bilbrey of Markleville.

Marcum set a new track record beating the old record set just a few minutes earlier by Pam Neal. Neal beat the old record held by Ryan Amonett of 18.252 set July 18^th of 2009 when she posted a time of 18.043. Marcum then blistered the record turning in a lap of 17.892. The heats went to Eddie Claborn and Cody Walker with Jason Walker winning the Thompson Builders Dash for Cash.

In MC Auto Repair Hornet action 24 cars were on hand for opening night activities. Of the 24 only 16 were able to answer the bell for the feature with Larry Hughes Jr of Greensboro shooting through the field on the first lap from his 9^th starting position to lead lap one. Hughes held on to the lead until lap 10 when Brian Reynolds of Mooreland took over and led the rest of the way. Hughes finished second followed by Keith Morris of New Castle, Brian Lewis of Indianapolis, Doug Sorrell of New Castle, Ryan Claborn of Cambridge City, Jeff Sorrell of New Castle, Randy Owen of Anderson, Brian Slavey of New Castle, Colby Lane of Knightstown, Zach Young of Greenfield, Jared Keller of Anderson, James Poff of New Castle, Emily Henderson of New Castle, Andy Keller of Anderson and Whit Blattner of New Castle to round out the cars that started the feature. Those unable to start the feature were Brian Redmond of New Castle, Scott Cherry of Beech Grove, Roger Ford of Indy, Josh Neal of New Castle, Rev. Lenny Tungate of New Castle, Freddie Marlow of New Castle, John Massengale of New Castle and last years Hornet point champion Joyce Dyer of Greenfield.

Dyer set fast time in qualifications at 19.710 with Reynolds, Ryan Claborn and Ford winning the heats.

Gary Branscum of New Castle beat Kenny Boykin of New Castle in the Quality Discount Muffler Street Drags. Branscum was trailing Boykin exiting the short turn but was able to beat Boykin to the line.

Next week will be Spring Fan Night at Mt Lawn with all tickets going for $5. Motion Motors Late Models, Thompson Builders Thunder Cars and MC Auto Repair Hornets will be joined by Indy FastKarts and Central Indiana Mini Cups. Check the Mt Lawn website for additional information