Marcum brothers win at Mt Lawn

Jeff and Neil Marcum of Morristown won feature events in their respective divisions Saturday night at Mt Lawn Speedway located 5 miles west of New Castle.

The largest crowd in recent years attended Spring Fan Night and witnessed exciting racing in all three divisions plus a special match race between two Late Model drivers, a Thunder Car driver and a Hornet driver. An on track autograph and photo session was held just before the feature events which gave fans the opportunity to come onto the track and meet with their favorite drivers.

Fourteen Motion Motor Late Models took the green flag with three cars ending up in the pit area before the completion of one lap. Johnny Fugate of Cambridge City spun in turn one on the first attempt to start the race and almost make it into Duck Creek as he slid off the track entering the backstretch. The rest of the field were able to miss the spinning Fugate without incident. On the restart Fugate was again involved in an accident which sent himself along with William Mefford of Knightstown and Jim Logan of Knightstown to the pits. Fugate was able to return 4 laps down but Mefford and Logan were done for the evening. Brandon Mefford of Knightstown took the lead of the race and led the first twelve laps. Terry Cater of New Castle got the lead on lap 13 but went but Mefford fought back to regain the lead and led the next two laps with Cater on the outside. Cater’s car went off the track in the short turn bringing out another yellow flag. On the restart Jeff Marcum got the jump on Mefford and led the final 14 laps for the win. Eric Evans of Greenfield finished second followed by Brandon Mefford, Kevin Claborn of Cambridge City, Cater, Joe Woodring of Muncie, Ryan Amonett of New Castle, Bill Clark of Rushville, Bill Pierce of New Castle and Fugate. Brock Anderson of Albany finished 11^th followed by Scott Knepley of Greensboro. Knepley was involved in an accident on lap 15 and was forced to the pit area with a broken radiator. Knepley was fast qualifier for the evening at 16.515 and Claborn won the Razzles Dash for Cash. There were no heat races in any divisions.

In the Thompson Builders Thunder Car feature Kyle Evans of Shirley took the lead at the start and led the first six laps. Neil Marcum took over on lap 7 and led the rest of the way. Marcum received some late race pressure from Pam Neal of Sulphur Springs who finished second. Neal was followed by Eddie Claborn of Cambridge City, Evans, Cody Walker of Sulphur Springs, Chris Jennings of Richmond, Chris Bolyard of Rushville, Jesse Bilbrey of Markleville, Jason Heaston of Shelbyville, Allen Pierson of New Castle and Jim Walker of Cambridge City. Jason Walker of Sulphur Springs set fast time of the evening at 17.932 but blew the engine in his car in the trophy dash and did not start the feature. Marcum went on the win the Thompson Builders Dash for Cash.

Twenty five MC Auto Repair Hornets took the green flag for their 20 lap feature with Randy Owen of Anderson making a nifty move from his row three starting position to lead lap one. Owen led the first seven laps until eventual winner Brian Reynolds of Mooreland took over on lap 8 and led the rest of the way. Reynolds got a lot of pressure from Brad McMahon of Atlanta at lap 15 until he was forced to the pits on lap 18 with a problem in the engine compartment of his car. Ryan Claborn of Cambridge City finished second followed Brian Slavey of New Castle, Andy Keller of Anderson, Brian Lewis of Indianapolis, John Massengale of New Castle, Owen, Emily Henderson of New Castle, Zach Young of Greenfield, Brian Moorefield of Cambridge City, Chase Lane of Knightstown, James Poff of New Castle, Joseph Jennings of Richmond, Colby Lane of Knightstown, Brad McMahon, Levi McMahon of Atlanta, Jeremy Boling of New Castle, Lenard Tungate III of New Castle, Jered Keller of Anderson, Keith Morris of New Castle, Joyce Dyer of Greenfield, Freddie Marlow of New Castle, Doug Sorrell of New Castle, Larry Hughes Jr. of Greensboro and Lonnie Boling of New Castle. Brad McMahon set fast time at 19.572 with Andy Keller winning the MC Auto Repair Dash for Cash.

In the special match race Cater and Knepley brought their Late Models to the track to duel Jason Walker in his Thunder Car and Brad McMahon in his Hornet. In an effort to level the playing field between the competitors four identically prepared Mt Lawn IROC peddle cars where brought to the track for the drivers to use. After about a 100 ft sprint Knepley emerged the winner. The peddle cars will be used for various special events throughout the summer racing season.

At the on track autograph and photo session the large number of fans that came to the track took addition time to clear the track so the features could begin. Even with the delay all racing was completed before 11:00.

Next week at Mt Lawn will be open practice on Wednesday night from 4 – 8:00 and then on Saturday night the annual May 5-0’s will take center stage with 50 lap features in all three divisions. Indy FastKarts will also be on the racing program. Check the Mt Lawn website for addition information.