Wilson captures Kinross feature

George Wilson took his show to the Kinross Speedway on Friday and emerged with a checkered flag in the late model feature.

After being disqualified last Monday along with Jason Praysner for having an illegal track width at Laird International Raceway, Wilson stated we would be taking his car over to race regularly in Kinross.

Wilson, pictured, kept his word and stole the show as 59 cars rolled into the pits for action in all four divisions.

Sault native Jerry Artuso also made an appearance in the late model field. Artuso, who is currently a top competitor in the Florida racing scene, did not disappoint with a pair of victories.

The following is a full text release of action from Friday night's show provided by the Kinross Speedway:

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Wilson, Fountain and Sherlund garner first feature wins of '04 at Kinross Speedway

By Gerry Liscumb Jr.

An unexpected power outage could not even slow down the racing program this past Friday night at the Kinross Speedway.

The Northern Michigan ¼ mile facility moved into it's 7th night of racing action this 2004 campaign and they were host to the largest car count this facility has seen on a regular night of racing in some 4-plus seasons.

Fifty-nine cars would check into the pits on Soo Collision night at the Speedway.

The Late Model division would see 2003 Goodyear Challenge Series champion and Sault Ste. Marie, ONTARIO native Jerry Artuso (05) behind the wheel of the Walter Praysner-owned machine for the first-time this year.

Dave Vansloten (33) would set fast time with a qualifying effort of 13.880 seconds.

Artuso would grab a win in the four-car dash before backing up those efforts with his 2nd win of the night in the 10-lap heat race.

Nick Guerriero (4) and Artuso would make up your front row to start their final race of the night. 2004 rookie-of-the year candidate, Guerriero, would lead the opening lap before Artuso would take his machine to the front for the next 4 laps.

That position would be taken away when your top two cars (Guerriero and Artuso) would tag the rear of the field after coming together on lap 6.

The "Steel City Outlaw" George Wilson would now inherit the lead.

Despite continuous threats from the rest of the field, Wilson could not be touched in this race and would speed-away to his first ever Late Model feature win at the Kinross Speedway.

Vansloten, Guerriero, Mark Howland (59) and Artuso marked the top 5 spots.

An unprecedented 27 cars would qualify in the Four Cylinder division on this night as no-less than 5 new drivers brought their cars and trucks down pit side.

John Clawson (35) continued his qualifying supremacy this night coming in under the lights in 18.140 seconds.

Eric Sherlund (79) won the four-car dash while Dan Sherlund (71), Steve Stec (13) and Chris Piche (21) won their respective Australian Pursuits.

Heat race #1 would see Scott Marshall (2) take the checker flag honors to be followed by Tony Rankin (27) with the win in heat race #2 and Clawson in heat race #3.

For the first time this year a B-Main would be required due to the large car count.

Your top 2 cars would retire pit side on lap 5 to give the lead over to Patrick Litzner (7) for one lap before Dan Sherlund (71) would grab the top spot after starting 7th in the field.

The Pickford, MICHIGAN native would hold-off the field for the first-career feature win. Cary Orsborne (69) and Litzner took top 3 honors.

The A-Main would roll out next with Scott Henning (6) and Dean Eggart (88) setting up your front row.

After sitting over half a track back prior to a caution, Clawson would take the lead on lap 17 and never look back while recording his 4th feature win of the year.

Sherlund, Preston Nightlinger (48), Aaron Lemay (10), John Mayer (9), Norman Kuczenski (34), Henning, Eggart, Piche and Brandy Clawson (36) would round out the top 10 spots.

Chuck Johnson (5R) would continue his impressive rookie-campaign in the Pure Stock division by setting fast time on this night with a lap of 16.750 seconds.

Randy Miller (73) won the four-car dash while Ben Hucyk (28) would grab the lone Australian Pursuit victory.

Miller and Huyck would both continue their productive evenings while going the distance for the wins in their respective 10-lap heat races.

Just when you thought you had seen it all, a sudden-power outage would leave the division finishing the race under dark conditions with the grandstand lights and the midnight sky keeping them on pace.

When the checker flag flew your top 5 positions hadn't changed and Glenn continued to add to his lead at the top of the points standings with the win.

Just when you thought you couldn't see a more competitive Factory Stock division they would prove you wrong.

Qualifying on this night would see three separate drivers qualify with the same time of 15.480 seconds. Pee Wee Fountain (50), Paul Fox (36) and Kevin Johnson (37) were those three drivers while Fountain would be credited with the top spot after qualifying first.

Jerry Ball (8) opened the night with a win in the four-car dash while the "Pink Panther" Cecil Piche grabbed the heat race victory.

Eight-cars would roll out for the 25-lap feature event with Jared Nightlinger (48) and Dave Devine (4) making up your front row.

Devine, who earlier in the night qualified his fastest lap of the season would be running strong early on as he was your leader through the first 6 laps of the race.

Lap 7 would see Piche overtake the lead with Fox and Johnson right on his back bumper.

A caution on lap 21 would see the field realigned double-file and on the restart Fountain woud be in good shape to make a run.

It wasn't until lap 24 that the Dafter, MICHIGAN native would make a pass and Fountain would roll on to his 1st feature win of the season, and 2nd in as many years.

That would mark the third different winner on the night in this very-strong division. Johnson, Piche, Devine and Nightlinger were your top 5 cars.

The speed, competition and excitement returns to this Northern Michigan facility this coming Friday, July 23rd with another full 4-in-1 show of Late Models, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks and Four Cylinders as part of our Domino's "NOID" Night.

Qualifying is at 6 p.m. with racing action at 7:30 p.m.

For more information check us out online at www.kinrossspeedway.com or contact us by phone at 906-647-3405.

Until the next green flag flies at the track where "Action is the Attraction!" … the Kinross Speedway!

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PHOTO: Late model feature winner George Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Rod Aubertin from www.saultracers.com)