Berlin Raceway
Thirlby rallies after early wreck, gets Berlin victory
Brandon Thirlby shows off his big paycheck. (Steve Datema)
MARNE, Mich. (Sept. 14) — Fourth-starting Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., rallied Saturday after a lap-three wreck at dirt-covered Berlin Raceway to capture a victory in the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup finale for Super Late Models.
Leading the final four circuits, Thirlby was the fifth leader in the 30-lap main event at the 7/16-mile oval and earned $1,500 for his victory in the Keyser Manufacturing Dirt Fall Classic. | Slideshow
Eric Spangler of Lake City, Mich., led on two occasionals for three total laps and settled for second while 16th-starting Dusty Moore of Swanton, Ohio, was third. David Hilliker of Midland, Mich., and 18th-starting Phil Austra of Dowagiac, Mich., rounded out the top five on a rugged racing surface. Rich Neiser of Fruitport, Mich., who led the first lap but clipped an infield tire barrier, was sixth in wrapping up the championship on the second-year tour.
Michigan native Rusty Schlenk of Weston, Ohio, led most of the way, taking the point on the second lap after Neiser’s miscue and staying in command past the halfway point.
But Schlenk’s left-front tire went flat and problems with his car’s fan eventually forced him out, handing the lead to Spangler on lap 21. Curt Spalding, who started 13th, went ahead on lap 23, but damage caused a flat on his machine, handing the point back to Spangler on lap 26.
But Thirlby, who restarted on the tail after an early incident, was ready to pounce on lap 27 when Spangler got crossed up. He led the final four laps for his series-leading fourth career MDC victory, taking the checkers nearly two seconds ahead of Spangler.
Notes: Brandon Thirlby’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Corrigan Race Fuels, Thirlby Automotive, Allstar Performance and FK Rod Ends. ... Thirlby won three series races (including the season finale) last season en route to becoming the tour’s first champion. ... Eight cautions slowed the feature. ... Rich Neiser topped J.R. Hotovy by 24 points for the series title. ... Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., the fast qualifier and an early retiree in the Late Model feature, lapped all but seven drivers in winning the modified main. ... Among drivers failing to make the Late Model feature lineup: Scott Wennell, Mike Kresnak, Robert Bray, John Nobach, Adam Erickson, Jim Billett, Andy Nickerson and Andy Galgoci, who scratched from the consolation race. ... Berlin, which covered its asphalt surface with dirt for the second straight September, hosts the World of Outlaws Late Model Series on Sept. 20-21.
Keyser Manufacturing Dirt Fall Classic: (1) Brandon Thirlby, (2) Eric Spangler, (3) Dusty Moore, (4) David Hilliker, (5) Phil Ausra, (6) Rich Neiser, (7) Curt Spalding, (8) Alan Vochaska, (9) Dave Hartman, (10) Keith Gentz, (11) Billy Workman Jr., (12) Jim Fairbanks, (13) Rusty Schlenk, (14) J.R. Hotovy, (15) Chad White, (16) Bill Bray, (17) Kenny Wilson, (18) Mike Wilbern, (19) Dona Marcoullier, (20) Tom Sprague Jr., (21) Rachel Carpenter. Fast qualifier (among 29 cars): Marcoullier, 16.763 seconds. Heat race winners: Sprague, White, Neiser, Schlenk. Consolation winner: Vochaska.
