August 14
Butler Motor Speedway,
Quincy, MI
Sanction: Sunoco American Late Model Series (Butler Bash) - $2,000
Information provided by: Jim DenHamer (last updated August 15, 6:52 am)
Ausra stars in ALMS night of firsts at Butler
Butler Bash
- Phil Ausra
- Mark Pifer
- Brandon Thirlby
- Kevin Reeve
- Corey Bevard
- Matt Lindsey
- Linc Stevens
- Jake Rendel
- Ron Miller
- Brad Harden
- Zack Olger
- Chris Nash
- Ryan VanderVeen
- Rusty Schlenk
- Chas Sentel
- Jesse Palyer
- Mark Pifer Jr.
- Jason Playter Jr.
- Dan Gehring
Phil Ausra tunes up at Butler Speedway, where he won the feature.
What won the race: Winning his first career series race in the Sunoco American Late Model Series's first-ever visit to Butler Speedway, second-starting Phil Ausra of Dowagiac, Mich., topped Mark Pifer and Brandon Thirlby for $2,000 in Friday's Butler Bash.
Key notes: A storm blew in with a few raindrops during the feature, but rain didn't pick up until the program was complete. ... Rusty Schlenk took the lead on the opening lap but dropped out on the eighth circuit. ... Eight cautions slowed the feature. ... The event was one of two ALMS races on the same night. ... Other series competitors were in action at Kankakee County Speedway, where Brian Shirley triumphed ... Butler hasn't hosted regular Late Model racing since 2009. ... The second annual Butler Bash continues Saturday with a program headlined by sprint cars.
On the move: Kevin Reeve started 10th and finished fourth.
Winner's sponsors: The winning Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Ausra Equipment & Supply, Budweiser, Case IH Agriculture, Hilltop Fruit Tree LLC and Trickl-eez Company.
Points chase: Entering the weekend, Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio, had 654 points to lead Ryan Unzicker (632) and Rich Bell (581).
Car count: 19
Polesitter: Jesse Palyer
Heat race winners: Jesse Palyer, Phil Ausra
Next series race: August 15, Fairbury American Legion Speedway (Fairbury, IL) $10,000
Editor's note: Adds Chris Nash as 12th-place finisher.