July 2
Tri-City Motor Speedway,
Auburn, MI
Sanction: Sunoco American Late Model Series - $10,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated July 6, 1:07 pm)
Marcoullier steals $10,000 ALMS win at Tri-City
- Dona Marcoullier
- Travis Stemler
- Greg Gokey
- Logan Nickerson
- Chad Finley
- Jeep Van Wormer
- Brandon Thirlby
- Mike Vandermark
- David Hilliker
- Dave Baker
- Rich Bell
- Derrick Hilliker
- Cody Bauer
- Steve Hillker
- Eric Spangler
- David Mielke
- Ryan Lanphierd
- Garrett Wiles
- Joey Burch
- Dan Wallace
- Andrew Terrill
- Mike Staszak
- Curtis Roberts
- Rusty Schlenk
Randy Ellen/randyellen.smugmug.com
Dona Marcoullier in victory lane after his $10,000 victory.
What won the race: Ninth-starting Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., executed a picture-perfect last-lap pass to grab a $10,000 victory on Friday night at Tri-City Motor Speedway. He slipped past Rusty Schlenk in dramatic fashion in the 50-lap holiday-weekend event co-sanctioned by the Sunoco American Late Model Series and the Allstar Performance Late Model Challenge Series.
Key notes: Leading only the final circuit, Marcoullier earned his fourth career ALMS victory and became the sixth different winner in as many tour races this season. ... The track disqualified Schlenk's runner-up finish due to an incident in the technical inspection area after the race. ... It was Marcoullier's second win worth $10,000 in his home state this season, duplicating his May 30 score at Lake City's Merritt Speedway. ... After leading laps 18-49, McClure, Ohio's Schlenk settled for the runner-up position, 0.360 of a second behind Marcoullier. ... Entering the race having won two of the last three Super Late Model features at Tri-City, Travis Stemler finished third. ... Outside front-row starter Logan Nickerson of Vestaburg, Mich., led laps 1-2 and 12-17 two before settling for fifth. ... Fast-timer Brandon Thirlby paced laps 3-11 but faded to finish eighth. ... Polesitter David Hilliker never led a lap and finished 10th. … Friday’s feature, the first-ever ALMS-sanctioned event at Tri-City, went green-to-checkered without a caution flag and lasted only 13 minutes; 12 competitors completed all 50 laps. … The two tours will also co-sanctioned Sunday's $10,000-to-win event at Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich.
On the move: Mike Vandermark of Cedar Springs, Mich., started 21st and finished ninth.
Winner's sponsors: Marcoullier’s Black Diamond Chassis is powered by a Ryhne Competition Engine with sponsorship from Patrick Plumbing, Dennis Craft Construction, Rosebrugh Construction, Jimmy’s Collision, Todd Roseburg Trucking, Randall’s Collision, Roscommon Auto Recyclers, McBain Body Shop, Wilds True Value, Quickcar Racing, Allstar Performance and KBC Graphics.
Points chase: Rich Bell of Sheffield, Ill., led the ALMS standings heading into the weekend with 272 points, followed by Devin Shiels (218) and Curtis Roberts (197).
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 31
Fast qualifier: Brandon Thirlby
Time: 13.417 seconds
Polesitter: David Hilliker
Heat race winners: Brandon Thirlby, David Hilliker, Logan Nickerson, Travis Stemler
Consolation race winners: Jeep Van Wormer
Provisional starters: Dan Wallace, Mike Staszak
Next series race: August 6, Merritt Speedway (Lake City, MI) $33,000
Editor's note: Adds Schlenk's disqualifcation