Brownstown Speedway
Janowski survives scare, wins Brownstown opener
By James Essex
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Joe Janowski (6) races with Kent Robinson (7r) at Brownstown. (schaefer11.smugmug.com)
BROWNSTOWN, Ind. (March 16) — Joe Janowski of Carmel, Ind., tuned up for next weekend’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Indiana Icebreaker at Brownstown Speedway by capturing Saturday’s feature on opening night at the quarter-mile oval. | Slideshow
Janowski avoided a near-disaster with five laps remaining in the 25-lap feature when he had to spin into the infield to avoid the inside tire barrier after a competitor he was trying to lap slowed suddenly in turn three.
Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., who led the first three laps before yielding to Janowski, finished second followed by 11th-starting Tim Rivers of Salem, Ind., Jason Jameson of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Shelby Miles of Bloomington, Ind.
Janowski, who started sixth, ran behind a three-way tussle for the lead early on before Robinson pulled out in front. Canadian invader Andrew Reaume of Blenheim, Ontario, making his Brownstown debut, was running second to Robinson when he struck the tire barrier inside turn two, ending his night.
Janowski forged ahead of Robinson on lap four and steadily built his lead until what could have been an ill-fated lap 20.
“I got behind someone and they slowed, so I either was going to hit the uke tire or have to cut through the infield,” said the 40-year-old Janowski, who notched his third career Brownstown victory. “Fortunately we were able to get back on the track right in front of Kent.
“The car in the feature was amazing, the changes we made on this car helped tremendously and I have to thank Kent (Robinson) for giving me room out there, we did rub a time I know, but it was good racing out there. In the heat race the car was so-so. We could enter the corners good, but couldn’t get out them like I wanted, but the changes we made really paid off.”
Notes: Janowski’s MasterSbilt Race car is powered by a Bill Tranter Racing Engines and sponsored by the National Karting Association, Slicker Graphics and Premier Racing Suspension. ... MasterSbilt swept the top three spots. ... Tim Rivers earned hard charger honors for his 11th-to-third run. ... Jason Jameson piloted Chad Oberson’s No. 1c Rocket Chassis. ... Reigning UMP DIRTcar modified champ Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind., debuted in the Jesse Puckett No. 88 Rocket Chassis and finished ninth in just his second career Late Model start. He once piloted a Chad Stapleton car in 2011. He won Brownstown's modified feature. ... Four-time track champion Steve Barnett of Franklin, Ind., was 16th in debuting a new C.J. Rayburn Race Car. ... Tyler Allen, whose team sold its dirt equipment last fall with plans to go asphalt racing, debuted a new MasterSbilt Race Car and finished 15th. ... Brownstown returns to action next weekend with the 16th annual Indiana Icebreaker, a $10,000-to-win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event.
Brownstown Speedway: (1) Joe Janowski, (2) Kent Robinson, (3) Tim Rivers, (4) Jason Jameson, (5) Shelby Miles, (6) Chad Stapleton, (7) Joe Godsey, (8) Tim Prince, (9) Devin Gilpin, (10) Marty O’Neal, (11) Steve Thorsten, (12) Chris Streeval, (13) Keaton Streeval, (14) Alan Magner, (15) Tyler Allen, (16) Steve Barnett, (17) Britan Godsey, (18) Greg Kendall, (19) Jim Beeman, (20) Andrew Reaume. Heat race winners (among 26 cars): Robinson, Miles, Reaume, Stapleton. Consolation winner: C. Streeval.
