Winston Speedway
Hotovy claims Michigan Dirt Cup season opener
J.R. Hotovy claimed his second MDC victory at Winston. (Jim DenHamer)
ROTHBURY, Mich. (June 14) — After a pair of rainouts earlier in the season, J.R. Hotovy of Covert, Mich., finally got the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup’s started on a positive note Friday at Winston Speedway with a $1,500 victory on the second-year DIRTcar-sanctioned series. | Slideshow
Hotovy held off pressure from reigning series champion Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., and Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., in claiming his second-career series victory.
Thirlby settled for second, while Marcoullier took third after his late charge on the low side came up short. Bret Darling was fourth at the finish while Rich Neiser overcame a heat race crash to transfer into the main event through a consolation race and rallied to finish fifth.
Notes: Hotovy’s No. 13 is sponsored by S&S Agriculture, Borden’s Blueberry Farms, Founders Brewing and Allstar Performance. ... Series events at Mount Pleasant (Mich.) Speedway (April 26) and Winston (May 17) were rained out. ... New clay on the track resulted in a few rough patches in the 30-lap featre. ... Hotovy’s previous Michigan Dirt Cup victory came June 23, 2012 at Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway. ... The race was slowed by two cautions.. ... The first was for a pileup involving Billy Workman, Keith Gents, Ryan Vanderveen, Neiser and Mark Andersen. ... Justin O'Neill spun to cause the second yellow. ... Michigan Dirt Cup competitors return to action with a June 28 event at Hartford.
Michigan Dirt Cup @ Winston: (1) J.R. Hotovy, (2) Brandon Thirlby, (3) Dona Marcoullier, (4) Bret Darling, (5) Rich Neiser, (6) Eric Spangler, (7) Matt Pickard, (8) Phil Ausra, (9) Bill Bray, (10) Ryan Vanderveen, (11) Sammy Epling, (12) Dan Vance, (13) Andy Galgoci, (14) Keith Gentz, (15) Billy Workman Jr., (16) Kenny Wilson, (17) Justin Robinson, (18) Tom Boucamp, (19) Rick Whipple, (20) Mark Andersen. Heat winners (among 26 cars): Hotovy, Vanderveen, Marcoullier. Consolation winner: Ausra
