By Mike Hughes
OSBORNE, Kan. (July 26-27) – The Kansas Thunder Series returned to Osborne Speedway during the Osborne County Fair on Wednesday and Thursday, July 26-27. It was a big night for the Watts family as father Tim and son Tyler of Beloit both raced their way to victory lane.
In Wednesday IMCA Modified main event, Tim Watts took advantage of his pole starting position to lead all 12 laps for the win. David Murray Jr. chased Watts most of the race and looked to have a chance to make a pass before the caution flew on lap 10. Watts led the field back to green and held on for the win. Murray settled for second, followed by Tanner Black.
Tyler Watts also led all 12 laps in the Karl Chevrolet Northern Sport Mod main event. Tracy Holloway closed in on Watts late in the race but had to settle for the runner-up spot. Dakota Sproul was third.
Casey Woken led from green to checkered in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. A couple cautions kept the field close but Woken drove off for his second series win. The race was for second and Shaylon Holloway charged his way through the field to take second, followed closely by Nolan Remus.
Zach Olmstead passed early leader Tathan Burkhart halfway through the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock main and held on for a trip to the winner’s circle. Burkhart and Brian Stich completed the top three.
It was also a family affair on Thursday night as hometown brothers Tracy and Shaylon Holloway both drove to victory lane.
Tracy led all 12 laps of the Northern Sport Mod feature. Back-to-back cautions on laps eight and nine kept the field close but Holloway drove away from the pack for the win. Tyler Watts finished second, followed by Kolton Vogel.
Chad Sterling took the early lead in the Stock Car feature until Wednesday winner Woken drove past for the top spot. But Shaylon Holloway, passed both Sterling and Woken for the lead on lap 13 and held on for the trip to the winner’s circle. Woken finished in the runner-up spot, followed closely by Sterling.
Jimmy Reeves took the early lead in the 15-lap Modified feature before Marty Clark took command. After a lap 10 restart, Tyler Frye drove by Clark and led the field to the checkers. Jeremy Frenier finished third.
Brady Bencken made a pass late in the race to win the 12-lap Hobby Stock main event. Tathan Burkhart led the field most of the race until Bencken took the lead late for the win. Cody Williams passed Burkhart for second.
The series moves to Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton on Saturday, July 29 and concludes at Rooks County Speedway in Stockton on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 17-18.