By Jacob Blair
OSBORN, Mo. (July 26) – J.J. Baumli showed competitors from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska the fast way around the oval in winning US 36 Raceway’s third annual Joe Crist Memorial Shootout for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.
Baumli drove away from the field following a restart late in the 30-lapper to pick up the $1,262 winner’s check.
Polesitter Thomas Roberts had taken the early lead and paced the first several laps. Baumli worked the bottom of the track before settling into second. After an early caution, Baumli showed his dominance when he perfected the restart and took the lead away from Roberts.
Multiple drivers had chances to move around Baumli but his restarts were too strong as the leader put several car lengths between his competitors each time the green flag came back out.
Roberts, Travis Barker and Brad Whitney all had attempts from the second position on restarts and none could figure out how to match Baumli.
Whitney, who started 10th, patiently worked his way to finish second. Mich Ross followed Whitney to finish third after starting 14th.
Blake Peeler had a more interesting route to a top five finish. After starting fifth, Peeler brought out the first caution. He took a trip to the hot lane before making it back to the track to start at the rear of the field. He used the remaining laps to drive all the way back to fourth. Mike Nichols finished fifth.
Shayne Bailey was the IMCA Modified winner and Jack Potter took the convincing IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car checkers.
Nicholas Carpenter cruised to victory lane in a Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod feature that ran caution-free. Jeffrey Sears hung on to the end of a six-car battle behind Carpenter and finished second.
Feature results – 1. J.J. Baumli; 2. Brad Whitney; 3. Mich Ross; 4. Blake Peeler; 5. Mike Nichols; 6. Thomas Roberts; 7. Billie Hoover; 8. Carson Masoner; 9. Travis Barker; 10. George Burnett; 11. Justin Seifert; 12. Anthony Whitham; 13. Christine Holt; 14. Connor Masoner; 15. Calvin Teel; 16. Jason Estes; 17. Steve Starmer; 18. Gerald Wahwahsuck; 19. Jordan Junker; 20. Jason See; 21. Mike Goldsberry; 22. Derrick Brown; 23. David Holcomb.