CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 16) – The ninth time was a charm Sunday for A.J. Ward. Ward won the Great Lakes Nationals in his career ninth start at Crystal Motor Speedway’s season-ending special for IMCA Modifieds. The victory was accompanied by a check for $3,000 and a very tall trophy. “I knew we were good at the end but I didn’t know if anyone behind me was saving their tires,” Ward said, after checking the last big IMCA Modified special in Michigan off his must-win list. “We’ve been trying to win this race for a long time. It feels good to finally be able to do it.” Brenten DeYoung ended the 50-lapper in second and five-time Great Lakes Nationals king Myron DeYoung was third. Twentieth starting Joey Burch and Chad Wernette completed the top five. Ward made his way patiently from eighth starting, finally catching leader Matt Szecsodi in lapped traffic. “I concentrated on saving my tires and picked ‘em off one at a time,” said Ward, runner-up in the 2013 event and third last year. [Read More]