NORMAN The new “King of Michigan”

“I’ve tried to get this one a lot of times but could never finish it off”

stated Tim Norman as he exited his car following a dominating performance in the Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt presented by Total Seal series 7th Annual “King of Michigan” at Hartford Speedway Park Friday night, July 1. While being joined in victory lane by car owner Joe Gaerte and his crew, the Warsaw, Indiana veteran was “on a rail “all night capturing his heat race, the first dash, and the thirty lap “A” Main event sponsored by his company, XYZ Machining in the MOPAR powered J&J.

Twenty four cars lined up for the start of the 30 lap “A” Main with Norman and Ben Rutan setting the pace. At the drop of the green flag, Norman and Rutan stormed into the first turn side by side. Exiting turn two, Norman squeaked out an early lead but Rutan fought back and lead at the conclusion of lap one. Norman once again grabbed the lead coming out of turn two and took command of the point for the remainder of the event.

The race for position was furious throughout the pack but up-front it was Rutan settling into the second position with J.R. Stewart and Dain Naida doing battle for third and fourth. Changing positions at each end of the track, Naida and Stewart put on one of the most ferociously contested on-track battles of the season through the first twelve laps. When the first caution flew at lap twelve for a spin in turn four involving Tim Hunter, Tim Allison had quietly moved into fifth spot.

The restart found Norman again moving out front quickly as Rutan maintained his hold on second. Naida was able to get away from Stewart and began to challenge Rutan for the runner-up spot as Norman stretched out his lead. As the field moved past the half way portion of the race, Allison overtook both Stewart and then Naida while moving into third. The “Hoosier Rocket”, Brett Mann continued to make a charge to the front from his eighteenth starting spot to move into fourth on lap sixteen.

Caution flew for the second time on lap twenty-three as the right rear tire on the Sean Robinson machine gave way and came to rest in turn two. The restart would line up with Norman up front followed by Rutan, Mann who was now third, Allison and Naida. Caleb Griffith, Nick Mulheim, Bill Johnson, Kyle Patrick, and Gary Fast rounded out the top ten.

With the green waving, Norman once again opened up a substantial lead as he pulled away. It was Allison who made a charge to try to move to the front as he overtook Mann and Rutan in turn one. Mann followed by Rutan then quickly disposed of Allison as he set his sights on the leader.

Caution waved for the last time as the white flag was displayed for Ryan Grubaugh as his machine stopped on the racing surface. The track was cleared quickly, setting up for a “green – white – checker” finish to determine the “King of Michigan”.

With the green being displayed Norman was not to be denied as he claimed the crown. Brett Mann held on for second over Allison, Caleb Griffith, and Dain Naida. Gary Fast finished sixth with Kyle Patrick seventh after needing a provisional to get in the race, Rutan slipped to eight, Mulheim and Bill Johnson rounded out the top ten.

SOD moves on to Mike Mouch’s I-96 Speedway next Friday night, July 8 for a tune-up for the “Full Throttle Nationals” scheduled at the half mile facility on August 19 & 20. Then it is on to Owendale Speedway July 9 for the only visit to the tight quarter mile on Michigan’s thumb.

For up to date news and more information be sure to log on to the official website of SOD at www.sprintsondirt.com.