McGuirt nets first Crate Sportsman win

Jeffrey McGuirt posted his first career Crate Sportsman win to highlight action at Lancaster Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

Matt Heisler

Jeffrey McGuirt captured the Crate Sportsman Division win and celebrated with a pair of young fans in victory lane Saturday night at Lancaster Motor Speedway.

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The Crate Sportsman front row had McGuirt and Andrew Baker.

When the green fell, it was McGuirt, Baker, Brad Broome and Steve Saucier battling for the lead.

Exiting turn two, McGuirt and Baker battled for the lead.

As the laps ticked off, it was a duel between McGuirt and Baker. Saucier worked his way to third and set his focus on the lead. Once Saucier caught the lead duo, he and Baker battled for second as McGuirt began to pull away.

Coming to the white flag, McGuirt had about a four-car length lead over Baker. McGuirt was smooth as he took the checkers.

McGuirt moved up from the Stock 4 division this year after dominating that division for years at LMS. McGuirt and his crew have struggled this year on finding the handling on his Crate Sportsman ride, but Saturday night it seemed the “Red Rocket” is back and will be a factor for the rest of the season,

Top 5: McGuirt, Baker, Saucier, Brad Broome and Len Broome.

u In the Super Street main, the front row had rivals Timbo Mangum and Brandy Baker.

Fans remember the battles these two great drivers and fan favorites at LMS have had in the past in the old Super Stock days. With the crowd cheering before the green fell, the fans knew this was going to be exciting.

When the green fell, it was Mangum, Baker, Jody Bigham and Joey Engelbrecht roaring into turn one for the lead. Exiting turn two, Mangum led, with Baker all over him and Bigham all over Baker.

Baker looked under Mangum time and time again, pulling along side of Mangum on numerous times throughout the main.

While the front two battled, the man waiting was No. 52 Jody Bigham, who was waiting for a mistake so he could make his move. Bigham made his move on Baker early in the race for second only to see Baker take it back. These three great drivers put on a show.

During the race’s late stages, Baker and Mangum made contact in turn four, which caused something to break on Mangum’s car and Baker was sent to the rear with the caution.

This gave the lead to Jody Bigham, who took the win. Top five: Bigham, Baker, Engelbrecht, Dean Morgan and Mangum.

u In the Cauthen Motors Last Man Standing $1,000 Pure Street main, the front row was “Burn ‘Em Down” Steve Hinson and Robbie Helms.

When the green dropped, it was Hinson, Helms, James Marion and Jesse Carson roaring into turn one. Exiting turn two, Hinson led over Helms, Carson and Marion.

Hinson lived up to his nickname, “Burn ‘Em Down” as he pulled away from the field. Helms and Carson dueled for second.

Carson was all over Helms for numerous laps, seeking a way around the fast No. 17. During the race’s middle stages, Carson overtook second and set his sights on Hinson.

Behind the leaders, the man on a mission was 11th-starting No. 24 Ryan Whitaker.

Whitaker passed drivers all night, working his way up through the field to the top five.

Back up front, Hinson saw his lead shrink as Carson gained ground. A late-race caution bunched the field.

This set up the show everybody came to see. When the green waved to restart the race, it was Hinson with a bumper full of Carson’s Silver Bullet. Entering turn one, Carson dove below Hinson only to see Hinson pull back by him down the straightaways. At one point during the race’s late stages, Carson and Hinson were side by side roaring down the back straight. It seemed Carson was going to take the lead from Hinson, but a caution came out.

On the last lap, Hinson and Carson gave their all.

Hinson took the checkered flag and the Cauthen Motors Last Man Standing race and the $1,000 payday.

An excited crew met Hinson in victory lane, with fan Andy Wright leading the way saying when I say Burn ‘Em you Down and the crew members and fans of Hinson followed.

The celebration did not last long as Ryan Whitaker protested the top three drivers on tires.

Hinson, Carson and Marion were protested. The results of the tires protest will be in Friday’s paper, or check www.Dirtracefans.com on the Lancaster Speedway board throughout the week.

u In the NDRA GM Performance Late Models, the front row was Donnie Austin and “The Rock Hill Bad Boy,” Ben Watkins. When the green fell, it was Austin, Watkins, Steve Banal and Brandan Blackmon  battling for the lead entering turn one.

Exiting turn two, Watkins led over Austin, Mangum and Banal.

A caution on the back straight with Banal and Brandy Baker making contact sent Baker into the outside wall ending his night early. On the restart, it was Watkins, Austin, Mangum and Blackmon roaring into turn one for the lead.

Exiting turn two, it was Watkins powering by Austin for the lead. Watkins saw his lead grow throughout the race and captured the win. Top 5: Watkins, Austin, Mangum, Manley Chaney and Blackmon.

u In the Vintage Main, the front row was Marty Spittle and Steve Helms.

When the green fell, Spittle, Steve Helms, Rob Thompson and Mike Helms battled for the lead.

Exiting turn two, Spittle led over Mike Helms but the man on a mission was “The Iron Horse,” Mike Harrington, Harrington started 10th and was working his way up through the field on his way to the front.

As Harrington was working through the field, Spittle began to pull away from Helms and saw his lead grow, but once Harrington over took second from Helms, Harrington began to run down Spittle.

During the later stages of the main, Harrington was all over Spittle, seeking a way to put his Chevy out front in front of Spittle’s Ford.

Harrington pushed Spittle down the straightaways into the turns, but could not find a way around Spittle.

Coming to the white flag, the lap car of Marty Batson played a factor as Spittle and Harrington were side by side for the lead entering turn one. They caught Batson exiting turn two.

Spittle and Harrington could not find a way around Batson.

Entering turn three, Spittle led.

Exiting turn two, Harrington pushed Batson and overtook Spittle on the outside for the win. Top 5: Harrington, Spittle, Steve Helms, Mike Helms and Marty Batson.

u In the FWD/UCAR main, David “Porkchop” Motes won.

He won over Mike Baucom, Brad “The Dragon” Hinson, Mel Privette and Scotty Steen.

u If you missed any of the racing action from Saturday night, or from any race this season, Jackie Sims will have DVDs for sale in the pits and grandstands for $10.

 For more details about the race Saturday, visit www.Dirtracefans.com and make sure you register.