HUNTER SCHEURENBERG WINS THE INAUGURAL JOSH BURTON MEMORIAL By: Chris Nunn On Friday night, May 24th, 2013 the entire racing community at Bloomington Speedway, and the entire racing world was shaken to its foundations. Josh Burton, a highly acclaimed up and coming star in the Non Winged Sprint Car division lost his life after an accident, when his right front broke, sending his car into a series of flips into turn one. That, along with the force of another car crashing into the rollcage portion of his car, proved to be the cause of the fatal injuries that Burton suffered. The news sent shockwaves throughout the entire racing world. Burton was known for his orange painted Hoosier racing tires and his bright personality, which shown through his brightly colored mismatched socks that he always wore. Racers throughout the world painted their tires orange in honor of Burton. Drivers paid tribute to Josh with different decal schemes and even in the NASCAR ranks, as Ricky Stenhouse, Jr made sure the Burton name was seen on national television with an in-car tribute. Two weeks later at the Bloomington Speedway, a stirring tribute to Josh Burton was held. Track announcer Pat Sullivan read a completely eye watering speech dedicated to Josh, along with the Burton family releasing balloons on the frontstretch. Three racers, Ethan Barrow, Levi Shields, and Dakota Jackson led a silent four lap tribute flanked by decorated banners in the name of Josh Burton. Racers, crews, and track officials lined the entire track with the number four raised in the air as the cars passed by, in an absolutely stunning sight. Fast forward one year later, as the first “Josh Burton Memorial” was held at the Bloomington Speedway featuring the Midwest Sprint Car Series. 43 Sprint Cars were on hand and an absolutely PACKED grandstand made for one whale of a celebration for the Burton family. Jake Dodds sang a tribute song and the Star Spangled Banner as drivers and crews lined the backstretch to show support. Jon Stanbrough broke out to the early lead on the outset of the 25 lap main event, with Dave Darland and Hunter Scheurenberg in tow. Stanbrough stuck to the bottom of the track with Darland and Scheurenberg battling for the second spot. Scheurenberg was able to wrestle the runner up spot away from Darland, and set his sights towards Stanbrough out front. Behind them, Bradley Sterrett and Seth Parker ran side by side for the fourth spot, with Sterrett able to hold on to the position. The first caution would fly on lap eight, as Daron Clayton looped his car outside of turn four. The caution flew again on the restart as Brett Mellenberndt spun in turn four. When racing resumed, Kyle Cummins moved into the top five, getting around Parker. Scheurenberg and Stanbrough then battled side by side for the lead just before the halfway point, with Scheurenberg taking the lead on lap 14. Scheurenberg then moved to the low groove to hinder Stanbrough’s momentum. The duo then traded grooves back and forth as laps ticked down. With five laps to go, Stanbrough started diamonding the turns, which allowed him to catch up to Scheurenberg. With two to go, the distance between the two was less than two car lengths. Stanbrough gave one last effort on the final lap, with Scheurenberg nipping him at the line for the win by a half a car length. Completing the top five were Cummins, Darland, and Brady Short. Sprint heat winners were Dakota Jackson, Seth Parker, Levi Shields, Hunter Scheurenberg, and Jeff Bland Jr. The B main winners were Daron Clayton and Brent Beauchamp. Devin Gilpin and Kent Robinson made up the front row for the UMP Modified main as they dueled side by side for the first lap before Robinson took the lead on lap two. The caution flew on lap four as Kenny Carmichael Jr slowed to a stop in turn four. On the restart, Robinson took off to a five car length lead over the two time defending UMP National Champion Gilpin. At the halfway point it was Robinson, Gilpin, Derek Groomer, Jake Humphrey and Jesse Cramer completing the top five. Robinson held his lead as they moved through lapped traffic, as Gilpin inched forward towards him. With five laps to go, the lead was two car lengths between Robinson and Gilpin. Gilpin nosed under Robinson with just two laps to go, but couldn’t make the pass. Robinson was able to hold on and take the win over Gilpin, Groomer, Humphrey, and Cramer. Modified heat winners were Devin Gilpin, Kent Robinson, and Jake Humphrey Cullen Goodman led the opening portion of the Super Stock feature with Aaron Fields taking the second spot on lap three. Fields looked under Goodman on lap five, but couldn’t make the pass for the lead. He and Goodman made contact, with Goodman almost spinning. Fields then took the lead outright on lap eight. Fields began to pull away from Goodman by almost a full straight. At the halfway point it was Fields, Goodman, Steve Hollars, Tyler Cain, and Dewayne Gross making up the top five. Hollars moved to second, getting under Goodman on lap 16. By this time Fields held almost a half track lead. With five to go, Fields was buried in lapped traffic, but was able to maneuver through without fail. Fields cruised on to another victory at Bloomington over Hollars and Cain. Super Stock heat winners were Lee Hobbs, Steve Hollars, and Cullen Goodman. Josh McDaniel won the B main Luke Bland took the lead at the start of the hornet feature with Greg Garrison right on his bumper. After a caution, Bland began to motor away from Garrison and the third place running car of Keegan Cox. Garrison moved back to within a car length in lapped traffic. Bland and Garrison were maneuvering through lapped traffic before the caution flew with less then five laps to go. Bland took off to a five car length lead over Garrison on the restart. Bland was able to hold on and take another win at Bloomington over Garrison. Hornet heat winners were Luke Bland, Greg Garrison, and J.P. Matthews The Lucas Oil POWRi National Midgets will be in town next Friday night along with Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Super Stocks, and Hornets.
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 13:33:45 +0000
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