Noah Dunlap (37) and Caleb Harmon compete during Friday night racing at Limaland Motorsports Park.
Photo courtesy of Campbell Photography
LIMA — Friday night saw Limaland Motorsports Park remember one of it fallen legends with the second annual Tribute to “Mr. Excitement” Tim Allison.
Allison, the winningest sprint car racer in the modern era at Limaland passed away last summer. The Ohio Logistics NRA 360 Sprint Invaders took to the track with No. 22H Randy Hannagan grabbing the A Main victory. No. 65 Todd Sherman won the Northwest Physical Therapy DIRTcar UMP Modified A Main, and No. 4M Gabe Mueller bagged his 3rd Lock Sixteen Thunderstock feature of the season.
First up in feature action were the Northwest Physical Therapy DIRTcar UMP Modifieds for their 20 lap feature event. No. 34X Shane O’Connor and No. 36 Brandon Vaughan made up the front row to start the event. O’Connor led the first five laps until No. 65 Todd Sherman made his move and grabbed the lead. the first caution flag flew on lap 13 for No. 9PG Percy Gendreau spinning in turn 1. Caution waved multiple times, keeping the field bunched up, but Sherman ran away with the victory against Vaughan. No. 9C Troy Cattarene finished third with No 5A Frank Paladino and No. 16 Jeff Koz completing the top five.
Next up were the Ohio Logistics NRA 360 Sprint Invaders for the 25 lap Tribute to Allison. Before the feature began, the Limaland fans were treated to a four abreast parade lap featuring the 20 A Main starters with the pole position left open in honor of the memory of Allison. No. 11H Caleb Harmon, grandson of Allison, led the parade lap in a specially painted sprint car in honor of his grandfather’s memory. No. 22M Dan McCarron and No. 22H Randy Hannagan led the field to the green flag with No 16C Tylar Rankin grabbing the early lead from his starting spot inside row two. Hannagan took the lead on lap five and just as he entered lapped traffic on lap 10, No. 55 Matt Cogley looped his car out right in front of the leader. Hannagan was able to miss the accident and restarted with a clear track in front of him. Multiple cautions flew, keeping the field close, but it was Hannagan getting the victory, honoring his fallen competitor, with No. 47x Dylan Westbrook finishing second, No. 28 Shawn Valenti was third, No. 17 Jared Horstman charged from 14th to fourth, and No. 18 Todd Heuerman finished fifth.
Wrapping up racing action were the Lock Sixteen Thunderstocks in a 15 lap feature. No. 4M Gabe Mueller and No 72 Wayne Gibson paced the field to the green flag. Mueller grabbed the lead with Gibson close in tow for the full 15 laps. Multiple cautions flew throughout the feature, keeping the field close. Mueller prevailed against Gibson. No. 89 Tony Anderson finished third with No. 17J Jarrod Klay fourth and No. 27 Frank Paladino completing the top five.
Limaland Motorsports Park is back in action next Friday night, July 1, as T&D Interiors presents Firecracker Friday, featuring the Ohio Logistics NRA 360 Sprint Invaders, Northwest Physical Therapy DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and Lock Sixteen Thunderstocks. Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m. General admission for ages 16 and older is $12. Those ages 11 to 15 will be admitted for $6. Youngsters 10 and younger will get in for free. Pit passes for all ages are $30. For more information go to limaland.com.
