A.J. Ward’s 1,100-mile round trip to Outlaw Speedway paid off with the $1,000 IMCA Modified feature Spring Nationals feature win. (Photo by Greg Mesler)
By Paul Szmal and Kenny Shupp
DUNDEE, N.Y. (April 21) – Another long trip to New York ended with another IMCA Modified feature win for Michigan speedster A.J. Ward.
The two-time defending Dirt Works Eastern Region champion chalked up his sixth victory in seven New York State starts, and career 82nd win in the division, by passing Will Ward on the last of 20 laps at Outlaw Speedway’s Spring Nationals on Saturday.
A late restart helped open the door for A.J. Ward, who’d taken the initial green flag from fifth starting. He ran side-by-side with Will Ward before eking ahead to take the checkers by close to a couple car lengths.
Already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, A.J. Ward earned $1,000 for the win. Will Ward, the defending state champion, was second and third went to Brandon Smith.
Feature results – 1. A.J. Ward; 2. Will Ward; 3. Brandon Smith; 4. Tyler Stoddard; 5. Kody Johnson; 6. Mark Griffin; 7. Gary Lamphere; 8. Keith Jack Lamphere; 9. Keith Lamphere; 10. Rodney Morgan; 11. Billy Ward; 12. Jake Maynard; 13. Phil Yaw; 14. Sparky Hills; 15. Todd Stone; 16. Gary Roberts.
By Paul Szmal DUNDEE, N.Y. (May 11) – Will Ward was the winner of a caution-free Friday night IMCA Modified feature at Outlaw Speedway. Rodney Morgan got the lead in the 25-lapper after a battle with pole starter Todd Stone. There was a lot of battling behind Morgan as Brandon Smith moved into second and Ward charged past Phil Yaw for third. Just past halfway, Smith and Ward moved into first and second, respectively, and battled for the lead, with Ward making a strong pass coming to the white flag for the win.
By Paul Szmal DUNDEE, N.Y. (June 8) – Will Ward slid past Rich Karlnoski on the 10th circuit and cruised to his second straight Marion Decker Agency IMCA Modified feature win Friday at Outlaw Speedway. Karlnoski had taken the lead at the drop of the initial green. Brandon Smith and Rodney Morgan fought side-by-side over the finals laps for second, with Morgan getting the position at the checkers. Completing the top five were Smith, Phil Yaw and Karlnoski.
DUNDEE, N.Y (June 15) – Brad Smith was the Marion Decker Agency IMCA Modified feature winner on mid-season championship night at Outlaw Speedway. Friday night’s main event went green to checkers with Brad Smith holding off defending track champion Shawn Bruce for the victory. The win for Smith was a special one as he’d suffered a severe injury during the off-season that put his racing career in jeopardy. Brandon Smith, Will Ward and Rodney Morgan filled the remaining spots in the top five.