By Cheryl Licklider, Commentary

Woodward hot shoe Bryan Rowland found the haul from Woodward profitable as he picked up the $1,500 payday in the modified Firecracker Shootout at Enid Speedway Park Saturday night aboard his ASI Motor-powered Skyrocket chassis.

“It was a pretty good track and a pretty good race,” said Rowland. “It is easier to win when you start up front.”

It was a drag race between Rowland and Randy Timms for several laps on the start. Rowland broke away from the field and set up a straightaway lead by lap seven when a caution flag flew as Allen Chickering came to a rest on the track.

Undaunted by four additional cautions Rowland never looked back on his route to the checkered flag. His teammate, Rodney Sanders, stormed through the field to capture second, trailed by Timms, Bud Longpine and Kip Hughes.

Chad McNamara outlasted the field in the caution riddled limited modified main event and picked up the $1,000 purse aboard the R&M Pipeline/Hughes Auto-motive/Van’s Vacs-sponsored car.

“I want to thank car owners Darin and Leslie Busch for letting me drive tonight,” said McNamara.

Pacesetter McNamara headed up the early going. A caution flag flew in the second lap for a twin spin in turn two.

McNamara continued his quest on the restart, only to see another yellow flag when Burt Choate rolled to a stop on the track. McNamara showed the way a third time, only to see Travis Johnson stall in turn two and keep the track under caution.

McNamara resumed the lead when the race finally went green and had a half a lap lead when Jimmy Manharth stopped at the top of turn two and brought the yellow flag back out. Despite six additional cautions, McNamara made his way to the winner’s circle unchallenged.

Earl Whitley raced to second, followed by Johnson, Todd Decker and Kip Hughes.

Darin Busch dominated in the special sponsored pure stock “A” feature and picked up the $500 purse. Purse sponsors included R&M Pipeline, Platinum, The Rocket 104.7, Dunsworth Machine, Speed Tech Automotive, Bob Dunlap Dozer Service, Wood Pipe Service, 4 Point Reclamation and Lampton Welding Supply.

There was a big crash on the start of the feature. A yellow flag waved on the restart when Bob Goodpasture slammed into Michael Smith’s car. Goodpasture was black flagged for rough driving.

There was a heated battle between Bush and Mark Smith on the restart. Bush found the quick way around and sported a strong lead when Tim Smart blew his motor and drenched the track with water.

Busch reclaimed the hot seat and took a straightaway advantage to the line. Mark Smith, Michael Smith, L.K. Sissney and Dustin McNamara rounded out the top five.

Ryan Bohnstedt, the street stock points leader, displayed his winning way as he captured his second win of the year.

Bohnstedt stormed off the pole and headed up the field. The young driver wasted no time and boasted a straightaway advantage in a mere two laps. With a clear track in front of him, Bohnstedt was unstoppable.

Jon Herring Sr. posted second, trailed by Travis King, Ronnie Ramer and Larry Byers.

Brad “The Bullet” Costello had it all his way as he raced his Ma and Pa’s Place-sponsored factory stock to the winner’s circle for the second time this season.

The feature started with a head to head duel between Costello and J.D. Choate. Costello took the point the second time around.

Jacob Dowell spun in lap seven and put the track under caution. Costello picked up where he left off when the race went green and never looked back.

Choate settled for second, followed by Ronnie Ramer, Terry Costello and Dowell.

Heat winners in modified were Timms, Rowland and Allen Chickering.

Limited modified heat wins went to Johnie Rauschenberg, Johnson, McNamara and Randy Sallee.

Bohnstedt and Costello won their respective heats in street and factory stock.

The red flag waved on the white flag lap of the street stock heat when leader Derek King rolled violently down the front straight. King climbed from the car unharmed.

Mark Smith and Busch posted the heat wins in pure stock.

The limited modified “B” feature winner was Scott Parli.