Fan Notes from Night #3 of Ohio Speedweek at Millstream

Carson Macedo (Tom Myers) 6/19/2016  It was a beautiful, sunny day and unlike Friday, the breeze was blowing from behind the grandstands.....instead of blowing directly into the faces of the spectators.  47 cars showed up to do battle. Notable newcomers joining this year's Speedweek action were Carson Macedo, Parker Price-Miller, Rico Abreu, Bryan Clauson, and Tyler Courtney. Also present were Danny Dietrich, Danny Smith, Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson...as well as the All Star regulars. 

When we arrived, there was a country band playing tunes behind the grandstands. And they were quite good. I like to say "contraband" because that sounds more outlaw-ish or rebellious, you know, and it also sounds like you say country band with a southern accent  when you say "contraband".  Someone was also flying a drone over the track infield during the heat races. This flying machine could stay stationary, just hanging in one place and then dart around and speed off pretty quickly. It almost reminded me of the flight descriptions folks give when they talk about the UFO they saw.  

Millstream is an old track with lots of history. The old grandstands extend from turn 4 to turn 1,  with a grass covered bank extending from each end of the grandstand. The bank runs around the remainder of turn 1 and 2 and also extends from the turn 4 side of the stands. Race fans bring their lawn chairs, tents and blankets and these areas were packed with people. The track itself is a semi-banked 3/8 mile with wide turns. It is very similar to the current Sharon Speedway configuration...if not a little bigger than Sharon. The outside of the track is lined with a white and red striped wall that was added sometime in the 80's I believe. This place used to be like Attica Raceway Park, having no walls, but now the track is completely enclosed. 

The lack of rain and the persistent breeze and heat combined to make for another dry surface. In time trials, the early timers had it best because the surface continued to dry and get slick for the others coming out later. The track was smooth...but an increasing volume of loose dust covered it from top to bottom, creating a no-grip surface. The later timers just couldn't grip the track. The two quickest timers were Shawn Zemanic and Cap Henry.They both were among the first 10 cars out. 

The opening ceremonies were pretty cool I thought. They had a group of kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Then there was a prayer by Shane Helms, the Australian National Anthem was next and then our National Anthem. Very cool.  

Rico Abreu They watered the track and dug it up a bit before the heats, so the heats turned out pretty good and racy. As the first heat race started, I noticed the echo of the engines returning off the turn 3 wall and it sounded really cool as the racers mashed the gas on their way through the turn. Heat 1 was eventful as Caleb Helms got together with Joe Swanson, spinning him around into the 3rd turn wall. Caleb continued, Joe did not. The heat finish was Henry, Helms, Paulker, Philo, and Crabtree. Heat 2 was stacked full of big names and there was a lot of passing going on at the front. The heat finish was Brubaker, Courtney, Shaffer, Sheldon Haud and Kraig Kinser.  In heat 3, Jac came from the rear to grab the final transfer spot, rim riding as usual. The finish was Andrews, Kemenah, Blaney, Kahne and Jac. Heat 4 was equally good as Parker Price Miller had a good battle with Cole Thomas for the last transfer....These two traded sliders for 2 or 3 laps with Thomas getting the spot. The finish was Dean Jacobs, Larson, Lee Jacobs, Holtgraver and Thomas. 
 
After the dash draw was the C main. Dietrich and Reed finished 1 and 2, earning a starting spot at the back of the B main. Because of Rico's bad time and heat race finish, he was in the C but couldn't advance. PPM also was not able to come up to a transfer spot. The B-main finish was Macedo, Hannigan up from the back, Veal and Reed, who also came from the tail. Some guys were gripping the surface and some were really spinning their tires...or tyres...depending on where you are from. 

Front row starter Sheldon Haudenschild leads the first 10 laps or so in the A main, and then Kemenah comes up and passes him around the bottom as the top starts to go away. Sheldon then has a right rear go flat and goes to the pits for a new one. By this time, 13th starting Dale Blaney was up to 5th, with Larson 6th. Henry was in 2nd with Brubaker, Courtney and Kinser still in the mix but fading. By this time, the track was slicked off all the way to the fence. You could tell the drivers were just feathering their motors to get grip. On the restart,  Kemenah maintains the lead but gets tangled with 2nd running Cap Henry, who was trying to pass on the outside at the exit of turn 2. Henry slams into the back stretch inner wall and is done, but Kemenah keeps going. On the restart, Kemenah keeps the lead, but Dale Blaney, now in 2nd, inches closer on every lap and then passes Kemenah on lap 21.  After that Chad kept close, but not enough to get a run.
 
A pretty good race. Your top three in Speedweek points are now Kyle Larson, Chad Kemenah and Dale Blaney. On to Wayne County!