craigdailypress.com

It has been a good summer for Rick Spangler.

He hasn't had to replace an engine, and he hasn't had to repair any major parts on his yellow and sky blue No. 18 IMCA Modified. So after winning the $2,000 IMCA Modified Madness main event at the Hayden Speedway on Saturday, his first expenditure wasn't too fancy.

"It'll go to gas," he said. "It's getting expensive."

Spangler and his cousin, Aaron Spangler, were the early leaders in the 13-car main event. On the eighth lap, Aaron's car caught on fire. He was visibly upset when he jumped out of his car to escape the flames.

"(Aaron's) fast," Rick said. "It's too bad that he couldn't finish it out, but that's racing."

Rick Spangler is from Grand Junction, and so was half the field. The out-of-town drivers dominated the main event. Spanglers won all three heat races, with Ryan Spangler winning the other heat. The only Hayden Speedway regular to finish the main event race was Josh Anderson. He finished sixth.

Rick Spangler is impressed enough with the track that he may become a regular next year.

"The track was a little rough, but about one-third into the race, it smoothed out and was awesome," he said. "I'll probably be back next year."

Rick Spangler has won a showcase race at Hayden before. In 1989, he won the Harvest cup. This was the biggest purse of his career.

"I've raced for bigger purses," he said. "But I've never won."

The winner of the Street Stock main event wasn't decided after Samantha Johnston crossed the finish line in first.

Other racers in the class filed a protest on her engine, citing her dominance in the class this year. More than a few interested drivers, pit crew and relatives gathered around Johnston's car as the engine was torn down. A hour later, Johnston's car passed the test, and she was $275 richer -- if a car is protested and cleared, the car owner gets the protest money -- as well as the winner.

Troy Goodson took another victory in the Super Street races. Dean Dare challenged him for nearly half the race, but Goodson pulled away to win by half a lap.

In the Mini Sprint class, guest from the Grand Junction area Rick Davis dominated the main event.

The Speedway racing for 2005 will conclude in two weekends. The Harvest Cup is the traditional finale for the Speedway.

David Pressgrove can be reached at 824-7031 or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com