Super Stocks have suffered a shorter count of racers lately, but no lack of drama. Michael Gwidt blew his rear-end during the week and found a pretty hot ride to borrow in defense of his points lead Friday Night. Pyburn Racing loaned Gwidt their #71 machine, and it still had that same old speed, posting 2nd fast time, and steaming to the front to win his 2nd Feature in a row, and 5th of the year.

Colin Reffner did all he could, setting fast time and racing as hard as he could, but losing grip on both the points lead, the top spot, and the race win seemed inevitable. Reffner finished 4th just ahead of Matt Raykowski. 3rd went to Kyle Davis, who doggedly defended the spot, and 2nd place Scott Hamel drove a great race. Congratulations to new phenom Michael Gwidt and his team for the Super Stock Championship at Golden Sands!

With no qualifying because of rain, the Super Stocks all came ready to race with the field inverted to the points leaders in the rear. Michael Gwidt came in leading the season points, having borrowed a car from Pyburn Racing to make a run tonight. Ryan Hinner started behind Matt Komatz, and after the start Komatz’s car slid up the track giving the lead quickly to Hinner.  Hinner set off to lead the group  by a bunch, and had a straightaway on the field. Matt Raykowski and Colin Reffner continued a weeks-old rivalry as they battled for positions, Reffner barely making it past and into 2nd by lap 15.

Galen Manternach returned in his racer, and unfortunately made hard contact with the front straight wall. As cleanup commenced, so did some more rain. Another 40 minute delay later, the Super Stocks went back to a familiar double file restart, Reffner and Gwidt lining up behind Ryan Hinner. Ryan got a great start, and again padded his lead while Reffner and Gwidt fought for spots. Reffner managed an ill-handling car to 2nd and Gwidt rolled across 3rd. Raykowski’s 4th place finish ties him in points with Scott Hamel, who posted 5th.

Matt Raykowski led 22 out of the 25 lap Super Stock Feature Friday night to win his first main event in the last 2 years of racing. Matt pulled in front of Scott Hamel, who looked like he had a chance to catch Raykowski, but never came within less than a car length and finished 2nd. The race for 3rd was a 5 car fight most of the race, with Gary Wosick, Dean Burby, Ryan Hinner, and Michael Gwidt along with Colin Reffner trying for the spot. Wosick managed to fend off hard-charging Reffner for 3rd, who maintains a 6 point lead on contender Gwidt, who finished 5th behind Reffner in 4th.

Super Stocks brought 14 cars to the party, and Kyle Davis led early, as Michael Gwidt and Colin Reffner battled to pick up spots and points for the season’s championship. Scott Hamel, Ryan Hinner, and Matt Raykowski all tightly raced for front positions, and all watched Gwidt drive by on the outside. Reffner tried to do the same, but his car was not up to it, and had to settle for 9th after spinning as a result of contact with Steve Severson. Davis Managed 2nd, Hinner, 3rd, Hamel and Raykowski rounded out the top 5. Gwidt also enjoyes a lightly padded points lead of 19 ahead of Reffner with 2 weeks to go.

The Super Stock field of 14 cars had confusion, drama, and excitement during the 25 lap event. Brian Weinfurter started pole and built a healthy lead until about lap 16 or 17 when Colin Reffner edged Matt Raykowski around to send both cars to the back. The race restarted with Ryan Hinner close to Weinfurter, obviously eyeing a win.

When Hinner charged into turn 1 with his car alongside Weinfurter’s door, they both aimed at the inside lane and touched, bringing out the 2nd caution and handing the lead to Michael Gwidt, who had charged from nearly last to 3rd. Gwidt motored on ahead of Dean Burby, who finished ahead of Roger Peterson, Colin Reffner and Scott Hamel. Gwidt’s 3rd win of the year pulled him to within 6 points of Reffner.

Tuesday night racing…Could this be the new rain date?  Was a great night for racing.

Brian Back had problems right after time trials but was able to get his car race ready by  the heat features.  #23 Ryan Hinner took the early lead in the Super Stock feature and quickly pulled ahead.  Brian Back started passing on the outside for the second position with #87 Colin Reffner hot on his heels.  As lap 10 rounded the bend, the leader, Hinner, went into the pits with car problems giving the lead to Back. 

#24 Brian Weinfurter and #6 Matt Raykowski  fought for the third position along with #25 Mike Gwidt.  Gwidt started loosing spots but then found his power and moved back up the field.  Back and Reffner spread out and the race was between Weinfurter, Raykowski and Gwidt for third.

Back took the checkered, with Reffner in second, and Weinfurter winning the third position.