Shirk, who has set fast time the past two weeks in qualifying, saw his lead shrink two weeks ago when a crash left him with an 18th-place finish while McPherson came in 10th. In last week’s feature Shirk finished second and McPherson fourth.
The super compact division is also undecided with Riverside’s Bo Hoelsher holding a 50-point lead over Terry Eaton.
Dayton’s Don Mahaffey Jr. has wrapped up his third late model championship. Medway’s Josh Foltz, who won 10 features, claimed the compact title. Sidney’s Rodney Roush won the family’s sixth track championship with a street stock title. New Carlisle’s Zach Doolin scored eight victories en route to the pure stock title.
And in the spectator drag racing class, Bob Brown and Chad Owens are tied for the lead with Corey Plunkett trailing by three points. The winning driver gets a race ready compact with safety equipment for the driver.
Prior to Saturday’s racing there will be a benefit for Terri Young, who died recently after a battle with cancer. A car and motorcycle rally, 50/50 drawing, silent auction and dunk tank — with some drivers volunteering to sit in the tank — along with other games will be held. The benefit runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Racing starts at 7 p.m.
Kil-Kare Speedway: The Gem City Auto Racing series returns to action Sunday with the late models, modifieds, street stocks and compacts. This is the second-to-last race and last chance for late model drivers to get track time before the Lee Raymond Dayton 100 on Sept. 24.
Grandstands open at 11:30 a.m. with qualifying at 1:30 p.m. and racing at 2:15 p.m.
Kil-Kare Dragway: The NHRA-sanctioned Summit ET Bracket Series runs its final points race of the season on Saturday. Gates open at 11 a.m. with on-track action starting at noon. Eliminations start at 4 p.m. The super pro, pro, sportsman, pro bike, street bike, high school and junior dragster divisions will be in action.
Waynesfield Raceway Park: It's down to the wire at Waynesfield with the final points races of the season on Saturday. Ludlow Falls' Luke Hall leads the non-wing sprints by a nose with a seven-point lead over Drew Radar and an eight-point lead over Covington's Kyle Simon.
In the modifieds, Jeff Koz leads by 19 points over Troy Cattarene. Brad Strunk holds a slim eight-point lead over Chris Bounds in the mini sprints. Chris Hicks has some breathing room in the trucks with a 42-point. The closest chase is in the compacts with Brandon McDaries leading Justin Durflinger by four points.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
Looking ahead to next week, the rescheduled Summer Sprint Sizzler — featuring four divisions of sprint cars — will take place Sept. 3. The NRA Sprint Invaders, FAST 410 and 305s and Waynesfield mini sprints are all in action. For more information visit waynesfieldracewaypark.net.
Edgewater Sports Park: The drag strip is in action Saturday with the NHRA-sanctioned Summit racing featuring super pro, pro, sportsman, motorcycles and junior dragsters. Gates open at 2 p.m. with timed runs at 2:30 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.
About the Author