While the heat index eclipsed the 100 degree mark this afternoon, it was a cool summer evening at East Lincoln Speedway. It was Christmas in July at the racetrack as fans enjoyed six divisions of racing action this weekend and a special visit from Santa Claus.

The first of the six feature races of the night was the Stock Four division race. A battle between Logan Sparks and Lee Oiler for the second position allowed Adam Vandiver to pull out to a comfortable

 lead. However, as Oiler eventually made his way under and around Sparks for second, that lead gradually disappeared. With three laps to go the two drivers were racing side by side for the lead. Coming out of turn four, Vandiver carried the momentum on the high side en route to the race win. Lee Oiler, who finished second, made his way over to victory lane to congratulate Vandiver on the race win. Logan Sparks held off Calen Holden for the third position and Jeff Crump took home the final position in the top five.

The next division to take the track was the Micro Sprint division. Points leader Darren Hasty saw problems early on as smoke came out of his #12 machine. His mechanical issues would force him to retire from the race. On the restart after a yellow for a George Blaney spin, Brian Roseman looked under Shawn McElroy for the second position. 

While Roseman held the position down the backstretch, McElroy would take it back on the entrance to turn three. On the entrance to turn one of the next lap, Roseman was able to pass and clear McElroy. Meanwhile, Terry Peters was on cruise control as he would go on to win. The win ended a winless drought of over a month for Peters. Kyle Wilson posted a career best third place finish against an impressive field. Jackie Ziegler and Spencer Brown finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The Open Wheel Modified division implemented a new method of inversion this week. Due to the inversion, Kyle Strickler, who was originally slated to line up first, now started from the third position. Manuel Johnson, who had lost a transmission in his heat race, was able to start the race in a backup car. Matt Emmerling, who started first, slid up in turn two. This allowed Strickler to take the lead and Bohn to move into the second position. It appeared Strickler’s car would have mechanical problems as he would fall off the pace and eventually pull off the track. 

With Strickler out of the picture, Bohn went on to win in a dominating fashion. The win is Bohn’s second in a row at East Lincoln Speedway. It appears Bohn’s momentum may be coming at the perfect time of the season as his win allowed him to continue to chip away at Strickler’s points lead. Matt Emmerling, Manuel Johnson, Everette Dunlap and Tim Sigmon rounded out the top five in that order. The division has a week off next Saturday as the Late Models and Legends Cars will both return to East Lincoln Speedway after nearly a month off.

Points leader Jennings Herman started on the pole for the Super Stock Four division feature race. Brad Williams wasted no time in taking the lead as he would claim the first position on the exit of turn two. Also on the move was Randy Powell, as he followed Williams around Herman for the second position. Williams pulled out to a three car length lead over Powell. That lead was erased by a late race caution. 

Williams would have to hold off Powell on three separate restarts at the end of the race. Each restart appeared as if it would possibly allow Powell the chance to pass Williams for the lead, but Williams prevailed each time as he went on to take the win. In victory lane, Williams described the final restart with Powell as “hairy.” While Williams and Powell put on a show battling for the race lead, Jennings Herman would salvage a solid points night with a third place run. The familiar face of Pechi Fiormante came home fourth, while Arnold Propst took the fifth position.

While the driver of the #26 Limited Sportsman car may have been dreaming of a White Christmas, Lynn Mercer had another idea of how this race should end up. Mercer was able to finally clear White after battling for several laps. While Mercer pulled away with the lead momentarily, Brandon White closed the door and made his way back to Mercer’s bumper. But catching Mercer was the best he could do as he went on to win his second race of the year. White made his way over to Stanley Tools Victory Lane to congratulate Mercer on his win. Jeff Graves finished third. Points leader Ronnie White was fourth and 2009 East Lincoln Speedway Most Popular Driver Blane Huffman took home the final position in the top five.

Eighteen cars would make the start for the Renegade division feature. Early on, Brian Toler got loose on the entrance to turn three and caught the wall. Unable to avoid Toler, Todd Bolin made hard contact with Toler’s machine. While the incident resulted in a severe wreck that would bring out the red flag, both drivers were able to come away without injury. 

Brandon Atkinson was finally able to seal the deal and take his first East Lincoln Speedway victory. Atkinson held off last week’s winner Mark Woody. Luther Bishop put together an impressive third place finish as Steve Newsome edged out Tyler Hyatt for the fourth position.

Next week the Late Models will return to East Lincoln for Hot Summer Nights Round Two. Also returning to the lineup will be the Legends Cars. With only ten races left in the 2010 season, the racing should continue to be exciting.

ELS Box Score: Top 5 Finisers – 7/24/2010 – Stock Four: 1.) Adam Vandiver, Stanley 2.) Lee Oiler, Mooresville 3.) Logan Sparks, Statesville 4.) Calen Holden, Mount Holly 5.) Jeff Crump, Fort Mill, SC Micro Sprint: 1.) Terry Peters, Concord 2.) Brian Roseman, Hickory 3.) Kyle Wilson, Cornelius 4.) Jackie Ziegler, Sherrils Ford 5.) Spencer Brown, Catawba Open Wheel Modified: 1.) Danny Bohn, Huntersville 2.) Matt Emmerling, Lincolnton 3.) Manuel Johnson, Stanley 4.) Everette Dunlap, Concord 5.) Tim Sigmon, Denver Super Stock Four: 1.) Brad Williams, Mt. Holly 2.) Randy Powell, Lincolnton 3.) Jennings Herman, Concord 4.) Pechi Fiormanti, Maiden 5.) Arnold Propst, Dallas Limited Sportsman: Lynn Mercer, Dallas 2.) Brandon White, Stanley 3.) Jeff Graves, Stanley 4.) Ronnie White, Charlotte 5.) Blane Huffman, Denver Renegades: Brandon Atkinson, Statesville 2.) Mark Woody, Dallas 3.) Luther Bishop, Mt. Holly 4.) Steve Newsome, Mt. Holly 5.) Tyler Hyatt, Stanley