Post by Mike on Aug 6, 2007 12:50:08 GMT -5
Steve Arpin Wins an American Classic at Brushcreek
By: Mike Ross
(Peebles, Ohio) Brushcreek Motorsports Complex hosted the seventh annual American Heritage 101 on Saturday August 4th. For the first six years the late model class headlined the unique event, with late model stars Don O'Neal, Mike Balzano and Jackie Boggs (4) taking home brand new American Heritage Harley Davidsons for their efforts. However, for the first time in the events history the open wheel modifieds headlined the 07' event.
Sixty four drivers representing six states and one province of Canada signed into the pit area with hopes of claiming the American Heritage 101 title. With a record car count signed into the pits for the unique in which the winning driver has the choice of a brand new American Heritage Harley Davidson or $10,000, it was announced in the drivers meeting that the open wheeled modifieds would return to headline the eighth annual American Heritage 101.
At the drop of the green, Parkersburg, West Virginia's Kenny Johnson and Fairmont, West Virgina's Jacob Hawkins shot into turn one side by side. As the two came out of turn two, fourth starting Jeff Harris dove to the inside of Hawkins, while Kenny Johnson slid up the track loosing several positions. Harris and Hawkins raced down the back stretch toward turn three side by side. The two entered the turn side by side. Harris working the low line emerged from turn four with a slight lead.
The action was slowed with a lap four caution when Clint Jamison's mount rolled to a stop on the inside of the back stretch. On the restart, Harris pulled to a slight lead as Steve Arpin bagged Hawkins for second. Now in second Arpin began running down front runner Harris while Hawkins and Dave Hess Jr. waged war for third. Arpin battled Harris over the next few laps before finally mounting a charge to the point to be credited with the lead on lap nine. While the action up front heated up between Dave Hess Jr., Jacob Hawkins and leader Arpin, the man on the move was Jerry Bowersock. Masterfully working his way through traffic seventeenth starting Bowersock had worked his way into the top five by lap sixteen. While Hawkins and Hess Jr. duked it out for seond Bowersock found the high line to his liking, rim riding past both of them to take second on lap twenty seven.
When the action was slowed on lap thirty for a controlled fuel stop the running order was Arpin, Bowersock, Hess Jr., Hawkins and Jess Hartman. On the restart, Kenny Johnson moved to the extreme high side making the move back into the top five. The action was slowed for the third time when the caution waved on lap thirty-two when Louie Krushansky and Mark thingyson came to rest in turn four after making contact.
On the restart, Arpin maintained a slight lead over Bowersock. Meanwhile Kenny Johnson shot into the turn on the high side bagging Hess for third and began working on Bowersock for second. On lap thirty-five Johnson made the pass on Bowersock for second and now had his eyes set on front runner Arpin.
The final caution waved on lap forty-one when Dave Hess Jr. rolled to a stop on the inside of the back stretch. On the restart, Arpin pulled to a slight advantage over Johnson and Bowersock. Johnson followed Arpin around the top side waiting on the Canadian to make a mistake. With five laps to go Arpin slid up the track slightly on the back stretch allowing Johnson to close down the advantage Arpin had initially built on the restart. With Johnson right on his rear bumper Arpin rode the high line through turn four coming to the checkered flag Johnson drove it hard into the turn. Coming out of the turn Johnson drove right up to the rear bumper of Arpin, but with Arpin running the same line he had no where to go. Johnson went sliding across the line right behind Arpin. Following Arpin and Johnson across the line were Jerry Bowersock, Jess Hartman and Rick Hensley rounding out the top five.
Following the win Steve and his car was brought around to the grand stand area for the victory lane presentation. Steve was awarded a brand new American Heritage Harley Davidson for his efforts. Tom Stout was the winning fan that was paired with Steve and received the keys to a new Harley Davidson Sportster. Christian McAlamey was the kid that was paired with Steve and received a mini chopper. Steve also donated one of the trophies he received for winning the American Heritage 101 to young Christian.
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex would like to thank the following sponsors of the 2007 American Heritage 101 weekend: Southern Hills Therapy, Heritage Unlimited, Max Real Estate Co., Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Ok Auto Parts and Jesus Motorsports Outreach.
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex will return to action on August 18 with a full racing program of late models, modifieds, chevette/4cylinders, bombers, trophy 4 cylinders, legends and go carts plus an enduro.
For more information on Brushcreek Motorsports Complex visit their web site at www.brushcreekmotorsports.com. For more information on the American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) visit their web site at www.amramodified.com.
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex is located 3 miles south of Peebles, Ohio on OH 41. Directions: from Cincinnati, OH take 1-275 to OH-32 East. to OH-41turn right onto OH-41. From Columbus, OH take 1-270 to US-23 South to OH-32 West to OH-41 turn left onto OH-41. From Athens, OH take OH-682 S. Merge onto OH-32 W to OH -41 turn left onto OH-41.