HAMMOND, IN: Sporting a batting average any athlete would be proud of, native Hoosier Jon Stanbrough has driven to victory in 3 of the first 5 races during the 20th annual Indiana Sprint Week. Stanbrough, the defending ISW champion, won the final 3 races of the 2006 ediction, and the end of his domination appears
nowhere in sight!
The series began last week in Lawrenceburg, where Stanbrough executed a thrilling outside pass of young Brady Bacon, and then proceeded to hold of a charging Dave Darland for the win. Night Two at Lawrenceburg saw Stanbrough on his head early in the feature, but he still managed to “right the ship” and finish, as Darland rode to victory in the “Robbie Stanley
Classic”.
The wingless warriors then proceeded to Gas City’s tight, 1/3 clay oval for another two night show. In a virtual repeat of night one in Lawrenceburg, Brady Bacon lead the opening laps before Jon Stanbrough blew by to assume a lead he would never loose. Darland once again finished second to Stanbrough, followed by Bacon in third. The second night, Daron Clayton, the “Modern Day Cowboy”, took over the absent Jerry Coons Jr’s Kroger/Tide MOPAR and scored an impressive victory over Levi Jones and Darren Hagen. Clayton, who’s driving style is reminiscent of the late, great Jim
Hurtubise, is what Indiana Sprint Week is all about.
The last event during the first week of ISW was the “Bob Darland Memorial” at Kokomo. In an action-packed 30 lap feature, Dave Darland led the first 29 laps of “his Dad’s race”, only to see the amazing Jon Stanbrough blast by for the win on the final lap, bring Cole Whitt along into second. A very
disappointed Dave Darland settled for third place.
Five down…three to go. Next Thursday the series makes it’s first visit to Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, followed by a Friday show at Bloomington, with the final event on Saturday at Tr-State Speedway in Habstadt. With Levi Jones, Dave Darland and Daron Clayton in hot pursuit, can Jon Stanbrough take his
second consecutive Indiana Sprint Week crown?
I wouldn’t bet against it…
John Atlas
John AtlasThe Dirt GuyUSAC