LAVONIA, GA – Story and audio by Managing Editor Jacob Seelman for Speed77 Radio, Race Chaser Online and USCS Racing – Chris Seelman photo – Veteran USCS mini-sprint driver Mike Magic found some magic of his own Friday night at Lavonia Speedway.
Magic, a two-time winner in USCS www.rockauto.com 600 Sprint Series competition, picked up his third career victory in spectacular fashion, blasting around the outside of K&N polesitter Nick Snyder and never looking back from there, rolling all the way into www.rockauto.com Victory Lane after taking the checkered flag in the 15-lap 600cc mini-sprint portion of the “Thursday Thriller”.
“What a night for us,” Magic expressed after the race. “We’ve been struggling so far this year, but coming home to Georgia and running like this tonight,it really means a lot to me. I’m almost speechless. Thanks to everyone for the support; we couldn’t do it without you.”
The race was only slowed by caution once in the 15 laps, when the #6 of defending series champion Sean Hosey spun in turn two and came to a stop.
Kyle Amerson, from Montgomery, Alabama chased Magic all the way to the finish but had to settle for a second-place result. Bessemer, Alabama young gun Chris Openshaw completed the podium in third, with Ooltewah, Tennessee’s Shawn Nelson grabbing fourth at the checkered flag. Atlanta, Georgia hotshoe Matt McCullough, who won in USCS 600 competition last month at East Alabama Motor Speedway, rounded out the top five. K&N polesitter Nick Snyder faded during the fifteen lap contest, and the Marco Island, Florida rookie ended his night in the sixth position.
Brandon Taylor kicked off the night by grabbing the win in the Hoosier Tire Speed Dash, his first career USCS 600 Sprint Series dash victory. Kyle Amerson grabbed the victory in the Engler Machine and Tool First Heat, and Chris Openshaw notched the win in the www.rockauto.com Second Heat.
Amerson was the provisional polesitter after scoring the most passing points in heat race action, but when a six was turned up in the inversion draw, Nick Snyder grabbed the K&N Filters Pole Position. Amerson passed the most cars in the main event (four) to garner the Wilwood Disc Brakes Hard Charger Award.
The www.rockauto.com USCS 600 Sprint Car Series season continues on Friday, July 18th with an event at Boyd’s Speedway in Georgia as part of Sprint Car Wars VI.
For rules and updated schedule information about the www.rockauto.com USCS 600 Sprint Car series please visit www.uscsracing.com or call the series office at 770-460-7223.
RESULTS: www.rockauto.com USCS 600 Sprint Car Series @ Lavonia Speedway; July 17, 2014
Hoosier Tire Speed Dash: Brandon Taylor, Matt McCullough, Sean Hosey, Kyle Amerson, Bo Barber, Mike Magic.
Engler Machine and Tool First Heat: Kyle Amerson, Matt McCullough, Shawn Nelson, Bo Barber, Chase Cabre (DNS), Brandon Taylor (DNS).
www.rockauto.com Second Heat: Chris Openshaw, Nicholas Snyder, Mike Magic, Bob Trapino, Sean Hosey (DNS).
www.rockauto.com USCS 600 Sprint A-Main 15 laps:
- #5M – Mike Magic, Winder, GA
- #29 – Kyle Amerson, Montgomery, AL
- #17C – Chris Openshaw, Bessemer, AL
- #88A – Shawn Nelson, Ooltewah, TN
- #14M – Matt McCullough, Atlanta, GA
- #3D – Nicholas Snyder, Marco Island, FL
- #6 – Sean Hosey, Clarksville, TN
- #14 – Bo Barber, Clarksville, TN
- #98 – Bob Trapino, Alpharetta, GA
- #07 – Brandon Taylor, Cumming, GA
- #39 – Chase Cabre, Thonotosassa, FL
Audio with race winner Mike Magic:
USCS 600 Sprint Race Awards:
Hoosier Tire Speed Dash: #07 – Brandon Taylor
Engler Machine and Tool First Heat: #29 – Kyle Amerson
www.rockauto.com Second Heat: #17C – Chris Openshaw
K&N Filters Pole Award #3D – Nicholas Snyder
K&N Filters Podium (3rd place) Award: #17C – Chris Openshaw
Wilwood Disc Brakes Hard Charger Award: #29 – Kyle Amerson
Keizer Aluminum Wheels Top Five Award: #14M – Matt McCullough
Saldana Racing Products Super Sixth Award: #3D – Nicholas Snyder
DMI/Bulldog Rear Ends Top Ten Award: #07 – Brandon Taylor
