BIRCH RUN, Mich. – Jason Blonde showed a strong hand early on Friday afternoon at Birch Run Speedway and Event Center, dominating the opening practice session for the inaugural American Racer Invitational.

Blonde toured the four-tenths-mile oval in 13.128 seconds (109.689 mph) with his No. 42 Bingham Farms/Dowker Engines/Rubber Biscuit Bar & Grille entry, lapping four tenths of a second faster than anyone else during the first round of timed laps.

Ryan Gillenwater was second-quick in the No. 42 Fifth Street Auto Care/Akron Hardware sprinter, posting a best lap of 13.554 seconds (106.242 mph) in his first appearance with the series since mid-July at Ohio’s Midvale Speedway.

Two-time defending series champion and current points leader Jimmy McCune was third (13.620/105.727) in the No. 88 Abe’s Auto Parts & Sales/B&B Machinery Movers/Rev-X Oil machine, as he seeks his record-extending seventh win of the season.

Anthony McCune and Derek Snyder completed the top five in the first practice round.

Of the 16 cars on the grounds, three did not take time during the opening session, including two-time Pay Less Little 500 champion Jacob Wilson and former supermodified ace Kyle Edwards.

Final practice for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series is slated for 5 p.m.

RESULTS: Must See Racing Sprint Car Series; First Practice; Birch Run Speedway; Aug. 25, 2017

1. #42 – Jason Blonde, 13.128 seconds (109.689 mph)
2. #45 – Ryan Gillenwater, 13.554 (106.242)
3. #88 – Jimmy McCune, 13.620 (105.727)
4. #8 – Anthony McCune, 13.972 (103.063)
5. #22 – Derek Snyder, 13.985 (102.967)
6. #26 – Jeff Bloom, 14.098 (102.142)
7. #98 – Kevin Feeney, 14.164 (101.666)
8. #7 – Tom Jewell, 14.332 (100.474)
9. #9s – Charlie Schultz, 14.351 (100.341)
10. #10k – Christian Koehler, 14.413 (99.910)
11. #8A – Adam Biltz, 14.576 (98.793)
12. #13 – H.D. Carter, 16.742 (86.011)
13. #0 – Doug Dietsch, No Time (No Transponder)
14. #00 – Joey Irwin, No Time
15. #07 – Jacob Wilson, No Time
16. #11 – Kyle Edwards, No Time

CREDIT: Must See Racing