WILLIAMSTON, S.C. — official series release by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Chris Seelman photo —
While no transponders were officially used during Friday night’s Must See Racing Sprint Car Series presented by Engine Pro exhibition session at Anderson Motor Speedway, southern sprint car standout Johnny Bridges made it clear that the three-eighths mile’s existing track record is highly likely to be in jeopardy when the series returns for its season-opening event on April 15.
Bridges wheeled his No. 07 Ford Performance/Butlerbuilt/Zemco Headers sprinter to an unofficial best lap of 14.290 seconds (94.472 mph) during a 10-lap open hot laps session under the lights at the historic short track, putting on a show for the near-capacity crowd in attendance as part of the track’s 53rd annual Tucker Materials Opening Night festivities.
The Cherryville, N.C. veteran driver was slip-sliding his rear tires through the tight corners at Anderson in an attempt to find grip on a warm South Carolina evening, but assured race fans in attendance that when he returns for the start of the six-race American Sprint Cup mini-series that kicks off the MSRSCS season at Anderson, he will be more than prepared to defend his all-time track record of 13.040 seconds (103.528 mph) from the likes of two-time MSR champion Brian Gerster, defending champion Jimmy McCune and New England modified standout Bobby Santos III, among other contenders.
“By the time we come back here next month, we’re going to have an all-new set of tires on this car for qualifying and it’s going to be fun to see whether these northern guys can come in and take that track record away or if I’ll have a little something for them,” Bridges said with a smile. “I love this track and it has always been good to me … so it’s great to be able to come back here and set up to have another shot at celebrating on the frontstretch in victory lane. Thanks to Jim Hanks and all the Must See Racing staff for their hard work in getting this deal put together — man, I can’t wait for April.”
Bridges actually set a quicker unofficial time of 13.920 seconds (96.983 mph) during the second of two hot laps sessions held under the daytime sun, but was unable to better that time when the lights flickered to life.
Two-time USAC HPD Eastern Midget Series champion Chris Lamb was also in attendance for the exhibition, making his first-ever laps in a 410 sprint car driving Jason Fuller’s No. 9 Landrum Performance Springs/Radical Race Gear entry. Lamb turned a best unofficial lap of 14.040 seconds during the afternoon session, but had to leave early for personal reasons and was unable to take part in the nighttime exhibition.
A pair of USAC HPD Eastern Midgets, piloted by two of Lamb’s regular teammates — Jessica Bean and 16-year-old Sam Hatfield — also participated in several open practice and exhibition sessions over the course of the day and evening. The USAC HPD Eastern Midget Series will be a part of the two-day program at Anderson and Hickory that is headlined by the Must See Racing Sprint Cars on April 15-16.
In regular track action, polesitter Cody Haskins dominated the headlining 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model Stock Car feature on Friday night at Anderson, rolling to an easy victory as the track opened its 2016 points season.
Haskins was never seriously challenged en route to a 2.234-second win over defending track champion Trey Gibson. Marty Ward, Ralph Carnes and R.A. Brown rounded out the top five at the finish, with those five being the only cars on the lead lap when the checkered flag was displayed.
Jason McDowell (BM Modifieds), Justin Ashley (U.S. Legends), Chad Campbell (Mini Stocks), Chris Whitfield (Renegades) and Tom Davis (Front Wheel Drive) were other feature winners on the night.
Must See Racing continues their “Preview Tour” through the Carolinas with a second special exhibition on Saturday night, March 19 at the Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, N.C.
National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Jeff Bloom is the defending winner of the MSR stop at Hickory, with Bridges having finished second in the 2015 edition of the race.
For more information on Must See Racing, including rules, schedule information and more, visit the series website at www.mustseeracing.com.
CREDIT: Must See Racing
