6.30.18 American Ethanol Late Models Results
Quincy, MI (Sunday, July 1, 2018) – Night number two of the YellowHose.com double header weekend for the American Ethanol Late Model Tour (AELMT) saw Eric Spangler pick up a $4,000 pay day during a condensed program and shortened Michigan Corn Main Event from Quincy, Michigan’s Butler Motor Speedway.
Concerns, by AELMT drivers, regarding unsafe track conditions were raised to Tour officials immediately upon their arrival, early in the afternoon. After a meeting with speedway management, track crews took to the track, making great efforts in the extreme heat, to remove many large rocks from the racing surface.
Hot laps began as scheduled. At the conclusion of AELMT Hot Laps Group 1, Tour officials paused the activities to evaluate the racing surface and receive feedback from those drivers in group 1. It was quickly, and unanimously determined that the racing surface was unsafe and not “race-able”, due to the track’s excessively rough state.
Track crews again went to work immediately in an attempt to smoothen the racing surface. Multiple meetings were conducted by AELMT officials with drivers, to best determine a solution that was optimal for the drivers, crews, and fans alike. Two large group meetings were held with all AELMT drivers and a vast majority of the local supporting class drivers. AELMT drivers agreed to repack the track and it was determined that hot laps and qualifying would be combined into one session.
All 19 drivers with AELMT then went on-track to pack the surface back down in an attempt to reach race-able track conditions. Hot Laps / Qualifying then took place with Travis Stemler setting Motul Motor Oil and Lubricants Fast Time with a 15.879 second lap time. However, after the qualifying session that saw many cars go airborne and drivers struggling to maintain control of their race car, drivers and Tour officials elected to continue the program but with a shortened schedule of events.
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Official Statement – American Ethanol Late Model Tour
The race format for the American Ethanol Late Model Tour event on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Butler Speedway was adjusted due to unsafe track conditions.
After multiple attempts by Butler Speedway track crews to restore the racing surface to a reasonable standard, American Ethanol Late Model Tour drivers and officials unanimously agreed that the racing surface was still unsafe for regular competition. Tour Officials took input from all drivers on the grounds, including both American Ethanol Late Model Tour drivers and local support class drivers. In an effort to put on a show for the fans, yet addressing the serious safety concerns, tour officials determined that the American Ethanol Late Model Tour race format would be adjusted to the following:
• Hot Laps & Qualifying was combined into one session, consisting of three cars on-track at a time, taking time for three green flag laps.
• Heat Races were eliminated from the program.
• One 20 lap A-Main was conducted. The lineup was determined by qualifying results, with no invert. All teams who took the green flag, received starting points (35). No additional points were awarded per finishing position.
The American Ethanol Late Model Tour will honor the originally advertised purse. The purse will be paid in full to teams on Monday, July 2, 2018 by American Ethanol Late Model Tour.
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Current AELMT points leader Eric Spangler went on to win the shortened Michigan Corn Main Event. Spangler, who started on the outside pole took the lead from Dona Marcoullier on lap three and never looked back.
Next up for the AELMT is the return trip to the I-96 Speedway in Ionia, Michigan on Friday, July 27. Until then, fans can keep up with the American Ethanol Modified Tour Presented by Allstar Performance as they race Saturday, July 7th at Montpelier Motor Speedway in Montpelier, Indiana.
For more information on the AELMT, log onto aelmt.com, or find them on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
AELMT Michigan Corn A-Main
1. 27 Eric Spangler
2. 6M Dona Marcoullier
3. 21B Rich Bell
4. 2 Travis Stemler
5. 87M David Mielke
6. M14 Brandon Thirlby
7. 79 Nick Kurtz
8. 7M Brad Man
9. 06 Jacob Randel
10. 23W Brad Wade
11. RH21 Gregg Haskell
12. 45 Kevin Reeve
13. 006 Jerrett Rendel
14. 53 Hillard Miller
15. 15 Phil Ausra
16. 21A Logan Arntz
17. P3 Jeff Roberston
18. 11 Rachel Carpenter
19. 81 Rick Swartout
Awards
Allstar Performance Hard Charger: 45 Kevin Reeve
CompCams Halfway Leader: 27 Eric Spangler
ARP Most Laps Lead: 27 Eric Spangler
Montul Motor Oil & Lube Fast Qualifier: 2 Travis Stemler
Dirty Girl Racewear P10: 23W Brad Wade
Lane Automotive Member: 6m Dona Marcoullier
Quarter Master Move of the Race: None Awarded