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Sportsman Still Crazy After All These Races

This’ll come as a shock to no Five Flags loyalist: The Sportsman class is once again the live of the Friday night asphalt party.

Steve Buttrick and Randy Thompson have won the first two races.

Thompson, who originally finished third in the last feature April 8, assumed the checkered flag only after the first- and second-place cars were disqualified in post-race tech.

The top four currently in points are separated by just 17 points with Brannon Fowler leading the pack with 110.

“It’s a tight points battle. It could change at the top any time,� the Cantonment driver said. “It’s a fun class and it is competitive. We’re still searching for little bit to get us over the hump.�

Fowler will try to get over the hump and snag his first career Sportsman win Friday night.

Super Stocks and Bombers also will see action with the Allen Turner Pro Late Models owning the night’s premier event with the Elantra 100 — the first of five 100 lap races the Pro Lates will compete in this season.

Admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free.

“I really believe if the fans can stay in the stands for the Sportsman and Bombers features, we put on the better show,� said Jim Pokrant, who sits in fourth with 110 points. “We get the crowd into it. I have fans that come up to me all the time who know who I am. That’s kinda cool.�

What would be cool for all the Sportsman drivers is to detour Buttrick’s dominance.

Dating back to last year, the reigning track and Snowball Derby champion has won 13 times. Buttrick turned his keys over to friend Mike Goraum for the April 9 race while he competed in the Modifieds race.

Buttrick will be back in his blue No. 33 on Friday, and his rivals know if they can pull off the upset it could change the landscape of the Sportsman series.

“From start to finish, race Steve all the way through, it’s a good measuring stick,� Fowler said. “He’s the man to beat right now. He’s got the car dialed in.�

Pokrant added: “I think we have the car to beat Buttrick. He’s tough, but he can be beaten. It’s gonna be fun.�

It always is with the Sportsman class.

 

Sportsman Standings—1. Brannon Fowler, 127; 2. Michael Couture, 115; 3. Marty White, 113; 4. Jim Pokrant, 110; 5. Chris Nielsen, 97

Next race: Friday.

 

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