By Mike Leone & Chris Zuver
The Zimmer Service Center ULMS Late Model Series North Region kicked off their 2021 season Saturday night at Sharon Speedway. Twenty-six late models were on hand for the first ever ULMS North Region event in front of a nice crowd for the tracks season opener.
“The track was awesome,” stated the 28-year-old Sarver, Pa. winner. “The last time I was here it was a little rough, but this place is really, really cool. I wish we could race here more. I thought I did myself in when I got into a lapped car; it pushed the fender down on the tire and I figured that was it. We put a harder tire on and I was really cussing those cautions out, but once we got rolling I felt pretty good. I’m just glad to get one. We’ve been close all year with a lot of speed, but just haven’t been able to capitalize. (Jared) Miley is a class act. He always runs me clean and I try to do the same. I know I bumped into (Max) Blair down here. I didn’t really see him, but that’s racing. Thanks to all the fans for coming out in the rain and hopefully we put on a good show for you.”
Norris started from the pole and took off in the lead over Miley, Boom Briggs, Max Blair, and Dave Hess, Jr; however, Norris lost the lead to Miley following a restart on lap two with Blair moving to third. Doug Drown got into the fence to bring out the caution with four laps scored ending the Ohio racer’s night. When racing resumed, it was three-wide for second with Norris maintaining the spot, while Hess grabbed third from Blair. Hess held on to the third spot for only two laps as Blair took it back on lap seven.
Up front, Miley caught lapped traffic on lap 11, which allowed Norris to close in, while Blair joined the battle for the lead on lap 12. It was three-wide for the lead on lap 14, but a caution for second year racer Levi Yetter slowed action for the final time of the event.
When green replaced yellow, Miley continued to lead clicking the laps off, but Norris wasn’t about to go away. Norris pulled even with Miley and the two raced side-by-side for the lead on laps 22 and 23 with Norris making the winning move in turn four on lap 23 as his slider stuck. Miley and Blair made one last bid on lap 24 as it was three-wide again for the lead, but Norris maintained and pulled away in the closing laps to take the Todd Cerenzia-owned, Rocket Chassis on Integra Shocks, Durham Ford-powered #02 to victory by 2.204 seconds.
Miley and Blair battled down to the wire for second with Miley edging out the Series points leader. Hess was fourth with Alex Ferree in fifth. Completing the top 10 were Chub Frank, Matt Lux, Briggs, Ryan Scott, and Will Thomas from 24th. Briggs set Integra Shocks fast time in qualifying over the 26-car field with a lap of 15.738. Heat winners were Briggs, Norris, and Blair, while Norris captured the Jay’s Auto Wrecking Pole Scramble.
The Zimmer Service Center ULMS Late Model Series will return to action on Friday, April 30 at Bedford Speedway with the 50 lap Billy Winn Classic paying $8,500 to win followed by a Saturday, May 1 event at The Greater Cumberland Raceway for a $3000 to win event.
ULMS RACING SERIES is proudly supported by Zimmer’s Service Center, TheCushion, Close Racing Supply, Precise Racing, Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Lias Tire, American Racer Tire, Murphy’s Logging, Chew on this Jerky, C&J Dairy, Titusville Dairy, Viper Motorsports, Insinger Performance, VP Race Fuels, MACH Auto Detailing, WEHRS Machine & Racing Products, DirtDefender, Jay’s Auto Wrecking, Genesis Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Keizer Wheels, Cousins Designs, Dynamic Drivelines, Beyea Headers, Mary Norgrove Notary Public, Jays Automotive, Phantom Signs & Graphics, Vahlco Wheels, Accelo Race Wear, Bernheisel Race Components and PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil.
RESULTS:
ULMS Super Late Models (30 laps, $3,000 to-win): 1. MICHAEL NORRIS (Cerenzia 02) 2. Jared Miley (Corrado 10) 3. Max Blair (Martin 111) 4. Dave Hess, Jr. (44) 5. Alex Ferree (Geisler 1c) 6. Chub Frank (Briggs 99L) 7. Matt Lux (Detman 111) 8. Boom Briggs (99B) 9. Ryan Scott (0) 10. Will Thomas (9) 11. J.R. Gentry (14) 12. Wyatt Scott (X) 13. Logan Jaquay (Briggs 99*) 14. Deshawn Gingerich (0) 15. Chris Schneider (55) 16. Jon Lee (Lake 27) 17. Chris Hackett (33) 18. Rich Wicker (2T) 19. Clay Ruffo (14R) 20. Damian Bidwell (8) 21. Doug Eck (20) 22. Logan Zarin (1z) 23. Khole Wanzer (01W) 24. Levi Yetter (9) 25. Doug Drown (12) 26. Dutch Davies (40).
Zimmer’s Service Center Heat #1
Boom Briggs, Miley, Lux, Drown, Bidwell, Lee, Zarin, Eck, Thomas
Close Racing Supply / Hoosier Tire /Heat #2
Michael Norris, Hess, W Scott, Hackett, Davies, Wicker, Ruffo, Gingerich, Jaquay
PennGrade1 Oil / American Racer Tire Heat #3
Max Blair, Ferree, Frank, R Scott, Gentry, Yetter, Wanzer, Schneider
Integra Shocks $100 cerificate – Boom Briggs
Vahlco Wheels $15% off Certificate to Hard Charger of Race – Will Thomas
PennGrade1 High Performance Oil – Case of Oil – Boom Briggs
DirtDefender – AirCleaner to 3rd place finisher – Max Blair
Accello Racewear will give $15 certificate to 10th place finisher – Will Thomas