The sweet sound of cars racing on Carr Rd. once again

Having been saved from an uncertain future, after an April 6 auction appeared to bring an end to 46 years of racing history at Wayne County Speedway, the 3/8 mile dirt oval on Carr Rd., near Orrville, was alive, for the second time in 2011, with the sound of revving engines and the smell of burning octane, Friday, July 15, as Rob Chaney kicked off the action by rallying late to pick up the win in the 410 Winged Sprint Division, prompting the Millersburg driver to say afterward, "I am so glad this place is back open and it has sprint cars. It's so great to see all these people come out. I hope it keeps getting bigger and bigger."

But having opened up a bigger and bigger lead through the first 12 laps of the Super Late Models feature, pole winner Dave Hornikel would be brought back to the pack, after a caution flag on lap 13, and would be passed by Shane McLoughlin two laps later, before retiring with mechanical issues and watching McLoughlin cruise to the finish line and into the winner's circle.

Larry Baldwin's big lead was also erased by a caution during the Thrifty Discount Muffler Pure Stocks main, but he would leave the pack behind on the restart and sprint to his first checkered flag in 2011.

Meanwhile, three members of the Hensel family would jockey for position during the Mini Stock feature, with Gary Hensel Jr. holding the lead for the first seven laps, before Jordan James would go to the inside, make the pass and race to the finish line, with Hensel Jr., Doug Hensel and Bradley Hensel rounding out the top four behind him.

Tri-State Modifieds will join the regular show when racing action resumes at the hallowed grounds on Saturday, July 30, with pits opening at 4 p.m., grandstands at 5 p.m. and Hot Laps beginning at 6 p.m.

For more information and all the latest track news, log onto http://www.WayneCountySpeedway.com.