WAPAKONETA – The season couldn’t have started much better for Jerry Bowersock. The Wapakoneta native has won two races and finished second in another race so far in the young season. Bowersock and company will be on hand tonight for the 18th Annual Memorial Cup — Presented by Lewis Family McDonald’s at Limaland Motorsports Park. The pit gate opens at 4:30 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
Bowersock is currently leading the K&N Filter Modifieds with 346 points. Last year’s champion, Tony Anderson, is second (330) and Michael Tarlton is third (300).
“We’ve gotten off to a good start,” Bowersock said. “We’ve had some luck involved with drawing good numbers to start the race. I also think it goes back to last year. We got a new car and struggled some. So we went down to Portsmouth, Ohio, and also Florence, Kentucky, to race. We worked on some things down there. I figured out things I liked about the car and we were able to move it in the right direction.”
Competing for more than 32 years, Bowersock has seen a lot of changes in the racing world.
“Time flies by because it doesn’t seem that long,” Bowersock said. “A lot of things have changed. You have to keep up with the technology and there’s a lot more engineering going on now. It’s a little scary because all of that has driven the cost up. I was fortunate to break in when I could afford it. I feel worse for people now trying to break into the sport because it’s pretty expensive.”
Bowersock has also seen a lot of changes to the Limaland track, which is owned by the University of Northwestern Ohio.
“I went as a kid and back in the day it wasn’t like it is today,” Bowersock said with a laugh. “It was backwards from what it is today. It’s hard to believe. (UNOH President) Dr. (Jeffrey) Jarvis has done a phenomenal job. Gene Frankart does an awesome job with the track. They run a quick and efficient show. It’s the best point fund money around.”
In order to continue to lead in the points standings, Bowersock realizes how important it is to stay consistent.
“You have to take a bad night and turn it into a good night,” Bowersock said. “You make the best of it and work your way up. If you don’t finish where you want to, take it and move on. You always want to finish and not be sitting at the pit or infield watching at the end of the night.”
Bowersock hopes to continue his consistent ways for the rest of the summer at Limaland.
“I always start out each year and see how the first month plays out,” Bowersock said. “Since we’ve gotten off to such a good start, we will see things on through the rest of the season. We’ll hit all of the races and hopefully finish close to the front and win a few more.
For complete results of the 18th Annual Memorial Cup, check out the Sunday edition of The Lima News.
Waynesfield card
WAYNESFIELD – Waynesfield Raceway Park will be playing host to four classes of Open Wheel racing Saturday night. The winged warriors of the K&L Ready Mix NRA Sprint Invaders headline the open wheel program running in conjunction with the Great Lake Super Sprint series. Jared Horstman currently leads both series’ point standings with two A-main victories and three top five finishes on the season. Kyle Sauder trails in a close second with Todd Heurman, Phil Gressman, and Devin Dobie rounding out the top five. Saturday’s race will be the second of two races during the Memorial Day weekend for the series’ partnership.
Waynesfield’s vQuest Federal Credit Union Non Wing Sprints, Satellite Connections UMP Modifieds, and Performance Powerder Coating AMSA Mini Sprints are also scheduled.
Pit side gates open at 4 p.m., grandstands at 5 p.m. Hot laps get under way at 6 p.m. with the first green flag at 7 p.m.
Adult general admission is just $15. Kids ages 11-15 years are $6 with all young fans under the age of 10 are admitted for free. Pit passes are available for $30.
