Shooter's Iceman Spartan race report

July 1 - The Shooter's Iceman Series was introduced to Spartan Speedway Sunday, July 1 for the first annual Capital City 100. The fans in the filled grandstands seemed to enjoyed the initial race of the traveling series at their track. A field of 21 Iceman template-bodied cars were on hand even though several cars were unable to make the trip after suffering mechanical problems the night before during the Iceman race at Baer Field.

Local driver, Tom Hernly Jr, started in the pole position with Dave Kuhlman alongside him. When the green flag dropped, Hernly Jr and Kuhlman ran side-by-side for a lap before Hernly Jr edged ahead to take the lead.

The lead cars set a fast pace, pulling away from the pack until a yellow closed up the field again. The tight quarter mile track made it difficult to pass without leaving yourself open to be put out to dry.

Freddie Campbell and Dave Kuhlman dueled for the better part of the first quarter of the race until Kuhlman pushed high and the driver from Battle Creek, Mich. was able to get past the Howell, Mich. resident. Leader, Hernly Jr, by now had gotten away by a half straightaway.

A caution on lap 34 for debris closed up the field on Hernly Jr., with Campbell now on his bumper. For the next 20 laps, Campbell applied pressure to the Lansing, Mich. driver's car, but was unable to pressure him into making a mistake. After encountering heavy traffic, Campbell dove low on lap 54 and used the car of Brett Reaume as a pick to take over first place. By remaining in the lead for the rest of the race, Campbell recorded his 21st Iceman win.

Hernly Jr battled with Dave Kuhlman for the last 45 laps for second place, but was able to hang in there for a career best finish.

Finishing third was Kuhlman followed by Andy Ponstein, Scott Baker, Brian Huntley, Glenn Gault, Jr Hanley, Mike Hennessy and Aaron Hulings.

NOTES:

Freddie Campbell was in a winning mode this weekend. Friday night he took the win at Toledo Speedway in the Gold Cup Series for Super Late Models. Tonight's win broke the tie with Dave Kuhlman giving him the most career wins in the Iceman Series. Campbell, who drives the Conan Construction/Port City Chasis Monte Carlo for Vern Slaugh, said, "This was a great way to end my season with the Iceman Series. Because I'm running for the championship at Berlin Raceway I will be unable to make any of the remaining races this year."

Tom Hernly Jr a Lansing, Mich. resident was hoping his first career win would come tonight. He had to settle for second, his career Iceman best. Hernly Jr's #2 is sponsored by Sawyer's Pontiac/Pierce Engineering/Smalleys Auto Service/Hernly Motorsports

Dave Kuhlman had a pretty good weekend by some standards. Kuhlman finished second to Campbell at the Gold Cup race Friday night at Toledo. Last night at Baer Field he came home fifth and tonight finished third. A second, third and fifth ain't all bad. Kuhlman is sponsored by Monroe Asphalt/Right Tools/Zeillers Farm Market/HJ Prime Cuts/5 Point Embroidery/KMH and drives a Monte Carlo.

Andy Ponstein made his first start with the Iceman since an eighth place finish at Kalamazoo Speedway in 1995. Andy had never seen the track until earlier this week when he was in the vicinity. Finding the track open, he talked to the owner who allowed him to take his truck out for a trial run. Every little bit of track time must help, no matter in what, because the Hudsonville, Mich. driver qualified second. He finished fourth in his U.S. Pipe/Classic Trailers/PRC Grand Prix.

Scott Baker finished fourth in the Iceman feature for the second night in a row. The Arkon, Ohio driver is currently leading Glenn Gault 95 to 90 in points. Baker's Monte Carlo is sponsored by Sypolt Chevrolet/Tallmadge Asphalt/Excalibur Frame.

Defending series champion Harold Fair Jr had a weekend he probably would like to forget. Harold was leading the Gold Cup 100 on Friday and got spun into two cars that had crashed on lap 76. He was given his spot back, only to have the coil go out in his SLM during the same caution. Saturday night the Canton, Mich. driver was running in sixth place in his Iceman car and had his engine die on lap 79 relegating him to a 17th place finish. Tonight he was running in seventh in his Ray Printing/Royal Truck and Trailer/Lefthander Chasis Monte Carlo when an electrical gremlin did him in and he finished in 18th place. Things can only look up Harold.

Dave Peffers made his debut in the Iceman Series tonight. It was the first time the Waterford, Mich. resident had ever driven a late model type car in a race. Dave comes to the series from the Pro Legends division in Wisconsin and holds a championship with them. Peffers retired late in the race with mechanical problems and finished 19th. He hopes to compete in a couple more races in his Wix Filters Monte Carlo before running next year for the Iceman Rookie of the Year.

Brian Huntley returned to the series after a six year absence. Brian was helping the team owned by Brian Miller in setting the car up for their new driver William Long III. Huntley, from Jackson, Mich. drove a steady race and finished a career best sixth place. Freddie Campbell, Tom Hernly Jr, Dave Kuhlman, Andy Ponstein, Scott Baker, Brian Huntley, Glenn Gault, Jr Hanley, Mike Hennessy, Aaron Hulings, Jason Mignogna, Randy Triplett, Art Rozane, Brad Perry, Jim Baker Jr, Brett Reaume, Harold Fair Jr, Dave Peffers, Kyle Edwards, Douglas Ehret

Holley Fast Qualifier: Freddie Campbell, 13.10
Penske Hard Charger: Randy Triplett, nine positions
Rookie of the race: Triplett

Cautions 9 laps

-Debi Domby