A gathering of some of the toughest Lightning Sprint racers in the country embarked on North Vernon's Twin Cities Speedway this past Saturday night. An epic battle really in what some say has been the best race of the year for the MMSA. The feature event left fans and spectators alike standing on the edge of their seats, as the leaders battled for the tops spots.

Saturdays event saw the return of some familiar faces, three year member and crowd favorite Brad Strunk returned to compete in his #23s machine. Brad started deep in his heat race along side national USAC points contender Andy Bradley. Strunk drove the NRL Mortgage, Priority Title #23s to the top besting the field. Bradley was able to hold on to 2nd and Bloomington's Cindy Chambers was able to hold off a hard charging #5 of Jesse Vermilion for 3rd.

Heat race two also filled with some stiff competitors. MMSA points leader Rod Henning would drive his D&D Farms #10d to the top spot over last years series Champion Scott Bradley, and a very fast #12j of Jacob Samm.

The highly anticipated feature event would have Chambers and Samm on the front row, Henning and Scott Bradley would occupy the 2nd row. The highest of the passing points would put Andy Bradley and Brad Strunk in the 3rd row. Just missing the invert in row four would be the #20 of Trammel and the #7h of Kyle Hathaway. Chambers would lead the field to green with Scott Bradley immediately putting them three wide. Second year MMSA driver Jacob Samm hasn't raced much in 2017 but Jacob took to the top line like a veteran beating Scott Bradley, Chambers, and a hard charging Rod Henning to lead the first lap. Meanwhile a few rows back Andy Bradley and Brad Strunk would duel side by side with Strunk taking the spot. Strunk would continue his top side attack getting by the #10d of Henning. Andy Bradley would miss the mark and shuffled to the 7th position. Henning would get by Chambers and move into 4th with Jacob Samm driving his #12j to a huge lead over Scotty Bradley.

Strunk would miss the mark and get the #23s up against the wall bottling up traffic and letting Andy Bradley in the #86 into the 4th position. He would recover and tuck into 5th position. Scotty Bradley would be challenged by Henning on the outside as they both closed distance on the leader the #12j Jacob Samm. As the racers neared the halfway point a blanket could be thrown over the top 3 with a hard charging Andy Bradley moving in to join the party. Andy Bradley would throw a slider on the #10d making it stick and pulling along side of teammate Scotty Bradley. Meanwhile a battle for 4th and 5th would ensue between Hathaway and Strunk, with the #23s holding off the #7h Fish Hut Special of Hathaway. Hathaway in his 2nd year with the MMSA has to be one of the most improved drivers of the year as we has seen that car up front pretty consistently. Bradley would put his #86 on the cushion getting by the #12j of Samm. The battle for 2nd would go three wide with Scott Bradley on then bottom, Jacob Samm in the middle and Rod Henning taking the advantage on the top. Reaching the back markers Andy Bradley had his work cut out as every position was up for grabs through the field. Samm would lose 3rd to the 1x of Bradley as they also reached lapped traffic, but it was short lived as the 1x would pull into the infield with mechanical issues. Strunk would battle back past Samm, with the 12j bellowing steam. To the front of the field Andy Bradley would ride the rim into clean air, leaving distance between him and the #10d of Henning. Bradley in the Hoosier Speed sponsored #86 would cross the checkers leading the field for the sixth time this season, winning his third race in a row. Rod Henning would easily hold on to the 2nd position and Brad Strunk in 3rd. Jacob Samm would hold off 5th place finisher Kyle Hathaway for the 4th position.
The MMSA and USAC greatly appreciate everyone who made the trip, and everyone who has help make the MMSA the premiere support series. Our next event will take place at Bloomington Speedway!