[Chris Nunn]

This will be printed in the HT on Sunday, here it is for those that do not get the Herald Times

It was another Bonus Night at the Bloomington Speedway, with beefed up purses for all three divisions. Bloomington Speedway is known for having its share of young "up and comers", one of which picked up his first ever UMP Modified feature win two weeks ago. Bloomington native Bradley Sterrett survived a wild feature in which only five cars finished. We had a few moments to spend with Bradley after the racing action on Friday, and asked him a few questions.



Q. How did you get started in racing?

A. Like most kids, I started out in Go-Karts when I was 11 years old. We raced at Linton and Boggs Lake. We made a few trips to Nationals as well. Right now I have been in the Modified for about 3 years.



Q. What does it feel like to race in front of your friends and family at Bloomington Speedway?

A. It's exciting when you do well, when other nights it can be a bummer. You just want to do well in front of your family.



Q. What are the things that frustrate you the most in racing?

A. Probably accidents or car problems. Like tonight, the fuel pump went bad and started dripping fuel. When I let off the gas, the header shot out a flame and ignited the gas setting the front end on fire. Another thing that get to me is when someone takes you out during the race.



Q. Who were your inspirations?

A. Probably Jeff Bland Jr. because we are good friends on and off the track, I have always wanted to race. Kent (Robinson) helps me out a lot along with Aaron Stillions and my cousin Chase (Sterrett).



Q. How did winning your first feature feel?

A. It was exciting! at my age I never thought I could win here. I just set myself up in the right position to win, and found myself in victory lane.



Q. You have the nickname "Elmo", how did that come about?

A. Jeff Vanhorn made fun of me because of my age when I started. When I picked up my first car from being lettered (by Vanhorn), there was a big Elmo head on the hood. I just left it on there, the kids love it. People hold up a big Elmo doll in the stands every time I come onto the track. I like to be a good role model for younger race fans.



Q. Any final thoughts or thanks?

A. I just want to thank Economy Termite and Pest Control, Bill Kerr of Kerr Racing Engines, Vanhorn Racing Graphics, and of course my Mom and Dad, because without them none of this would happen.



Bradley's night started with a seventh place finish in his Heat race, followed by a second place finish in the B-Main. Sterrett made his way through the field in the feature before the afforementioned fuel pump fire brought out the red flag and ended his evening.



GAINES WINS THRILLING SPRINT CAR MAIN

Mitchell, IN driver Dickie Gaines started in the third position of the 25 lap main event, moving around Jon Stanbrough for the second position on lap six. Gaines brought Brady Short with him around Stanbrough to third. Three laps later, on lap nine, Gaines shot around leader Bobby Stines to take the point. As the leaders approached lapped traffic, which was racing two to three wide in itself, Stines moved back around Gaines for the lead on lap 13. A caution would bunch up the field on lap 15, giving Gaines a clear shot at Stines. When racing resumed, Stines opened up a bit of an advantage on Gaines, who now had Short breathing down his neck for second. Another caution flew with just four laps to go, setting up a shootout. Gaines, using his years of experience, carefully set up Stines using the cushion. Coming into the final set of turns, Gaines motored off the topside, and around Stines to win by just less than a car length as the crowd rose to its feet. Other movers and shakers in the main event included Bland, who dropped off the track twice, and still rallied to finish sixth. Young Ethan Barrow produced a veteran-like run, passing both Bland and Stanbrough in one corner to finish fourth.



27 Cars signed in with heat wins going to Stanbrough, Gaines, and Barrow. The B-Main went to Ryan Tusing



MILES USES LAST LAP PASS TO CLAIM VICTORY IN UMP MODS

Shelby Miles rallied from his eighth starting position to utilize a last corner pass on Ray Humphrey for the win. The early moments of the race saw Clint Demoss and Humphrey battle it out for the lead, with Humphrey taking the advantage. By lap eight, Miles had moved up to the fourth spot, getting around Kent Robinson. At halfway, Miles took over the third position, putting Ryan Thomas back to fourth. It looked like Humphrey had the race in the bag, with a three-quarters of a straightaway lead with just three laps to go. Unfortunately for Humphrey, the caution flew with just two laps remaining. This allowed Miles to set up the race winning pass coming out of the final corner. Completing the top five were Humphrey, Robinson, Thomas, and Demoss



23 Cars signed in with heat wins going to Demoss, Robinson, and Humphrey. Roger Cary took the B-Main



CUMMINGS VICTORIOUS IN SUPER STOCK MAIN

Bedfords Brad Cummings held off a hard charging Jeremy Hines in the late portions of the Super Stock feature event to pick up another win in the division. Cummings took the lead on lap one, as Hines and Troy Clark battled for third. Hines took the spot, only to give it back to Clark a couple of laps later. Hines fought back to get third again on lap eight. Up front Kevin Arthur began to put some pressure on Cummings for the lead on lap ten. Cummings would hold off Arthur, who then seen Hines go by him for second. As the field took the five to go signal from the flagman, Hines moved alongside of Cummings to battle for the lead. With three to go, Hines made a move to the inside going into turn one. The duo touched, as Cummings kept the lead. As Hines made one last charge for the lead, he jumped the cushion in turn three, losing several positions. At the point, it was all Cummings taking the win ahead of Arthur, Clark, Greg Amick, and Hines.



19 Cars signed in with heat wins going to Hines and Clark.



The O'Reilly Midwest All Star Winged Sprints will be on hand next Friday night along with UMP Modifieds and UMP Super Stocks