Double-X Speedway fights autism with "Racing for a Reason'

Sedalia's Jonathan Cornell, at center, celebrates winning the 360 Winged Sprint main event at the inaugural "Racing for a Reason-Autism Awareness" with crew members and friends Sunday, June 29, at the Double-X Speedway. Cornell's trophy was presented by Zach Pripusich, Sedalia (shown next to Cornell with trophy).
Sedalia's Jonathan Cornell, at center, celebrates winning the 360 Winged Sprint main event at the inaugural "Racing for a Reason-Autism Awareness" with crew members and friends Sunday, June 29, at the Double-X Speedway. Cornell's trophy was presented by Zach Pripusich, Sedalia (shown next to Cornell with trophy).

Sunday Night Thunder roared with exciting racing action in all four classes at the Double-X Speedway June 29, where all in attendance were "Racing for a Reason" as the night celebrated the fight against autism, and was hosted by Sedalia sprint car driver TJ Muths and his family. The agenda included special events to raise money for this worthy cause.

The Street Stock class started off the action on the track with rookie Cole Henson, Russellville, and veteran Steve Beach, Eldon, leading the field to the green flag. Beach ended up with the lead to the finish as he claimed his second consecutive feature event, though he was challenged by Henson, Tuscumbia's Dale Berry, and California's John Clancy.

Berry came in strong at second, with Clancy finishing third. Tipton's Harlan Dowell came from shotgun on the field to finish fourth, and Johnny Wyman, Fulton, finished fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Henson, California's Chris Dunham, Eldon's Keeth Strange, Holt Summit's Cliff Champney, and James Keeran, California, respectively. Heat races were won by Henson and Beach.

Gage Wineland, Syracuse, continued his winning ways as he claimed the feature event in the Hobby Stock division. Sedalia's Kevin Prall finished with a strong second, while Sedalia's Will Register and Mike Schrader finished third and fourth, and California's AJ Wirts claimed fifth place. Rounding out the top 10 were Windsor's Rodger Deatherage and Chuck Coffey, Bunceton's Larry Dickson, Tipton's Eddie Lavery III, and Jacob Hardy, Green Ridge, respectively.

A large field of competitors was on hand in the 600cc Micro Sprint division, where Quinton Benson, Sweet Springs, prevailed as the victor. Jefferson City's Ryan Marsch had one of his better runs this season to finish in second place, while Nick Schaefer, Marshall, came in third after starting 14th. Columbia's Scott Hathman and Dean Hathman finished fourth and fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 were Chris Koch, Sweet Springs, who advancing from 20th, Columbia's Jordan Howell, Pilot Grove's Travis Arnold, Garret Williamson, Columbia, and Ayrton Gennetten, Versailles, who started 23rd. Heat races were won by Scott Hathman, Benson, and Kyle Spry, Columbia.

A total of 20 Winged Sprint cars took to the track to "race for a reason" with Nixa's Kyle Bellm and Brad Ryun, Higginsville, leading the field to the green. Bellm put the JHR 77 on the cushion and led the first 13 laps until he made contact with the wall coming out of turn two attempting to hold off a charge by second place running Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia. Bellm flipped after the incident and collected Casey Baker, Lone Jack, as she tried to avoid Bellm. After the track was cleared for the red flag, Cornell assumed the lead and held off a strong running Evan Martin, California.

As the checkered waved after 25 laps, it was Cornell who claimed the victory, with Martin in second place, and California's Tyler Blank in third. TJ Muths, Sedalia, finished fourth, and Warrensburg's Taylor Walton claimed fifth place.

Rounding out the top 10 were Ricky Stangl, Lee's Summit, Clarksburg's Lanny Carpenter, LaMonte's Matt Close, California's Broc Elliott, and first-night driver Bobby Duncan, Desloge, respectively. Heat races were won by Bellm, Ryun and Walton.

The 25th season of racing at the XX Speedway will resume Thursday, July 3, with the ASCS Warrior Sprints on hand to start off the holiday weekend, as well as the weekly support classes. Gates will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps to begin at 7 p.m. Racing will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

After stops at Callaway Raceway on Friday and Randolph County Raceway on Saturday, the ASCS Warriors will return to the Double-X Sunday night, July 6, to close out the weekend and to determine the point champion of the four-day tour. The weekly support classes will be racing Sunday, and the

Cory Wierman Memorial Washer Tournament will be held Sunday at the Double-X, to benefit the "Turn 1 Up and Coming Driver" Fund. For more information, call Kara Korte at 573-645-4852.