Ikens, Mulrooney, Kuykendall, Mazzagatti, Sibila, Custer & Betts Win 2021 Openers At Barberton
7 min read
Since the final checkered flag for the 2020 Cavalcade, many thoughts crossed both drivers, fans, and race promoters’ heads. On one hand, virtually all tracks were able to salvage a season in 2020 after the pandemic gripped the country meaning a sigh of relief was utilized following that final checkered flag. On the other hand, business was pretty close to normal, meaning postseason prep for 2021 had to happen and happen fast. A normal length offseason was expected (following an extended offseason). This meant that drivers and promoters had to be sure they were ready for April 17th, 2021. While many names were ready, several key players still need a couple weeks (such as Bandolero champion Ryan Gardner, Modified ace Aaron Prater, Street Stock drivers Preston Walker and Jeff Mundell, Late Model veterans in Doug Sommers, Jeff Taylor, and Gary Whipkey, and Compact standouts in Tim Farrar and Dustin Wyckoff). But for those ready, the paint was new, engines fresh, and bodies were car show worthy. The green flag awaited, and the drivers would soon be underway.
On hand first was a much-improved Bandolero field and Ryan Likens picked up where he left off from the end of 2020 as he captured checkered flag #2 of his career in race #1. When the green flag flew, Chloe Mazzagatti led the field to green and was quickly passed by Ayden Kitchen. Kitchen would lead the first five laps of the race before surrendering the lead to Likens. Likens looked to have an easy Saturday drive until a spin near the back. The field tightened up behind him and the race resumed. Back from injury was the comeback kid, Steve Mitch. Mitch had been hurt in a race at Erie Speedway and was making his first start since that race and was second behind Likens. With the resumption of the race, fans were treated to a battle between Mitch and Likens. Likens seemed to have a slightly better car in the second groove, and Mitch worked to make the bottom happen. Together, the duo was under a blanket. When the white flag flew, Mitch was nearly in the lead but lost the nose off of turn #2, allowing Likens to take sole possession of the lead and take home the win.
A perfect season in 2020 by Aaron Mulrooney continued into 2021 with yet another win in the legends in a larger field. Before the feature started, Mulrooney almost didn’t get the chance to defend his 2020 title as he and Chris Breads took a hard hit in the heat race. But both crews had their cars ready for the feature thanks to some quick and efficient repairs. When the green flag flew, heat winner Chuck Witt led the field of 11 to speed and led the early stages of the race. Showing the field that he had done his homework and promoted the division, Witt showed that the late season speed he had found in 2020 was continuing into 2021 as he held off challenges from Breads, and Mulrooney. By lap four, Mulrooney had a run off of turn four and made the pass going into turn one for the lead. Mulrooney began to stretch his legs on the field as Witt, Breads, and rookie Brendon Lushes all battled for podium positions. With cars all over the track battling, fans were entertained as a mix of youth, experience, and age were all going for a better position. But up front it was Mulrooney, all alone, pulling away and taking home the win
A quintet of Street Stocks were ready for battle and Jeff Kuykendall won the race in a virtual dead heat over Ron Miller. When the green flag flew, John Ambrose had the lead and was consistently hounded by Justin Alexander for the top spot. Alexander tried to make the high line work but was passed by Ron Miller near lap five. Miller followed behind Ambrose and waited to see if Ambrose was lacking anywhere Miller wasn’t. Just as it seemed Miller had a plan of attack ready, Jeff Kuykendall got a small tap from Alexander and spun off of turn four. An innocent nudge brought the field back to Ambrose and Miller. When the green flew again, Kuykendall passed Miller for 2nd and looked to put a move on Ambrose. Yet again, a small nudge was enough to send Ambrose around, meaning Kuykendall had to serve the penalty. The green flew and Ambrose and Miller once again started on the front row. 3rd place Justin Alexander picked Miller off for 2nd and got Ambrose for first to take the lead. From there, it was Alexander’s race to win until a couple laps to go when he and Kuykendall made contact (yet again off of turn four). The field shuffled around as drivers pitted and penalties were served, giving Ron Miller the lead and Kuykendall 2nd place. A 2-lap shootout was ready and Miller and Kuykendall battled to the end. Side by side, the duo never made contact. Coming off of turn four to the checkers, Miller looked to have the win, but in the final ten feet, Kuykendall was able to power by to win by less than .02 seconds.
Mike Mazzagatti took home the Late Model win over Roger Smith to start off the 2021 Late Model run to the championship. When the green flag flew, Dave Martin led the first lap until Smith passed him. Smith’s Petty blue #43 looked good up front after a motor scare in the offseason threatened to delay the start of his 2021 campaign. But up front, Smith showed the motor scare was simply that, a scare that could be fixed quickly. Lapping everyone except for 2nd place Mazzagatti, Smith had the race on lock until Mazzagatti spun off of turn two. On the ensuing restart, the race was on as Mazzagatti worked Smith on the high side. Eventually the #87 of Mazzagatti took the lead but did not have an easy run to the checkers. Smith hounded Mazzagatti and tried to make something happen, but came up just short as Mazzagatti took the win.
The Modifieds took to the track and Bob Sibila took the win after a very late pass on John White. White led the field to speed and battled with Doug Mate. Mate took the lead from White after a couple laps and set sail. Mate looked to have the race put away but a spin by teammate Dan Burden with seven laps to go brought the field back to Mate. White was able to get the jump on Mate on the restart and had a mirror full of Paul Price. Price had the car rolling on the high side but a small log jam in turn one when White checked up early cut Price’s tire. Price pitted and surrendered his 2nd place position to Sibila. The restart allowed Sibila to work around White for the lead and he took home the win after just leading a couple laps.
Compacts were on track and Will Custer won his 2nd career race at Barberton after setting fast time and winning the heat. When the green flag flew, Jeff and Brian Miller led the field the green but Cheston Collmar and Tim Likens quickly passed them for the lead of the event. Collmar looked good out front in his white #02 Cavalier and showed fans that the Dodge vs. Chevy battle was in another exciting year. With Chevy holding the top four positions for much of the race in Collmar, Likens, Custer, and David Nestor and sitting in sixth, seventh, and eighth with Cody Collmar, Justin Courtney and Alyson Smith, and the only Dodge driver in the top ten in fourth in 2020 champion Kenny Betts, the field and fans were put on notice. Chevy looked to be ready to play. Up front, Likens tried to make a pass for the lead but could not seal the deal as he lost 2nd to Custer. Custer did work on Collmar and took the lead late in the event. He took home the win after only leading a few laps.
Barberton Speedway started a second compact division for 2021 and Harmony Betts officially won the first race held for the division. This division is meant for younger drivers and newer drivers and the cars are meant to be much more stock than the built compacts that you read about earlier. This division is cheaper, allowing for new and prospective drivers the chance to try and run. Needing only an American compact car and safety equipment (a cage, firesuit, etc), it’s cheaper. Harmony Betts showed fans that the cars still run and handle well, and track owner Greg Prunty will assure any prospective drivers that rough driving will not happen in that division (with any incidents being penalized). We are hoping to see many more new drivers in this new division!
Finishing orders can be found at:
https://www.race-monitor.com/Results/Race/103880
Article and pictures provided by Billy McKinney and Christie Hrdlicka.
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