BIRCH RUN, MI -- Joey Shuryan cemented his Championship points lead Friday night with convincing victory at Dixie Motor Speedway outdistancing Keith WIoncek and Paul Schaffer. Kenny Clark put in a solid drive to fourth and claimed top Zander Radio Systems Rookie over fellow rookie Alex Lewis in fifth.The victory for Shuryan gives him five wins in eight races in 2005 and stretches his Championship Points lead over Wioncek. The Turbo Blue Racing Gasoline Fast Qualifier award went Shuryan who edged Wioncek for the pole. Rod Morrison streaked to his best qualifying effort with the third quick time. Heat race action saw Paul Schaffer take the checkers in heat race one over Shuryan and Kenny Clark. Kelly Doyle picked up her first victory of the season in winning heat race number two over John WIcks and Dan Lenters. As the green flag flew for the feature event, John Wicks jumped to the front and led the first leg of the race. Natascha Thompson trailed Wicks and began to apply pressure early on. Shuryan and WIoncek were on the move to the front trading positions as they navigated traffic. The first caution flew as a very aggressive Paul Schaffer moved low in turn one and slid into Thompson's rear quarter spinning the female rookie and drawing the ire of race officials. Schaffer's indiscretion sent him and his race winning aspirations to the rear of the field for the restart. Thompson made the most of her second opportunity and quickly moved to the inside of Wicks when racing resumed. Shuryan stormed to the front from from fourth to challenge both Wicks and Thompson for the lead. The three wide battle for the top spot did not last for long as Thompson found herself too high in turn one and spun trying to maintain the lead. Shuryan took control from the second restart as Wioncek, Clark, Alex Lewis and Morrison fought for second. Just past the midway point, Morrison dropped nearly to the grass and dove inside Lewis entering one nudging the rookie and sending Lewis spinning wildly into the infield grass. Morrison's ill advised move cost yet another front running truck a shot at the win as he was moved to the rear of the field for the restart. Wioncek and Clark ran side-by-side for several laps before Wioncek took control of second spot for good behind Shuryan. Schaffer meanwhile, the fastest truck on the track, had put on a show clawing back into the top five. Schaffer first dealt with Lewis and then Clark to settle into third. But it was too late as Shuryan and Wioncek lead Schaffer, Clark and Lewis to the checkers. Kelly Doyle put in a solid drive for sixth over Morrison, Justin Claucherty, Mike Putnam and Wicks for tenth. Bob Fruit picked up the first ever St. Clair Engine Hard Luck Award after suffering a mechanical failure knocking him from second to third in the Championship points. The ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series moves next to South Bend Motor Speedway on August 5 for the first ever co-sanctioned event with the IURL truck series. For more information, check out the series website, www.ShortTrackTrucks.com, for all the details.
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