Written by Jim Foose – Speedway Action Magazine
(PAINESVILLE, OH) A busy month of May came to a close at The Painesville Speedway and it was familiar faces in Victory Lane. After three straight weeks of racing, spread across five events at “The World’s Toughest Motorsports Battleground” the warriors of “The Battleground” get a break next week before returning to the track on June 14th. This week, The Painesville Speedway celebrated the ladies on Friday with “Date Night” that included a Ladie’s Figure 8 and on Saturday celebrated the track’s history with Hall of Fame Night.
Friday’s portion of the program got off to a fast start with the Outlaw Beer Chargers Habco Tool Warriors, Habco Tool Old School Figure 8, and R&Z Auto Recycling Compact Figure 8 taking to the track for a points event, while the Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen became the Figure 8 Ironwomen as the wives, moms, girlfriends and other female family members and friends took the wheel for one night.
Unfortunately a rain storm hit the track just as the Heat Races were ending, forcing track management to shake up the schedule a bit. Only the Habco Tool Old School Figure 8 division completed its feature. Lyle Mattson picked up the checkered flag Robert Wormald (2nd) Derek Mattson (3rd) and Matt Durkin (4th) completing the finishers after 15 laps as a light drizzle fell on the track.
The Battleground Enduro Series held the second race of the series, Bo Hays was victorious after 75 laps. Matt Wiedlund (2nd), Eric Lehmann (3rd), Gary Drake (4th) and Kenny Bender, Jr. (5th) the top five finishers.
Heat Races for the Outlaw Beer Chargers were completed before the rain, Mikey Oldenburgh and Mike Taylor picked up victories. The feature was completed at the start of the Saturday program with Hayden Nails charging from the eighth starting position to take top honors in the 30 laps Feature event. Mike Taylor (2nd), Josh Brown (3rd), Vinny Cicconetti (4th) and Seth Yehl (5th) completed the top five.
Sean Davis, Jr. was victorious in the Habco Tool Warrior make-up feature. Kyle Kyea (2nd), Magen March (3rd), Jason Sharer (4th) and Jacob Henderson (5th) completed the top five. Gavin Elmore won the Fast Dash with Dan Kyea and Jacob Henderson winning the pair of Heat Races on Friday night.
The Ladies Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen hit the track for the Fast Dash, won by Autumn Sandli while Shelly Davis was able to hang on and win the Heat Race. The Feature event was postponed by rain with a make up date to be announced at a later time.
Leland Scheel won the Scooter’s Dawg House Rising Stars Heat Race.
Saturday brought sunny skies and the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a fan favorite at The Painesville Speedway. The Painesville Speedway Hall of Fame inducted six new members; Bobby Conklin, Nestor Bagliano, Kenny Bender, Kevin Bock, Gary May and Zac Brunkala.
On a cool evening, the racing action heated up The Battleground with a full program of racing set to entertain.
Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen action saw MJ Reed pick up his second consecutive feature win and second of the young 2025 season. Reed charged through the field and the X to take top honors with Kenny Bender, Jr. (2nd), Lou Hill, Sr. (3rd), Ryan Turner (4th) and Lou Hill, Jr. (5th) completing the top five. Steven Sandli and Hill, Sr. were victorious in heat race action.
Outlaw Beer Charger action saw Vinny Cicconetti win for the second Saturday in a row, parking the #25 in Victory Circle for the second time this season. Cicconetti held off Hayden Nails (2nd), Joshua Brown finished third followed by John Cunningham (4th) and Mikey Oldenburgh (5th). Nails and Mike Taylor scored Heat Race wins earlier in the program.
The Habco Tool Warriors took to the track and fans were treated to an instant classic as three of the top five finishers started 10th or worse, Kerek Ball battled through the traffic to get out front and hang on for his second Feature win of 2025. Magen March (2nd), Gavin Elmore (3rd), Jason Sharer (4th) and Sean Davis, Jr, (5th) completed the top five finishers. Davis, Jr. and Sharer picked up Heat Race victories.
Leland Scheel swept the night in the Scooter’s Dawg House Rising Stars.
Lyle Mattson doubled down in Habco Tool Old School Figure 8 action, winning his second feature event in as many days. Robert Wormald (2nd), Derek Mattson (3rd) and Matt Durkin (4th) completed the field. Lyle Mattson won the Fast Dash while Wormald won the Heat Race.
The R&Z Auto Recycling Compact Figure 8 once again saw TJ Schinke take the checkered flag in the yellow submarine #62. Mikey Oldenburgh (2nd), Chris Leland (3rd), Autumn Merrill (4th) and Hanna Scheel (5th) completed the top five. Oldenburgh scored the Fast Dash victory while Schinke won the Heat Race.
The Painesville Speedway will sit idle next week, while Lorain Raceway Park races on Saturday, June 7th featuring the Open Wheel Shootout with the Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series, Must See Racing Midwest Lights Sprint Cars, Sliman’s Modifieds and Mighty TQ Midgets taking to Lorain County’s home for Horsepower. Next up at Painesville Speedway is Saturday, June 14th, the Ohio Wheelman Super Stock Series will invade the Battleground along with Painesville’s regular program.
The Painesville Speedway remains committed to offering Fast & Affordable Family Fun! More information including gate times and ticket prices can be found at NEOhioRacing.com.
Located at 500 Fairport Nursery Rd in Painesville, OH, The Painesville Speedway has been providing affordable family fun for generations. The ⅕ mile oval and figure 8 track provide close quarters and action packed racing at “The World’s Toughest Battleground”.
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