Mustered has first feature win at South Sound

Written By Mike Clother

In a race which started out with a first lap 4 car crash that sent 3 cars to the trailer heavily damaged, John Mustered started mid pack, worked his way to the front quickly, led all of the 30 lap main, and achieved his first South Sound Speedway victory. 

The rare Sunday evening event started off with Bob Fulmer setting a blistering fast time of 15:09 seconds, just an eye blink off the track record of 15:04 held by Bobby Wheeler.

The B heat was lead off by Mel Smith and Ike Hoskinson. Robert Rux started last but when the checkered flag waved 8 laps later he was first, just ahead of Hoskinson.

Mike Clother sat on the pole for the A heat, Dave Trapp was on his right. Clother got a jump at the green with Trapp close behind. Just behind them on the first lap a mishap between Troy Conrad and Kiel Hobbs had their two cars sliding sideways in turn one. The drivers both recovered and no caution was needed. Clother led all 8 laps with Trapp on his bumper. Trapp later said “I only bumped him once”. 

Ike Hoskinson held the pole for the feature main. Chuck Peterson was on the outside followed by Mustered and Rux in the second row. Hoskinson got the jump on the start and the inside line moved forward. Entering the third turn of the first lap contact was made involving Troy Conrad, driving for Bob Stubbs, Peterson, Rux and Dave Trapp. Conrad was able to continue on while the other three ended up in a pile against the concrete retaining wall. The race was stopped while the cars were removed and track officials called for a restart. The drivers shuffled the lined up putting Mustered outside of Hoskinson and Clother and Fulmer in the second row. This time Mustered got the early lead taking Fulmer and Jim Jones with him. Clother made the pass on Hoskinson to take over 4th. Those four made several circuits bumper-to-bumper before incidental contact from Jones sent Fulmer spinning and brought out the caution. Jones was sent to the rear of the field for his error. Mustered led with Clother and Hobbs inheriting 2nd and 3rd. Smoke and sparks began appearing as Clother’s car developed rear suspension problems causing him to leave the track for good at lap 13. Hobbs dogged Mustered while Fulmer and Jones moved back to 3rd and 4th. At lap 24 the white flag was displayed in error. The next time by the leaders slowed thinking the race was over even though the checkered flag was not shown. In the confusion Fulmer took over the lead, or so he thought. The track officials made the right call, throwing out the caution and realigning the field with Mustered back in front. He led the 5 lap shot out, still being challenged by Hobbs, to the official race end. Fulmer, Jones and Conrad rounded out the top 5 followed by Hoskinson and Smith.

The Vintage Modifieds will next race at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on June 14th. It should be a great show.