SUNN SCORCHES THE FIELD AT BEAR RIDGE
By: John DaDalt
Bradford, Vermont (May 23, 2022)………On a hot, 90-degree day the only thing hotter than the sun in the sky was Josh Sunn (Plainville, Conn.) on the track as he drove to victory in Saturday’s USAC DMA SpeeD2 Midget feature at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vermont.
It marked a return to the winner’s circle for Sunn who had stepped away from midget racing for a few years after a hard wreck at Bear Ridge.
Justin Sheridan took the lead at the start of the race and led the first three laps. Sunn kept the pressure on before making the winning pass on lap four. From there he was never headed as he kept the JR Mancini #76m Spike chassis on the bottom and drove a mistake free race to win by nearly five seconds over Sheridan.
Sunn was elated to be back in victory lane after he returned to midget racing last year after a nasty wreck in 2017. “It’s been a long time coming, we (the team) went through a lot last year and JR (car owner JR Mancini) has been busy with the car. I’m happy for him and it all came into place for us.”
Sheridan’s second place finish backed up a third place on opening night giving the Suffield, CT racer a solid start to 2022.
“I’m happy with another podium and glad we are starting off strong this year. It was tough to pass so I was glad to get off to a good start in the race, I didn’t’ have anything for Josh though. He was the class of the field tonight and drove a great race. Hopefully, we can get one spot better next race. Thanks to Ray, Zettie and all the guys on the Miller Racing Team.”
While Sunn and Sheridan were taking off with the top two spots, Seals-It Racing teammates Will Hull and Seth Carlson raced each other for third most of the feature with Carlson getting the position with just a few laps remaining. Opening night winner Brandon Piastka worked hard to finish fifth.
For the second straight race, the USAC-DMA midgets ran a caution free feature going green to checker in 6:28.808.
Mike Netishen won the first heat, Sunn and Sheridan finished one-two in the second heat.
The USAC-DMA midgets return to Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday June 4.
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USAC SPEED2 DIRT MIDGET ASSOCIATION RACE RESULTS: May 21, 2022 – Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, Vermont
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Mike Netishen (#5$ Netishen), 2. Ralle Rookey (#5 Matczak), 3. Daniel Piastka (#1 Miller), 4. Joey Chick (#5c Chick), 5. Todd Mable (#2K Mable). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Josh Sunn (#76m Mancini), 2. Justin Sheridan (#17 Miller), 3. Brandon Piastka (#7 Shookus), 4. Will Hull (#3 Matczak), 5. Seth Carlson (#4 Matczak). NT
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Josh Sunn, 2. Justin Sheridan, 3. Seth Carlson, 4. Will Hull, 5. Brandon Piastka, 6. Mike Netishen, 7. Joey Chick, 8. Ralle Rookey, 9. Daniel Piastka, 10. Todd Mable. 6:28.808
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-3 Justin Sheridan, Laps 4-25 Josh Sunn.
USAC SPEED2 DIRT MIDGET ASSOCIATION POINTS: 1-Josh Sunn-146, 2-Justin Sheridan-144, 3-Brandon Piastka-142, 4-Seth Carlson-130, 5-Daniel Piastka-127, 6-Will Hull-124, 7-Mike Netishen-121, 8-Ralle Rookey-102, 9-Joey Chick-100, 10-Todd Mable-87.
NEXT SPEED2 USAC DIRT MIDGET ASSOCIATION RACE: June 4, 2022 – Bear Ridge Speedway – Bradford, Vermont