BIRCH RUN, Mich. -- It was a wild night of action under threatening skies on Friday June 6th at Dixie Motor Speedway, as Lowe's Home Improvement sponsored the annual "Dixie Clash." NASCAR driver Brett Bodine was on hand and three lucky kids won brand-new bicycles courtesy of ASAP Machine. But the action on the track was what the fans came for, and no one was disappointed.

Chad Bennett set fast time for the Late Models with a lap of 16.414. Heat race wins went to Eric Headley, Gene Quackenbush and Tony Brabbs. Twenty-four cars started the feature, with veteran Mike LuBerda, Jr. jumping out in front. Jay Reinbold took over the point on lap 9 as the field tightened up behind him. Mid-way through the 50-lap grind, former track champ Joe Johnson bounced off the wall, gathering up LuBerda and Headley. There was two-abreast racing throughout the field, as Reinbold led until lap 42, when he got tangled up with lapped traffic and crashed. Ed Doutre, Jr. took over the lead until the caution flag flew on again on lap 48. Steve Hilliker had been charging through the field and moved into 2nd place but he got together with Brabbs sending both cars into the wall. In the end it was Doutre holding off the field for his first-ever win at Dixie. Defending track champion Ryan Ostrander took 2nd, followed Jim Miller, Quackenbush and Steve Price.

Rookie Eric Osborn is off to a great start this year as he shattered the track record for the Modifieds with a lap of 16.121. Heat races went to Ron Shamel, Jr. and Jeff Reamer. Mike LuBerda, Jr. pulled double-duty on this night, starting the 40-lap Mod feature up front and leading the first 3 laps. Then it was teammate Todd Matheson's turn as he took over the point until lap 13. Ovid's Bill Luckhurst charged through the pack and took over the top spot. Luckhurst seemed to enjoy his first trip to the "Big D" as he checked out to pick up the victory. Don Gilbert made a strong charge at the end to finish 2nd, followed by Rick Weicorek, Matheson and Matt Szecsodi.

Kevin Harder paced the Factory Stocks in time trials with a time of 16.324. Steve Agle won the first heat race with a brilliant last-lap pass, as Gary Shank, Jr. and Derrec Coulter also won prelims. Shawn Coutz took the lead from the outside pole in 20-lap feature until Jim Miller, Jr. got by on lap 7. Miller held off several strong challenges from Barry Vance enroute to his second feature win of the season. Following Vance across the stripe were Coulter, Corey Hurley and Ed Newman, Jr.

The Factory 4's were also in action. This is a very inexpensive way to go racing, where a competitive car can be fielded for less than $500. Al Kukla held the early lead until the racing direction was reversed at the halfway point. Calvin Schwartz muscled by to claim the win ahead of Kukla and Bill Jennings.

This Friday, June 13th, NASCAR legend Benny Parsons will be on hand to meet and greet race fans, tell some tall tales of his racing days at Dixie and sign autographs between 6 and 8pm. The highlight of the evening will be a $1,000-to-win Figure-8 race. The Late Models, Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Pro-4's will also be in action. Time trials start at 6:00 with racing at 7:30. For more info call 989-624-9778 or on the web at dixiemotorspeedway.com.