Titles decided on North Star’s final day of racing

WASILLA — Last year, Jeff Landrum was on the verge of a season points title in the legends class at North Star Speedway, but a late-season crash crushed Landrum’s shot at the title.

This summer, Landrum earned the chance to take the victory lap. Landrum, one of three drivers vying for the title during the final day of racing, held on to beat the competition and win the race for the season points crown.

“It was exciting, extra special,” North Star Speedway promoter Erika Bills said of Landrum, who won the title for the first time.

Landrum’s title was not the only class championship decided when North Star hosted its final day of racing late last month. Demi McDonald held on to win the bandolero class and finish ahead of the surging Carly Meacham, who finished second overall.

Meacham, who came on strong mid-season, won all three bandolero races on the final day, but McDonald had built just enough of a cushion to stay on top of the leader board.

“Carly did a great job, but couldn’t catch up,” Bills said.

Alex Schwochert captured his fourth straight title in the mini stocks, and Keith Jones scored the season with in the thunderstocks.

Jones had won every feature race during the summer, until the final day. Bills said Jones had to overcome a flat tire and a transmission leak to finish second to Stephen McElroy. Despite the second-place finish, Jones finished about 200 points ahead of runner-up Jim Langland in the season standings.

Larry Theobald finished eight points ahead of Landrum to win the baby grands class. John Simmelink won the late model class.

Bills said drivers will now look forward to the North Star Speedway banquet, slated for Oct. 2. There is also a car show and free picnic at North Star Speedway, hosted by the 49th State Street Rodders. The local car club is hosting its Freedom Flag Run, a tour that starts at the Palmer Carrs Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. and ends at North Star Speedway.

Overall, Bills said North Star officials are happy with the 2010 summer season and are thankful for those who helped make it possible.

“Our organization thanks the sponsors,” Bills said. “The sponsors, the fans, the drivers, we couldn’t do it without them.”

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

North Star Speedway

Final season points standings

Legends — 1. Jeff Landrum 1987; 2. Kelly Sawyer 1914; 3. Mike Thomas 1898; 4. Bryan Barber 1726; 5. Rodney Pucak 1568; 6. Bud Black 1477; 7. Andy Workman 1317; 8. Aaron Creech 1204; 9. Tim Workman 1105; 10. Demi McDonald 854; 11. Gene Cannon 785; 12. Monte Handy 732; 13. Jonathon Simmelink 559; 14. Justin Creech 551; 15. Dave Behling 449; 16. Chris Hawley 371; 17. Jason McDonald 257; 18. Bob Workman 96; 19. Gordon Butts 93; 20. Stephen McElroy 28.

Mini stocks — 1. Alex Schwochert 1693; 2. Jim Menard 1292; 3. Gene Smith 1092; 4. Andy Schwochert 830; 5. Brandon Gorss 627; 6. Mike Schwochert 205; 7. Stephen McElroy 89; 8. Teresa Page 38.

Thunderstocks — 1. Keith Jones 2188; 2. Jim Langland 1991; 3. Stephen McElroy 1759; 4. Tia Jones 1408; 5. Stephen Movetti 1402; 6. Gene Smith 451; 7. Artie Neimi 309.

Bandoleros — 1. Demi McDonald 1820; 2. Carly Meacham 1771; 3. Will McDonald 1697; 4. Cyrus Powers-Kyte 250; 5. Alex Butts 154; 6. Robert Meacham 142.

Baby grands — 1. Larry Theobald 1255; 2. Jeff Landrum 1247; 3. Tonya Klayum 1089; 4. Jim Menard 1023; 5. Danner Pruhs 332; 6. Chade Sandstede 120.

Late model — 1. John Simmelink 934; 2. Mike Braddock 704; 3. Dana Pruhs 666; 4. Allen Ullman 636; 5. Rob Tirpack 226.