Bob Page Claims Firecracker 70 Late Model Win at Midvale

Bob Page, a multi-time Late Model champion at Midvale Speedway, is finally a Firecracker Late Model winner.

Page took the elusive win on Thursday night, winning the 70-lap Late Model feature ahead of Tim Allensworth and Jimmy Carter. While Page has enjoyed no shortage of success at the Ohio track, Thursday's victory was a long time coming.

“I wanted this one for a while,” said Page in victory lane. “I’m a little wore out, but I wanted this one bad. Thanks to all these fans, look at this place. Look at all these people.

“There’s one of my sponsors, he said you’ve got to put it in victory lane for these girls down here with him.”

Page dominated the second half of the race, but the first 35 laps were marked by intense side-by-side racing. Page battled throughout the first half with Carter, both looking to get out front and take control of the race.

“I got into Jimmy once," said Page about the battle. "He thanked me for letting him get back straightened out. I don’t race like that, I never have, never will. I don’t like tearing them up. I like good, clean racing.”

Allensworth moved into the second spot on a lap 37 restart, with Carter finishing third. Chloe Mazzagatti finished fourth, with Brenden Lushes rounding out the top five.

David McManus made the long trek from Birch Run, Michigan to Midvale, Ohio for the Firecracker 250, and it paid off with a win in the Open Modified 50.

McManus took the lead from Bubba Smith on lap 17 and paced the field the rest of the distance for the Open Modified 50 victory.

“Man, I love your racetrack,” said McManus. “This place is fun, and look at this crowd. I don’t know what it’s normally like, but this is awesome. It’s cool to see you guys all out here and celebrating your Fourth of July weekend.”

The long drive to Midvale was made even longer by mechanical issues during the trip to the track. However, picking up a win made it all worthwhile.

“The truck breaking down, turning that five-hour drive into six, wasn’t, either. You know, what the hell? I think we put a good cap on the day and I’m going to be smiling that whole five and a half hours back to Michigan, I’ve got to tell you.

“It was just my cousin and I. We made a huge change after qualifying right before the feature. I said to a few people, this is either the smartest thing or the dumbest thing I’ve done all day. It really worked out, it was a good change.”

Smith finished second, with Rick Elkins rounding out the podium.

Other feature winner son the night included Brandon France (Crate Modifieds), Dennis Wood (Street Stocks), Ernie Hole (Crown Vics) and Rich Dunlap (Compacts).