Charlie Schultz opens MSA season in the winner’s circle at Sandusky Speedway
                                                              (photo by Todd Ridgeway)



                          Shultz masters Sandusky and Weather at MSA opener

                                                                          By Todd Ridgeway
                                                       


On a day that looked like it may never see a green flag May Motorsports driver Charlie Shultz took
command in the early stages and bested the field to win the 2010 season opening Midwest
Supermodified Association (MSA) 30 lap feature race at Sandusky Speedway (OH) last Saturday
night. Coming from his ninth starting position in his bright red trademark No. 7 Shultz sailed to
the front in dominating fashion setting a torrid pace to get his first checkered flag of the new
season. Defending MSA Champion Timmy Jedrzejek finished second followed by the Steve
Stout teammates of Trent Stephens third and “Liquid” Lou Cicconi fourth as the May
Motorsports No. 77 with Tim Ice aboard rounded out the top five.
            Jon Henes (36), Jack Smith (09), and Bobby Dawson (28) bring field to green flag
                                                            (photo by Todd Ridgeway)

“When they first threw the green the car felt pretty good,” said the race winner. “After we got that
little bit of a run there under green I thought this car feels pretty loose. We had the red flag and
the car set there long enough that the stager closed up to where I wanted it. Then on the restart I
was able to get on the outside in the clean air and the car was just really, really good,” finished
Shultz.
                Timmy J (8) and Charlie Shultz (7) pick up where they left off from ’09 season
                                                          (photo by Todd Ridgeway)

After a three hour track drying process between the heat races and the feature race veteran
racers Jon Henes and Jack Smith brought the field to the green flag and start of the MSA season.
Smith would lead the first handful of laps which included just two caution periods, one of which
went red for the upturned car of Rich Reid. No injuries reported and no serious equipment
damage was reported and racing resume going to the checkers non stop from that point. By lap
five Shultz was out moving while in front Timmy J was also setting sail for the leaders. Once
Shultz got to Timmy J they ran side by side for two laps until Shultz cleared the Champion
setting sail for leader Smith. The horsepower showed as Shultz went to the point and wore out
the rest of the field with blinding speed on a track he is very familiar with. Smith faded to sixth
followed by Randy Burch, Jon Henes, Bobby Dawson, and Rich Reid rounded out the top ten.
              Bobby Dawson (28) and Lou Cicconi (49) battle for position in MSA’s
season opener at Sandusky Speeway
(photo by Todd Ridgeway)

“Opening night, we had some problems in the heat race,” said Timmy J. “We’ll take home second
place and tip our hats over to No. 7 team, they where awful strong tonight. We’ll go back to the
shop, see what we got, and bring out a better machine than last time,” finished the series
Champion. 14 Supermodifieds where in the pit are on opening night as Cicconi set fast time of
14.873 around the northern Ohio oval. Heat winners included Brandon Fisher and Shultz.
            Top three (L to R) Timmy J second, Charlie Shultz winner, Trent Stephens third
(photo by Todd Ridgeway)