In a long and stellar race career, Rick Ellis has accomplished many things.
But one thing that has alluded the 40-year stock car race veteran for the past six seasons is a victory in the late model feature event at Laird International Raceway.
On Thursday night in front of a season high crowd of 2,213 in the grandstands at LIR, Ellis' drought ended as the classy driver outlasted Dave Seabrook for several laps down the stretch to claim the checkered flag.
Ellis was all smiles following the 25 lap race as he emerged from the car on the homestretch to address the supportive crowd during his victory lap.
Although a late model feature victory has eluded Ellis, he is no stranger to the checkered flag at LIR. In fact, Ellis claimed the victory in the first ever super late model race at Laird on May 30, 1999 in the opening heat.
Jeremy Van Hoek recorded another first on Thursday night as he claimed his first ever late model win with a victory over Robert Hiiemaa, Rod Bolduc Jr. and Michael Gold in the four car dash.
Michael Gold also had a solid night with a pair of heat victories after recording the fast time in qualifying. In the feature, Gold could not catch the leaders after getting engaged with Hiiemaa in a battle for third place.
In the pure stock division, which had its highest count of the season with eight cars, Barry Glenn made his return to Laird for the first time this season since opening night and came away with wins in the feature and second heat.
The Michigan Sault driver waited patiently as he jumped on a Norm Miller mistake in the corner to pass on the inside and take the lead with two laps remaining in the feature.
Cottage Park, Michigan driver Ray Golladay won the first heat.
In the factory stock division, John Fragale ran the high line to victory in the feature and second heat race. Running the high side of the track, Fragale edged David Slingsby to checkered flag in the feature. Kevin Pace won the opening heat.
Nick Jobst won the feature in the 21-car stock four division.
Gordon Hunt and Jordan Sims, who holds the distinction of being LIR's youngest driver at 16 years of age, won heats with the first flight of cars. Mike Baraluk won both heats with the second group.
In the modified division, Kevin Oicle recorded a clean sweep with wins in the feature and both heats.
Next week, the track will again run a pair of races on Monday and Thursday. Qualifying begins at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. on both nights.
Monday's card features a special 50 lap late model shootout with $1,000 in cash going to the winner.
To visit the LIR website, which will post updated points standings, click here.