Frank Galusha Scores Outlaw Non-Wing Preliminary Triumph after Late-Race Incident at Show-Me Showdow

Story By Brian Walker – Walkapedia (Jeff Cooley Photo) Sweet Springs, MO | October 13, 2017 – The saying “one man’s misfortune is another man’s gold,” is exactly how Thursday’s Outlaw Non-Wing preliminary feature could be summed up in one sentence. After Kansas City, Missouri’s Austin Schaeffer dominated the first 23 3/4 laps of the 25-lapper, an unfortunate incident with a lap car sent his No. 71S BOSS Chassis spinning into the infield and eliminating him in heartbreaking fashion. However, while Schaeffer’s night ended in frustrating fashion, Frank Galusha’s night blossomed. The Lincoln, Nebraska native was handed the race lead with two to go and fought off a hard-charging Andy Bishop to secure the preliminary win, as “Frankie G” continued his epic season!

With 36 entries signed in for battle on Thursday night, the incredibly unique Show-Me Showdown format would call for single-car qualifying, heat races, qualifiers, B-Mains and a preliminary feature. Opening the night with quicktime honors would be Oklahoma City area-racer, Jim Woods as he timed his Pace Chassis No. 83 in with an 11.780. Woods outran fellow top-five qualifiers Andy Bishop of Illinois, Garet Williamson of Columbia, MO, Austin Schaeffer of Kansas City and Brandon Anderson of Texas.

With heat races featuring a full-field inversion, fans were in store for some thrilling battles as the fastest drivers were forced to start tail-back. Scoring those heat race victories would be Dylan Kadous, Frank Galusha, Kale Mueller, Austin Schaeffer and Brian Lunsford. Moving onto qualifier action, it would be Brian Lunsford and Frank Galusha taking wins.

After a six-car redraw, it was a pair of former Show-Me Showdown champions sharing the front row of the feature, as Dylan Kadous pulled the 1 and Austin Schaeffer grabbed the 2. Immediately jumping out to the early lead, Schaeffer got the quick jump over Kadous and started to pull away from the field. Despite multiple cautions halting his torrid pace, Schaeffer extended his lead on every restart as most eyes were focused on Galusha and Bishop’s battle for the second spot.

However, it all took a turn as Schaeffer was coming to the white flag and went spinning into the infield. Getting together with a lapper as he exited turn four to take the white flag, Schaeffer’s No. 71S spun around and rolled to a stop as the caution flew. A frustrating and heartbreaking end to a dominating run, Schaeffer climbed out of his car and the race lead was handed to Frank Galusha.

Coming to a green-white-checkered, Galusha had no easy path to the checkered flag, as Illinois native Andy Bishop provided him an intense challenge. Working to the outside of Galusha, Bishop powered his Hyper Racing No. 42 alongside the Nebraskan and even narrowly edged him out at the line to lead lap 24. But, Galusha quickly responded and attacked the bottom with fury as attempted to fend off his race-long challenger. Coming to the checkered flag, Galusha made his EMi, Speedway Motors No. 12 just wide enough to shut the door for Bishop and secure the Outlaw Non-Wing preliminary win!

Although nearly going for a ride as he caught Galusha’s right rear at the checkered, Andy Bishop settled it down to score a close and strong second-place run. Dylan Kadous rounded out the podium with a third-place finish, Brian Lunsford worked his way to a fourth-place score and young Columbia, Missouri racer Garet Williamson piloted his way to a phenomenal top five finish. Completing the final 12 lock-in drivers was Brandon Anderson (6th), Ayrton Gennetten (7th), Trey Gropp (8th), Matt Ward (9th), Trey Marcham (10th), Nathan Killion (11th), and Gunner Ramey (12th).

A-Main (25 Laps): 1. Frank Galusha (3), 2. Andy Bishop (5), 3. Dylan Kadous (1), 4. Brian Lunsford (7), 5. Garet Williamson (6), 6. Brandon Anderson (9), 7. Ayrton Gennetten (11), 8. Trey Gropp (17), 9. Matt Ward (21), 10. Trey Marcham (24), 11. Nathan Killion (14), 12. Gunner Ramey (20), 13. Nathan Brookshier (19), 14. Holden Anderson (12), 15. Austin Schaeffer (2), 16. Chris Koch (18), 17. Jase Randolph (13), 18. Curtis Jones (22), 19. Travis Rewerts (16), 20. Jordan Howell (23), 21. Chase Porter (8), 22. Cole Bodine (10), 23. Tom Curran (4), 24. Braydon Cromwell (15). Lap Leader(s): Schaeffer 1-23, Bishop 24, Galusha 25. Hard Charger(s): Marcham +14, Ward +12.

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