Eric Spangler celebrates his $4,000 American Ethanol Tour victory at Butler.
What won the race: Eric Spangler of Lake City, Mich., remained hot on the American Ethanol Late Model Tour, rolling to his third win in the circuit's last four races with a 20-lap triumph worth $4,000 at Butler Speedway. He raced off the outside pole to claim his seventh career victory on the series by 2.487 seconds over Dona Marcoullier.
Key notes: Spangler's previous two Ethanol victories came on May 26 at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Mich., and June 6 at his hometown's Merritt Speedway. ... The start of the program was delayed after challenging track conditions prompted officials to stop Late Model hot laps after one group and rework the surface. Later, due to the conditions, the feature was aligned straight-up from the results of group qualifying and the distance was shortened from 40 to 20 laps. ... Eleven drivers completed 20 laps. ... Butler hosted the American Ethanol Late Model Tour’s second night of a weekend doubleheader after Mike Spatola's victory Friday at I-96 Speedway. It was the tour’s first-ever visit to Butler and only stop at the Quincy, Mich., oval this season. … Butler doesn’t host Late Models weekly.
Winner's sponsors: Spangler's MasterSbilt Race Car is sponsored by Spangler Heating & Cooling, Cyclo Products, Forbes Construction & Excavation, Mark Mitchell P.C., Atkins Electric, Taco Boy, A&L Trading Post, Babb Ford, Goodman H&C and Xtreme GrafX.
Points chase: Heading into the weekend, Eric Spangler (351) led Brandon Thirlby (344), Steve Casebolt (336), Nick Kurtz (319) and Travis Stemler (315).
Car count: 19
Fast qualifier: Travis Stemler
Polesitter: Dona Marcoullier