KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? Artic Cat night at Lakeside Speedway was anything but chilly as evening temperatures soared into the low 90s. Early season heat brought out early season tempers that would play out like beating drums.

Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan., manipulated the throttle to victory lane in the make-up feature from the rain-shortened show on May 24. In a race that had multiple lead changes, it was an exciting way to start the evening.

Not since August of last year could Karrick fans cheer on their favorite to victory lane. He became the fourth different feature winner in the first 6 weeks of the 2002 season.

With 30 of the 109 racers present in the Modifieds, four qualifying heats were run to determine the starting grid for the 25-lap battle. Tom Charles, Bonner Springs, Kan., snatched the lead right from the start from John Washburn, K.C., Kan. and with good gas and brake pedaling would lead the first 24 laps.

Turn one would be his undoing. Drifting up just enough to allow Clint Bowyer, Emporia, Kan., the inside line, the two exchanged paint until their drag race into turn three. Bowyer motored on for his third win of the season and will continue to lead the region in points.

Having completed the May 24th Grand National feature, the regularly scheduled heats and features followed. With a total of 32 entries qualifying through the heats and b-feature, the stage was set for the Limited Late Model action.

Five lead changes among four different drivers proved how close the competition was in this class. Allan Lawrence of K.C., Kan., Terry Bruner of Parkville, Mo., Kerry Davis, K.C., Mo., and Jeff Atchley, K.C., Kan. all took turns at the helm.

With seven cautions in the 20-lap affair, lap traffic never really had a chance to play a serious factor, but tires certainly did. Leading laps 8-16, Davis looked as if he was going to go six-for-six until his right rear started going away from him.

Davis’ being unable to maintain top speed opened the door for Atchley, who took the lead on lap 17 on his way to what appeared to be his second career victory in his Grand National. Post race inspection showed a tire infraction that would lead to a DQ, thus giving the win to Davis. With his six-for-six record, Davis continues to lead the region in NASCAR Shortrack Series points.

The Factory Stocks continued to provide the ultimate in excitement. In fact, 48 were on hand to entertain the crowd.

Six heats and two B-features are what it took to qualify for the 15-lap big dance. With Jerry Humpert of K.C., Kan. winning his first career victory on the earlier make-up feature, he became the fifth different driver to win this season. No driver has a repeat win.

The regular night’s feature saw Kenny Larson lead the first 12 laps from the pole. Multiple cautions would be his undoing. Using every caution to his advantage, Troy Cannon was able to motivate from seventh position to second, and mount a challenge by lap 13.

Muscling his way to the inside of Larson through the first set of turns, he would take the white and checkered flag.

This marked Cannon’s second career victory, his first this season.