Ayers, Blankenship End Their Droughts : Saugus Speedway: Ayers wins Sportsman main event, and Blankenship races to victory in Grand American Modified.

Michael Ayers and Dave Blankenship probably figured they would never see victory lane again.

But both Saugus Speedway veterans enjoyed long overdue main-event victories Saturday night before a crowd of 4,263.

Ayers, 29, the track’s Sportsman division champion in 1986, led wire to wire to win his first 40-lap Sportsman main event since 1990. Blankenship, 34, a former Hobby Stock and two-time Street Stock champion, won his first 25-lap Grand American Modified main event since joining the fledgling division in 1991.

And both drivers were exuberant.

“I was beginning to think I was never going to win,” said Blankenship, who started eighth, moved into the lead on the seventh lap and easily outdistanced the pack. “We’re definitely on a roll now.”

Ayers had it easier, starting on the pole and never letting up. Ayers rejoined the Sportsman class full time this season after competing part time the past few seasons.

“Feels good because we’ve had a really bad year and a lot of engine problems,” said Ayers, a 13-year Saugus veteran. “We’re running a loaner motor now.”

Tim Huddleston of North Hills finished second in the Sportsman race, followed by Craig Rayburn of Simi Valley.

In the Grand Am main, Dave Phipps of Simi Valley, the division’s two-time defending champion, finished second to Blankenship. By virtue of the finish, Phipps, who entered the evening second in points, moved ahead of leader John Watkinson of Canyon Country, who finished fourth in the main event.

“I’m not looking at the points,” Phipps said. Phipps won the evening’s trophy but has yet to win a main event this season.

Gary Nazaroff of Covina, seventh in points, finished third. Blankenship is fourth in points.

In other races, Kelly Colgan of Shadow Hills took the checkered flag in a 25-lap Street Stock oval main event that ended with a bang.

On the final lap, the car of Gary Burton II of Palmdale spun sideways on the front straightaway and was rammed hard by the car of Bart Bartholomew of Canyon Country. A chain reaction ensued in which the car of Gerrit Cromsigt of Palmdale slammed into Bartholomew’s.

None of the drivers appeared seriously injured. However, Bartholomew walked to an ambulance and was taken to a hospital.

John Schultz of Valencia, second to Cromsigt in points, finished second and Richard Russo of Newhall finished third.

Trophy dash winners included Russ Becker of Sepulveda (Sportsman), Phipps (Grand Am), Colgan (Street Stock oval) and Conrad (Street Stock figure eight).