SPORTS DIGEST: ROWLAND LEADS SPRINTS FOR FIRST WIN OF 2001

Todd Rowland of Jackson, Mo., led all 25 laps Saturday to win his first sprint car feature race of the season at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark.

Rowland started on the front row of a 17-car field and jumped ahead of pole-sitter Lee Dunn to gain an advantage at the start. Dunn, of Dorena, Mo., maintained second after a close race with third-place Robbie Standridge of Springfield, Ill.

Joe Giesler of St. Mary, Mo., and Terry James of Jackson, Mo., also led from start to finish in their feature race wins.

Giesler led all 20 laps in the modified division and finished ahead of Greg Gross of Scott City, Mo., and John Barnett of Sikeston, Mo. James led all the way in the 20-lap late model feature race. Scott Gibbs of Bloomfield, Mo., was second and Henry Nash of Middlebrook, Mo., third.

Jared Wagster of Portageville, Mo., won for the first time this season in pure stocks with Cline Myers Jr. of Scott City, Mo., second and Pat Davidson of Jackson, Mo., third.