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10-6-09 This past weekend was the biggest race of the 2009 season in Central Pennsylvania. The World of Outlaws invaded Williams Grove Speedway for a two night stand to take on the Pennsylvania Posse with $50,000 dollars going to the winner of the Morgan Hughes National Open presented by Cleveland Brothers. Coming into the National Open weekend, the World of Outlaw regulars were winless at Williams Grove as Posse regular Greg Hodnett turned the series down in May and again in July. A live television audience, a capacity crowd, and sixty of the best Sprint car drivers in the Country gave the fans great show. A lot to report on so lets get started.
National Open weekend was set to kick off on Friday night with a $8,000 to win preliminary feature. Capping off the night was the make-up 30-lap $20,000 to win feature event from the postponed Summer Nationals in July. Unfortunately just as the cars were set to start hot laps rain rolled in to delay the action. The rain let up allowing the track crew to get the speedway back into shape but just as the cars were set to hit the speedway another band of showers arrived putting a disappointing end to the night. The Friday show was then moved to Sunday but was eventually cancelled with the Summer Nationals dash and feature getting made up after the National Open on Saturday.
Saturday the skies cleared and the sun shined as temperatures reached the mid 70’s setting up a picture perfect night for racing action. With SPEED cameras airing live, Pennsylvania Posse regulars Greg Hodnett and Brian Montieth led the field to the green flag for 40 furious laps. Hodnett got the early jump but before a lap could be completed Chad Layton and Jac Haudenschild made contact on the front stretch with Haudenschild taking a violent series of flips that destroyed his R19 machine. Haudenschild walked away without injury and would return in the make-up Summer Nationals feature later on. Hodnett again got the jump on Montieth when racing resumed.
Montieth found his great run come to an end on lap 10 when he blew a left rear tire and flipped in turn three. This allowed current World of Outlaw point leader and three time National Open winner Donny Schatz his chance to contend for another Williams Grove victory. Hodnett continued to keep Schatz at bay while Danny Lasoski moved past Jason Meyers to claim the third spot. Lasoski quickly closed in on runner-up Schatz and leader Hodnett to make it a near three car battle for the lead. Schatz was able to fend off Lasoski as he stalked Hodnett for the lead.
Schatz made bold move on lap 21 with a slide job in turns one and two which briefly gave him the lead.
Surprisingly Schatz left the high side open for Hodnett to reclaim the lead off turn two and down the back stretch. Schatz stayed glued to Hodnett pulling along side the J&S Fabrication No. 22 several times but Hodnett was poised to keep the lead. A yellow on lap twenty-six for Jason Sides slowed the action. Hodnett was able to use the restart to his advantage and pull away from Schatz as Jason Meyers moved in to challenge for the second spot. The caution flew once again on lap thirty-six for 2009 All Star Circuit of Champions champ Tim Shaffer who stopped on the track. Hodnett again pulled away from the field as Schatz, Meyers, and 18th starting Fred Rahmer raced for position. The win was all but in the bag for Hodnett when a three car crash involving Todd Shaffer, Brooke Tatnell, and Craig Dollansky brought the red flag out. All drivers walked away without injury.
This set the stage for a two lap dash to the finish which Hodnett was up to the challenge of as he motored away from the pack once again to claim the $50,000 dollar win and first career National Open title. Schatz, Meyers, Rahmer, and Lasoski completed the top five. Pat Cannon, Joey Saldana, Steve Kinser, Mark Smith, and Alan Krimes rounded out the top ten. Cannon paced the 60-car field in time trials with a lap of 16.368. Heat race victories went to Meyers, Paul McMahan, Lasoski, and Haudenschild. Hodnett was the winner of the Crane Cams dash event. Brian Leppo claimed the b-main victory while Rick Lafferty won the c-main and A.J. Michael the d-main.
Following victory lane ceremonies, the make-up 30-lap Summer Nationals feature hit the track with $20,000 awaiting the feature winner. Pennsylvania Posse regular Cody Darrah and the leading feature winner on the Outlaw tour this season Joey Saldana paced the field to the green flag. Darrah quickly shot out to the lead and wasted little time opening up a commanding lead over the field. Darrah was smooth and fast as he diced his way through lap traffic.
Racing came to a halt with 16 laps in the books when Brian Leppo flipped in turn three to bring out the red flag. Leppo was able to walk away from the crash without injury but was done for the night. Racing resumed with Darrah streaking away from the field as Lance Dewease tried his best to catch Saldana for the second spot. Saldana was able to keep Dewease at bay but neither was able to catch Darrah in the closing laps. The win was worth $20,000 for Darrah which was his first career World of Outlaw victory. Prior to the make-up event, Darrah had a rough night as he failed to qualify through the b-main for the National Open feature.
Saldana, Dewease, Danny Lasoski, and Steve Kinser completed the top five. Donny Schatz who came from 22nd starting spot, Keith Kauffman, Jason Meyers, Sammy Swindell, and Fred Rahmer rounded out the top ten.
All in all it was another great National Open weekend. The Williams Grove track crew did a fantastic job in preparing the track with three grooves to run in throughout the two features. Williams Grove will return to action this Friday night with another regular show of 410 Sprint Cars with Late Models as the support class. For more information on the remaining races at the Grove be sure to take a look at their website http://www.williamsgrove.com. Until next time the mailbox remains open at DSeeger@webtv.net
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9-22-09 This past weekend it was off to Fremont Speedway on Saturday night for the second annual Jim Ford classic featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions. The Jim Ford Classic boasted a cool $10,000 top prize for the winner of the 50-lap feature. Then on Sunday night it was back to Tri-City Speedway for their final 410 Sprint Car races of the 2009 season. The first annual $3,000 to win Hall of Fame Classic would go 30-laps in distance to close out the fourth appearance by the 410 Sprints at Tri-City this year.
Saturday night I made my first trek of the season to Fremont Speedway in Fremont Ohio for the last appearance by the All Star Circuit of Champions. The racing at Fremont never disappoints and the Jim Ford Classic on Saturday was no different. The 50-lap feature event pitted 2009 Fremont Speedway track Champion Brock Mayes on the pole with 2009 All Star Circuit of Champions champ Tim Shaffer flanked to his outside. Shaffer quickly bolted into the early lead as Mayes settled into the second spot. As Shaffer pulled away early, Mayes had his hands full with as he tried to keep Randy Hannagan at bay.
As Shaffer was approaching lapped traffic, the first caution flag of the night flew for Cole Duncan.
Shaffer continued to look strong when racing resumed as Mayes, Hannagan and now fifth starting Stevie Smith fought for the runner-up position. Much like the first caution, the yellow flew for the second time for a stopped Bryan Sebetto just as Shaffer was set to hit traffic. Shaffer used the clear track again to pull away when racing resumed as Smith took over the third spot and applied heavy pressure to second running Mayes. Smith zipped past Mayes on lap twenty-two to take over second and quickly set his sights on leader Shaffer.
The first red flag of the night appeared on lap twenty-seven when Caleb Helms flipped hard in turn two. Helms walked away without injury but was done for the evening. Shaffer found the clear track to his liking when racing resumed as he pulled away from runner-up Smith. Shaffer began to thread his way threw lapped traffic with thirty-three laps complete allowing Smith to quickly close the gap. Smith would grab the lead on lap thirty-five but Shaffer was determined to get back by the potent Zemco No. 1 machine. Smith would hold the lead until lap thirty-seven when Shaffer used a daring move through turns three and four to slice between two lapped cars and leader Smith to reclaim the top spot.
Shaffer methodically picked his way through heavy traffic while Smith tried his best to stay within striking distance. Shaffer was simply to strong on this night as he cruised to the $10,000 victory which was his fourth win of the season at Fremont. Smith, Greg Wilson, Phil Gressman, and Mayes rounded out the top five. Completing the top ten were Hannagan, Brooke Tatnell, Daryn Pittman, Byron Reed, and Dale Blaney.
Shaffer paced the 44-car f8ield in time trails with a lap of 12.361. Shaffer earned $1,000 for setting fast time. Tatnell, Sebetto, Ed Lynch Jr, and Pittman split the four heat race victories. Danny Smith claimed the dash race victory while Mike Linder was the winner in the b-main. In the companion 305 Sprint Car feature event Bobby Clark would take the win. Fremont Speedway will be back in action next for the final time this Saturday night with a regular show featuring the 410 & 305 Sprints a long with the Dirt Trucks. For information on Fremont Speedway be sure to check out http://www.fremontohspeedway.com for up to date information.
Sunday night it was off to Tri-City Speedway for their final racing event of the 2009 season. Under the new ownership of H&H Motorsports, the 410 Sprints were brought back to Tri-City Speedway on four occasions this season with one race being sanctioned by the All Star Circuit of Champions. The finale was the Hall of Fame classic which paid $3,000 to the winner and featured inductions to the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame during intermission. The inaugural 30-lap Hall of Fame Classic for Sprint Cars was lined up with the top four finishers from each of the three heat races picking for positions one through twelve.
Luck of the draw found Andy Priest and Bob Felmlee on the front row. Priest was looking to make it back-to-back Sprint Car victories at Tri-City after claiming his first career Sprint Car win at the track back on August 16th. The green flag flew with Priest quickly taking the lead while Felmlee tried to stay within striking distance. Priest set a torrid pace around ultra fast well groomed 1/2-mile for the first nine laps before the caution flag flew for the first time for Jack Sodeman Jr. Priest pulled away from Felmlee when racing resumed as Danny Holtgraver began to pressure the World of Wheels No. 6 machine for the runner-up position.
Holtgraver found his bid for the second spot come to a grinding halt on lap thirteen when the right front wheel broke off the D4 machine sending him head on into the third and fourth turn wall. Holtgraver was able to climb out of the car under his own power but was complaining of pain in his right foot. Priest continued to show his dominance when racing resumed as he pulled away from Felmlee once again. Disaster would strike runner-up Felmlee just three laps later when a blown rear-end brought the No. 6 to stop on the backstretch. While under the caution the red flag would be displayed to the field for a brief fuel stop after an excessive amount of caution laps were run.
Priest powered away from new runner-up Mike Lutz when the green flag replaced the red flag. While Priest sailed away, 12th starting Daryn Pittman was on the move. Pittman, who won the All Star race at Tri-City back in July, eventually stole the second spot from Lutz with less the five laps remaining but could not catch Priest who survived two more caution periods over the closing laps to claim his second career 410 Sprint Car victory. The win was worth $3,000 for the veteran from New Castle Pennsylvania. Pittman, Lutz, Ed Lynch Jr, and Kevin Schaeffer completed the top five. Andy McKisson, Charlie Holben, Rod George, Todd Bauer, and Ralph Spithaler rounded out the top ten. Pittman, George, and Priest split the three heat race victories.
Feature winners in the support classes went to Russ Dunn in the e-mods, Bobby Whitling in the Pro Stocks, and Patrick Fielding in the Thunder Cars. Randy Wyant took home the victory in the August 22nd make-up Pro Stock feature event. Tri-City Speedway has one last event on their 2009 schedule and that is the night of destruction on Saturday night October 10th. For more information on Tri-City Speedway be sure to keep tabs at http://www.tricityspeedway.com
Well that does for this week. This Saturday night the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series invades Western Pennsylvania for the Common Wealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver Pennsylvania. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will see a great show. Until next week the mailbox is always open at DSeeger@webtv.net
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9-16-09 Last Saturday night it was off to Port Royal Speedway for the 42nd Annual Tuscarora 50 for Sprint Car teams. The Tuscarora 50 carries one of the best atmospheres you will find during any event throughout the season. Not only is it a rare chance to see the Sprint Car teams battle for fifty laps but the race is also happening while the Juniata County Fair is taking place. Although the weather was questionable all day the race went on without a single delay as a packed house watched the fast and furious action on the blistering fast 1/2-mile.
Feature time found Greg Hodnett and Chad Kemenah on the front row. Hodnett quickly blasted out to an early lead as he rim rode his way around the lightning fast surface. Hodnett went unchallenged for the first fifteen laps before Cody Darrah brought out the first caution flag of the night. Racing resumed for one more lap before a hard three car crash in turns three and four brought out the first red flag of the night. Kerry Madsen making his first start aboard the Jim Nace owned No. 6 machine and Kevin Nouse driving the Pete Postupack No. 25 made contact that sent both drivers flipping. Also getting collected in the accident was Von McGee. Fortunately all drivers walked away without injury but were done for the night.
Racing again resumed with Hodnett setting a blistering pace. A rash of flat tires brought out the red flag allowing the teams to refuel their machines seven laps earlier then planned. Traditionally the teams are stopped when twenty-five laps are completed to refuel. The Greg Hodnett show continued at the front of the pack when racing resumed after the fuel stop. While Hodnett checked out on the field once again racing behind the leader was heating up. A pair of former World of Outlaw regulars Daryn Pittman and 9th starting Stevie Smith waged war for the second spot. Pittman and Smith traded some wicked slide jobs with Smith eventually gaining the position.
Another car that was on the move was 18th starting Fred Rahmer. Rahmer carved his way through the field for the first eighteen laps getting as high as 7th before suffering a flat tire prior to the fuel stop. Rahmer was able to change the tire under the fuel stop and rejoin the tail of the field. The veteran Hall of Fame driver from Salfordville Pennsylvania marched his way through the field for the second time while Smith began to chop down the lead Hodnett had built over the field. The final caution flag of the night flew when Keith Kauffman suffered mechanical problems ending his night. While under caution Todd Shaffer suffered a flat tire but the Beam owned No. 88 team was able to make the tire change getting Shaffer back out for the final ten laps.
Smith and Pittman exchanged sliders a couple more times when racing resumed for the final time with Smith again getting the upper hand. Hodnett sailed away from the field over the final five laps to record his third career Tuscarora 50 victory which was worth $12,750. Smith, Pittman, 17th starting Chad Layton, and 18th starting Fred Rahmer completed the top five. Rahmer passed closed to thirty cars during the course of the fifty lap feature as he came from deep in the field twice.
Rounding out the top ten were Mark Smith, 2009 Port Royal track champion Todd Shaffer, Brian Montieth, Don Kreitz, and Lance Dewease. Heat race victories for the 42-car field went to Kauffman, Pittman, Hodnett, and Shaffer. Kerry Madsen and Dave Ely split the two consolation race victories. In the companion Late Model feature event, 2009 track champion Scott Haus picked up the victory. The Friday night preliminary event for the Tuscarora 50 was rained out and will not be made up. The next event on the Port Royal schedule will be the November 7th racers swap meet. To keep up on any news regarding Port Royal over the off season check out their website at http://www.portroyalspeedway.com
Well that does for this week. Until next time the mailbox is always open for your comments at DSeeger@webtv.net
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9-8-09 Labor day weekend is always a busy weekend for the teams and fans in Central Pennsylvania. This past weekend I was able to see four Sprint Car features in just two days. On Friday night the Jack Gunn Memorial Triple 20-lap features program was on tap at Williams Grove Speedway. Then on Saturday night it was back to Lincoln Speedway for their last regular show of the 2009 season. With no chance of rain in forecast for a change both tracks had great crowds. A lot of racing action to report on so lets get started.
Friday night the Jack Gunn Memorial for Sprint Car teams took place at Williams Grove Speedway. The first 410 feature got off to a false start and moved front row starters Greg Hodnett and Lance Dewease to the second row. With Hodnett and Dewease moving back one row, Brain Leppo and Don Kreitz Jr were the beneficiary as they would start on the front row for the next start. Leppo took advantage and quickly took the early lead when the first twenty lapper got under way. Leppo held down the lead until lap three when Kreitz was able to move by and take the top spot. Kreitz began to pull away while Hodnett was trying to work his way back to the front.
Hodnett was able to steal the second spot away from Leppo on lap twelve and quickly set his sights on leader Kreitz. It took Hodnett just one more lap to track down Kreitz in heavy lapped traffic and take over the top spot. Kreitz was able to stay with Hodnett as the pair worked traffic but Hodnett had just enough to hold on for the $2,500 win. Kreitz, Leppo, Todd Shaffer, and Mark Smith rounded out the top five. Lance Dewease, Brian Montieth, Alan Krimes, Aaron Ott, and Daryn Pittman completed the top ten.
The second twenty lap feature went to the start with a ten car inversion setting up the line-up. This placed Daryn Pittman and Aaron Ott on the front row. Pittman was quick to beat Ott in turn one and grab the early lead. Pittman sailed away from the field as Brian Montieth worked his way into the second spot. Montieth quickly closed the gap on leader Pittman when traffic came into play. A late race caution set the stage for a thrilling battle over the final two laps.
Both leader Pittman and runner-up Montieth rode the cushion to perfection with Montieth making several challenges to get past Pittman but the ex World of Outlaw regular was up to the challenge and was able to fend off Montieth for the $2,500 top prize. Lance Dewease, Mark Smith, and Ott followed the pair across the finish. Rounding out the top ten were Fred Rahmer, Alan Krimes, Greg Hodnett, Don Kreitz Jr, and Cody Darrah.
The third and final twenty lapper was worth $5,000 and went to line with the top six money winners from the first two features inverted. When the green flag fell on the final feature Mark Smith took advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the early lead. Smith quickly distanced himself from runner-up Kreitz and fifth starting Daryn Pittman who quickly advance to third in the opening laps. Smith would hold down the lead until a lap seven restart. With Kreitz going pit side before the restart Pittman was able to move into the second spot for the start.
Pittman used a textbook slide job to grab lead away from Smith when racing resumed. Once in front Pittman was able to keep the hard charging cars of Smith and Brian Montieth at bay to grab his win of the night and his first ever Jack Gunn Memorial victory. With two feature wins and tenth place finish in the first feature Pittman earned $7,800 for the night. Smith, Montieth, Greg Hodnett, and Fred Rahmer rounded out the top five. Cody Darrah, Lance Dewease, Todd Shaffer, Kevin Nouse, and Brian Leppo finished off the top ten. Kreitz paced the 30-car field in time trials with a lap of 16.759. Rahmer and Mike Erdley split the two heat race victories.
Saturday night it was off to Lincoln Speedway for the their final points race of the 2009 season. Coming into Saturday night, Brain Montieth held a slight ten point lead over Alan Krimes in the championship battle. Feature time got off to a rocky start as Josh Wells brought out the red flag before a lap could be completed. On the next start Shawn “Big Block” Weaver shot out to an early lead. Weaver a fan favorite has led many laps at Lincoln but has never been able to score that elusive first victory in the Pigeon Hills. Weaver opened up a healthy lead over second running Randy Baughman as action heated up behind the top two. While Weaver continued to pull away, eighth starting Adam Wilt was working his way to the front.
Wilt worked his way to the second spot on lap twelve and set his sights on leader Weaver. Wilt quickly cut into a near three second lead that Weaver had built to close to the tail end of the leader with just tow laps remaining. Wilt moved his line to the bottom groove and nearly pulled along side Weaver as the pair took the white flag. Weaver fended off Wilt exiting turns two and down the backstretch. Wilt mounted one last charge entering turns three and four but Weaver stayed glued to his outside groove and beat Wilt on the exit of turn four and to the checkers to grab his first career 410 victory.
They very popular victory was worth $3,000 for Weaver who was joined in victory lane by his child hood hero Van May. Wilt held on for the second spot over Danny Dietrich, Baughman, and Chad Trout. Brian Montieth finished sixth to record his second Lincoln Speedway championship in row. Cody Darrah, Fred Rahmer, Alan Krimes, and Mark Smith rounded out the top ten. Hear race victories for the 31-car field went to Baughman, Weaver, and Aaron Ott. Josh Wells claimed the consolation race victory. In other action Paul Miller claimed the feature win the Super Sportsmans class while Craig Wagaman was victorious in the 358 Late Model class.
Well that does it for this week. This weekend the Tuscarora 50 weekend will commence on Friday and Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway to close out their season. Until next week the mailbox is open for your convenience at DSeeger@webtv.net
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8-31-09 Last Saturday night I made the short trip over to Sharon Speedway in Hartford Ohio for Championship night. In the Warren Harley Davidson sponsored 410 Sprint Car point standings, Jack Sodeman Jr, and Danny Holtgraver had one race to settle their year long battle for the 2009 point title. Coming into Saturday night Sodeman held a slight lead over Holtgraver but when the dust settled Sodeman captured the 30-lap feature event and first career Sharon Speedway title.
A new twist to the last regular show of the season saw all classes competing in a feature event only. The Sprint Car feature was extended to thirty laps instead of the standard twenty-five. Mike Kekich took advantage of his outside front row starting spot to grab the lead when the green flag flew over the eighteen-car field. Kekich held down the lead for two laps before fellow front starter Aaron Shaffer motored past to take over the lead.
Shaffer held the lead for the next three laps before the red flag flew over the field for a violent double flip by Broc Martin and Russ Sansosti in turn one. Thankfully neither driver was injured and both were able to walk away from the hard crash. Shaffer continued to set the pace once the accident was cleared and racing resumed. Shaffer held the lead for more lap before point leader Jack Sodeman Jr entered the picture. Sodeman snared the lead away with a bold move exiting turn four on the high side one lap latter to take command of the top spot.
Following Sodeman to the front of the pack was Bob Felmlee who quickly disposed of Shaffer to grab the second spot. Felmlee appeared to have the fastest car as he quickly closed on leader Sodeman as the pair entered lapped traffic. Felmlee stayed within striking distance of the leader but Sodeman eventually worked traffic to his advantage putting some distance between himself and the runner-up. One last caution flag on lap twenty-three for early leader Shaffer erased the lead Sodeman had and gave Felmlee one last shot at the victory.
Sodeman pulled away when racing resumed for the final time but with just a couple laps remaining Felmlee made one last ditch effort to get by the leader. As the pair took the white flag, Felmlee closed to the rear of Sodeman through turns one and two and down the backstretch. Felmlee dropped to the bottom to attempt a slide job entering turns three and four but Sodeman used the momentum on the high side to nip Felmlee at the line for the very popular victory.
The win solidified the championship for Sodeman, which was his first career at Sharon Speedway. Danny Holtgraver followed the pair across the finish to claim the third spot over Dan Shetler and Kekich. Rounding out the top ten were Brent Matus, Roger Campbell, Bob Lime, Shawn Minor, and Leo O’Malley.
In other competition Rob Cutis won the 30-lap Big Block Modified feature and track championship. Rob Felix took the Limited Sprint Car feature while Brandon Spithaler was the track champion. Scott Stiffler took the e-mod feature victory and track title. Bruce Redman won the Pro Stock feature and championship. Mike Scharba won the Hobby stock feature. Sharon Speedway will be back in action next Saturday night with their Sprint Car Spectacular featuring the 410 Sprints, ASCS Patriot 360 Sprint Cars and the Limited Sprints. For more information on Sharon Speedway be sure to check out their website at http://www.sharonspeedway.com
Well that does it for this weekend. This Friday night looks like a trip to Williams Grove Speedway for the Jack Gunn Memorial Triple 20-lap feature event show. Then possibly a trip to Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night for their final point race of the season for the 410 Sprints. Until next week the mailbox is open for your comments at DSeeger@webtv.net |