Hamlin, PA - Hamlin, PA - Hamlin Speedway Opens With Spectacular Eight Feature Event Card
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The 2016 racing season at the Hamlin Speedway got underway on Saturday and the green and stand on the gas sign were all that was needed as a great collection of veteran and first time performers wasted no time in displaying their style and guile on the 1/5th mile clay oval speedway. Successful promoters Randy and Denise Smith ushered in their eleventh season at the Hamlin facility with an opening night filled with spectacular racing action. The Smith Family and Staff welcomed in a convoy of 125 talented racers from a surrounding five-state area to their premier short track facility located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The opening day event was chillier than expected as the night time chill in the air (40 degrees) had the standing room only crowd on hand seeking jackets, blankets, and plenty of hot beverages to keep warm. The opening night crowd was treated to an old-fashioned donnybrook of high-flying action on the freshly clayed and banked 1/5 mile racing facility and the lightening fast action allowed for the talented daredevil racing roster to use all of the available speed lanes to present a great evening of racing entertainment. The eight feature event racing card and time trials went off as scheduled and the non-stop racing action was completed at 10:46 and when was all said and done eight elated winners found there way into Hamlin Speedway victory circle for the traditional pomp and circumstance.

The Smith Family enters the 2016 racing season for their eleventh year in control of the Hamlin facility they painstakingly resurrected in 2006 after the speedway abruptly closed in the middle of the 2005 racing season. The unparalleled great racing action and the tremendous support from the entire racing community has earmarked just how popular the small car racing has become in recent years and lends credence to the fact the Hamlin Speedway has become the premier racing stop on Saturday nights to witness side by side racing the way it is meant to be. With the great opening night event, the 2016 racing season has all indications for being another superlative journey in racing for the Smith Family and the driving stars and car owners and sponsors who support the facility.

The extended hot-lap sessions opened the day's events as the drivers were given ample opportunity to dial in their cars for the evening of racing. The track proved to be quick as the drivers promptly began flirting with the existing one lap track records. The hot lap sessions lasted an hour and allowed the new and veteran drivers an opportunity to test the new racing surface and the great field of cars on hand never skipped a beat as they dug their right rear wheels into the rich Pocono clay that was in real good condition despite the always frigid weather the Poconos receives during the winter months. The time trails determined the starting format for the evening of racing that was to follow.

The seven headline divisions found the 28 entries for the Rookie 600 Sprints broken into two feature events based on time to allow the rookie drivers equal seat time and to become acquainted with the speedway. Justin Hartz and AJ Hobbs were victorious in the two events. Defending track champions were able to strut their stuff as Pat Bealer captured the 270 Sprint main and Tyler Peet, a two time Junior Slingshot champion, stepped into his first All Star Slingshot main event and came away with his first win in his major step up the racing ladder. Brandon Azzalina base-lined his way to a super win in the 600 Sprint finale. Jared Silfee captured the Junior Slingshot main event while Wes Hearn was triumphant in the Super Slingers. Series sponsor Bill Dianella withstood a strong challenge from many time champion Joel Smith to record his first Hamlin win in the Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified headliner.

The starting field of sixteen Junior Slingshots took off in their scheduled 20-lap feature jaunt. New York talent Hunter Lapp, who already has three wins under his belt for 2016, out-dragged Jared Silfee into turn one and led the first 11 laps of the event. The pair raced into lapped traffic and Lapp took the low road and Silfee the high road. The high road proved to be the one less traveled and Silfee came out of turn two as the leader. Silfee would go on to win with Lapp in second place. Reese Nowotarski was third followed by JJ Rice and Cole Stangle. Shelby McLaughlin, Jake Mason, Adam Buchel, Emily Fleming and Ty Kelly completed the top ten.

The first Rookie 600 Sprint main event found Brett Altemose leading the first two laps before yielding to a high-flying, low-riding Justin Hartz. Hartz showed tremendous poise as he led the rest of the way to capture the win and holding off hard driving Scott Slater Jr and John Vreeland who would finish second and third respectively. Geordan Marrero and Altemose completed the top five. The second Rookie 600 Sprint main found Ryan Mohr leading for two laps until he ended up facing traffic when he spun out. On the restart the sledding was tough as the field was narrowed down with a double flip in turn three that eliminated four cars. Jakson Ring led for two laps after the restart and AJ Hobbs took over and led the rest of the way. Mikey Smith rallied to claim runner-up honors with Ring in third, Dylan Martin fourth and Noah Zielinski fifth.

The Super Slinger feature found Wes Hearn and Dale Kober resume their on-going battles and it would be Kober leading the first 16 laps. Hearn began working the baseline of the speedway to inch his way around Kober. Hearn seized the moment and took over the lead and would race to victory followed closely by Kober. Ryan Lacoe was third with Steve Pirone and Tom Van Pelt following.

The 600 Sprint main was star caliber from the drop of the green flag as Pat Bealer charged to the front for the first four laps of the event with Brandon Azzalina challenging. Azzalina drove down to the baseline and took over the lead on lap five. Once in front, "The A-Team" put on a dazzling drive that found him getting under the 12-second mark as the race wore on. Azzalina would score the win with Bealer in second, Joel Smith third, Chad Sandt fourth and Danny Buccafusca nailing down fifth in his return to the speedway. Defending track champion Colin White headed up the second five with Doug Snyder, Mick D'Agostino, Sam Kravitsky and Ryan Neil following.

"Deuce" Glenn Macomber led the first five laps of the 270 Sprint main. "The Icon" Pat Bealer blasted by him and would lead the next four laps when a caution came out and it was determined Bealer had jumped the previous restart and the ruling dropped him back two positions. On the restart, Macomber would lead for four laps but began suffering some problems that found Bealer slipping by and Macomber dropping out the event. Bealer would the remaining laps to score the win with Robbie Watson, Brittany Erlsten, Kyle Ferrucci and Shawna Winters completing the top five.

The Hampton RV and Trailer Stage One Modifieds found Bill Dianella grab up the lead and he would lead all twenty laps but not before holding off a talented group of drivers seeking to slip past him. The defending track champion "The Nickel Man" Joel Smith put the pressure on but it would be Dianella scoring his first Hamlin win. Smith was the runner-up with Jeff Hineline, Joel Price and Steve Darling completing the top five. The second five was headed up Damon Paul with Chloe Andreas, Mike Marold Jr, Tim Howell and Cole Stangle following.

The All Star Slingshot main event saw an elite 24-car field take the green flag in the curtain closer for the evening. Tyler Peet shot out of the blocks like a cannon at the start of the event and would establish the quickest times of the evening for the Slingshot division. Peet would never be seriously challenged and would go on and record his first All Star Slingshot win at the speedway. Brett Bieber would hustle hard to runner-up status with Taylor Mills, Wes Hearn and Justin Mills completing the top five. The second five places were headed up by Dale Kober, Chris Kurtz, Austin Silfee, Mike McLaughlin (from 24th) and Russell Benke III.

Pearl Jams:

The new season of racing at Hamlin kicked-off in spectacular fashion and the loyal fan base came out in full force as the stands were packed for the evening of events and the concession stands doing a brisk business all evening long.

A tip of the fedora to Randy Smith and crew for working diligently on the speedway throughout the evening to make the speedway racy throughout all of the events.

The speedway has an aggressive season of special events planned for the 2016 season and small car division racing is definitely the wave of the future and truly happening at the Hamlin facility. The increasing numbers for small car division racing continues to rise and those who have the need for speed and want to remain within their budget restraints, Hamlin Speedway offers the superb alternative with their many divisions of great and affordable competition.

The new season brought out a great new batch of new and refurbished racing equipment to the speedway. Along with many new race cars, many new faces put in their first Hamlin Speedway appearances and the car count of 125 speaks volumes as the draw of racing equipment to the Pocono facility has far reaching effects with the New England driving contingent adding great flavor to the exciting racing action. The fans had the opportunity to check out the many new paint schemes and graphics of the great field of cars on hand and the seasonally changing rookie division will act as the farm system for many full size racing divisions at other speedways for those who will make the transition into the regular divisions in the future.

New drivers on hand included Adam Buchel, Emily Fleming, Ty Kelly, Tommy Stillo, Austin Homan, Gavin McClure, James Costlow and Colton Geary in the Junior Slingshots. New rookie 600 Sprint drivers included Aaron Casterlin, Mack Brink, Geordan Marrero, Jacob Balliet, Joe Howey, Matt Brown, Mikey Smith, Jakson Ring, Dylan Martin, Noah Zielinski, Chad Connor, Ryan Mohr, JR Williams and Tim Bauer. Tom Van Pelt and Steve Pirone were new entries for the Super Slingers. Damon Paul, Michael Burns, Janell Geary and Michael Samony were new entries for the Stage One Modifieds. Josh Marcus, Samantha Muller, Amanda Buchel, Ashley Kober, Clayton Davey, Anthony Recchio, Nick Vinciguerra and the Mills Brothers were among the many new entries for the All Star Slingshots.

Former track champion "The Conductor" Bobby Butler was on hand and had a great run going until his car abruptly shut off on him while racing in the top five. It was good to see Don Colaluce return to racing action. "The G-Man" Grady Johnston suffered problems early on and withdrew from competition and headed home. Brett Bieber was a surprise entrant in the Donny Hockman equipment and did his usual great job of getting to the front. Veteran racer Will Casazza (68 years old) was another who encountered problems early on. Jacob Hendershot had the misfortune of engine problems while battling upfront in the 270 Sprints. It was great to see "The Aviator" Robbie Watson enjoy a solid outing in his Applied Resources sponsored hot rod. Chad Connor, a rookie in the 600 Sprints uses the number 301 as he is related to the McGaughey Family, a name synonymous with racing in the Tri-State area. "The Young Outlaw" Jesse James Bartelson scored a win at Accord Speedway last week in the NEWS Sprint Cars and will be in competition at both Accord and Hamlin throughout the 2016 racing season.

Special thanks are in order to all of the Quarter Midget and Go Kart Clubs in the local areas for assisting in preparing the future driving stars for battle as they transition into the next phase of their racing careers.

Bridgeport Speedway director Danny Serrano took in the racing action last evening and was impressed with the close side by side action the Hamlin Speedway offers. Bridgeport races today.

Get well wishes are in order for speedway videographer Barry Boyd. Barry is slated for surgery in the near future. Hall of Fame racing legend "The Flying Farmer" Bill Wimble is having serious health issues and is need of our prayers at this time. Bill made an appearance at the speedway in August of 2014 promoting his autobiography "I'll Never Be Last Again" and was well received by the fans at Hamlin and sold all of the copies of his book at the speedway on that evening. Cards and well wishes can reach Bill at: Life Path Hospice, 3723 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, Florida 33573.

RESULTS:

All Star Slingshots: Tyler Peet, Brett Bieber, Taylor Mills, Wes Hearn, Justin Mills, Dale Kober, Chris Kurtz, Austin Silfee, Mike McLaughlin, Russell Benke III, Josh Marcus, Alan Selemba, Tyler Pirone, Samantha Muller, Tess Horvath, Hunter Metzger, Amanda Buchel, Ashley Kober, Steve Pirone, Clayton Davey, Jeff Cosgrove, Matt Henneforth, Anthony Recchio, Nick Vinciguerra

270cc Sprints: Pat Bealer, Robbie Watson, Brittany Erlsten, Kyle Ferrucci, Shawna Winters, Glenn Macomber, Paul Richards Jr, Jacob Hendershot, Tyler Galatro

600cc Wingless Sprints: Brandon Azzalina, Pat Bealer, Joel Smith, Chad Sandt, Danny Buccafusca, Colin White, Doug ASnyder, Mick D'Agostino, Sam Kravitsky, Ryan Neil, JD Casazza, Bobby Butler, Paul Richards Sr, Johnny Smith, Joseph Smith, Jacob Severn, Ryan Quackenbush, Steven Gully, Dylan Martin, Scott Rupp, Rick Calvert, Zac Azzalina, Russ Thornton, Will Butler, Ryan Mohr, Chris Kurtz, Don Colaluce, Grady Johnston

Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modifieds: Bill Dianella, Joel Smith, Jeff Hineline, Joel Price, Steve Darling, Damon Paul, Chloe Andreas, Mike Marold Jr, Tim Howell, Cole Stangle, Michael Burns, Janell Geary, Michael Samony, Will Casazza

Junior Slingshots: Jared Silfee, Hunter Lapp, Reese Nowotarski, JJ Rice, Cole Stangle, Shelby McLaughlin, Jake Mason, Adam Buchel, Emily Fleming, Ty Kelly, Tommy Stillo, Austin Homan, Nathen Marold, Gavin McClure, James Costlow, Colton Geary

Super Slingshots: Wes Hearn, Dale Kober, Ryan Lacoe, Steve Pirone, Tom Van Pelt, John Mirabelli (DNS)

Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: (1) Justin Hartz, Scott Slater Jr, John Vreeland, Geordan Marrero, Brett Altemose, Jesse James Bartelson, Aaron Casterlin, Mack Brink, Jacob Balliet, Joe Howey, Ron Bosga, Kyle Exley, Tyler Galatro, Matt Brown

Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: (2) AJ Hobbs, Mikey Smith, Jakson Ring, Dylan Martin, Noah Zielinski, Chad Connor, Carmen Leggio Sr, Ryan Mohr, Ryan Quackenbush, Mike Kalman, Scott Slater Sr, JR Williams, Tony Parlanti, Tim Bauer

Racing every Saturday evening from April through September. The next event on the Hamlin Speedway schedule is set for April 30th when all Divisions will be in action on the 1/5th mile clay cushioned oval highlighted by the first special event of the season when the Wingless Warriors of the 600 Sprints take to the speedway for a thirty lap feature. A grand prize of $1,000.00 awaits the winner based on a 24 entry car count. Make sure to check the Hamlin Speedway website or Facebook page for any additional information. Pit Gates open at the speedway at 3 PM; Drivers Meeting at 5:45; Hot Laps are at 6:00 and the racing begins at 7 PM sharp. Admission Prices for regular shows are: Adults $10.00; Senior Citizens $5.00 Children under 6 are Free

Please support the many great sponsors who assist in working and sponsoring the season long events at the speedway. Tilcon, Yankowski Enterprises, Triple Cities Mack, Dickie Keiper Speed Supplies, Ron Brown Hauling, Classic Cycles, Kim's Kreations, RockAuto.com, Howe's Comfort Inn and Santarelli And Sons Oil Company are all part of the advertising family at the speedway and we graciously thank them for their support.

For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Hamlin Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://hamlinspeed.com or call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500. Visit us often for a great night of racing action as............................................

The Hamlin Speedway Is The "Pearl" In The Poconos