Hamlin, PA - Hamlin Speedway's Sensational Two Day Sizzler Highlights New Winners In Victory Circle
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The "Pearl of the Poconos" Hamlin Speedway ushered in their annual two-day "Spring Into Summer Sizzler" spectacular over the weekend and beautiful warm summer weather benchmarked the Eleventh Annual two day affair. Both days of competition were filled with exceptional runs by the talented roster of individuals and the large crowds on both days thoroughly enjoyed the close wheel to wheel driving exploits from a great roster of driving talent that ranges from the ages of 7 to 70. The Hamlin Speedway was in top form under the watchful eye of the Smith Family as the two day spectacular produced the great racing memories that will be talked about for some time to come. The two day event sponsored by S&S Speedways Indoor Go Karts located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania,

The Friday night action saw some new winners take center stage and a special event for the "Stars of Tomorrow" as the National Tour was part of the evening's festivities and found "Lil Miss" Shelby McLaughlin turning back a stellar field of young driving talent for her fourth win of the season and a National Tour win. "The Bloomingburg Bullet" Taylor Mills captured his first win of the season in a wire to wire run in the All Star Slingshots. Damon Paul captured the Wingless 600 sprint win after a torrid battle with "The Travelin Man" Mick D'Agostino. "The Nickel Man" Joel Smith captured his third win of the season in the Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modified excursion. Paul Richards Jr captured his first win in the JPA Masonry Rookie Wingless 600 Sprint main event. Alex Reinsmith captured his first ever win in the Wingless 270 Sprint main.

Paul Richards Jr put all of the pieces together on Friday as he earned his first ever win in the JPA Masonry Rookie Wingless 600 Sprint main event. Cranking out some 12.5 second lap times, Richards held the field at bay with Jakson Ring, Tony Parlanti, Ryan Lacoe and Hunter Metzger completing the top five. Tyler Lindsey headed up the second five with Joe Nemeth, the returning Chloe Andreas, Joey Amantea and Cody Powell following.

It was business as usual for Joel Smith as he wired the field in his Wentz Car Care sponsored hot rod for win number three in 2017. Cole Stangle raced from fourth starting place to take up the chase and finished in the runner-up role. John Mirabelli, Anthony Recchio, Michael Samony, Jasper Ziegafuse, Cody Motto and newcomer Meredith Howell completed the field.

Shelby McLaughlin had the hot hand as the best of the best Junior Slingshot driving stars converged at Hamlin for the National Tour event. With an elite 15-car starting field, the action was fast and furious from start to finish as the "Stars of Tomorrow" put on a great show for the fans and can be quite proud of their accomplishments in their budding racing careers. McLaughlin led all of the way to secure the win but tons of pressure came her way as Tanner VanDoren, Nicho Flammer, Tyler Banks and John Kendall nailed down to five finishes. Tyler Ulsh, Adam Buchel, JJ Rice, Jake Mason and Abby Yates completed the top ten. Thirteen cars completed the event on the same lap showing just how tough the competition is for the youngsters in racing.

The Wingless 600 Sprint finale was a barnburner from the drop of the green flag. Mick D'Agostino, who is having a great year at the speedway, won the race into turn one and it set up a cat and mouse game throughout the entire distance as Damon Paul took up the chase and the pair put on a whale of a show as each driver tried to out-power and out-wit his rival. Paul would make the winning pass on lap fifteen and with that captured his first regular 600 Sprint win at the speedway. D'Agostino was the runner-up with Brandon Azzalina, Zac Azzalina and track champion Chad Sandt completing the top five. Colin White, Eddie Strada, Joel Smith, Joseph Smith and the returning Ryan Quackenbush finished out the top ten.

Taylor Mills was on rails as he led all of the way to claim his first All Star Slingshot win at the speedway in 2017. It wasn't an easy victory by any means as Cody Kline, Tyler Peet, Austin Silfee and Jared Silfee provided plenty of competition throughout the twenty lap event. The returning Brett Bieber, Cole Stangle, Samantha Muller Josh Marcus and Troy Langendoerfer completed the top ten.

Alex Reinsmith led all of the way to claim the win in the Wingless 270 Sprint main with Glenn Macomber Jr and Sr following Reinsmith to the finish.

DAY 2:

The Saturday night racing action was fast and furious as Promoters Denise and Randy Smith moved the show along quickly and precisely as the track was in tip-top condition for the racing ahead. With seven features on tap, the evening of speed was checkered flagged with the final event at 10:22 PM.

Cole Stangle captured his first Stage One Modified main event of the season. Former Go karter at the speedway, Scott Neary, punched his winning ticket for the first time in 2017 as he captured his first ever win at Hamlin in All Star Slingshot competition in the S&S Speedways Rental car. "The Fearless One" Kyle Ferrucci captured his first ever Hamlin win in the Wingless 270 Sprint main. Adam Buchel took advantage of the prime real estate offered to him and he drove to his first ever win at Hamlin in the Junior Slingshot main event. "The Ambassador" Wes Hearn notched his second win of the season in the Super Slinger headliner. "The Rockaway Rocket" Danny Buccafusca made a dramatic last lap pass to claim his first ever win at the speedway in the Wingless 600 Sprint main. "The Big Show" Joey Amantea led all of the way to claim his third win of the season in the JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprint main.

Glenn Macomber blasted out front at the start of the Wingless 270 Sprint main and raced out to an early lead. On lap twelve Kyle Ferrucci made the winning pass and would go on to capture his very first win at Hamlin with Glenn Macomber in the runner-up role.

Wes Hearn started from the pole in the Super Slinger finale and would go uncontested throughout the twenty lap main. Mike Taylor continues to do great work and was the runner-up with Dale Kober rallying form a first lap spin to claim third place. Jimmy Conroy, newcomers Dan Malley, Mike Lapicki and Derek DeSilva completed the field.

Scott Neary out-gunned Jared Silfee at the start of the All Star Slingshot thirty lap feature and quickly attempted to run to daylight. While Neary did get away from the field, cautions would bring the field close together for the restarts. The competition would prove to be tough as nails and gaining real estate was hard fought for every inch of clay. Neary was cool and fast as he kept a top-flight field of racers behind him. Neary was not to be denied on this night as he clicked off the fastest times of the night averaging 13.6 seconds around the speedway to gain his first ever win in Slingshot competition. Jared Silfee, Brett Bieber, Austin Silfee and Tyler Peet completed the top five. Friday night winner Taylor Mills headed up the second five with Mike Taylor, Cody Kline, Ryan Neiger and Josh Marcus following.

Joey Amantea was a rocket at the start of the JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprint main as he grabbed the lead at the start and sped away from the field. A couple of restarts closed in the ranks as now Paul Richards Jr and Jakson Ring began applying pressure to Amantea. A war between Richards and Ring allowed Amantea some breathing room and Amantea just kept hitting his marks on the track and had some 12.4 second laps to go on and claim his third win of the season. Richards, Ring, Hunter Metzger and Ryan Lacoe rounded out the top five. Tyler Lindsey, newcomer Mike Thompson, Tony Parlanti, Noah Zielinski and Cody Powell completed the top ten.

Abby Yates led the first lap of the Junior Slingshot main but gave way to the slick running Adam Buchel on lap two. Buchel was alone in the zone as he had no trouble stepping away from the field as the laps clicked off. . A caution slowed the field down on lap-13 but before the green could be displayed first timer RJ Sherman wound up on his lid. He was unhurt in the incident. The restart brought the field close and Shelby McLaughlin and 20th starting John Kendall made the most of it as McLaughlin put the pressure on Buchel and Kendall was clicking off some quick times to become a player. On the final restart, Buchel took off and would go on to capture his first ever win at the speedway. McLaughlin was second with JJ Rice third and Kendall fourth in a tremendous drive to the front. Abby Yates completed the top five. The second five were headed up by Jake Mason, Joey Kalafut, Austin Homan, Tyler Banks and James Benz.

Cole Stangle seized command of the Hampton RV and Trailer Stage One Modified feature at the drop of the green flag and led all of the way to win his first feature event at Hamlin in 2017. Mike Samony was second with Anthony Recchio third, John Mirabelli fourth, and Cody Motto fifth.

The Wingless 600 Sprint main found Justin Mills with a fast hot rod as he led the field around the race track for the first five laps. Mack Brink took over the point on lap six and a couple of laps later Danny Buccafusca was able to climb into the runner-up slot. Brink and Buccafusca matched wits for many laps with Buccafusca pulling even and then being able to slip past Brink after the white flag. Buccafusca would end weeks of frustration as he was able to drive to his first ever win in 600 Sprint competition at Hamlin. For Brink it was heartbreaker but a solid runner-up finish will make up for the non-win. Mills was third with Joel Smith fourth and Jacob Balliet a solid fifth. The second five was headed up by Brandon Azzalina with Colin White, Zac Azzalina, Chad Sandt and Jakson Ring completing the top ten.

PEARL JAMS:

Promoters Denise and Randy Smith had the grounds in pristine condition for the two-day weekend and many of the drivers stayed over for both days of the fabulous racing action. Randy Smith continues to work his magic on the race track and it was a fast 1/5th raceway all weekend long with lots of passing throughout both nights of competition. Another tip of the hat goes out to the Smith Family for another great weekend of racing.

Many thanks to my good friend Justin Beltrame for filling in for me on Friday night. As always, he did a great job in keeping the crowd informed.

The traveling band of young racers was in full force on Friday evening with the Junior Slingshot National Tour event. The contingent included Nicho Flammer and Tyler Ulsh. A tough break for CJ Fritz in the All Star Slingshots as he had a great run going Friday night until sidelined with mechanical woes.

Heat wins went to Chad Sandt, Joel Smith and Mick D'Agostino in the 600 Sprints. All Star Slingshot ran the dual heat format and heats were claimed by Wes Hearn, Jordan Lawrence and Tyler Peet in round one and Troy Langendoerfer, Scott Neary and Brett Bieber in round two. Junior Slingshot heats were won by Shelby McLaughlin, James Benz and Adam Buchel. Glenn Macomber was victorious in the 270 Sprint heat while Cole Stangle won the Stage One Modified heat. Rookie 600 Sprint heats were won by Hunter Metzger and Jakson Ring. The Super Slinger heat was won by Wes Hearn.
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The Hamlin Speedway will be dark next week to give the racers and their families a much needed vacation break from the rigors of racing and allow everyone to re-charge their batteries for the start of the second half of the Hamlin season that will kick-off with the running of the VetStock Firecracker 100 event that will roll out at the speedway on July 2nd. A whopping $1,500.00 plus contingencies will greet the winner in victory lane should the 35-car entry list be met for the event. Thirty cars will start the main event and will showcase the best Slingshot drivers in the country with the running of this premier event. Lap Sponsorships are still available and needed and speedway management assures all sponsors that all lap sponsors will be announced prior to the running of the grueling century long spectacular.

The VetStock Firecracker 100 (Hamlin Hundred) event on July 1st is just two weeks away and anyone who would like to get involved with this great promotion for this event should contact the S&S Speedways at: 570 420 5500. Everyone can gain additional information by checking out the VetStock website at: www.VetStockUSA.com

Whether it be a prize or cash donation for this event, all donations are accepted graciously and all will be announced leading up to the event as well as at the speedway and tickets are being distributed for an over the top Raffle which will offer money prizes each half hour of the scheduled show ranging from $100.00 to $1,000.00. The tickets are $10.00 each with a limit of one thousand tickets to be sold.

Our good friends at Honesdale National Bank, through racer Troy Langendoerfer, will be running a series of Ads for two weeks to help promote this great event.

Lap Sponsorship is also being sold at $10.00 per lap and offers an opportune time to pump up your sponsors for this great cause and all lap sponsors will be announced prior to the running of the 100-lap event.

Rick Buddehagen captured the 50/50.

Speedway Entertainment officials Rich Tobias and Jim Strouse were on hand for the events.

RESULTS:

June 16th.............

All Star Slingshots: Taylor Mills, Cody Kline, Tyler Peet, Austin Silfee, Brett Bieber, Cole Stangle, Samantha Muller, Josh Marcus, Troy Langendoerfer, Ashley Kober, Scott Neary, Wes Hearn, Mike McLaughlin, Tess Horvath, Dale Kober, Alan Kober, Ryan Neiger, Clayton Davey, Tanner Jones, Amanda Buchel, CJ Fritz

Wingless 270cc Sprints: Alex Reinsmith, Glenn Macomber, Glenn Macomber Sr

Wingless 600cc Sprints: Damon Paul, Mick D'Agostino, Brandon Azzalina, Zac Azzalina, Chad Sandt, Colin White, Eddie Strada, Joel Smith, Joseph Smith, Ryan Quackenbush, Jakson Ring, Cody Smith, Mack Brink, JD Casazza, Jacob Balliet, Justin Mills, Danny Buccafusca

Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modifieds: Joel Smith, Cole Stangle, John Mirabelli, Anthony Recchio, Michael Samony, Jasper Ziegafuse, Cody Motto, Meredith Howell

Junior Slingshots: (Tour Event) Shelby McLaughlin, Tanner VanDoren, Nicho Flammer, Tyler Banks, John Kendall, Tyler Ulsh, Adam Buchel, JJ Rice, Jake Mason, Abby Yates, James Benz, Evan VanValkenburg, Joey Kalafut, Kyle Swart, James Hendricks

JPA Masonry Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: Paul Richards Jr, Jakson Ring, Tony Parlanti, Ryan Lacoe, Hunter Metzger, Tyler Lindsey, Joe Nemeth, Chloe Andreas, Joey Amantea, Cody Powell

June 17th...........

All Star Slingshots: (MA Gold Tour) Scott Neary, Jared Silfee, Brett Bieber, Austin Silfee, Tyler Peet, Taylor Mills, Mike Taylor, Cody Kline, Ryan Neiger, Josh Marcus, Russell Benke, Ashley Kober, Mike Lapicki, Emily Fleming, Mike McLaughlin, Clayton Davey, Dale Kober, Wes Hearn, Tess Horvath, Cole Stangle, Troy Langendoerfer, Jordan Lawrence, Amanda Buchel, Dillon Emmons, Alan Kober, Samantha Muller

Wingless 270cc Sprints: Kyle Ferrucci, Glenn Macomber, Alex Reinsmith

Wingless 600cc Sprints: Danny Buccafusca, Mack Brink, Justin Mills, Joel Smith, Jacob Balliet, Brandon Azzalina, Colin White, Zac Azzalina, Chad Sandt, Jakson Ring, Duane White, Ryan Quackenbush, Damon Paul, Joseph Smith, Mike Thompson, JD Casazza, Joey Amantea, Eddie Strada, Mick D'Agostino, Cody Smith, Adam Huff, Matt Roselli

Hampton RV & Trailer Sales Stage One Modifieds: Cole Stangle, Michael Samony, Anthony Recchio, Jon Mirabelli, Cody Motto, Meredith Howell, Joel Smith, Jasper Ziegafuse (DNS)

Junior Slingshots: Adam Buchel, Shelby McLaughlin, JJ Rice, John Kendall, Abby Yates, Jake Mason, Joey Kalafut, Austin Homan, Tyler Banks, James Benz, Tommy Stillo, Mikey Johannes, Kyle Swart, Rachel Dickinson, Gavin McClure, Kasey Hufcut, Matthew Backus, James Hendricks, RJ Sherman, Evan VanValkenburg

JPA Masonry Rookie 600cc Sprints: Joey Amantea, Paul Richards Jr, Jakson Ring, Hunter Metzger, Ryan Lacoe, Tyler Lindsey, Mike Thompson, Tony Parlanti, Noah Zielinski, Cody Powell, Macy Litchauer, Zack Weisenfluh, Aiden Borden

Super Slingers: Wes Hearn, Mike Taylor, Dale Kober, Jimmy Conroy, Dan Malley, Mike Lapicki, Derek DeSilva, Doc Lapicki (DNS)

Racing every Saturday evening from April through September. Hamlin Speedway will be dark on June 24th to allow families to enjoy quality family time. The next scheduled race day event will be July 1st when when all Divisions will be in action on the 1/5th mile clay cushioned oval as the eleventh edition of the Hamlin Firecracker 100 comes roaring into town. The event will assist VetStock of the Northeast to assist military families who are in need of assistance. The clock drawing, Chinese auction, and an overall fun day at the speedway highlight this annual event.
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, Ron Brown Hauling, JPA Masonry, RockAuto.com, S&S Speedways and Yankowski Enterprises are all part of the advertising family at the speedway and we graciously thank them for their support.

Hamlin Speedway is seeking additional marketing sponsors to join the speedway team for the 2017 racing season. For more information, contact Steve Pados at: 484-784-7756 or through email at: steveswp@ptd.net or Denise Smith at S&S Speedways at: 570-420-5500 or at: www.SSSpeedways.com or on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SSSpeedways/ or www.HamlinSpeed.com or facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/HamlinSpeed
Visit us often for a great night of racing action as.........................

The Hamlin Speedway Is The "Pearl" Of The Poconos