Hamlin, PA - "The Captain" Cody Kline Steers His Ship To Victory In VetStock Firecracker 100 At Hamlin Speedway
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The Fourth of July holiday span found the Hamlin Speedway swinging back into racing action after being dark and silent for a week of rest and relaxation. The hard working promotional team of Denise and Randy Smith was prepped and ready for the onslaught of race cars and the standing room only crowd that arrived at the speedway. The management and staff at the Hamlin Speedway put forth a superlative effort and produced another great evening of racing in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania despite all attempts from Mother Nature to halt the schedule. The seven feature card was sponsored by Honesdale National Bank, Hollywood Towing from Middletown, New York, JPA Masonry from Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania and the S&S Speedways located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The results were spectacular and the fans and drivers put forth a great effort to raise money for the VetStock Veterans Group in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The standing room only crowd witnessed a seven feature event card with the VetStock Firecracker 100 lap feature for the All Star Slingshots being the showcased event of the evening. Bangor, Pennsylvania resident "The Captain" Cody Kline was at the top of his game as he dominated the event by leading nearly every lap to capture the more than $1,200.00 in prize money plus contingencies plus winning his first ever feature event at the Hamlin Speedway. "Bad" Chad Sandt was flawless in performance as he worked the speedway cushion to perfection in recording his second win of the 2017 season in the Wingless 600 Sprint finale and becoming the first driver to capture two wins in the division. Abby Yates made a profound statement as she wired the field to capture her first ever win in the Junior Slingshot feature attraction. "The Oxford Express" Dale Kober was in top form as he wired the field on his way to his fifth win in the Super Slinger feature. Zach Weisenfluh captured his first ever win in the JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprints and wired the field in doing so. Joel Price was on rails as he captured the Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified feature. "Deuce" Glenn Macomber scored his third win of the season in the Wingless 270 Sprint main event. When the racing action was completed, the highs and lows of victory and defeat came to light but for all of the competitors, each and everyone of them should be applauded for their fine efforts on an evening where giving back meant as much as the thrill of victory. The VetStock event headed up by Honesdale National Bank, Hollywood Towing & Auto, JPA Masonry and S&S and Hamlin Speedway , put forth a solid effort that saw a good sum of dollars raised for the locally based charitable organization

"Chargin" Charlie Lawrence and Cody Kline brought the 27-car starting field down for the start of the VetStock Firecracker 100 event. Kline had the hot ticket and was quick and showed it early on by racing out front with Lawrence staying glued to his tailpipe. The first 34-laps went without incident but a couple skirmishes slowed the pace a bit but once the racers found their grooves, the results were more than worth the price of an admission ticket as the racing throughout the field was incredible.

After the halfway point young New Jersey racer Cole Stangle put in a bid to unseat Kline from the top spot. Stangle did so on laps 53 and 54 but Kline came roaring back and assumed command of the lead with Stangle and now Brett Bieber applying the pressure. The three leaders broke away from the field and ran under a blanket as they matched moves like they were on a chess board. The end for Bieber came on lap-89 as he was making his bid to win the event and limped into the infield.

The jockeying for position behind the leaders was truly incredible as some racers and contenders would suffer from one or the other to place them on the sidelines. Kline would drive to victory with Stangle in for runner-up honors. Last year's winner Justin Mills was third with Austin Silfee putting together a great ride to come from 15th place to finish fourth and Dale Kober was fifth after starting 14th. Dylan Hoch headed up the second five with Taylor Mills, Samantha Muller (her best finish of the season), Mike McLaughlin from 27th, and Tyler Peet from 26th. From 10th to 15th finishers were Tess Horvath, Josh Marcus, Jordan Lawrence, Charlie Lawrence and Jared LaBagh. Fifteen drivers finished all 100 laps.

In Wingless 270 Sprint action, Glenn Macomber and Kyle Ferrucci waged a wicked battle for the point with Macomber able to keep in front of the fearless one. The race settled in with Macomber leading all of the way to claim his third win of the season. Ferrucci was second with Alex Reinsmith third and Stephen Weirich fourth. .

Chad Sandt powered into the lead at the start of the 600 Sprint main with a drive it where they ain't move to easily take command of the event. Meanwhile, Colin White and Mick D'Agostino were locked into a battle behind Sandt and it allowed Sandt to slip away into a big lead. Sandt would race away to his second win of the season with White, D'Agostino, Cody Smith and Joel Smith completing the top five. Damon Paul, Danny Buccafusca, Joseph Smith, Jacob Balliet, and Geordan Marrero completed the top ten.

Abby Yates won the drag race over JJ Rice at the start of the Junior Slingshot finale to hustle into the lead. Yates, who has improved with each outing in her rookie year, kept hitting her marks with Rice and Shelby McLaughlin applying lots of pressure. A bobble by Rice when he clipped a tire allowed Yates some breathing room but Rice and McLaughlin inched closer as the event continued. Yates ran a perfect race to capture her first ever Hamlin win with Rice, McLaughlin, Adam Buchel and John Kendall completing the top five. Tyler Banks headed up the second five with Tyler Ulsh, Kasey Hufcut, Rachel Dickinson and newcomer Jack VanVarick next in line.

The Super Slingers racing action found Dale Kober hustling out to a comfortable lead early in the event with early pressure coming from Mike
Taylor. After the midway point of the event, Taylor began to cut Kober's lead and would do so until the end of the race with Kober winning, Taylor in second and Jimmy Conroy in third.

Zack Weisenfluh has had a rookie season in which he has landed upside down and suffered engine maladies while leading but this night all of the pieces finally came together and he took the lead on the first lap of the JPA Masonry Rookie Wingless 600 Sprint main event and led all of the way but had to hold off a determined effort by Paul Richards Jr to secure his first ever win at the speedway in his new division. Richards was second with doing great work in third place, Noah Zielinski fourth and Joey Amantea rounding out the top five. Carmen Leggio Sr was sixth with Ryan Lacoe, newcomer Dylan Licklider, Brett Altemose, Tyler Lindsey and Macy Litchauer following.

Joel Price hasn't been in competition much in 2017 but he returned to Hamlin on Saturday night and showed he still has the touch as he held off one of the best in the business in Joel Smith to capture the Hampton RV & Trailer Sales Stage One Modified feature. Price showed he had not skipped a beat as he raced out to an early lead. Joel Smith chased him around the speedway and as the laps wore down the leader got into some slower traffic and Smith made contact with one and the turn of events allowed Price to capture the win. Smith was second with Cole Stangle, Michael Samony and newcomer Pat VanVarick completing the top five. The returning Bill Dianella, John Comandini, Jeff Hineline, Janell Geary and Anthony Recchio completed the top ten.

Pearl Jams:

Despite the crazy thunderstorm that rolled through the area at 4:30, Randy Smith had the speedway in impeccable condition as the multi-channeled facility was very racy throughout the evening and the Smith Crew can be proud of their efforts in keeping the speedway in top form and producing a great show for the fans and the drivers..

The rain caused a change in the format for the evening as it reverted to time trials only to set the starting fields. Time trials for the 33 All Star Slingshots on hand found Brett Bieber stopping the clocks at 14.753 seconds to lead all racers in the All Star Slingshots as he nipped Dylan Hoch who timed at 14.770 seconds and Justin Mills who timed at 14.810 seconds. Kyle Ferrucci was top timer for the 270 Sprints with a 12.808 second time over Glenn Macomber's 12.828 time. Pat VanVarick had the top time in the Stage One Modifieds with a 13.520 clocking. Dale kober recorded the top time for the Super Slingers at 15.253 seconds. Colin White was top time for the 600 Sprints at 12.437 seconds juast a tick quicker than Chad Sandt's 12.454 and Mick D'Agostino's 12.458 time.
John Kendall posted the top time for the Junior Slingshots at 12.350 seconds just under the time posted by JJ Rice at 15.390. Paul Richards Jr had the fast time for the Rookie 600 Sprints with a 12.708 over Joey Amantea's 12.759.

A B-Main was needed for the All Star Slingshot to complete the starting field and was captured by former track champion and the returning "The 38 Special" Jared LaBagh. CJ Fritz, Tanner Jones, Nick Vinciguerra, Russell Benke, Dillon Emmons, Ashley Kober, Mike McLaughlin and Tyler Peet also made the transfer.

Newcomers and returning drivers to the speedway included Dylan Hoch, Charlie Lawrence, Jordan Lawrence, Brett Bieber, Chloe Andreas and "Kid Wicked" Tyler Pirone in the All Star Slingshots. Dylan Licklider was a new addition in the 600 Sprints. Joel Price, Jeff Hineline, Pat VanVarick and Aaron Goodin were new additions to the Stage One Modifieds. Cody Motto was aboard the former Steve Darling Stage One Modified his team just purchased. Jack VanVarick was a new addition to the Junior Slingshots.

Once again the generous support from the racers and fans created the wonderful family atmosphere that exists at the Hamlin Speedway and this event proved to be another solid promotional effort for the VetStock Organization. A tip of the fedora goes out to Honesdale National Bank, Hollywood Towing & Auto, JPA Masonry, Hamlin Speedway and S&S Speedways to market this great event and the racers and fan support was overwhelming and a huge thank you to everyone for their gracious support of the event.

Danny Buccafusca tried his hand at announcing at Hamlin and did a great job with the Super Slinger Feature event.

Clock Drawing Raffle winners included: David Raven ($100.00), Ann Beil($100.00), Susan Hoffman ($200.00), Lisa Werkheiser ($100.00), R. Boddenhazen ($300.00), Scott Helm ($100.00), Wes Hearn ($400.00), Don Pratt ($100.00), Tim Krysiuk ($500.00), Ken Brown ($100.00), and Missy Nemec ($1,000.00).

Some great prizes were offered up in the Chinese Auction and many happy fans walked home with some great gifts. A 50/50 auction from VetStock found Zack McGee walking out of the speedway with $222.00.

Lap Sponsors included Upstate Auto, Macomber Racing, Mystik Phoenix, Tyler Peet Racing, Russ & Mary Furry, Strictly Dirt Photography, Parlanti Family, McLaughlin Racing, Brink Racing, Pink Elephant Wine & Paint Parties, Cody Motto Racing, JPA Masonry, Emmons Motorsports, Litchauer Motorspots, Archibald Automotive and Benke Racing. Thank you all so very much.

Special thanks go out to a group of people who worked behind the scenes to create the event and make it successful including the tireless efforts of Allesson Rodes, Troy Langendoerfer, Steve Pados and the Smith Family.

RESULTS:

All Star Slingshots: (100 Laps) Cody Kline, Cole Stangle, Justin Mills, Austin Silfee, Dale Kober, Dylan Hoch, Taylor Mills, Samantha Muller, Mike McLaughlin, Tyler Peet, Tess Horvath, Josh Marcus, Jordan Lawrence, Charlie Lawrence, Jared LaBagh, Dillon Emmons, Ashley Kober, Tanner Jones, Brett Bieber, Jared Silfee, Ryan Neiger, CJ Fritz, Tanner VanDoren, Tyler Pirone, Nick Vinciguerra, Troy Langendoerfer, Russell Benke

Wingless 270cc Sprints: Glenn Macomber, Kyle Ferrucci, Alex Reinsmith, Stephen Weirich, Don Schmidt

Wingless 600cc Sprints: Chad Sandt, Colin White, Mick D'Agostino, Cody Smith, Joel Smith, Damon Paul, Danny Buccafusca, Joseph Smith, Jacob Balliet, Geordan Marrero, Ryan Neil, Duane White, JD Casazza, Mack Brink, Justin Mills, Tyler Galatro, Dylan Licklider

Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modifieds: Joel Price, Joel Smith, Cole Stangle, Michael Samony, Pat VanVarick, Bill Dianella, John Comandini, Jeff Hineline, Janell Geary, Anthony Recchio, Cody Motto, John Mirabelli, Mark Corna, Aaron Goodin

Junior Slingshots: Abby Yates, JJ Rice, Shelby McLaughlin, Adam Buchel, John Kendall, Tyler Banks, Tyler Ulsh, Kasey Hufcut, Rachel Dickinson, Jack VanVarick, James Benz, James Costlow, Tommy Stillo, Kyle Swart, Joey Kalafut, Brian Smith, Austin Homan, James Hendricks, Colton Geary, Jake Mason

Super Slingshots: Dale Kober, Mike Taylor, Jim Conroy

JPA Masonry Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: Zack Weisenfluh, Paul Richards Jr, Tony Parlanti, Noah Zielinski, Joey Amantea, Carmen Leggio Sr, Ryan Lacoe, Dylan Licklider, Brett Altemose, Tyler Lindsey, Macy Litchauer

Racing every Saturday evening from April through September. The next event on the Hamlin Speedway schedule is set for July 8th when all Divisions will be in action and driver introductions will be in order for the JPA Masonry sponsored Rookie Wingless 600 Sprint Division.

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