Hamlin, PA - Hamlin Speedway Rocks On With Tremendous Racing Action Saturday Night
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

Hamlin Speedway Promoters Randy and Denise Smith hosted another excellent night of exciting racing action at their 1/5th Mile clay cushioned speedway on Saturday night. Randy Smith and crew had the Hamlin Speedway in tip-top racing condition as the stars and cars of the Pocono area speedway displayed their own brand of magic in the form of side by side racing and slide-jobs to provide the large crowd on hand another great opportunity to enjoy an exciting evening at the races. All told 112 racers were on hand which included the second edition of the NASCAR Crew Challenge. The eight feature event racing card was wrapped up at 10:39 PM. The evening of speed was sponsored by S&S Speedways Indoor Go Karts located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Heading up the list of winners on Saturday evening included "The Travelin Man" Mick D'Agostino as the Massachusetts based speedster steered his racer to his first win of the season in a hard fought battle that brought his second car into the runner-up slot at the end with Brandon Azzalina aboard in the Wingless 600 Sprint competition. Additional winners included Tony Parlanti as he captured his first ever win at Hamlin in the JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprints with a close victory over Paul Richards Jr. Mike Taylor was quick from the drop of the green flag as he wired the field in the Super Slinger feature run. Josh Marcus finally found the sweet spot at Hamlin as he raced to his first ever win in All Star Slingshot feature event. event while making it wins for the season. Tyler Banks found the magic to record his second win of the season in the Junior Slingshot finale. In a hotly contested feature event, Alex Reinsmith made the winning pass on the white flag lap to capture his second win of the season in the Wingless 270 Sprint headliner. "The Nickel Man" Joel Smith took no prisoners as he raced to his fifth Hamlin Speedway victory in the exciting Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified main event. "KW Speed" Kevin White was all smiles as he defeated a very competitive twelve car field of drivers in the second edition of the NASCAR Crew Challenge event.

The evening of feature attractions found Mike Taylor out-dueling Wes Hearn at the start of the Super Slinger finale. The racing remained close with Hearn giving it all he had in an attempt to wrest the lead away from Taylor, but Taylor was on a mission and led all lap to claim his third win of the season. Wes Hearn was the runner-up with Dale Kober third, Jason Edison fourth, and the returning Greg Zellman notching a top five finish. The returning Jim Conroy, Dustin Keath and Jeff Haduck completed the field.

The Junior Slingshot twenty lap headliner found the front row starters misbehaving and they found themselves turned around and at the back of the field before one lap was completed. The action placed Tyler Banks at the point for the restart and the Empire State racer never waivered as he led all laps enroot to his second win of the season. It was no cakewalk for Banks as Shelby McLaughlin, John Kendall and Jake Mason finished so close you could throw a blanket over them. JJ Rice recovered from his poor start and came back through the field to claim fifth place. The second five were headed up by Adam Buchel, who was flying the sponsorship colors of the Florida Keys Air Conditioning Services on this night of racing. Mikey Johannes, Tommy Stillo, Joey Kalafut and Abby Yates completed the top ten.

The 20-lap headliner for the All Star Slingshot racers proved to be a barn burner right from the initial green flag. Tess Horvath seized the lead at the start of the event and early on built up a nice lead. Alan Kober, Josh Marcus and Mike Taylor put the pressure on as a few restarts slowed the pace. A restart found Josh Marcus disposing of Alan Kober for the runner-up slot with Cody Kline making a run from eighth starting place to land in the top five. Horvath led until lap thirteen when Marcus found the sweet spot to slip past Horvath for the lead. Marcus was consistent with 14 second laps and was able to handle the field for the remainder of the laps to go on and claim his first ever win at the speedway. Horvath did an outstanding job in the runner-up capacity with Kline racing to third place, Tyler Peet fourth and Mike Taylor completing the top five. The second five included Jared Silfee, Russell Benke, Taylor Mills, Dale Kober and Samantha Muller. Twenty three of the starting 25 drivers all finished on the lead lap all in close quarters.

Carmen Leggio Sr jumped into the lead at the start of the JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprint event but before a lap could be completed a mad scramble sent Macy Litchauer upside down in a three car jingle. She was unhurt in the incident. On the restart Leggio took off and began putting the laps in the book with a strong run with pressure coming from Tony Parlanti and Paul Richards Jr. Leggio would lead the first sixteen laps and as the leaders came upon slower cars Leggio went high and Parlanti low and Parlanti grabbed the lead momentarily only to have Leggio drive back by him. The pair dueled side by side for a lap until Parlanti got the edge and raced to his first win at Hamlin. Paul Richards Jr was the runner-up in a very good run with Joe Nemeth recovering from a first lap jingle to secure third place with Zack Weisenfluh fourth and Ryan Lacoe fifth. The second five found Joey Amantea, Tyler Lindsey, Savannah Leggio, Cody Powell and Jake Roberts completing the top ten.

Cody Smith led the first eleven laps of laps the exciting Wingless 600 Sprint main. Eighth starting Mick D'Agostino hustled hard and early through the field and would follow Smith for a few laps. On lap twelve D'Agostino found the room he was looking for as he went to the top in turn one and crossed over to the bottom in turn two to pull even with Smith and then drive by him down the backstretch. Once in front D'Agostino pulled away from the field but the battle behind him was ferocious as changes took place with each passing lap. Brandon Azzalina in the second D'Agostino racer would land in the runner-up role with the defending track champion Chad Sandt in third, Cody Smith fourth and Ryan Neil coming from nineteenth to finish fifth. The second five found Geordan Marrero, Damon Paul, Jake Roberts, Mack Brink and JD Casazza following.

Glenn Macomber grabbed the lead out of the starting blocks and led the first three laps. Paul Richards Sr would take over the lead only to spin out the next time around. Macomber then inherited the lead and would lead with tremendous pressure coming in the form of Alex Reinsmith. The pair battled it out all of the way with Reinsmith finally moving in front on the white flag lap and racing to his second win of the season while Glenn Macomber was second, Paul Richards Sr third and Kyle Ferrucci fourth.

Joel Smith controlled the Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified encounter from the drop of the green flag. Smith would lead all twenty laps to capture his fifth win of the season. Behind Smith, Anthony Recchio would move into the runner-up slot and would stay there for the remainder of the race with Cole Stangle third, Cody Motto fourth and the now un-retired Will Casazza returning to action and finishing fifth. The second five found Michael Samony, Joel Price, John Bachetti, Evan Civick and newcomer Kenny Hildebrandt completing the top ten

The NASCAR Crew Challenge is always exciting to watch and this was no exception as Brett McCutchen jumped into the lead on the first lap of the event and in just a few laps built up a huge lead on the field. As the race settled in, McCutchen would find his lead shrinking as the laps clicked off. NASCAR Crew Challenge big winner in the past, Kevin White came calling and quickly got nose to tail with McCutchen. White would grab the lead on lap twelve and Garrett Peterson, Kyle Shano and Jason Edison would become contenders. White was in the zone and would capture the win with Peterson, Shano, Edison and Dustin Keath completing the top five. The second five included McCutchen, Billy Plourd, James Edwards, David Cropps and Chris Britt. Every driver completed the twenty lap event.

PEARL JAMS:

Randy Smith kept pace with the speedway all night long as the track remained super fast all evening long and water was added at intervals to keep the speedway moist and tacky.

Short track racing is close competition at its finest and the drivers were negotiating the tight quarters of the Hamlin Speedway in two and three wide fashion for most of the evening and later the NASCAR guys did much of the same with "just a little bit of extra rubbing" in between.

A series of time trials were held for two of the racing divisions and quick time for the All Star Slingshots was Josh Marcus at 14.126 seconds as he defeated Cody Kline who turned a time at 14.382. Mike Taylor was quick man for the Super Slingshots with a time of 14.470 seconds over Wes Hearn at 14.481 seconds.

Heat racing action in the Stage One Modifieds found Joel Smith and Cody Motto claiming victories. Rookie 600 Sprint heat wins went to Carmen Leggio Sr and Tony Parlanti. Kyle Swart and Adam Buchel claimed the heat race wins for the Junior Slingshots. Glenn Macomber captured the Wingless 270 Sprint heat. Wingless 600 Sprint heats were captured by Cody Smith and Jacob Balliet.

Newcomers to the Hamlin scene included Dustin Keath in the Super Slingers. Jack Hanna made his first start in the Rookie 600 Sprints. He is a second generation driver as his family members were regulars back at the old Flemington Speedway. The Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified found a new racer with Kenny Hildebrandt finding a seat in one of the Motto Motorsports hot rods. Kenny is a Sportsman driver at Five Mile Point Speedway. Mark Connelly who debuted last week couldn't get his car to fire so sat out the evening. It was great to have Will Casazza back in action as the 70 year old was just too young to retire.

The Smith Family was extremely proud as their Son Ryan captured the All Star Circuit of Sprints win at the Outlaw Speedway in new York State on Friday night.

Frannie Powell picked up the 50/50 prize.

600 Sprint owner Jack Caruso took in the action at Hamlin on Saturday night.

RESULTS:

All Star Slingshots: Josh Marcus, Tess Horvath, Cody Kline, Tyler Peet, Mike Taylor, Jared Silfee, Russell Benke, Taylor Mills, Dale Kober, Samantha Muller, Tanner Jones, Cole Stangle, Dillon Emmons, Nick Vinciguerra, Tanner VanDoren, Scott Neary, Clayton Davey, Mike McLaughlin, Emily Fleming, Ashley Kober, Amanda Buchel, Alan Kober, Jason Edison, CJ Fritz, Wes Hearn, Austin Silfee (DNS)

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

Wingless 600cc Sprints: Mick D'Agostino, Brandon Azzalina, Chad Sandt, Cody Smith, Ryan Neil, Geordan Marrero, Damon Paul, Jake Roberts, Mack Brink, JD Casazza, Joel Smith, Danny Buccafusca, Zac Azzalina, Tyler Kehs, Jacob Balliet, Duane White, Colin White, Joseph Smith, Jared Lilly

Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modifieds: Joel Smith, Anthony Recchio, Cole Stangle, Cody Motto, Will Casazza, Michael Samony, Joel Price, John Bachetti, Evan Civick, Kenny Hildebrandt, Mark Corna, Mark Connelly (DNS)

Junior Slingshots: Tyler Banks, Shelby McLaughlin, John Kendall, Jake Mason, JJ Rice, Adam Buchel, Mikey Johannes, Tommy Stillo, Joey Kalafut, Abby Yates, Austin Homan, James Costlow, Kyle Swart, James Benz, Jack VanVarick, James Hendricks

Super Slingshots: Mike Taylor, Wes Hearn, Dale Kober, Jason Edison, Greg Zellman, Jim Conroy, Dustin Keath, Jeff Haduck

JPA Masonry Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: Tony Parlanti, Paul Richards Jr, Joe Nemeth, Zack Weisenfluh, Ryan Lacoe, Joey Amantea, Tyler Lindsey, Savannah Leggio, Cody Powell, Jake Roberts, Jack Hanna, Aidean Borden, Carmen Leggio Sr, Ryan Stangle, Macy Litchauer

NASCAR Crew Challenge #2: Kevin White, Garrett Peterson, Kyle Shano, Jason Edison, Dustin Keath, Brett McCutchen, Billy Plourd, James Edwards, David Cropps, Chris Britt

Racing every Saturday evening from April through September. The next event on the Hamlin Speedway schedule is set for August 5th when all regular divisions will be in action.

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

For photos of the great racing action at Hamlin, please contact Tim Krysiuk at: https://strictlydirtphotography.smugmug.com/

Visit us often for a great night of racing action as.........................

The Hamlin Speedway Is The "Pearl" Of The Poconos