Sep
22

Hamlin Speedway Ends Another Great Season With SevenThrilling Feature Events

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By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

Hamlin, PA- Hamlin Speedway Ends Another Great Season With Seven Thrilling Feature Events

The Hamlin Speedway closed their regular racing season last evening. The in-place to be was loaded with tremendous racing activity last evening and was able to run through the evening and have a great night at the speedway. The crowd was up and the roster a solid one as once again the X-Cel Modifieds were part of the final show race card for the season. Once again the Smith Fanily was off and running with some superb heat racing action and eight great feature events. The racing action at the 1/5th mile clay-cushioned facility has been remarkable with many outstanding driving personalities carving out their own claim to fame in weekly competition for age groups from 8 to 60 plus.

The 2019 season is now complete after eighteen weeks of over the top racing action taking place. Recapping the action on Saturday had some of the drivers showing what they have done all season at Hamlin, get to the front and stay there until the checkered flag waves. Kasey Hufcut, a New Yorker, made a big impact this season with some drives to the front and he captured the Junior Slingshot action once again. Some scrambling towards the end had "The Traveling Man" Mick D'Agostino in the wnner's circle in the Regular 600 main event. The Rookie main event for the 600 Sprints was captured by invader Morgan Richelle. Rookie Slingshot star James Benz had the lead, lost the lead and then roared back to claim his first win of the season in the All Star Slingshot field. Tanner VanDoren was quick from the greeen flag and went on to claim the win in the Hampton RV & Trailer Sales Stage One Modifieds. Greg Zellman is only a part-time performer at Hamlin but he was johnny on the spot last evening when the two cars in front of him faltered after the halfway point of the event and he went on to capture the Super Slingshot win. The X-Cel Modified feature winner was found to be illegal and then the second place man was as well so Shawna Schibilia who thought she finished in third place now became the winner of the X-Cel Modified feature event.

Pole Sitter Tanner VanDoren took command of the Stage One feature at the start and quickly carved out a huge lead over the rest of the field. Third place starting Amanda Buchel had a quick race car at her as she quickly moved into the runner-up slot. With VanDoren way ahead of the field, all eyes remained on the run for second place as both Buchel race cars (Amanda and Adam) were behind him along with a guy who hadn't raced in over five years Kyle "Hot Rod" Rode and "Mighty" Mike Samony. The particular vewrsion of the event was an eye catcher for the fans who truly enjoy the closeness of the close knit action at Hamlin. Van Doren was the winner with Amanda and Adman Buchel following with Kyle Rode, Michael Samony and Jeff Hineline completing the top six. Anthony Chrobak headed up the next spots with John Bachetti, Joel Price and Mark Evans following.

In the Super Slingshots, "The Oxford Express" Dale Kober was all business as he took the lead at the start and was able to carve some huge distance between he and second place runner Paul Ennes. As the pair raced far in front of the field, smoke began billowing out of the Kober race car. Ennes at that point pulled in front of the pit exit and shut off, calling for a restart. Before the restart could ensue, Kober pulled to the infield with some major problems on his race car. Third place man Greg Zellman, through the process of elimination, now found himself leading the field around the Hamlin clay. Zellman would earn the win over Wally Bell, Jim Conroy, Alan Kober, David Guest, Mark Exeter and Jeremy Hoffman in the top seven.

The Rookie feature for the 600 Sprints began with Morgan Rochelle showing the hot hand from the center of the raceway. "The Ry-Guy" Ryan Stangle made his return to the speedway a successful one as he was glued in as the runner-up in this one. Michael Nolf, who is one of the surprises of the year, was a tick off and managed third place in this one. Jacob Eby began from last place but moved through the field to end up in fourth place. Last week's winner Tony Parlanti finished fifth. Victor Cleary headed up the second five with Rich Maguire, Dennis Chamberlain, Jason Garcia, and "Pops" Carmen Leggio completing the top ten.

In the regular event for the 600 Sprints Noah Zielinski took the lead and began to carve out a nice lead on the field. Tyler Lindsay made some bold and exciting moves to slide into the runner-up status with Zack Weisenfluh, Mick D'Agostino Chad Sandt and Ryan Stangle really having a go at it for positions. Disaster struck Zielinski as passing lapped cars became entangled with one of them and forced to go to the rear of the field. Times move fast and D'Agostino came away with the lead and raced away to the checkered flag on this one. Tyler Lindsay would finish second with Zack Weisenfluh third Chad Sandt fourth and Ryan Stangle residing in fifth place, a crazy finish to an exciting event at the speedway. The seocnd five was headed up by Mack Brink, Brandon Nicholas, Noah Zielinski, the returning Zach Bealer and Dennis Stawinsky.

The Junior Slingshot found Kasey Hufcut taking the lead and quickly stepping away form the field. Charlene Benz was solid in the runner-up role. Behind her the drivers were jockeying for position with Aiden Elliott, Aiden Donaldson, RJ Sherman and James Hendricks having a great go at it. Hufcut would go on for the win with Benz in second place. Elliott would remain in third place with Donaldson, Sherman and Hendricks following. Chase Zimmer raced to seventh in this one with last week's winner Doug Smith in eighth, Matthew BAckus ninth and Isabella VanOrden in tenth.

The All Star Slingshot event began with James benz leading for a lap before giving way to Brian Smith. Smith would go on and lead until lap twelve grabbing the lead from the pole position. On lap thirteen Benz would muster up the power and get by Smith with an insdie move in turn three. Once in front Benz remained there until the checkered flag was displayed. Shelby McLaughlin was fast and was precise on the speedway and quickly moved into second place where she chased Benz until the race was completed. Scott Neary borrowed a car last night and was third with it. Brain Smith was fourth with Andrew Turpin steady in fifth place.Paul Ennes was sixth with Joey Kalafut, Ashley Kober, Justin Newhard and Wally Bell completing the top ten.

In what would be a run for naught Jared Green and Brett Gray would duke it out over twenty laps with Green receiving the checkered flag. As Yogi Berra once proclaimed, "It ain't over till it's over" things changed quickly from the end of the event as neither Green nor Gray paased through the rigid inspection process and both were deemed illegal for the evening and thus handing the win to third place runner Shawna Schibilia. A shuffle in the finish had Zane Roth, Ivan Forney, Travis Fichter and Aiyden Morgan following.

Pearl Jams:

The track was racy from start to finish and Track Promoter Randy Smith continued to work on the speedway as necessary for the activity on the speedway was non-stop but very racy throughout. Randy Smith keeps doing remarkable work at the speedway with as many as five grooves on the speedway for the racers and a dust free environment.

James Benz and Amber Baccaligni captured the heat wins for the All Star Slingshots. The Junior Slingshot heats went to Aiden Elliott and Kasey Hufcut The Stage One Modifieds ran two heat events with Tanner VanDoren and Adam Buchel the winners and the Super Slinger heat found Dale Kober at the head of the pack. The JPA Masonry Wingless heats were claimed by "Bad" Chad Sandt and Mick D'Agostino. The JPA Masonry Rookie 600 Sprints ran two heats and Morgan Rochelle and Michael Nolf were victorious. The X-Cel heats were captured by Jared Green and Brandon Graner

"The Ambassador" Wes Hearn and his son Wesley were at the controls of the flags last night at the speedway as regular flagger Russ Furry is still hobbled by injuries he suffered at his regular job but was still in attendance at the speedway.

Fred Johnson captured the 50/50 last evening.

Dale Borger who heads up the X-Cel Modified division was on hand last evening and did the checking on the cars to see if they were legal or as he found out not. Borger did explain that some of the cars race in New York and use different rules but the cars in question did not comply to X-Cel Modified rules.

Amber Baccaligni's grandmother passed away on Tuesday and Amber requested and granted the privilege to pay tribute to her prior to her feature event. The speedway sends condolences to the Baccaligni Family with her passing

Another great crowd on hand for the night of racing. Thank you folks and make sure you tell your friends about Hamlin Speedway, the "Pearl in the Poconos." Please make sure you look at the sites invovled with Hamlin Speedway. There just may be another event at the speedway this coming week.

Thanks to everyone who came to play a part in the action at Hamlin this season. The racing was superb all season long in every division and just proves the point that excitement is established at ground level no matter what the size of the facility it is. To the Smith Family, thank you for taking the Hamlin Speedway far beyond it's capacity.

News regarding the banquet or other related items will be posted online as the off season progresses.

RESULTS:

JPA Masonry Wingless 600 Sprints: Mick D'Agostino, Tyler Lindsay, Zack Weisenfluh, Chad Sandt, Ryan Stangle, Mack Brink, Brandon Nicholas, Noah Zielinski, Zach Bealer, Dennis Stawinski, Ivan Forney, Michael Nolf, Rich Maguire, Victor Cleary, Dennis Chamberlain

All Star Slingshots: James Benz, Shelby McLaughlin, Scott Neary, Brian Smith, Andrew Turpin, Paul Ennes, Joey Kalafut, Ashley Kober, Justin Newhard, Wally Bell, Tom Gervasi, Amber Baccaligni, Dale Kober

Amantea Real Estate Junior Slingshots: Kasey Hufcut, Charlene Benz, Aidan Elliott, Aidan Donaldson, RJ Sherman, James Hendricks, Chase Zimmer, Doug Smith, Matthew Backus, Isabella VanOrden, Kylie Hendricks, Calvin Wheelock, Dillon Beadle, Jacoby Thompson, Jacob Bierman

Super Slingers: Greg Zellman, Wally Bell, Jim Conroy, Dale Kober, Alan Kober, David Guest, Mark Exeter, Jeremy Hoffman, Dale Kober, Paul Ennes

Hampton RV & Trailer Sales Stage One Modifieds: Tanner VanDoren, Amnda Buchel, Adam Buchel Kyle Rode, Michael Samony, Jeff Hineline, Anthony Chrobak, John Bachetti, Joel Price, Mark Evans, Lawson Szerencits, Evan Civick

JPA Masonry Rookies: Morgan Rochelle, Ryan Stangle, Michael Nolf, Jacob Eby, Tony Parlanti, Victor Cleary, Rich Maguire, Dennis Chamberlain, Jason Garcia, Carmen Leggio, Brandon Nicholas, Jack Hanna, Brett Hermannator

X-Cel Modifieds: Shawna Schibilia, Zane Roth, Ivan Forney, Travis Fichter, Aiyden Morgan, Olivia Schmetlzer, Matt Bruns, (DNF) Dustin Zimmer, Brandon Graner, Kevin VanValkenburg, Hunter Diehl, Nolan Smith (DQ) Brett Gray, Jared Green

Make sure to always 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. Amantea Real Estate,, Tilcon, Ron Brown Hauling, JPA Masonry, Chad Wheeler Excavating, RLE Towing and Recovery, 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 2019 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.hamlinspeed.com/ or on facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/HamlinSpeed/ or
https://www.facebook.com/SSSpeedways/ and http://ssspeedways.com/
http://ssspeedways.com/

For photos of the great racing action at Hamlin Speedway, contact Tim
Krysiuk at: https://strictlydirtphotography.smugmug.com or
https://www.facebook.com/tim.krysiuk

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

The Hamlin Speedway Is The "Pearl" Of The Poconos

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