FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 6, 2012

Contact: Brian Liskai

Liskai2x@cros.net

ATTICA, Ohio – Dale Blaney is nearly unflappable behind the wheel of a sprint car. He is patient, smooth and consistent and that paid off as he passed Craig Mintz after taking the white flag and went on to score his 86th career victory with the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions to open up the 21st Annual HD Supply Spring Nationals at Attica Raceway Park Friday night.

For Blaney, a three time All Star champion, it was his second series’ win of 2012 and vaults him into the National and Ohio Region points lead. It was also his second straight win at Attica, where he now has 15 career triumphs, moving him into a tie with Todd Kane for fifth on the track’s all-time win list. Blaney has now won four of the last seven Spring National features at “Ohio’s Finest Racing” venue.

“When Joey got off the track trying to get through traffic, I knew we had a shot…the car just kept getting better and better. George (Fisher, owner) and Troy (Psurny) had the car great once again. We’ve been good all year,” said Blaney beside his Ti22 Performance backed machine. “I was good on the bottom and middle. I just had to be patient and wait for traffic. When I got to Craig, I knew I was just a little better than him…it’s a shame, because he drives one of these George Fisher built cars, but we’ll take a first and second.”

Blaney was running fifth when race-long leader Joey Saldana slipped over the cushion of turns three and four while trying to negotiate his way through traffic while battling six-time Attica champion Byron Reed. Saldana slipped back to fifth while Reed now had his hands full with Mintz with Dustin Daggett and Blaney battling for third. Mintz would grab the lead on lap 21 with Blaney moving into third the next circuit, bringing Saldana into fourth. Blaney would grab second on lap 24 and quickly closed on Mintz. As they raced into lapped traffic, Saldana had regrouped and was closing in on the top sports. As Mintz took the white flag, Blaney dove under him entering turn one and slid up and front and went on to the victory.

“We’ve been so close on a few of these All Star races. Dale was just a little better than we were. But, we’ll take a second and look forward to getting after them tomorrow,” said Mintz beside his Design Graphics Group, Reel Geese Decoys, R2C Filters, Ti22 backed #09. “To race with Dale and Joey and Byron like that….that gives me a lot of confidence.”

For Saldana, he accepted the blame and seemed very determined to redeem himself.

“Last year I screwed up here and spun in the heat and we had to fight our way back all night for a top three run. I messed up in lapped traffic and I’m going to work my tail off tomorrow for my guys. My sons Spring Break was this week in Florida and they weren’t too happy to have to come here, so I have to get them a trophy this weekend,” said Saldana beside his Kasey Kahne Racing, Great Clips #9.

It was a star-studded field at Attica Friday, including several World of Outlaw teams and NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart.

Butler, Pennsylvania’s Garrett Krummert gave himself an early birthday present – he will turn 24 on April 10 – as he lead all 25 laps of the Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Model feature for his second career victory in a late model. It wasn’t easy, as he had to hold off veteran Doug Drown and Justin Chance on several restarts.

“I’ve driven sprint cars and modifieds, but when you win this becomes your favorite car to drive, especially with the guys who are here like Henry (Jon) and King (Russ) and Drown (Doug)…it’s a pretty good car count,” said Krummert beside his East End Powder Coating, Krummert Automotive, Turbo Start backed machine. “I knew Doug was in second…the scoreboard kind of kills you…you can kind of psyche yourself out. I was hoping we could get to lapped traffic…they weren’t running my groove and I was hoping if I could get some cars between me and him it would help. We were pretty good. I have to thank my Dad…without him none of this would be possible and my crew chief Ryan (Haney) he’s here working on this thing five nights a week.”

In another barn-burner for the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints, former track champion D.J. Foos dueled with Jamie Miller the last five laps, taking the lead coming down for the white flag. Foos would take his second straight victory and 12th career win, tying him for 8th on the track’s all-time win list with Clay Keim and Bryan Sebetto.

“The track was slick to the curb…I thought I was going to give it away on the last lap. I just tried and tried to get around Jamie a few times and each time he rolled back around the outside of me. I seen Paul (Weaver) and Jamie get together on the front stretch…I think Weaver had the car to beat. We just got lucky and we’ll take it,” said Foos beside his Buckshot Farms, Pit Stop Carryout, Level Performance backed machine. “To be tied with Clay and Bryan…two of my hometown heroes and me being only in my fifth year is awesome.”

Joey Saldana and Dustin Daggett would lead the field to the green for the 30-lap UNOH All Star feature. Saldana, who sits third on the series all-time win list with 70 victories, blasted into the lead with Daggett leading Reed, Brad Sweet and Mintz. The caution would soon fly for a Jody Keegan spin. On the restart, Saldana again rocketed away while Daggett battled Reed while Mintz ran comfortably in fourth with Sweet battling Cap Henry, Paul McMahan, Stevie Smith, Blaney and Kasey Kahne. The caution would fly for a Henry spin on lap six, which collected Tony Stewart. The yellow gave Saldana a clear track as he was just getting ready to catch lapped traffic.

Again on the restart Saldana would pull away slightly from the Daggett/Reed battle while Mintz continued to run fourth. Saldana would encounter traffic on lap 14 as Reed had grabbed second with Mintz moving into third at the half-way point with 11th starter Blaney closing in on Daggett for fourth. As Reed closed on Saldana, the pair raced side by side exiting turn two on lap 17 as they raced into heavy traffic. Saldana would try to drive to the outside but slipped over the cushion in turn three while Reed ducked low and grabbed the lead with Mintz moving into second and Daggett and Blaney following with Saldana falling in line in fifth.

With 10 laps to go, Mintz’ car came to life and he raced to Reed’s outside and grabbed the lead. Reed did not give up, as the pair raced side-by-side over the next four circuits. Meanwhile, Blaney had disposed of Daggett and stalked the leaders. With six laps to go, Blaney drove around Reed, but would he run out of laps to catch Mintz? Lapped traffic came into play, as Mintz had to get out of his comfort groove to find away around, allowing Blaney to quickly close.

As Mintz took the white flag, Blaney was to his inside and a lapped machine was to his outside. Blaney was able to slide in front of Mintz and went on to the win with Saldana rebounding for third followed Reed and Kahne, up from 12th starting spot.

In the 25 lap Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Model feature, Krummert and Mike Bores would bring the field to the green with Krummert taking the lead over Bores, Doug Drown, Eric Spangler, Ryan Missler and Doug Eck. Drown would take second on lap three and kept Krummert in his sights. The caution would fly on lap four for a John Bores spin with the running order, Krummert, Drown, Mike Bores, Missler, Spangler, Eck, Justin Chance, Devin Shiels, Russ King and Jon Henry.

Krummert and Drown would race nose to tail over on the restart while Bores, Missler and Chance battled for third. The caution would fly on lap 11 for a Jeremy Canada spin which collected Kyle Perry. Now it was Krummert over Drown, Chance, Bores and Missler. The cautions kept Krummert from getting into lapped traffic. However, he couldn’t shake Drown who hounded him until John Bores spun on lap 18. With just seven laps remaining, Drown and Chance weren’t about to let Krummert drive away for the victory. The three put on a great show with Chance taking the runner-up spot on the white flag lap and closed on Krummert, but it was too little too late. Krummert would take the checkered over Chance, Drown, Spangler and Mike Bores.

Jason Keckler and Dan Hammond would pace the field to the green in the 25-lap Fremont Fence 305 Sprint main. Keckler would take the lead with fourth place starter Jamie Miller bolting into second and bringing sixth starter Jordan Ryan into third. Foos, who started seventh, would drive into fourth on the third lap just before the caution flew for a Dustin Dinan spin. On the restart, Miller would drive around Keckler into the lead while Foos grabbed third. A lap later and Foos drove around Keckler and immediately dove to the inside of Miller as they raced side-by-side for the lead. Eighth starter Paul Weaver would soon enter the picture as he took third on lap seven and second a lap later. Weaver and Miller would trade slide jobs over the next three laps before a Nate Reeser spin would stop that action, with Weaver actually leading the 11th lap before Miller drove back by.

On the restart, Miller and Weaver continued their battle with Foos, Nate Dussel and Ryan in tow. Another Reeser spin on lap 16 would briefly interrupt the tremendous race for the lead. When the green came back out, Miller and Weaver continued their war. With six laps to go, Weaver took the lead, only to see Miller execute a slide job in turns one and two. As the pair raced out of turn four on lap 20, they made contact, with Weaver spinning on the front stretch. Now on the restart, it was Foos’ turn to pressure Miller with Ryan, Caleb Griffith, Dustin Keegan and John Ivy in tow. Exiting turn four as they came to the white flag, Foos had dove under Miller and had taken the lead. He would go on to the victory over Miller, Ryan, Griffith and Keegan.

Attica Raceway Park - 4/6/2012

HD Supply Night

University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints (48 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 – Kear’s Speed Shop (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 54-Cap Henry[4] ; 2. 14-Tony Stewart[2] ; 3. 9-Joey Saldana[5] ; 4. 16-Chris Andrews[1] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[6] ; 6. 5T-Travis Philo[10] ; 7. 20E-Brian Ellenberger[3] ; 8. 3L-Mike Linder[9] ; 9. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr.[7] ; 10. 35M-Wes McGlumphy[12] ; 11. 55-Brad Bowman[8] ; 12. 2+-Brian Smith[11]

Heat 2 – All Pro Aluminum Heads (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 83-Tim Shaffer[1] ; 2. 53-Phil Gressman[3] ; 3. 89G-David Gravel[2] ; 4. 19-Stevie Smith[6] ; 5. 5R-Byron Reed[5] ; 6. OS-Glenn Styres[10] ; 7. 7K-Kyle Sauder[4] ; 8. 45L-Brian Lay[9] ; 9. 3-Pete Miller III[8] ; 10. 40-Caleb Helms[7] ; 11. 21-Andre Layfield[12] ; 12. 2MH-Dalas Hewitt[11]

Heat 3 – Dragon Race Fuel (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. D4-Danny Holtgraver[1] ; 2. 63-Chad Kemanah[3] ; 3. 1X-Randy Hannagan[2] ; 4. 45-Paul McMahan[4] ; 5. 2M-Dustin Daggett[5] ; 6. 2-Dale Blaney[6] ; 7. 4-Danny Smith[10] ; 8. 9X-Brandon Martin[9] ; 9. W20-Greg Wilson[8] ; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[7] ; 11. 9J-Jesse McCreary[11]

Heat 4 – Kinsler Fuel Injection (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 44W-Austin Wheatley[1] ; 2. 60K-Jody Keegan[4] ; 3. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[2] ; 4. O9-Craig Mintz[5] ; 5. O-Lee Jacobs[7] ; 6. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[3] ; 7. 70-Brad Haudenschild[9] ; 8. 35-Stuart Brubaker[10] ; 9. 5-Kasey Kahne[6] ; 10. 7X-Jamie Collard[8] ; 11. 91-Aaron Middaugh[11]

Outerwear’s Performance Products Dash - (10 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature

1. 9-Joey Saldana[1] ; 2. 2M-Dustin Daggett[2] ; 3. O9-Craig Mintz[4] ; 4. 5R-Byron Reed[3] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[5] ; 6. 19-Stevie Smith[6]

C-Main (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature)

1. 4-Danny Smith[1] ; 2. 2+-Brian Smith[3] ; 3. 35-Stuart Brubaker[2] ; 4. 2MH-Dalas Hewitt[4] ; 5. 91-Aaron Middaugh[6] ; 6. 21-Andre Layfield[8] ; 7. 12-Jarred Ridge[-] ; 8. 9J-Jesse McCreary[5]

B-Main – MSD Ignition (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 2-Dale Blaney[1] ; 2. 5-Kasey Kahne[2] ; 3. 7K-Kyle Sauder[3] ; 4. 55-Brad Bowman[9] ; 5. 3-Pete Miller III[10] ; 6. 4-Danny Smith[19] ; 7. 45L-Brian Lay[14] ; 8. 5T-Travis Philo[17] ; 9. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[5] ; 10. 7X-Jamie Collard[12] ; 11. 3L-Mike Linder[13] ; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[8] ; 13. OS-Glenn Styres[18] ; 14. 20E-Brian Ellenberger[4] ; 15. 70-Brad Haudenschild[16] ; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[11] ; 17. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr.[6] ; 18. 40-Caleb Helms[7] ; 19. 9X-Brandon Martin[15] ; 20. 2+-Brian Smith[20]

UNOH A-Main - (30 Laps)

1. 2-Dale Blaney[11]; 2. O9-Craig Mintz[3]; 3. 9-Joey Saldana[1]; 4. 5R-Byron Reed[4]; 5. 5-Kasey Kahne[12]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet[5]; 7. 45-Paul McMahan[8]; 8. 83-Tim Shaffer[20]; 9. 63-Chad Kemanah[14]; 10. 2M-Dustin Daggett[2]; 11. 19-Stevie Smith[6]; 12. 1X-Randy Hannagan[17]; 13. D4-Danny Holtgraver[21]; 14. 16-Chris Andrews[19]; 15. 53-Phil Gressman[10]; 16. 89G-David Gravel[16]; 17. 54-Cap Henry[7]; 18. 14-Tony Stewart[15]; 19. 55-Brad Bowman[24]; 20. 7K-Kyle Sauder[13]; 21. 60K-Jody Keegan[9]; 22. 44W-Austin Wheatley[22]; 23. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[18]; 24. O-Lee Jacobs[23]

Hard Charger: 83-Tim Shaffer[+12]

Summit Racing Equipment Late Models (35 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 - Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 50Y-Ryan Missler[2] ; 2. O3-Doug Eck[4] ; 3. 27S-Eric Spangler[6] ; 4. 5H-Ernie Haynes[5] ; 5. M14-Brandon Thirlby[8] ; 6. 14-JR Grentry[1] ; 7. 90-Mark Glassford[9] ; 8. 5M-Ryan Markham[3] ; 9. 12-Kevin Lee[7]

Heat 2 - Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 15-Jon Henry[8] ; 2. 15B-Mike Bores[1] ; 3. 56-Russ King[9] ; 4. 23C-Jeremy Canada[4] ; 5. 91-Rusty Schlenk[6] ; 6. 99-Steve Sabo[2] ; 7. 8-Rob Anderzack[7] ; 8. X3-Dan Wallace[5] ; 9. 1D-Curtis Deisenroth[3]

Heat 3 - Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 29-Garrett Krummert[4] ; 2. 48-John Bores[5] ; 3. 56G-BJ Gregory[3] ; 4. O6-Kyle Perry[7] ; 5. 27-Ken Hahn[8] ; 6. 42K-Bob Mayer[6] ; 7. 99M-John Mayes Jr.[2]

Heat 4 - Bell Racing Products (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 51-Devin Shiels[1] ; 2. 1-Doug Drown[5] ; 3. O1-Justin Chance[3] ; 4. 21-Larry Kingseed[6] ; 5. 36-Matt Irey[2] ; 6. 91T-Adam Thrush[8] ; 7. 92-Cody Scott[4] ; 8. 34-Ky Harper[7]

B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 91-Rusty Schlenk[2] ; 2. M14-Brandon Thirlby[1] ; 3. 34-Ky Harper[15] ; 4. 5M-Ryan Markham[13] ; 5. 36-Matt Irey[4] ; 6. 99-Steve Sabo[6] ; 7. X3-Dan Wallace[14] ; 8. 91T-Adam Thrush[8] ; 9. 8-Rob Anderzack[10] ; 10. 27-Ken Hahn[3] ; 11. 14-JR Grentry[5] ; 12. 42K-Bob Mayer[7] ; 13. 90-Mark Glassford[9]

A-Main - (25 Laps)

1. 29-Garrett Krummert[1]; 2. O1-Justin Chance[9]; 3. 1-Doug Drown[4]; 4. 27S-Eric Spangler[3]; 5. 15B-Mike Bores[2]; 6. 5M-Ryan Markham[20]; 7. 50Y-Ryan Missler[5]; 8. 51-Devin Shiels[11]; 9. 15-Jon Henry[12]; 10. 91-Rusty Schlenk[17]; 11. 21-Larry Kingseed[16]; 12. 34-Ky Harper[19]; 13. O3-Doug Eck[8]; 14. 5H-Ernie Haynes[13]; 15. M14-Brandon Thirlby[18]; 16. O6-Kyle Perry[15]; 17. 56G-BJ Gregory[7]; 18. 56-Russ King[10]; 19. 48-John Bores[6]; 20. 23C-Jeremy Canada[14]

Hard Charger: 5M-Ryan Markham[+14]

©2011 - Results Provided by: Computer Man Inc. Fremont, OH

Fremont Fence 305 Sprints (24 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 - Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 1W-Paul Weaver[1] ; 2. 5R-Jordan Ryan[3] ; 3. 1-Nate Dussel[6] ; 4. 22M-Dan McCarron[2] ; 5. 67M-Matt Ferrell[5] ; 6. 10X-Dustin Stroup[8] ; 7. 83X-Nate Reeser[4] ; 8. 39-Matt Merrill[7]

Heat 2 - Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 9-Jimmy Colvin[1] ; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos[7] ; 3. 4M-Jamie Miller[4] ; 4. 40-Caleb Griffith[3] ; 5. 36X-Dustin Keegan[8] ; 6. 19R-Steve Rando[5] ; 7. 36-Seth Schneider[2] ; 8. 23-Jim Cushing[6]

Heat 3 - Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 8K-Jon Ivy[6] ; 2. 22D-Dan Hammond[1] ; 3. 5-Dustin Dinan[4] ; 4. 25-Jason Keckler[5] ; 5. 68G-Tyler Gunn[7] ; 6. 94K-Kurt Huber[8] ; 7. 8J-Jess Stiger[2] ; 8. 717-Trey Jacobs[3]

B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 19R-Steve Rando[2] ; 2. 10X-Dustin Stroup[1] ; 3. 36-Seth Schneider[5] ; 4. 83X-Nate Reeser[4] ; 5. 39-Matt Merrill[7] ; 6. 8J-Jess Stiger[6] ; 7. 717-Trey Jacobs[9] ; 8. 23-Jim Cushing[8] ; 9. 94K-Kurt Huber[3]

A-Main - (25 Laps)

1. 11F-D.J. Foos[7]; 2. 4M-Jamie Miller[4]; 3. 5R-Jordan Ryan[6]; 4. 40-Caleb Griffith[10]; 5. 36X-Dustin Keegan[14]; 6. 8K-Jon Ivy[11]; 7. 1-Nate Dussel[5]; 8. 25-Jason Keckler[1]; 9. 19R-Steve Rando[16]; 10. 39-Matt Merrill[20]; 11. 10X-Dustin Stroup[17]; 12. 22D-Dan Hammond[2]; 13. 36-Seth Schneider[18]; 14. 22M-Dan McCarron[3]; 15. 68G-Tyler Gunn[15]; 16. 1W-Paul Weaver[8]; 17. 83X-Nate Reeser[19]; 18. 9-Jimmy Colvin[12]; 19. 67M-Matt Ferrell[13]; 20. 5-Dustin Dinan[9]

Hard Charger: 39-Matt Merrill[+10]

CAMARGO, Ill. – After a highly successful and exciting beginning of the 2012 season, the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Car Series will blast open the gates for the Ohio Region with the 21st Annual Spring Nationals at Attica Raceway Park on Friday and Saturday, April 6 and 7.

“Attica Raceway Park kicks off our very competitive Ohio Region point’s battle and is one of the most exciting tracks the All Stars compete at. With the level of competition that races there every week, and the loyal, intelligent fans that come there, coupled with is its history and proximity to other hot beds of racing….the Spring Nationals has become a ‘must see’ event in the Midwest region,” said Guy Webb, UNOH All Star President/CEO. “We could see drivers like NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart or Pennsylvania Posse racers or World of Outlaw drivers….it’s early enough in the season you just don’t know who will show up.”

Pittsboro, Indiana’s Daryn Pittman, who finished a close second to Lance Dewease in the battle for the All Star’s Eastern Region Championship in 2011, currently leads the UNOH All Star’s National and Eastern Region point standings after seven events, which featured two races in Georgia and five in Florida. Pittman scored a win to open the series in 2012 and picked up a pair of runner-up finishes and has not finished out of the top 10. Danny “The Dude” Lasoski started strong in 2012 with three All Star wins and currently sits second in the national and Eastern Region point standings. Three time series champion Dale “The Low Rider” Blaney, who scored a win at Ocala, Florida in February to run his career series’ total to 85, sits third in the point standings while Sam Hafertepe Jr., in his new Zemco Racing ride, resides in the fourth spot in the points while young charger David Gravel, who finished third in the series’ national point standings in 2011 and was the 2010 Ohio Sprint Speedweek champion, sits fifth.

Tim Shaffer, who has won the past three All Star championships, is working in with his Janet Holbrook/Aaron Call owned team to pick up some momentum. The Steel City Outlaw sits sixth in the UNOH All Star point standings, but past history dictates, once the Midwestern races begin, he will be a force to be deal with.

However, the All Stars face a huge uphill battle when they come to race in Ohio as the tracks in the Northwestern part of the state boast some of the best weekly racing in the nation.\

Since it’s inception in 1992, the Spring Nationals have seen some of the best sprint drivers in the world compete at Attica. Blaney has four Spring National victories to his credit, including three of the last six events. Six time Attica champion Byron Reed has two Spring National victories, including his most recent in 2010. Look for the likes of 2005 Spring Nationals winner Stevie Smith in his new CL Motorsports team Black Bandit #19 KPC and two-time All Star Champion and three-time Spring Nationals winner Greg Wilson with five-time All Star mechanic of the year Brian Kemenah turning the wrenches on the #W20 to be tough. There could also be some surprise competitors coming from Pennsylvania and around the Northwest states to challenge other All Star drivers Danny Holtgraver, Cap Henry, Pete Miller and other tough competitors like 2011 Attica champion Dean Jacobs and 2011 Kistler Racing Products FAST (Fremont Attica Sprint Title) champion Bryan Sebetto in his new Hammer Motorsports team to battle for wins.

Last year at Attica, Shaffer scored two All Star wins while Blaney picked up one victory.

For gate times and admission prices go to www.atticaracewaypark.com

Attica Raceway Park Spring Nationals’ History

1992
Frankie Kerr
Frankie Kerr
1993
Mark Keegan
1994
Mark Keegan
Frankie Kerr
1995
Dale Blaney
Joey Saldana
1996
Bobby Teeple
Danny Smith
1997
Gary Wright
Butch Schroeder
1998
Jeff Shepard
Frankie Kerr
1999
Kenny Jacobs
2000
Craig Dollansky
2001
Byron Reed
2002
Greg Wilson
Jeff Shepard
2003
Chad Kemenah
Greg Wilson
2004
Chad Kemenah
2005
Stevie Smith
Danny Smith
2006
Terry McCarl
Greg Wilson
2007
Brock Mayes
Dale Blaney
2008
Lance Dewease
2009
Dale Blaney
Rained Out
2010
Rained Out
Byron Reed
2011
Rained Out
Dale Blaney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Contact: Brian Liskai

Liskai2x@cros.net

By Brian Liskai

ATTICA, Ohio – Dale Blaney looked in mid-season form Saturday at Attica Raceway Park’s season opener. The three time champion of the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series used a lapped machine as a pick to drive outside of Phil Gressman on lap 13 to regain the lead and cruised to his 14th career win at “Ohio’s Finest Racing” speedplant on Columbus Equipment Night.

Britton, Michigan’s Devin Shiels held off challenges from three-time track champion Ryan Missler, who crashed into a lapped machine on lap 9, allowing Shiels to cruise to his first career victory at Attica in the Summit Race Equipment UMP Late Models.

D.J. Foos, Attica’s 2010 track champion, charged from his 11th starting position to grab the lead from Paul Weaver on lap 16 and went on to score his 11th career feature win at Attica in the Fremont Fence 305 Sprint division.

Blaney, who scored a win last month with the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions in Florida, his 84th career victory with the series, grabbed the lead at the drop of the green of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprint feature from his front row starting spot after the first two rows crashed on the initial start. Blaney, who was originally scheduled to start sixth, soon had his hands full with Phil Gressman, who would drive around Blaney for the lead on lap three. But, when the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic on lap 12, Blaney would use one of the back markers as a pick and drive around Gressman back into the lead. Once out front, Blaney would cruise to the win, moving him around Frank Kerr into a tie with Butch Schroeder for sixth on the track’s all-time sprint feature win list.

“We had a fast race car in Florida. We got 10 races in down there and we were able to learn a lot. This is a great tune-up for next week’s Sprint Nationals. We’re ready to defend our Ohio turf and go after the Ohio Region championship with the All Stars,” said Blaney beside his Ti22 backed machine. “George (Fisher, owner) and Troy (Psurny) worked hard on the car all night and it was great. Phil (Gressman) runs good here every week and I knew once he got around me he would be tough. But, when you’re in second and you hit traffic, you have the advantage and it showed for me.”

Shiels bolted into the lead of the late model feature from his out-side front starting spot with Missler glued to his rear bumper. As the two raced into lapped traffic on lap nine, Missler made contact with the lapped machine of Michael Stiltner, damaging the front of his mount and ending his night. From there, Shiels was in command and went on to his first career Attica win.

“This place owed us one. We had the lead a couple of times or had a fast car and stupid stuff would happen. This feels great to finally get a win here. I wish all the crew was here to see it…my kids are in Arizona, so I can’t wait to call them,” said Shiels beside his Magic Fountain Auto Wash, Rally’s Hamburgers, Good Lifts, Dundee Products backed #51.

The Fremont Fence 305 feature was probably the best race of the night. Steve Rando and Caleb Griffith first waged a tremendous battle for the lead with Paul Weaver and Jimmy Colvin giving chase. Weaver would take second on lap 11 and immediately pressured Rando as they raced into lapped traffic. Following a lap 13 re-start after a yellow for debris, Weaver would execute a slide job in turns three and four and as Rando tried to cross over, made contact with Griffith and ended up on his lid. Then on the ensuing restart, Foos, who started 11th, would execute a slide job in turns one and two to take the lead from Weaver. Foos made things interesting as several times he jumped the big ledge in turn four, nearly crashing and allowing Weaver to dive under him. A final caution with four laps to go would give Weaver one more shot, but Foos, who opened the 2011 season with a win at Attica, was smooth on the restart and was able to stay off the cushion in turn four to take his 11th career Attica victory.

“I was whooped out there tonight. I’ve never started any further back than fifth to win. Tonight, I came here to try and prove a point and we started out the year good. This one we earned it. I had to drive my tail off to pass Paul Weaver. I knew those last few laps I started to get wore out…the track was really fast tonight. The last three laps I was so wore out…that last caution I was like “alright, pull yourself together…you got Weaver behind you and Johnny (Ivy) coming,” said Foos beside his Buckshot Farms, Gyro Motorsports, Pit Stop Carryouts, Schiets Motorsports, Crown Battery, Kistler Racing Products backed machine. “I have to thank Dennis Level…he gave us a fantastic motor.”

In the 410 sprint feature, Chris Myers and Chris Andrews would lead the field to the green, but Andrews would get a bit loose and Brian Lay made contact with the result being Jody Keegan and Andrews on their lids and Myers and Lay stopped on the track. With the first two starting rows having problems, and fifth starting Brian Sebetto having to go change a flat tire, the front row was now sixth starter Dale Blaney and eighth starter Lee Jacobs. When the green came back out, Blaney bolted into the lead while Gressman, who was originally slated to start 10th and would roll off fourth on the restart, would drive into second and immediately challenge for the lead. Gressman would drive around Blaney for the top spot on lap three while Jacobs now had pressure from Tim Shaffer for third.

Gressman would encounter lapped traffic by the ninth circuit as Blaney ran in his tire tracks with Jacobs, Shaffer, Cap Henry and Caleb Helms in tow. The car on the move was Sebetto who was charging from the tail into eighth. On lap 12 as they raced into heavy traffic, Blaney would make his move, as Gressman went low to try and get around a lapped machine, Blaney drove high and took the lead. The only caution after the initial start mishap would come out on lap 16 for debris, giving Blaney a clear track. Blaney would drive away from Gressman while Jacobs, Shaffer, Henry and Danny Holtgraver, who was originally slated to start last, battled for third.

Blaney would encounter traffic again but there were only four laps remaining, and he negotiated his way through for the victory over Gressman, Jacobs, Shaffer, and Henry.

Shiels would take the lead at the drop of the green for the 25-lap late model feature with third place starter Missler moving right into second while Matt Westfall, B.J. Gregory, Ken Hahn and Justin Chance giving chase. Shiels and Missler would battle hard for the lead with Gregory taking third, bringing Hahn and Chance with him around Westfall. As the leaders raced into traffic on lap nine, they tried to get around Michael Stiltner and Steve Sabo and when Stiltner drifted up to try and get around Sabo, Missler was there to smash into the lapped machine, ending his night.

The restart order was Shiels, Gregory, Hahn, Chris Ross, Chance, Ky Harper, Ernie Haynes and Westfall. Shiels would drive away with a clear track while Gregory ran comfortably in second with a tremendous battle for third between Hahn, Ross, Chance, Harper, Haynes and 16th place starter Jon Henry. Once Ross cleared Hahn, he would catch Gregory on lap 20 and they raced side-by-side for second the last five laps of the race. Shiels would streak to the checkers over Ross, Gregory, Hahn and Harper.

Rando and Colvin would lead the field to the green in the 25 lap 305 sprint main with Rando grabbing the lead over third place starter Caleb Griffith and Jimmy Colvin. Sixth place starter Paul Weaver would drive into third on lap four with Jordan Ryan, Colvin, Nate Dussel and Dustin Dinan giving chase. Rando and Griffith would race nose to tail until the caution flew on lap 9 for a Jess Stiger spin. On the restart Rando was able to put a little distance between himself and the battle for second between Griffith and Weaver with Dussel moving into fourth over Colvin and a charging Foos. Weaver would execute a slide job for second on lap 11 and closed the gap on Rando.

A caution for debris on lap 14 bunched the field up and on the ensuing restart, Weaver dove under Rando. As Weaver slid in front of Rando, Rando tried to cross over and made contact with Griffith, sending Rando upside down. Weaver now inherited the lead over Griffith, Foos, Dussel, Colvin and Ryan. On lap 16, Foos who had just disposed of Griffith, dove under Weaver and slid in front for the lead. With five laps to go the running order was Foos, Weaver, Griffith, Miller and 16th place starter John Ivy.

Foos avoided disaster on lap 21 when he jumped the heavy cushion in turn four, nearly crashing as Weaver raced to his inside. Foos regained his composure and held on to the top spot. A Ross Moore spin on lap 22 would bunch the field up for a three lap battle to the checkers. Under the caution, it was discovered Griffith had lost a muffler, sending him pit side and moving Miller into third with Ivy fourth. Ivy would grab third on the restart with Foos continuing to lead Weaver. Foos would hit his marks perfectly the last three laps for the win with Weaver, Ivy, Miller and Dustin Dinan rounding out the top five.

Attica Raceway Park will be back in action for the 21st annual HD Supply Spring Nationals April 6-7 featuring the UNOH All Star Sprints, the UMP Late Models and the 305 Sprints. NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne is expected to compete against the All Stars.

For more information go to www.atticaracewaypark.com or follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

Attica Raceway Park - 3/31/2012

Columbus Equipment Night

O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints (32 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 - Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 53-Phil Gressman[2] ; 2. O9-Craig Mintz[1] ; 3. 60-Jody Keegan[3] ; 4. 54-Cap Henry[6] ; 5. 40-Caleb Helms[4] ; 6. 22-Cole Duncan[5] ; 7. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[7] ; 8. 91-Aaron Middaugh[8]

Heat 2 - Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 24H-Brian Sebetto[1] ; 2. 16-Chris Andrews[6] ; 3. 14H-Todd Heller[4] ; 4. 55-Brad Bowman[3] ; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[5] ; 6. 2M-Dallas Hewitt[7] ; 7. 17-Jared Horstman[8] ; 8. 60C-Kory Crabtree[2]

Heat 3 - Bell Racing (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 45-Brian Lay[1] ; 2. 4K-Kris Spitz[4] ; 3. 83-Tim Shaffer[7] ; 4. 70-Brad Haudenschild[5] ; 5. 45H-Danny Holtgraver[3] ; 6. 14-Chad Wilson[6] ; 7. 48-Mike Burkin[8]

Heat 4 - Friendship Food Stores (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. O-Lee Jacobs[1] ; 2. 2-Dale Blaney[4] ; 3. 25-Chris Myers[3] ; 4. 35-Stuart Brubaker[5] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson[7] ; 6. 3-Mike Linder[8] ; 7. 2+-Brian Smith[6] ; 8. 9J-Jesse McCreary[2]

B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 40-Caleb Helms[1] ; 2. W20-Greg Wilson[4] ; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[2] ; 4. 45H-Danny Holtgraver[3] ; 5. 2M-Dallas Hewitt[6] ; 6. 22-Cole Duncan[5] ; 7. 2+-Brian Smith[12] ; 8. 17-Jared Horstman[10] ; 9. 48-Mike Burkin[11] ; 10. 5T-Travis Philo[16] ; 11. 14-Chad Wilson[7] ; 12. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[9] ; 13. 60C-Kory Crabtree[14] ; 14. 91-Aaron Middaugh[13] ; 15. 3-Mike Linder[8]

A-Main - (30 Laps)

1. 2-Dale Blaney[6]; 2. 53-Phil Gressman[10]; 3. O-Lee Jacobs[8]; 4. 83-Tim Shaffer[11]; 5. 54-Cap Henry[13]; 6. 45H-Danny Holtgraver[20]; 7. 24H-Brian Sebetto[5]; 8. 40-Caleb Helms[17]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson[18]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[19]; 11. 16-Chris Andrews[2]; 12. O9-Craig Mintz[7]; 13. 25-Chris Myers[1]; 14. 35-Stuart Brubaker[16]; 15. 70-Brad Haudenschild[15]; 16. 14H-Todd Heller[12]; 17. 4K-Kris Spitz[9]; 18. 55-Brad Bowman[14]; 19. 60-Jody Keegan[3]

Hard Charger: 45H-Danny Holtgraver[+14]

Summit Racing Equipment Late Models (25 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 - Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 18R-Chris Ross[2] ; 2. O1-Justin Chance[7] ; 3. 20W-Matt Westfall[4] ; 4. 34-Ky Harper[5] ; 5. 92-Cody Scott[3] ; 6. 15H-Jon Henry[9] ; 7. 23C-Jeremy Canada[6] ; 8. 15-Phil Ausra[8] ; 9. 42K-Bob Mayer[1]

Heat 2 - Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 27-Ken Hahn[1] ; 2. 15B-Mike Bores[3] ; 3. 51-Devin Shiels[8] ; 4. 50Y-Ryan Missler[6] ; 5. 99M-John Mayes Jr.[4] ; 6. 36-Matt Irey[7] ; 7. 48-John Bores[5] ; 8. X3-Dan Wallace[2]

Heat 3 - Bell Racing (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 56-B.J. Gregory[2] ; 2. 27S-Eric Spangler[5] ; 3. 5H-Ernie Haynes[4] ; 4. 21-Larry Kingseed[8] ; 5. 6-Kyle Perry[3] ; 6. 99-Steve Sabo[1] ; 7. 12-Michael Stiltner Jr.[6]

B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 15H-Jon Henry[1] ; 2. 36-Matt Irey[2] ; 3. 15-Phil Ausra[7] ; 4. 12-Michael Stiltner Jr.[6] ; 5. 99-Steve Sabo[3] ; 6. 42K-Bob Mayer[9] ; 7. 23C-Jeremy Canada[4] ; 8. 48-John Bores[5]

A-Main - (25 Laps)

1. 51-Devin Shiels[2]; 2. 18R-Chris Ross[6]; 3. 56-B.J. Gregory[4]; 4. 27-Ken Hahn[5]; 5. 34-Ky Harper[9]; 6. 5H-Ernie Haynes[10]; 7. 15H-Jon Henry[16]; 8. O1-Justin Chance[7]; 9. 20W-Matt Westfall[1]; 10. 27S-Eric Spangler[11]; 11. 15B-Mike Bores[12]; 12. 15-Phil Ausra[18]; 13. 36-Matt Irey[17]; 14. 92-Cody Scott[13]; 15. 6-Kyle Perry[15]; 16. 21-Larry Kingseed[8]; 17. 99-Steve Sabo[20]; 18. 99M-John Mayes Jr.[14]; 19. 50Y-Ryan Missler[3]; 20. 12-Michael Stiltner Jr.[19]

Hard Charger: 15H-Jon Henry[+9]

Fremont Fence 305 Sprints (25 Cars)

[#]-Starting Position

Heat 1 - Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 11F-D.J. Foos[3] ; 2. 40-Caleb Griffith[7] ; 3. 25-Jason Keckler[5] ; 4. 72C-Ross Moore[6] ; 5. 23-Jim Cushing[2] ; 6. 22D-Dan Hammond[4] ; 7. 22M-Dan McCarron[8] ; 8. 68G-Tyler Guhn[9] ; 9. 7X-Jay Howe[1]

Heat 2 - Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 5R-Jordan Ryan[2] ; 2. 4M-Jamie Miller[3] ; 3. 8J-Jess Stiger[1] ; 4. 9-Jimmy Colvin[7] ; 5. 36X-Dustin Keegan[6] ; 6. 36-Seth Schneider[5] ; 7. 717-Trey Jacobs[8] ; 8. 6L-Talon Stephen[4]

Heat 3 - Bell Racing (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 5-Dustin Dinan[2] ; 2. 1W-Paul Weaver[5] ; 3. 19R-Steve Rando[1] ; 4. 1-Nate Dussel[8] ; 5. 39-Matt Merrill[4] ; 6. 8K-John Ivy[7] ; 7. 10X-Dustin Stroup[6] ; 8. 83X-Nate Reeser[3]

B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)

1. 8K-John Ivy[3] ; 2. 36-Seth Schneider[2] ; 3. 22M-Dan McCarron[4] ; 4. 10X-Dustin Stroup[6] ; 5. 68G-Tyler Guhn[7] ; 6. 22D-Dan Hammond[1] ; 7. 717-Trey Jacobs[5] ; 8. 83X-Nate Reeser[9] ; 9. 7X-Jay Howe[10] ; 10. 6L-Talon Stephen[8]

A-Main - (25 Laps)

1. 11F-D.J. Foos[11]; 2. 1W-Paul Weaver[6]; 3. 8K-John Ivy[16]; 4. 4M-Jamie Miller[10]; 5. 5-Dustin Dinan[8]; 6. 1-Nate Dussel[7]; 7. 36X-Dustin Keegan[14]; 8. 5R-Jordan Ryan[4]; 9. 9-Jimmy Colvin[2]; 10. 36-Seth Schneider[17]; 11. 8J-Jess Stiger[9]; 12. 68G-Tyler Guhn[20]; 13. 22M-Dan McCarron[18]; 14. 72C-Ross Moore[12]; 15. 40-Caleb Griffith[3]; 16. 23-Jim Cushing[13]; 17. 39-Matt Merrill[15]; 18. 10X-Dustin Stroup[19]; 19. 19R-Steve Rando[1]; 20. 25-Jason Keckler[5]

Hard Charger: 8K-John Ivy[+13]