Archive for May, 2017
Friends of Mike Finale Coming Up At Bridgeport
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Friends of Mike
Friends of Mike Finale Coming Up At Bridgeport
The twelve year run of the Friends of Mike (FoM) event will come to a close on Tuesday, May 16 at the Bridgeport Speedway when it is run in conjunction with the Super DIRTcar Series event.
Friends of Mike all started back in 2006 when Danny Serrano, a racing fan, and several of his friends, set out to support Mike Rogie, an avid racing fan who was battling cancer. They came up with this event to give back to the drivers who put on the show for their enjoyment, week after week, and at the same time, honor their friend Mike. Serrano had not yet made the move into track management when he began this venture. “So many people wanted to be a part of it,” Serrano stated. “It was like a whirlwind.” No one would know then that this event would become a tradition that would extend through twelve racing seasons.
Sadly, Mike Rogie was never able to attend, his untimely passing came on the day of the inaugural FoM event. Brian Godown picked up the win in the first ever Friends of Mike.
Keith Hoffman put Pat Michael’s No. 51M into Victory Lane in the second FoM race a year later. “That race really turned our season around,” Hoffman offered. “We switched cars for that race and won.” Hoffman would be the first driver to repeat in FoM history when he won one of the four twenty lap events in 2008. Rick Laubach, Tim Tanner and Tad Cox were also twenty lap winners that year.
Billy Pauch picked up the win in 2009 and then Willie Osmun a year later. Another format change and it was Tim McCreadie who made a rare appearance for the win in 2011. McCreadie headed to a Late Model race the next day but not before collecting the checkered in the FoM event.
Danny Johnson was the 2012 race winner in the last event to be held at the New Egypt Speedway.
In 2013, Jimmy Blewett made history as the winner of the first FoM event at the Bridgeport Speedway as he earned his first ever Big Block Modified victory as he raced Billy Pauch for the win. In 2014, Stewart Friesen picked up his first FoM win which he promptly backed up with a second win the next year. In 2015, Serrano honored Sam Martz who was the only driver to compete in all ten FoM races. One year later, it was Martz who collected the victory as he raced to the win over Laubach, Dominick Buffalino and Ryan Watt.
Over the years, the format has changed as has the location, but the driver and fan support has never wavered. One year, Serrano engineered a horseshoe tournament among the drivers before the race. The fans and the drivers loved it! And every year, this race in run in conjunction with a huge Chinese Auction and this year is no exception! Tina Potts has been working hard with Serrano to make this year’s event the biggest one yet! Race car doors and roofs, driver t-shirts and all sorts of racing memorabilia have been collected and will be won by a lucky race fan on race night. Contributions for the Chinese Auction can be made by notifying Tina or Danny through Facebook.
Past FoM winners, Laubach, Pauch, Johnson, Friesen and Martz will be in the field, competing for a spot in the starting line-up of the final Friends of Mike. The DIRTcar series regulars with names like Hearn, Sheppard, Fuller, Decker, Wight and Ward, Britten, Mahaney, Flach, Phelps, McLaughlin and Scagliotta will be at Bridgeport for the second race of the Super DIRTcar series. They will have to meet the challenges presented by Bridgeport regulars led by reigning champion, Ryan Watt, past champions, Wade Hendrickson & Rick Laubach, back-to-back feature winner, David Hunt, Neal Williams, Richie Pratt, Jr., Dominick Buffalino and a host of others. Add in the invaders from the Tri-state area – Duane Howard who has already collected a Bridgeport victory with his Norm Hansell owned ride, Jeff Strunk who has been very competitive on the 5/8th mile track this season, Ryan Godown who recently picked up a second place finish with the Atlas Trucking No. 66 and then there’s the “Sensational One”, Jimmy Horton who has collected more wins than any other driver in the history of the Bridgeport Speedway.
This will be a night that every race fan dreams of – with all of the top names in Modifieds right here at the Bridgeport Speedway for the first Super DIRTcar Series event since 2005!
Racing gets underway at 7:15. Come early and enjoy! There will be musical entertainment before the races get underway. Bridgeport offers a wide selection of appetizing offerings at their concession stands. Pick up a new t-shirt to add to your collection. The Bridgeport Bullet – the official program of the Bridgeport speedway – will be a great keepsake for this event. Take a ride on the Bandit Bus and get a look at the behind the scenes action in the pits.
The Bridgeport Speedway is committed to maintaining a safe, fun, family atmosphere, creating life-lasting memories of excitement.
BLEWETT WINS SECOND STRAIGHT WALL MOD RACE SAT
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Wall Stadium
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Jimmy Blewett returned to the winner’s circle for the second straight Saturday night at Wall Stadium Speedway topping the 40-lap main event for the Freehold Ford Modified stock cars. The win moved the Howell resident to a fourth place tie on the all-time speedway win list with standout racer Tony Siscone with 59 wins. The win also moved Blewett out of a 58 win tie with legendary driver Tommie Elliott.
When the green flag dropped on this one two-time defending champion Steven Reed of Jackson was the leader but Blewett wasted no time in moving to second with Manchester’s Shanon Mongeau running third. The race was stopped soon after when Brick’s Shawna Ingraham got out of shape exiting turn two and forced Holmdel’s Andrew Krause into the guardrail. The mishap collected six cars but no injuries were reported.
Reed continued to pace the field on the restart with Blewett and Mongeau close behind. The turning point in this event came on lap nine with Reed’s car washed up the backing in turn one and Blewett was able to dive to the inside lane and into the lead. Mongeau soon followed Blewett through for second.
From then on it was a high-speed chase before Blewett took the win with Mongeau a close second. Reed, Adam LaCicero of Lavallette and Toms River’s Derek Hopkinson completed the top five.
“I watched Tony Siscone get a lot of wins here so I guess this is a pretty big accomplishment,” Blewett said. “The car was great tonight thanks to everyone who supports this team. They work hard and our sponsors really help. I can’t stress that enough.”
After missing opening night racing the week before due to a trip to Mexico for a friend’s wedding, Dom Fattarusso of Brick posted the fastest time, started sixth and raced on to the 25-lap Snap On Sportsman main event win.
Tyler Truex of Mayetta was the early leader of the race with opening night winner Kevin Davison of Howell close behind. Meanwhile, Fattarusso passed cars to advance to third before risking his spot by moving to the outside lane in the cone race format. On that restart Fattarusso gained second spot and then dove to the inside lane in turns one and two to take the lead and eventual win.
Truex and Davison were second and third while Tuckerton’s Robbie Walton and Mike Carr of Wall completed the top five.
Joey Helberg of Union jumped to the lead early and raced on to win the 25-lap feature race for the O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stocks. Opening night winner Scott Riggleman of Manchester and Brick’s Joe Mongeau made up the tight top three, while Elliott Wohl of Bayville and Mike Montano of Ft. Myers, Fla. were fourth and fifth.
Defending champ Lou Keraitis of Toms River grabbed the lead on lap three and then raced to victory in the 25-lapper for the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars. Howell’s Robert French borrowed a car to race through the pack for second. Mitchell Dowd of Pottstown, Pa., Nick Van Wickle of Edgewater Park and Vinny Troia of Browns Mills were third trough fifth.
Ryan Tidman of Levittown, Pa. won the 25-lapper for the touring Three Quarter Midgets and Dalton Rivera won a 15-lapper for Sunday Series Champ Karts.
Racing continues this Saturday evening (May 13). John Gasko and Son Farm and Greenhouses will not on honor mom’s on this Mother’s Day weekend by presenting flowers while supplies last, but will also be the presenting trophy sponsor for all divisions. Grandstand seating will open at 5:00 p.m. Qualifying will then start at 5:45 p.m. before the seven main events begin at 7:00 p.m.
The Freehold Ford Modifieds are set for a 40-lap main event and the Elite Maintenance Limited Late Models are set for a pair of feature races. The O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stocks, Surfside Collision 4 Cylinder Stocks and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars will compete in 25-lap feature races on the third mile high-banked paved oval.
More information on Wall Stadium and the 2017 Saturday night schedule can be obtained by visiting the website at wallspeedwayracing.com.
Wall Stadium is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.
RACE RESULTS 5-6-17
MODIFIED FEATURE – 40 Laps – 1 JIMMY BLEWETT, HOWELL, 2. Shanon Mongeau, 3. Steven Reed, 4. Adam LaCicero, 5. Derek Hopkinson, 6. Jason Hearne, 7. Jason Treat, 8. Blake Barney, 9. Shaun Carrig, 10. Ryan Cottrell, 11. Ron Frees, 12. Andrew Krause, 13. Shawna Ingraham, 14. Ricky Collins, 15. Kenny Van Wickle, 16. Chas Okerson
SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. DOM FATTARUSSO, BRICK, 2. Tyler Truex, 3. Kevin Davison, 4. Robby Walton, 5. Mike Carr, 6. Jarret DiGiantamasso, 7. Eric Lane, 8. Rob Silver, 9. Mike Tidaback, 10. Roland DeMartino, 11. Joe Cocca, 12. Jonathan Laureigh, 13. Matt Langbein, 14. Kyle Scisco, 15. Jake Nelke, 16. Todd Dige, 17. Dave Bailey
FACTORY STOCK FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. JOEY HELBERG, UNION, 2. Scott Riggleman, 3. Joe Mongeau, 4. Elliott Wohl, 5. Mike Montano, 6. Tom Rajkowski, 7. Rob Haberstick, 8. Ray Fattarusso, 9. Whitey Miller, 10. Gerry Koenig, 11. Matt Badessa, 12. John Bowers, 13. Tim Majek, 14. Tony Bartone, 15. Bryan O’Shea, 16. Richie Byrne, 17. Tim O’Shea, 18. Nancy Riggleman, 19. Theresa Collins, 20. Eric Bodenschatz
LEGEND CARS FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. LOU KERAITIS, TOMS RIVER, 2. Robert French, 3. Mitchell Dowd, 4. Nick Van Wickle, 5. Vinny Troia, 6. Artie Pederson, 7. Chris Gall, 8. Tom Stavola, 9. Tony Hodgson, 10. Roger Nickerson
Bridgeport Speedway Quick Results
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Bridgeport Speedway
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ROOKIES
1 – Jim Gallagher Jr, 2 – Jeff Stuart, 3 – Matt Luzi, 4 – Brett Belmont, 5 – Kevin Britt, 6 – Dave Izzi, 7 – Olivia Ingersoll, 8 – Walt McIntyre, 9 – Keith McKinley, 10 – Scott Kohler, 11 – Erik Mattson, 12 – Tommy Errico, 13 – Ray Cost
OUTLAW STOCKS
1 – Jeramy Doerr, 2 – Jimmy Avery, 3 – Mike Creamer, 4 – Jeff Dirkes, 5 – Tom Wills Jr, 6 – Brian Ludwig, 7 – Billy Wroble, 8 – Cleve Riehl, 9 – John Parker, 10 – Ken Moren, 11 – David Kramer, 12 – Paul Donahue, 13 – Andrew Joslin
MODIFIEDS
1 – David Hunt, 2 – Billy Pauch, 3 – Richie Pratt Jr, 4 – Wade Hendrickson, 5 – Ryan Watt, 6 – Dominick Buffalino, 7 – Sammy Martz, 8 – Rick Laubach, 9 – Brett Kressley, 10 – Jack Swain, 11 – PJ Oliver, 12 – Mike Barone, 13 – Jim Britt, 14 – Tommy Beamer, 15 – Ron Roberts, 16 – Bob Sarkisian, 17 – Mike Franz, 18 – Neal Williams, 19 – Dave Shirk DNS – Ernie Miles III
CRATE/SPORTSMAN
1 – Jeremy Harrington, 2 – Brian Papiez, 3 – Eric Kormann, 4 – Matthew Peck, 5 – Matt Stangle, 6 – Roger Manning, 7 – Bill Briggs, 8 – John Aumick, 9 – Adam Cox, 10 – Rich Wegner Jr, 11 – Clyde Cox, 12 – Chris Jenkins, 13 – Roger Gaskill, 14 – Andrew Belmont, 15 – Walt McIntyre, 16 – David Crossman, 17 – Joe Nappi, 18 – Brad Roberts, 19 – David Izzi, 20 – Jim Gallagher Jr, 21 – Rich Deck Jr, 22 – Dave Damiano, 23 – Brett Belmont DNS – Kevin Belmont DNQ – Pete Serra, Tom Holding, Ray Cost, Matthew Luzi, Ryan Simmons, Tom Sherby, Bobby Bracall, Scott Hulmes, Chuck Sayres, Olivia Ingersoll, Scott Kohler, Tommy Errico
Schatz Eighth Win Comes at 81 Speedway
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World of Outlaws
Contact: Colby Gorniewicz
World of Outlaws PR
704-707-0229 | cgorniewicz@dirtcar.com
Please link back to the original article here
Donny Schatz wins Outlaws return to 81 Speedway to score eighth victory of the season
By: Tony Veneziano
PARK City, KS.- May 7, 2017 - Quite a bit has changed over the last 11 years since the last Donny Schatz had raced at 81 Speedway, prior to Saturday night. The track surface was reconfigured before this season, while the tires and wings on the cars have also changed over the last decade. One things that didn't change was the end result as he won for the second straight time at the three-eights-mile as the Outlaws returned to 81 Speedway for the Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor and the City of Park City, Kansas.
Schatz's second consecutive win at 81 Speedway had extra meaning, as his crew chief Ricky Warner and his wife, have family members from the area, who are involved with the operations at 81 Speedway.
"This is like a hometown win for Rick and Danele Warner," said Schatz. "Rick has been with me a long time and we have won a lot of races together. The last time we were here, we won and were fortunate to get here again tonight. It was a great crowd tonight and it's great to see all of the enthusiasm here. It's incredible to be standing here in front of them winning."
Schatz started on the pole and led all 30 laps, but had a very close call, after some contact, when a pair of lapped cars got together right in front of him on the 18th lap. Despite sustaining some damage to his machine, the North Dakota native was able to lead flag-to-flag.
"The (No.) 4 car stopped and I got into him there," noted Schatz. "I thought I was going over and when I got away from him I could steer, but I knew something was bent in the front. It obviously bent the front axle, but it didn't really hurt me much. It might have actually helped me."
On the double file restart, which was the only restart of the 30-lap main event, Schatz chose the low side of the three-eighths-mile, with Jason Johnson lined up beside him. A strong restart propelled Schatz as Johnson, David Gravel and Daryn Pittman all battled for second.
"We just had the car rolling and are trying a lot of funky things right now and there are a lot of weird pieces on this race car, but we are learning," explained Schatz. "Sometimes you pay the price and April was that time, so May is going a lot better."
Pittman used a last lap pass of Gravel to earn his second consecutive runner-up finish, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season in the Great Clips, No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. Pittman started second and looked on the low side of the track a couple of times in the early going as he kept pace with Schatz.
"We are bringing better race cars to the track," said Pittman. "Eric Prutzman is making great changes as the night goes on. Getting in the dash has been huge with the extra track time. Most of the headway we have made with our race cars the last two nights has been in the dash. That's really been key. When the car is faster, it's a lot more fun to drive."
Pittman started second and kept pace with Schatz for the first few laps, before losing a couple of positions. Late in the race he had an entertaining battle with Gravel and Johnson for the runner-up position.
"We had to fight hard for that one," shared Pittman. "We fell back to fourth and got by Jason (Johnson) after the yellow. (David) Gravel got caught up by a few lapped cars and we were able to get back by him coming to the checkers. It was a good finish and a good weekend for us."
Gravel continued his strong season by picking up his 13th top-five finish of the season, with a third-place finish. The Connecticut native ran as high as second in the late going and was keeping up with Schatz in open track, before having some trouble getting by slower cars.
"Lapped cars were pretty tough, they were running pretty high and made it pretty difficult," said Gravel. "It was hard to tell where they were going to go. Daryn (Pittman) got by me, but I think we had a second-place car. I just wish we could have qualified a little better to get in the dash and get another shot at the race track. If we had started on the front two rows, I think we could have gotten the win. We'll take our podium and move on to the next race."
Johnson finished fourth, with Brad Sweet in fifth. Shane Stewart worked his way from the 16th starting spot to finish sixth. Logan Schuchart was seventh, with Aaron Reutzel eighth, Jason Sides ninth and rookie Brent Marks 10th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13.
81 Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 13, Plymouth on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown - 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu - 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$5,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [7][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [4][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [16][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,200]; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8][$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3][$1,500]; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [18][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [13][$1,100]; 14. 17-Joey Saldana [5][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [9][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$900]; 17. 9XX-Jake Bubak [23][$800]; 18. 1X-Don Droud [19][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$800]; 20. 10C-Jeremy Campbell [24][$800]; 21. 4-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; 22. 1M-Danny Lasoski [20][$800]; 23. 2C-Wayne Johnson [21][$800]; 24. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [22][$800]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.523; 2. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.632; 3. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.657; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.809; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.907; 6. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 13.925; 7. 5-David Gravel, 13.944; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.973; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.106; 10. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.156; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 14.167; 12. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.194; 13. 1X-Don Droud, 14.225; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.291; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.311; 16. 99-Brady Bacon, 14.35; 17. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.419; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.45; 19. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 14.457; 20. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.497; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.591; 22. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.594; 23. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 14.778; 24. 9XX-Jake Bubak, 14.915; 25. 81-Jon Freeman, 14.932; 26. 10C-Jeremy Campbell, 15.365; 27. 91-Jeff Stasa, 17.95
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [6]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 7. 1M-Danny Lasoski [7]; 8. 1X-Don Droud [5]; 9. 81-Jon Freeman [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [8]; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [6]; 9. 10C-Jeremy Campbell [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 17-Joey Saldana [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 3. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [2]; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [7]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]; 8. 9XX-Jake Bubak [8]; 9. 91-Jeff Stasa [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [5]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 1X-Don Droud [1][-]; 2. 1M-Danny Lasoski [4][-]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [2][-]; 4. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [5][-]; 5. 9XX-Jake Bubak [6][-]; 6. 10C-Jeremy Campbell [8][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [3][$300]; 8. 91-Jeff Stasa [9][$250]; 9. 81-Jon Freeman [7][$225]
Donny Schatz Wins at Missouri State Fair Speedway
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Contact: Colby Gorniewicz
World of Outlaws PR
704-707-0229 | cgorniewicz@dirtcar.com
Please link back to the original article here
Lucky Seven: Donny Schatz wins at Missouri State Fair Speedway to score seventh win of season
By: Tony Veneziano
SEDALIA, Mo.-May 5, 2017-Missouri State Fair Speedway has always been a special place for eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz. He made his first start with the series back in 1993 as a teenager at the historic track.
Schatz returned to the half-mile on Friday night, as the Outlaws visited the track for the first time since 2012 and was victorious in the Sedalia Show-Me State Showdown to earn his third-career win at Missouri State Fair Speedway and his seventh of the season aboard the Arctic Cat/Ford Performance J&J for Tony Stewart Racing.
"This is extra special, with this being the first place I ran at," said Schatz. "We had Mark Miller from Artic Cat here and this is kind of his home track. He had a premonition that we were going to have a good night and I'm glad he had that premonition."
Schatz started third and got around Joey Saldana for second on the seventh lap. He then began to close on leader Daryn Pittman as the lead duo negotiated lapped traffic. Schatz made his move on the low side of the back straightaway to take the top spot on lap-11.
Once out front, Schatz began to pull away. After the taking the white flag, the only caution of the 25-lap main event flew, setting up a green-white-checker finish with Schatz in the lead and Kerry Madsen lining up second. Schatz used a strong restart to pull away en route to the win.
"I was actually looking for the car that was stopped, but it wasn't stopped," said Schatz of the caution. "That's the way it goes sometimes and those breaks sometimes go your way. Our car was awesome. April really didn't show it, but April is over. That's what racing is about. You'll have some good days and you are going to have a lot of bad ones. Today was one of the good ones. We just keep digging and finding ways to make the race car faster. Hats off to them, they are on their game and they got us a win tonight."
The win for Schatz snapped a month-plus win drought, dating back to March 18 at Thunderbowl Raceway in California. He used traffic to his advantage and managed tire wear as well on his way to the $10,000 triumph. With the first 24 laps going non-stop, Schatz was in his comfort zone on the long green-flag run.
"You don't really ever bide your time," explained Schatz. "You have to be smart with your tires. This is a high speed track and it's pretty easy the fine line between stuck (to the track) and spinning (your tires). When I rolled across the scales, I saw the other cars around me and I saw their tires were really blistered. Mine looked good, so I guess that means I did my job at the right parts of the race. Early on, when you have all that fuel, they are not a lot of fun to drive. You have to be cautious and search out the race track and see what happens."
Pittman, who led the first 10 laps, after starting on the pole, finished a season-best second, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season. In open track in the early going, Pittman pulled away from Joey Saldana and had couple-second lead in the first six laps.
"It did feel good to run up front," said Pittman. "These guys are really working hard. It's been a struggle this year and I have a great group of guys and I am really proud to be a part of this team. There is no doubt we'll get that win and we keep getting better. We made a lot of headway and had a pretty solid car all night long. If we are going to beat the 15 car and some of these guys consistently, we still have some work to do. We'll get this Great Clips car to victory lane and it will be fun when we do."
Kerry Madsen lined up second for the green-white-checker restart and ended up in third, after Pittman used a strong restart to get around him. Madsen lined up fifth at the start of the 25-lap main event
"I was going for the win," said Madsen of his strategy on the restart. "I tried that low-middle there and feed off Donny's right rear on the restart. I should have done the opposite and fed off the left rear and gotten better grip. I went to attack and wasn't close enough to attack and got attacked. It was a fun race and our car was a rocket ship."
Joey Saldana, who ran second early in the race, ended up fourth. Brian Brown, who hails from Grain Valley, Mo., finished fifth. Jason Johnson, who now calls Missouri home was sixth, followed by Brad Sweet in seventh, Danny Lasoski, another Missouri native in eighth, David Gravel in ninth and Kraig Kinser rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, May 6 at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas. The Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co and the City of Park City, Kansas marks the series' first visit to 81 Speedway since 2006.
Missouri State Fair Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS:
Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 13, Plymouth on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown - 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu - 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): David Gravel; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each):Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, Jason Johnson. N/A, N/A; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Brady Bacon; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Danny Lasoski; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Paul McMahan, Aaron Reutzel.
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$3,200]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [2][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [6][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [7][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,200]; 8. 33-Danny Lasoski [16][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [15][$2,050]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$1,200]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,100]; 14. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$1,050]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [14][$1,000]; 16. 99-Brady Bacon [4][$900]; 17. 2C-Wayne Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 24-Terry McCarl [8][$800]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$800]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [24][$800]; 21. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [17][$800]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [23][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [18][$800]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [12][$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-11, Donny Schatz 12-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 33-Danny Lasoski[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 16.154; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.31; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.35; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 16.382; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 16.523; 6. 99-Brady Bacon, 16.564; 7. 17-Joey Saldana, 16.596; 8. 24-Terry McCarl, 16.613; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.638; 10. 49-Brad Sweet, 16.639; 11. 5-David Gravel, 16.657; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 16.658; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 16.688; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 16.705; 15. 21-Brian Brown, 16.725; 16. 33-Danny Lasoski, 16.745; 17. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 16.866; 18. 4-Paul McMahan, 16.89; 19. 2-Shane Stewart, 16.903; 20. W20-Greg Wilson, 16.948; 21. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 16.953; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 16.961; 23. 17A-Austin McCarl, 17.026; 24. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 17.034; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen, 17.185; 26. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 17.253; 27. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 17.253; 28. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 17.379; 29. O5-Brad Loyet, 17.597; 30. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.664; 31. 75-Glen Saville, 18.075; 32. 17B-Josh Baughman, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [5]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6]; 7. O5-Brad Loyet [8]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature:1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 99-Brady Bacon [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [4]; 6. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7]; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 17-Joey Saldana [2]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 4. 5-David Gravel [3]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 17A-Austin McCarl [6]; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [7]; 8. 75-Glen Saville [8]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 24-Terry McCarl [2]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 4. 33-Danny Lasoski [4]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 6. 17B-Josh Baughman [8]; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7]; 8. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [6]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [1]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [3]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [7]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [8]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer to Feature: 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][-]; 2. 2C-Wayne Johnson [6][-]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2][-]; 4. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [4][-]; 5. 17A-Austin McCarl [3][$300]; 6. 7W-Tasker Phillips [8][$250]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][$225]; 8. O5-Brad Loyet [9][$200]; 9. 71A-R.J. Johnson [7][$200]; 10. 75-Glen Saville [11][$200]; 11. 17B-Josh Baughman [12][$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [10][$200]
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES NEWS
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Thunder on the Hill
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MAY 5, 2017
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
Sportsman & MASS Sprints join Thunder on the Hill Series event. . .
BIG PAYDAY OFFERED FOR BIG BLOCK/358 NASCAR MODIFIEDS SUNDAY NIGHT, MAY 28 AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (May 5, 2017) – Backyard barbecues and Big Block vs. Small Block Modifieds highlight an exciting weekend for area race fans as the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series kicks off their 28th season of racing action on Sunday, May 28 with the Pioneer Pole Buildings Triple Thunder Thriller event at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA.
With a 7:30 PM start time, the Triple Thunder Thriller includes three exciting stock car racing divisions competing on the Berks County dirt track with a $5,000-to-win (for pre-entered competitors), 40-lap main event featuring the Big Block vs. Small Block Dirt Modifieds.
A lucrative payday for pre-entered drivers -- $1,000 for 10th, and $500 to start -- has enticed competitors from all over the east coast including Pennsylvania drivers Craig Von Dohren and Duane Howard; New Jersey’s father-son duo of Billy Pauch Sr. and Billy Pauch Jr.; and New York’s Lebanon Valley Speedway regular Keith Flach.
Teams are encouraged to pre-enter by calling 443-513-4456 or by visiting www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com. There is NO ENTRY FEE for this special event.
Included on this holiday spectacular are the Sportsman division competing in a 25-lap event with $1,200 going to the victor and the first appearance of the newly formed MASS Sprint Car Series in a 20-lap event.
The Pioneer Pole Buildings Mobile Sales Unit will be on display in the mid-way along with all of the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series mainstay promotions including the Low Down & Dirty Radio Show pre-race Meet and Greet, pit area tours, the Inside/Out Experience – where fans can watch hot laps from the infield, take a ride in the Eli’s Auto World Pace Truck, see Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’ offering up free pizzas to the rowdiest fans, give-a-ways, and appearances by Miss Thunder on the Hill, Lauren Fischer.
Helping to celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend will be a special fireworks display on the parade lap to start the $5,000 to win modified feature event.
Spectator gates will open at 5 PM, with racing action set for 7:30 PM. Adult General Admission is $25, Children 6-11 are $10, and Children 5 and Under are Free of Charge. Pit Area pricing is $35 and a license is not required. Don’t forget, Grandview Speedway will be in action on Saturday night, May 27 so bring the camper and overnight for free on the most “popular hill” in Bechtelsville, PA
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Eli’s Auto World Quaker Steak & Lube, and GALCO Business Communications.
2017 Thunder Racing Series Schedule:
Memorial Day Triple Thunder Thriller --Sunday, May 28 7:30 PM - Grandview Speedway -- Big Block/358 Modifieds* 40 laps, Sportsman & MASS Sprint
11th Annual Jesse Hockett Classic - Tuesday, June 13 7:30 PM -- USAC National Wingless Sprint Car Series Eastern Storm and 358 Modifieds*
Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek - Tuesday, July 4 7:30 PM - 410 Sprint Cars & 358 Modifieds*
3rd Annual Thunder Cup Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions - Thursday, August 17 7:30 PM - 410 Sprint Cars & Sportsman*
Mods at the Madhouse Halloween Party - Saturday, October 14 6 PM - Big-Block/358 Modifieds 40 Laps, Sportsman & MASS Sprints
*NASCAR Points event
Grandview Speedway
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Series Website: Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
The brainchild of Grandview Speedway owner Bruce Rogers, special events promoter Bob Miller and local driving star Dave Kelly, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series celebrates 28 years of the most anticipated events of the racing calendar year after year. In 124 events over $4.2 million dollars has been divvied up among the area's fastest racers. What started as a single 410 Sprint Car event in 1990 has blossomed to feature a variety of racing action including 358 Modifieds, USAC Wingless Sprints, All-Star Circuit of Champions, 360 & 410 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Late Models, Midgets, Legends cars, DIRTcar and ROC Modified events.
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 55th Anniversary season in 2017. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill race wear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine-tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap.
