HAMLIN SPEEDWAY NEWS
ByHamlin, PA - The Cream Rises To The Top In Sensational Hamlin Speedway Racing Action
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media
Hamlin Speedway got back on track last night and in traditional fashion Promoters Randy and Denise Smith hosted another sensational event on Saturday evening as a standing room only crowd on hand witnessed a seven feature event show that was completed at 10:39 PM. All cylinders were clicking to perfection as the fifth week of the 2016 produced another well executed spectacle of speed in the Pocono Mountains. With superb weather acting as the backdrop, the top stars at Hamlin duked it out on the superbly conditioned 1/5 mile clay cushioned raceway. The show proved to be a blessing as all of the preliminary events and the seven features were run off quickly and once again the cream rose to the top for the 122 racers who converged at the speedway to battle in their quest to find their way into the coveted Hamlin Victory Circle. The event was sponsored by S&S Speedways Indoor Go Karts located in Snydersville, Pennsylvania.
Capturing wins during the exciting evening of speed were "The Ambassador" Wes Hearn who continues to flourish at Hamlin as he scored his fifth win of the season in the Super Slinger finale while securing runner-up honors in the All Star Slingshot main event. "Magic Shoes" Mike McLaughlin had the hot ticket in the All Star Slingshot main as he captured his first win of the season. Empire State driving star Damon Paul was scary fast as he racked up his second win of the season in the exciting Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified main event. The G-Man" Grady Johnston showed his competitors the short way around Hamlin as he baselined his way to his third win of the season in the Wingless 600 Sprint finale. Paul Richards Jr was spectacular in racing to his third win of the season in the 270 Sprint headliner. Former Slingshot star Joe Howey was spot on as he gassed his way to his first career win at Hamlin in the Rookie 600 Sprint twenty lapper. The Junior Slingshot feature was captured by "The Hurricane" Hunter Lapp as he earned his first career win at Hamlin with a stellar performance over a tough field of competition and marking his eighth win of the season out on the Junior Slingshot circuit.
The "Stars of Tomorrow" from the Junior Slingshot division have been sensational all season long and Saturday was no exception as Hunter Lapp, fresh off of a Friday night win at Accord, wasted no time in seizing the lead at the start with Jared Silfee immediately applying the pressure. A few skirmishes along the way slowed the event down at times but when the racing was go Lapp was able to clock off some 13.903 times and Silfee chasing with 14.006 times. Yes, they were that close! Lapp was able to get through lapped traffic a bit quicker than Silfee but a caution on lap-18 for a disabled Adam Buchel, brought out the caution and ending Buchel's great night as he was running fourth at the time. A two lap shoot-out followed and Lapp was able to hit his marks and go on to capture his first career win at Hamlin. the early laps. Jared Silfee followed closely for runner-up status. Cole Stangle continued his fine season with a solid third place showing while Jake Mason and Ty Kelly completed the top five. "Lil Miss" Shelby McLaughlin headed up the second five after starting eleventh while Emily Fleming, the returning Evan Van Valkenburg, Nathen Marold and Colton Geary completed the top ten. A solid field of 18-cars took the initial green flag.
The stars of the over-35 Super Slinger division found crowd favorites Wes Hearn and Dale Kober at their best as the veteran wheel twisters put on a great show as they duked it out over twenty laps. Kober turned a fast time of 13.903 seconds to remain close and Hearn was consistent with some 13.860 times. Hearn would go on to capture his fifth consecutive win of the season while Kober nursed his smoking machine to a close runner-up finish. Steve Pirone ran an excellent race to secure third place and his best finish to date in the division. The returning Greg Zellman ran a great race to finish fourth while steady Jim Conroy completed the top five.
The Rookie Wingless 600 Sprint main found 23-cars going to the post for the start of the twenty lap main event. Joe Howey quickly grabbed the lead and found the baseline of the speedway much to his liking as he was followed by a hot running AJ Hobbs. Before a lap could be completed, a spin by Jacob Balliet netted a "tommy-tip-over" for Tony Parlanti. Once the drivers settled in, it became the Howey-Hobbs show as for a few laps before the smooth as silk "Wild Child" Geordan Marrero came into the picture. Marrero found his mark from the catbird seat as he watched the action in front of him for a few laps before trading second place with Hobbs for a few laps. A four car skirmish on lap-16 ended Hobbs bid and placed Marrero nose to tail with Howey for the remaining four laps. Howey would repel the bid by Marrero and go on to capture his first career win at Hamlin with Marrero a close second. 14th starting "The Mack Attack" Mack Brink would hustle through the field to nail down third with Noah Zielinski fourth and Scott Rupp completing the top five. The second five found 65 year-old Carmen Leggio Sr, Jakson Ring, JR Williams, Jacob Balliet and Tyler Galatro finishing up the top ten.
The Hampton RV and Trailer Sales Stage One Modified action was thrills a plenty from the word go as "The Beast" Chloe Andreas grabbed the lead at the start of the event and paced the field through nine laps while holding off a hard charging Damon Paul. Paul found the space he was looking for on lap ten and made the winning move and a quick running Steve Darling was able to slip past Andreas for the runner-up slot. Paul and Darling ran nose to tail and side by side for the remainder of the event with Paul capturing his second win of the season. Darling was the runner-up followed by Bill Dianella, Joel Smith and Chloe Andreas.
The 270 Sprint main for the winged warriors got off to a slow start as the returning Brittany Erlsten broke before the event went green. Paul Richards Jr was was fast and furious as he blasted out of the starting gate to lead the entire way with "Deuce" Glenn Macomber taking up the chase and finishing second. Kyle Ferrucci and Tyler Galatro finished behind Macomber.
Mike McLaughlin and Taylor Mills brought the star studded All Star Slingshot field to the starting line for the start of their 20-lap headliner. McLaughlin won the drag race at the start of the event and kept the momentum going as he tried to step away from the field. From third starting position came Wes Hearn and he began to pressure McLaughlin with moves from the top and the bottom of the raceway. A caution flag for a disabled Colin White on lap eight negated a Hearn pass for the lead and kept McLaughlin at the point. On the restart, Hearn would try time and time again but McLaughlin kept his line and raced to his first win of the season at Hamlin. Hearn would finish a strong second with "The Oley Jet" Brett Bieber racing to third place. Taylor Mills would finish fourth while Chris Kurtz completed the top five. The second five found Russell Benke III, Tyler Peet, Justin Mills from 16th, Tyler Pirone from 23rd, and Austin Silfee from 17th completing the top ten finishers. Twenty starters finished all of the twenty laps as the racing was just that close.
Grady Johnston blasted out front at the drop of the green flag in the 600 Sprint main and was quickly hounded by "The A-Team" Brandon Azzalina. The pair began a chess match of who is going where with birthday boy "Radioactive" Robbie Hocker joining the battle and a lap later "The Nickel Man" Joel Smith would move into the picture. As the laps clicked off, Johnston remained at the point and the battle for real estate escalated as the great talent showed their best stuff to one another as they jockeyed for position. Johnston would not be denied as he drove to a close win over Azzalina to secure his third win of the season at Hamlin. Hocker was third with Smith fourth and "The Rockaway Rocket" Danny Buccafusca completing the top five. "Bad" Chad Sandt headed up the talented second five with Johnny Smith, Sam Kravitsky from 17th, Zac Azzalina from 22nd and Mick D'Agostino completing the top ten.
PEARL JAMS:
A tip of the fedora to Denise and Randy Smith and crew for their hard work and dedication as Accuweather was calling for a major thunderstorm at 5 PM but they stood their ground and ran a sensational show and having everyone heading home before 11 PM.
Heat winners included the returning Kyle Exley, Joe Howey and AJ Hobbs in the Rookie 600 Sprints. Dale Kober captured the heat win in the Super Slingers. Three heats were run for the All Star Slingshots with Tyler Peet, Wes Hearn and Taylor Mills emerging victorious. Adam Buchel, Hunter Lapp and Jared Silfee captured the heat wins in the Junior Slingshots. Brandon Azzalina, Grady Johnston and Colin White were the winners of the three Wingless 600 Sprint heats.
Time trials were run for the 270 Sprints and Paul Richards Jr stopped the clocks at 11.587 seconds to nip Brittany Erlsten. Joel Smith was the top timer in the Stage One Modifieds with a 12.968 second time to nip Damon Paul who timed at 13.065 seconds.
New and returning faces were abundant in the pit area as Brittany Erlsten made her first appearance since the start of the season in the 270 Sprints. Greg Zellman and Ron Jablonka were new faces in the Super Slingers. Quarter Midget star Evan Civick tried a Stage One Modified for size and Dylan Martin secured the Smith Fabrications rental ride for the evening. Evan Van Valkenburg and Cooper Schoenly made their first Hamlin starts while Gavin McClure, Tommy Stillo and Jack Clancy were back in action in the Junior Slingshots. Joe Nemeth Steve Van Valkenburg, Kevin Weiand and Cody Powell returned to action in the Rookie 600 Sprints. Reigning 600 Sprint Champion Colin White secured a Slingshot ride for the evening in the John Mirabelli racer. Hunter Metzger was back in action in the Slingshots. Robbie Hocker, Mike Van Pelt, Jermain Godshall, Matt Roselli and Louie Horvath were back in action in the 600 Sprints. some time.
Jeff Haduck had the misfortune of getting upside down in the Super Slingers. he was unhurt in the incident and the crew went to work and had Tess Horvath ready to go when the All Star Slingshot heats went to the grid. A great job by the crew. Jack Clancy was forced to the sidelines in the Junior Slingshot main when his brake caliper froze and started a fire in his racer. JJ Rice, John Velde, Brittany Erlsten and Louie Horvath encountered mechanical issues and were forced out early in their respective features.
Fans, mark the dates on the calendar so you don't forget next week as there will be two nights of racing at Hamlin next week on June 17th and 18th as we spring into summer with a great weekend card of racing enjoyment; two great shows and two great payouts.
The VetStock Firecracker 100 (Hamlin Hundred) event on July 2nd is just three weeks away and anyone who would like to get involved with this great promotion for this event should contact the S&S Speedways at: 570 420 5500. Whether it be a prize or cash donation for this event, all donations are accepted graciously and all will be announced leading up to the event as well as at the speedway. Check out the VetStock website at: www.VetStockUSA.com for additional information.
Lap Sponsorship is also being sold at $10.00 per lap so it is a good time to pump up your sponsors for this great cause.
The two-day extravaganza event on June 17th and 18th as the speedway hosts the "Spring Into Summer" spectacular. The Friday night portion of the event will also host a Junior Slingshot National Tour event.
RESULTS:
All Star Slingshots: Mike McLaughlin, Wes Hearn, Brett Bieber, Taylor Mills, Chris Kurtz, Russell Benke III, Tyler Peet, Justin Mills, Tyler Pirone, Austin Silfee, Greg Zellman, Damon Paul, Steven Pirone, Alan Selemba, Ashley Kober, Tess Horvath, Josh Marcus, Dale Kober, Matt Henneforth, Amanda Buchel, Colin White, Hunter Metzger, Anthony Recchio
270cc Sprints: Paul Richards Jr, Glenn Macomber, Kyle Ferrucci, Tyler Galatro, Brittany Erlsten
600cc Wingless Sprints: Grady Johnston, Brandon Azzalina, Robbie Hocker, Joel Smith, Danny Buccafusca, Chad Sandt, Johnny Smith, Sam Kravitsky, Zac Azzalina, Mick D'Agostino, James Morris, Colin White, Chris Kurtz, Joseph Smith, Matt Roselli, Mike Van Pelt, Dylan Martin, Rick Calvert, Germain Godshall, JD Casazza, Ryan Quackenbush, Paul Richards Sr, Louie Horvath
Hampton RV And Trailer Stage One Modifieds: Damon Paul, Stephen Darling, Bill Dianella, Joel Smith, Chloe Andreas
Junior Slingshots: Hunter Lapp, Jared Silfee, Cole Stangle, Jake Mason, Ty Kelly, Shelby McLaughlin, Emily Fleming, Evan Van Valkenburg, Nathen Marold, Colton Geary, James Costlow, Adam Buchel, Cooper Schoenly, Tommy Stillo, Gavin McClure, JJ Rice, Jack Clancy, John Velde
Super Slingshots: Wes Hearn, Dale Kober, Steven Pirone, Greg Zellman, Jim Conroy, Ryan Lacoe, Jeff Haduck, Ron Jablonka, John Mirabelli
Rookie 600cc Wingless Sprints: Joe Howey, Geordan Marrero, Mack Brink, Noah Zielinski, Scott Rupp, Carmen Leggio Sr, Jakson Ring, JR Williams, Jacob Balliet, Tyler Galatro, Kyle Exley, Mikey Smith, Chad Connor, Joe Nemeth, Kevin Weiand, AJ Hobbs, Justin Hartz, Brett Altemose, Scott Slater, Steve Van Valkenburg, Cody Powell, Ron Bosga, Tony Parlanti
Racing every Saturday evening from April through September. The next event on the Hamlin Speedway schedule is set for June 17th when all Divisions will be in action on the 1/5th mile clay cushioned oval for the Tenth Annual "Spring Into Summer Sizzler" two day spectacular on June 17th and 18th highlighted at the speedway along with the Saturday picnic. The Friday night portion will have the Junior Slingshot National Tour in place and the Saturday night show will be highlighted by the 270 Sprints going wingless. 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, Yankowski Enterprises, Triple Cities Mack, Dickie Keiper Speed Supplies, Ron Brown Hauling, Classic Cycles, Kim's Kreations, RockAuto.com, Howe's Comfort Inn and Santarelli And Sons Oil Company are all part of the advertising family at the speedway and we graciously thank them for their support.
For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Hamlin Speedway, log on to their well documented website at: http://hamlinspeed.com or call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500. Visit us often for a great night of racing action as............................................
The Hamlin Speedway Is The "Pearl" In The Poconos
