Archive for Sprints
MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES BACK IN ACTION AT BRIDGEPORT THIS SATURDAY
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Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series
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MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES BACK IN ACTION AT BRIDGEPORT THIS SATURDAY
BRIDGEPORT, NJ
By ERIKA PALMAI-WAGNER
After a week off for the fourth of July holiday weekend, the Engler Machine and Tool Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series will be back in action this Saturday, July 8th at South Jersey’s own Bridgeport Speedway. Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4:30, with the grandstands opening for fans at 5:30. Racing is scheduled to start at 7:00pm.
Sponsoring the Mid-Atlantic Sprint event at Bridgeport will be Diversified Machine, Inc. / DMI / BullDog Rears (DMI). For the second time this season, the Lancaster, PA based company will present three $25 gift certificates, each going to the feature winner and two drivers chosen at random. The top five finishers of the twenty-lap feature and five random drivers will also be presented a FREE raffle ticket to the end of the season drawling of the BRAND NEW DMI Bulldog XR-3 rear, a complete DMI front axle assembly, as well as the $3,800 injection that was gifted to the series by Engler Machine and Tool. A total purse of $4,000 dollars will be distributed throughout a twenty-four car field with the winner claiming $300 to take the checkered flag. Additional contingencies that will be disbursed will include $50 cash to the winner of each heat race event presented by Competition Suspension Inc., Freiberger Excavating, and Professional Design Services, a hard charger award of $25 cash courtesy of Bruce's Auto Body, the $25 Bitner Automotive 'Lightning Fast Time of the Night' bonus, 5 gallons of fuel to the winner of the A-Main, courtesy of Kelly Racing Fuels, $25 dollars cash to the worst pill draw from Professional Design Services, and a $25 Todd's Performance gift certificate will conclude the list of extras up for grabs.
With rainouts and off weeks plaguing the season, the series’ top drivers are ready to knock the cob-webs off and get back to racing. Home state heroes like Tommy Carberry, Mark Bitner, Jamie Kostic, Stefanie Palmai Carberry, Jeff Geiges and Eddie Wagner are committed to defending the 5/8th mile superspeedway from PA residents Scott Frack, Tim Tanner Jr., Bryant Davis, Joe Kay, Brendon Poff and Samantha Lieberman, who are all hungry for a trip to victory lane. Young guns John C Webster., Bobby Scherff, Craig Pellegrini Jr., Bobby Butler and Dean Conk Jr. are looking forward to making a statement this weekend as well.
This weekend, Bridgeport Speedway is hosting ‘Bike Night’, where all motorcycles and riders get in the grandstands for FREE, plus kids can get a chance to WIN a bike during intermission. Adult general admission is $20, kids ages 10-15 years old are $10 and children 9 and under are FREE!
For more information on the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series, please visit our website at www.masprintseries.com or our Facebook page to catch up on the latest news on what’s happening!
Kraig Kinser Picks Up First Win of Year at Deer Creek Speedway
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World of Outlaws
Contact: Colby Gorniewicz
World of Outlaws PR
704-707-0229 | cgorniewicz@dirtcar.com
Please click here for the original World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series article
Redemption: Kraig Kinser Wins the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway
By: Tony Veneziano
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. - July 6, 2017 - Kraig Kinser was five laps away from picking up his first win of the season last week with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., only to have the power steering go bad while leading, the third-generation driver made up for that near-miss on Thursday night, as he was victorious in the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota.
For Kinser, it was his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and his first since 2014. The veteran driver now has 17 career World of Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature wins.
"You never want to have issues when you are running up front and tonight we didn't," said Kinser. "It was a struggle, because we were so good at the beginning. I knew we weren't going to be quite as good at the end. Seeing Donny (Schatz) the last five or 10 laps, you have to be at your best. I definitely wasn't leaving much on the table. There were a few spots I was getting really good bite, but other than that, I was sliding through the turns and just trying to keep momentum up."
The event, which began on Thursday, June 29 and was postponed by rain three laps into the feature, set up a unique race night, which consisted of hot laps and the remaining 37 laps of the 40-lapper. Kinser asserted himself early in the race as a contender, while David Gravel, the pole sitter paced the first one-third of the race.
"We were pretty good here the other day and had to wait a week, but were close to how good we were last week," Kinser noted. "This is a high-banked momentum track and if you can get the top working it's usually better than hitting the bottom. Early, it had some moisture and we could stop, get the car turned and get off the corner. At the end, it was kind of just a momentum deal."
Kinser lined up fifth when the race resumed on Thursday night and was up to third just a handful of laps into the 40-lap race. He moved into second when Brad Sweet had a flat tire on the 10th lap. Just prior to the halfway point of the race, Kinser used a strong run on the high side of the track to take the lead from David Gravel coming off turn four. Down the stretch, Kinser held off a furious charge by Donny Schatz to claim the win. Kinser endured a number of restarts while out front,
"The restarts were very important, though everything you do with the Outlaws is," said Kinser.
"To say you beat the 15 car and 2 car and all the guys, everything is important and has to go right."
Schatz, who re-started the race ninth on Thursday night, steadily worked his way forward. He tried both the high and low side of the track as he tracked down Kinser. Schatz nearly drew even with Kinser a handful of times, often diving under him turns three and four, but never was able to quite make a pass stick.
"Our job is to make something happen," said Schatz. "I tried to make something happen, but Kraig (Kinser) was pretty good. I knew I didn't want to get next to him unless I could get by him. He had a little bit left in there. Hats off to those guys. They have been knocking on the door for quite some time and got one done tonight. For us, we normally don't run that well here, so second is pretty respectable. We were wanting to win and were there fighting for it and that's all you can ask for."
Shane Stewart, who lined up eighth for the re-started main event, used a late-race charge to cross the line third to continue his recent hot streak. Stewart was engaged in a spirited battle with Ian Madsen and Sheldon Haudenschild for the third spot for several laps.
"That was a fun race," Stewart said. "My car seems to get better as the race goes on. On a 40-lap race, that's what you want. It would have been interesting if there would have been a late-race caution. I'm happy with third. I have to thank all the fans for coming back out and supporting this race. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer."
Sheldon Haudenschild, who ran as high as third, ended up fourth. The leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, put on a show, as he bounced the right rear off the wall several times, even passing cars in the process.
Brad Sweet recovered from an early race flat tire to round out the top-five, after having to re-start at the tail of the field.
Paul McMahan was sixth, with Greg Wilson seventh, early leader David Gravel was eighth, with Jason Johnson recovering from a trip to the work area to finish ninth. Jacob Allen rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action this weekend with the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisc., on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8.
DEER CREEK RESULTS:
FEATURE (40 Laps): 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$3,200]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,500]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [1][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [19][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$1,200]; 13. 55-Brooke Tatnell [11][$1,100]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [23][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,000]; 16. 84-Scott Bogucki [15][$900]; 17. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$800]; 18. 24-Terry McCarl [16][$800]; 19. 1M-Danny Lasoski [13][$800]; 20. 21-Brian Brown [12][$800]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [17][$800]; 22. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; 23. 7W-Tasker Phillips [24][$800]; 24. 3-Tim Kaeding [22][$800]; 25. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-3, 5-14; Brad Sweet 4; Kraig Kinser 15-40;KSE Hard Charger Award: 1A-Jacob Allen[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.161; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 12.163; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.297; 4. 5-David Gravel, 12.323; 5. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.347; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.362; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.372; 8. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.386; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.421; 10. 21-Brian Brown, 12.434; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.436; 12. 19P-Paige Polyak, 12.47; 13. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.476; 14. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 12.49; 15. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.498; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.519; 17. 84-Scott Bogucki, 12.543; 18. 55-Brooke Tatnell, 12.563; 19. 64-Scott Thiel, 12.575; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 12.59; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.62; 22. 24-Terry McCarl, 12.626; 23. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.68; 24. 56N-David Heskin, 12.695; 25. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 12.702; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.728; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.8; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.809; 29. 85-Jason Tostenson, 13.037; 30. 23-Russel Borland, 13.521
Heat #1 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 6. 24-Terry McCarl [8]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [10]; 8. 64-Scott Thiel [7]; 9. 7W-Tasker Phillips [9]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 5. 1M-Danny Lasoski [5]; 6. 84-Scott Bogucki [6]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9]; 8. 3-Tim Kaeding [8]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 10. 85-Jason Tostenson [10]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 4. 55-Brooke Tatnell [6]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [7]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [5]; 7. 19P-Paige Polyak [4]; 8. 56N-David Heskin [8]; 9. 23-Russel Borland [10]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (8 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 19P-Paige Polyak [1][-]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [4][-]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][-]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [10][-]; 5. 3-Tim Kaeding [5][-]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][-]; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7][]; 8. 64-Scott Thiel [3][$300]; 9. 56N-David Heskin [6][$250]; 10. 23-Russel Borland [12][$225]; 11. 13-Clyde Knipp [9][$200]; 12. 85-Jason Tostenson [11][$200]
THUNDER NEWS….KYLE LARSON HOLDS OFF THE PENNSYLVANIA POSSE’S FINEST
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Thunder on the Hill
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JULY 3, 2017
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
LEVAN Machine & Truck Equipment
KYLE LARSON HOLDS OFF THE PENNSYLVANIA POSSE’S FINEST. . . .
WINS THUNDER SERIES PA SPRINT FEATURE AS DUANE HOWARD TOPS 43 CAR MODIFIED FIELD
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (July 4, 2017) -- On a Fourth of July celebration of speed, Kyle Larson wowed a jam-packed NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series crowd and claimed his third straight Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Car Speedweek victory, while Duane Howard scored the win in the NASCAR Modified 30-lap event at the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday Night in an event presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings at the Grandview Speedway.
Larson may have taken the checkered flag, but the region’s top Sprint Car aces – dubbed the Pennsylvania Posse – didn’t take it easy on the current NASCAR Cup Series Point Leader.
“I felt like I was playing defense all night, tonight,” Larson said in Victory Lane. “Ryan Smith had a great car. I definitely got a little lucky.”
Ryan Taylor and Greg Hodnett led the field to the drop of the fireworks filled 410 Sprint Car A-Main. On the initial start, Larson – who started in the third position – shot inside Taylor in a three-wide battle for the lead. Hodnett and Larson engaged in an expert duel for the top spot, until contact between the two sent Hodnett’s No. 27 machine spinning towards the outside guardrail.
Larson set a rapid pace on the restart, with TJ Stutts challenging for the lead. A lap 8 caution stacked the field, and a three-wide battle for the second spot ensued with Stutts holding off Taylor and Rico Abreu. It would be Abreu and Stutts with the short straw after contact between the two left both cars spinning.
Maintaining the lead through consecutive yellows, Larson pulled away from the pack at Lap 11 with Taylor battling Ryan Smith for second place. The red flag flew for the first time on the 12th circuit when, three-time Thunder on the Hill winner, Tyler Walker got upside down in spectacular fashion, collecting Brandon Rahmer in the process.
While Larson held a comfortable lead on the restart, Ryan Smith began closing in – looking to end Larson’s five-race Sprint Car win streak.
A full-house of race fans leaped to their feet when Smith muscled around Larson exiting turn 2, carrying that momentum into turn 3 before clipping the wall, sending The Warko Group No. 94 of Smith flipping wildly into the third turn. A dejected – but unscathed -- Smith exited the car to a standing ovation from race fans.
Inaugural Thunder Cup winner, Danny Dietrich would restart in the second position – but Larson was too quick for ‘Double D’. Aside from the leader, Dietrich had his hands full with third-place runner Freddie Rahmer who maneuvered his way into the second spot with five laps remaining.
Larson held the lead for the remaining five circuits claiming his third consecutive Pennsylvania Speedweek win – and his first NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series victory. Freddie Rahmer finished in second – from an 18th-place starting position, Danny Dietrich in third, Ryan Taylor in fourth and Alan Krimes fifth.
Oley, PA’s Duane Howard claimed his second consecutive NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series win steering the Norm’s Save Station No. 357 machine. Howard – who started in the fourth position – powered around the outside of Craig VonDohren on the 15th lap and went unchallenged throughout the remainder of the 30-lap NASCAR 358 Modified feature event.
VonDohren brought the Dick Biever-owned No. 14s home in the second position, Ryan Godown of Ringoes, NJ finished in third from a 12th-place starting position, popular NY Modified driver Anthony Perrego finished in the fourth spot, and Mike Gular rounded out the top five.
The next NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event at Grandview Speedway takes place on Thursday, August 17. The 3rd Annual Thunder Cup event features the Arctic All Star Circuit of Champions – with 3-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Tony Stewart and popular dirt-track driver, Rico Abreu competing in action.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
Notes:
25 410 Sprint Cars and 43 Modifieds were signed in for Thunder on the Hill Action
NASCAR drivers Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne greeted fans and signed autographs throughout the evening while competing in the 410 Sprint Car division.
TJ Stutts won the SprintcarUnlimited.com Quick Time Bonus worth $250.
410 SPRINT CARS
Time Trials – 1. TJ Stutts – 11.812 2. Danny Dietrich – 11.822 3. Kyle Larson – 11.824 4. Rico Abreu – 11.841 5. Dale Blaney -- 11.864 6. Ryan Taylor – 11.867 7. Ryan Smith – 11.886 8. Greg Hodnett – 11.893 9. Alan Krimes – 11.927 10. Tyler Walker – 11. 941 11. Lucas Wolfe – 11.947 12. James McFadden – 11.966 13. Jordyn Brazier – 11.967 14. Davey Sammons – 11. 977 15. Freddie Rahmer – 11.988 16. Kasey Kahne – 12.017 17. JJ Grasso – 12.030 18. Kyle Reinhardt – 12.052 19. Brandon Rahmer – 12.095 20. Gerard McIntyre Jr. – 12.153 21. Brock Zearfoss – 12.154 22. Sean Zemunik 23. Jared Esh – 12.282 24. Mitchell Wormall – 12.316 25. George Streaker Jr. – 13.669
Heat 1 (10 Laps) – 1. Rico Abreu 2. Ryan Smith 3. Tyler Walker 4. TJ Stutts 5. Kasey Kahne 6. Brandon Rahmer 7. Sean Zemunik 8. Jordyn Brazier DNF: George Streaker Jr.
Heat 2 (10 Laps) – 1. Greg Hodnett 2. Dale Blaney 3. Danny Dietrich 4. Lucas Wolfe 5. Davey Sammons 6. JJ Grasso 7. Jared Esh 8. Gerard McIntyre Jr.
Heat 3 (10 Laps) – 1. Ryan Taylor 2. James McFadden 3. Kyle Larson 4. Alan Krimes 5. Kyle Reinhardt 6.
Freddie Rahmer 7. Brock Zearfoss 8. Mitchell Wormall
410 A-Main (35 Laps) – 1. Kyle Larson 2. Freddie Rahmer 3. Danny Dietrich 4. Ryan Taylor 5. Alan Krimes 6. James McFadden 7. JJ Grasso 8. Dale Blaney 9. Brock Zearfoss 10. Rico Abreu 11. Lucas Wolfe 12. Gerard McIntyre Jr. 13. Kasey Kahne 14. Mitchell Wormall 15. Jordyn Brazier 16. Sean Zeumunik 17. George Streaker Jr. 18. Ryan Smith 19. Davey Sammons 20. Tyler Walker 21. Brandon Rahmer 22. TJ Stutts 23. Kyle Reinhardt 24. Greg Hodnett 25. Jared Esh
NASCAR 358 MODIFIEDS
Modified Heat 1 (10 Laps) – 1. Brett Kressley 2. Danny Bouc 3. Tim Buckwalter 4. Dominick Buffalino 5. Kevin Hirthler 6. Ryan Grim 7. Ryan Beltz 8. Clay Butler 9. Ron Haring Jr. 10. Jeff Strunk
Modified Heat 2 (10 Laps) – 1. Ryan Godown 2. Anthony Perrego 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Doug Manmiller 5. Chris Esposito 6. Kyle Weiss 7. Jimmy Reppert 8. Heath Metzger DNF: Steve Davis, Rick Laubach, Frank Yankowski
Modified Heat 3 (10 Laps) – 1. Ray Swinehart 2. Duane Howard 3. Brian Hirthler 4. Kenny Gilmore 5. Craig Whitmoyer 6. Steve Swinehart 7. Mike Lisowski 8. Joe Fanelli 8. Briggs Danner 10. Kyle Lilick DNF: Bobby Trapper
Modified Heat 4 (10 Laps) – 1. John Willman 2. Frank Cozze 3. Billy Pauch, Jr. 4. Jared Umbenhauer 5. Mike Gular 6. Kyle Borror 7. Ryan Watt 8. Kevin Beech 9. Blaine Bracelin
Consi 1 – 1. Kyle Weiss 2. Ryan Grim
Consi 2 – 1. Kyle Borror 2. Ryan Watt
Modified Feature (30 Laps) – 1. Duane Howard 2. Craig VonDohren 3. Ryan Godown 4. Anthony Perrego 5. Mike Gular 6. Jared Umbenhauer 7. Brett Kressley 8. Kyle Weiss 9. Billy Pauch, Jr. 10. Dominick Buffalino 11. Tim Buckwalter 12. John Willman 13. Frank Cozze 14. Danny Bouc 15. Kyle Borror 16. Ryan Grim 17. Brian Hirthler 18. Chris Esposito 19. Ryan Watt 20. Doug Manmiller 21. Ray Swinehart 22. Craig Whitmoyer 23. Jeff Strunk 24. Kenny Gilmore 25. Kevin Hirthler.
2017 Thunder Racing Series Schedule:
3rd Annual Thunder Cup Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions - Thursday, August 17 7:30 PM - 410 Sprint Cars & Sportsman* Levan Machine and Truck Equipment present Smoke on the Hill. . Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu racing 410 sprint cars.
Mods at the Madhouse Halloween Party - Saturday, October 14 6 PM - Big-Block/358 Modifieds 40 Laps, Sportsman & MASS Sprints
COURTNEY CONQUERS INAUGURAL ILLINOIS MIDGET NATIONALS
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The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
COURTNEY CONQUERS INAUGURAL ILLINOIS MIDGET NATIONALS
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Springfield, Illinois...July 3, 2017 - Throughout the 2017 USAC Midget National Championship season, Tyler Courtney has proven himself as the streak-stopper.
After leading each of the previous three races at Kokomo, Ind., Macon, Ill. and Lincoln, Ill. for a total of 32 laps, Courtney had put together a string of three-straight third-place finishes. Though some would accept that as a solid night, the driver known as "Sunshine" felt that was a letdown and immediately sought to end that run of events with a performance he wouldn't regret.
On Monday night's Independence Day Eve meet at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena, Courtney did just that as, for the third time this season, he put an end to another driver's two-race winning streak. This time, it was the previous two nights' Macon and Lincoln winner Christopher Bell, who was cast in the role of Courtney's pursuer instead of the alternative as Courtney captured victory number three on the season in the inaugural Adam Lopez "Illinois Midget Nationals."
Earlier, Courtney had shut down similar three-peat attempts in Montpelier, Ind. as Brady Bacon aimed for three-in-a-row and at Bloomington, Ind. where Michael Pickens attempted to go for a third in as many nights.
From the get-go, it was a pair of Clauson-Marshall Racing cars conducting the orchestra as Shane Golobic and Courtney ran 1-2 from their front row starting positions. Courtney routinely poked the nose of his car to the outside of his teammate Golobic as he worked the outside groove - a place that was uninhabitable earlier in the evening prior to a track rework.
However, a smorgasbord of early cautions created a secession of starts and stops the prevented any driver from getting into a consistent rhythm. The tight corners and close-quarters racing made each pass challenging, but Courtney was game following a lap five restart.
Golobic worked the low line while Courtney occupied the middle-to-high road and, following multiple advances on the outside at the exit of turns two and four, Courtney surged ahead between turns three and four a lap later to become the maestro. Three laps later, Bell followed suit around the top past Golobic for second.
"I knew it was going to be a chess match between Shane and I to see who could get to the front and get space between them and the guy behind them," Courtney anticipated. "I was able to find the top first and, luckily enough, on a restart, I got a lapped car in between us. That helped me out quite a bit for the next green flag run."
Twenty-two cars on a one-fifth-mile doesn't leave much room for error and, when Courtney entered the tail-end of the field by lap 10, he discovered cars high, low, here, there and everywhere as he sought to find that perfect balance between patience and aggression, an object of desire that has long baffled man since the beginning of time.
"On tracks like this, there's a very fine line," Courtney acknowledges. "On a bigger track, you can afford to be patient and wait for these guys to make you get up on the wheel. Tonight, on this track, you had to get up on the wheel for all 40. You have to get by lapped cars in case there's a caution so you can pad your lead. You just have to be on it from the drop of the green."
Some drivers draw that fine line with a finely-sharpened pencil. Some draw that line with a crayon. Courtney sharpened the pencil and brought out the lead as he picked through the traffic with a fine-tooth comb and, at one point, squeezed between the lapped cars of Tanner Carrick and Justin Allgaier at the stripe with no room to spare as Bell began to bear down on him on the 15th lap.
Track position is important in this instance because each lapped car a driver can place between them and their closest lead-lap competitor can provide just the slightest edge necessary in the quest toward holding the check at the end of the night.
Yet, the scale of difficulty is 10/10 when trying to keep a driver like 2013 USAC National Midget champion Christopher Bell mired behind lappers for too long as he maneuvered back to Courtney's bumper for the lap 20 restart. Bell made an attempt in turn one, but lost a bit of momentum as he slid through the middle and Courtney shot off the turn two lip.
A lap later, a melee ensued in turn three as Justin Grant, Nick Hamilton, Tyler Nelson and Ryan Robinson all became entangled. Robinson took the worst of it, tipping over after tripping over the berm at the edge of the infield and the racing surface. No harm, no foul and he would restart at the tail with the other three involved in the incident.
On the ensuing restart, Bell and Golobic began a side-by-side battle that would occupy them for much of the remainder of the race. The two would swap second and third back-and-forth with each unable to surge ahead by much more than a car-length at any point over the next several laps.
With 16 to go, Golobic and Bell would erase Courtney's interval and would soon go three-wide exiting the second turn with Golobic low, Bell in the middle and Courtney running high, wide and handsome up against the concrete blocks. Courtney would maintain his lead after sustaining the challenge to the throne with Bell and Golobic occupying second and third in that order.
Bell and Golobic remained occupied with the fierce duel for second as eight laps remained. Bell worked the middle to high lane and Golobic stayed on the shorter way around on the bottom. On lap 33, Bell snagged some soil with the right rear in a turn two jolt that cost him a scant amount as Golobic gobbled him up and was able to clear him with certainty exiting turn four for the runner-up position.
Though no less than six lapped cars stood in his path in the final laps, Courtney successfully avoided a sting from the hornet's nest of midgets that lie ahead and was able to taste the sweet nectar of victory for the third time in the series in less than a month over Golobic, Bell, KSE Hard Charger Dave Darland and point leader Spencer Bayston.
Additionally, the win by Courtney and CMR ended the stranglehold of KKM/Curb-Agajanian over the past four events as the back-and-forth, tug-of-war for team supremacy wages on into the second-half of its calendar.
A brand-new racetrack presents a ball of new experiences for all. Where to find the high line and how hard to push are issues that are resolved after some seat time on the track. A second line began to come into play during the qualifying races and remained throughout the rest of the night, creating multiple lines that Courtney used to his advantage in his Clauson-Marshall Racing/Driven 2 Save Lives - Indiana Donor Network/Spike/Stanton SR-11.
"The car just kept coming to me and the track kind of moved down from where the guys were blowing stuff up into the middle. I could run through the middle, so I didn't have to run against the wall. Lapped cars went to the right places at the right time and it all worked out. These races are tough, though. You need to put all 30, or 40 laps in this case, together and, tonight, we were able to do that. With the amount of traffic out there, you're looking 100 feet ahead of you all the time. The track may only be 200 feet, but I'm looking 100 feet ahead of me to make sure a guy's not spinning out, getting tight or chalking down. You got to be looking forward, but you still have to be playing defense. It's just a matter of paying attention to the motor noises behind you, watching guys in front of you and making the right moves at the right time."
It's natural to compare a new venue to that of an existing venue. One that came to mind for many was another fellow Illinois bullring located adjacent to their famed one-mile dirt oval - the indoor Southern Illinois Center facility in Du Quoin. Like Springfield's Multi-Purpose Arena, the track is flat as a pancake, which seems to suit the CMR team - winners of the last four races in Du Quoin - just fine.
"The success we've had makes me like the flat tracks like this," Courtney said. "I think it's more a testament to CMR (Clauson Marshall Racing). (Team owner) Tim (Clauson) was winning at these tracks before we even had this team together. I get good cars night-in, night-out. I wasn't able to deliver the first two nights, but luckily, I was able to put 40 laps together and park it there in victory lane."
Fremont, California's Shane Golobic led five laps and slipped back to third in the early going, but fought back to score yet another strong finish, moving up to second in the standings in the process, in his Clauson/Marshall-Matt Wood Racing/Elk Grove Ford - Driven 2 Save Lives/Spike/Stanton SR-11.
"I got out to the early lead, running the bottom," Golobic recalls. "I knew they had reworked the track prior to the feature and the top was going to come in at some point. I guess I was just a corner too late getting there. Sunshine (Courtney) went around me then I went up to the top and I guess Christopher had a run and slid me. I ended up behind both of them and had to work my way back where we were able to get back by him toward the very end. I raced Christopher pretty much the whole race. It's always a good time racing with him. He's a clean racer and we pushed each other as hard as we could and never made any contact. On such a small racetrack, it's pretty hard to do something like that."
During a long, strenuous season, smart racers always seem to be in the hunt for race wins and, ultimately, the championship. Golobic hasn't won yet in 2017, but night-after-night, you will find his name, and his car, near the front. Consistent results such as his don't just happen by chance.
"You just need to pick your spots and decide when you're going to make your move and when you probably shouldn't," Golobic explains. "You just want to try and keep yourself out of trouble, which is easy to get into on a track this size. There's a balance. All three of the guys that ran in the top-three tonight have a lot of patience, but a lot of aggression at the same time. I believe that's why we ended up front."
Norman, Oklahoma's Christopher Bell had a highly-successful weekend in his return to the USAC Midget wars this weekend in the Land of Lincoln, following up two winning performances with a third-place run Monday night in Springfield in his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/DeWalt - TRD/Bullet by Spike/Speedway Toyota.
Contingency award winners Monday night at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena include Dave Darland (Simpson Race Products 1st Heat Winner & KSE Racing Products Hard Charger), Nick Hamilton (Competition Suspension, Inc. 2nd Heat Winner), Holly Shelton (Chalk Stix 3rd Heat Winner), Brady Bacon (Indy Race Parts 4th Heat Winner) and Justin Allgaier (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher).
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USAC MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: July 3, 2017 - Springfield, Illinois - Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena - Adam Lopez "Illinois Midget Nationals"
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Dave Darland (#11 Gray), 2. Tanner Thorson (#67 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 3. Christopher Bell (#21 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 4. Spencer Bayston (#97 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 5. Tyler Thomas (#91T Thomas), 6. Terry Babb (#88 Babb), 7. D.J. Raw (#33 Team RAYPRO). 1:57.64
COMPETITION SUSPENSION, INC. (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Nick Hamilton (#32 Hamilton), 2. Justin Grant (#39BC Clauson/Marshall), 3. Tyler Courtney (#7BC Clauson/Marshall), 4. Mike Hess (#3H Neuman), 5. Jake Neuman (#3N Neuman), 6. Justin Allgaier (#7A Allgaier), 7. Joey Moughan (#29 Moughan). NT
CHALK STIX THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Holly Shelton (#67K Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 2. Mark Chisholm (#56x Fifty6x), 3. Tyler Nelson (#91 Harris), 4. Jerry Coons, Jr. (#25 Petry/Goff), 5. Matt Veatch (#56v Fifty6x), 6. Shelby Bosie (#3B Bosie), 7. Rico Abreu (#97K Abreu). NT
INDY RACE PARTS FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Brady Bacon (#76m FMR), 2. Daniel Robinson (#57D McCreery), 3. Shane Golobic (#17w Clauson-Marshall/Wood), 4. Gage Walker (#7 Walker), 5. Tanner Carrick (71K Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 6. Ryan Robinson (#71 Kunz/Curb-Agajanian), 7. Kyle Schuett (#9K Schuett). NT
FIRST QUALIFIER: (12 laps) 1. Walker, 2. R. Robinson, 3. Bayston, 4. Bell, 5. Grant, 6. Darland, 7. Moughan. 2:25.48
SECOND QUALIFIER: (12 laps) 1. Thomas, 2. Coons, 3. Nelson, 4. Hamilton, 5. Chisholm, 6. Raw, 7. Bosie. NT
THIRD QUALIFIER: (12 laps) 1. Golobic, 2. Babb, 3. D. Robinson, 4. Carrick, 5. Neuman, 6. Shelton, 7. Abreu. 2:28.62
FOURTH QUALIFIER: (12 laps) 1. Courtney, 2. Allgaier, 3. Thorson, 4. Schuett, 5. Bacon, 6. Veatch, 7. Hess. 2:30.55
SEMI: (15 laps) 1. R. Robinson, 2. Allgaier, 3. Neuman, 4. Schuett, 5. Hess, 6. Carrick, 7. Raw, 8. Bosie, 9. Veatch, 10. Babb, 11. Moughan. NT
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Tyler Courtney, 2. Shane Golobic, 3. Christopher Bell, 4. Dave Darland, 5. Spencer Bayston, 6. Jerry Coons, Jr., 7. Gage Walker, 8. Brady Bacon, 9. Jake Neuman, 10. Tanner Thorson, 11. Justin Grant, 12. Kyle Schuett, 13. Justin Allgaier, 14. Holly Shelton, 15. Tyler Thomas, 16. Daniel Robinson, 17. Ryan Robinson, 18. Mark Chisholm, 19. Tyler Nelson, 20. Tanner Carrick, 21. Nick Hamilton, 22. Mike Hess. NT
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**Robinson flipped on lap 21 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-5 Golobic, Laps 6-40 Courtney.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Dave Darland (15th to 4th)
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Justin Allgaier
NEW USAC MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Bayston-771, 2-Golobic-750, 3-Bacon-741, 4-Courtney-718, 5-Grant-716, 6-Thorson-639, 7-Coons-589, 8-Chad Boat-508, 9-R. Robinson-484, 10-Shelton-476.
NEXT USAC MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: August 1 - Fairbury, Nebraska - Jefferson County Speedway - "Tuesday Night Thunder"
Monday, July 3, 2017
LINCOLN SPEEDWAY
Abbottstown, PA
PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK (Race 4 of 10)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Saturday, July 8, 2017 (7:30 PM) - 358 Sprints (“K1 RaceGear 358 Sprint Summer Series” event), 600 Xcel Modifieds, and All-American Outlaws
Saturday, July 8, 2017 (7:30 PM) - 358 Sprints (“K1 RaceGear 358 Sprint Summer Series” event), 600 Xcel Modifieds, and All-American Outlaws
LARSON WOWS HUGE CROWD WITH “BAD ASS WIN” IN PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK SHOW AT LINCOLN SPEEDWAY;
Steve Wilbur claims first sprint car win in 358s, becomes 11th winner in 12 races so far this year
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – July 3, 2017 – NASCAR Monster Energy points leader Kyle Larson made it official in Monday night’s Pennsylvania Speedweek show at Lincoln Speedway. There is NOTHING he can’t do in a race car.
“I’ve now won in Central PA! This is bad ass!!” exclaimed Larson following a wing dance in victory lane, “Last night (at Path Valley) was my style of track and tonight wasn’t, so this is awesome to get the win in front of a huge crowd here. I thank all of you for coming out.”
Time trials and a four-car inversion for the feature placed NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne and Larson beside each other on row five for the start. Larson quickly went to the top and to the front, advancing to fourth by the end of the third lap.
He caught Trey Starks for third a lap later, took second from third-starting Alan Krimes on lap six, and then made his race-winning move around polesitter and race-long leader Lucas Wolfe.
“I couldn’t believe the top was that good. I’ve watched so many videos of Krimes here cruising around the bottom, so I knew I was going to have move down eventually,” said Larson, “I wasn’t very good down there, and I could hear him right behind me. I had to make sure I didn’t miss my marks too bad and slip up off the bottom for him to get underneath me.”
Krimes, who pressured Larson over the second half of the race after catching Wolfe for second on lap 14, settled for second, .34-seconds behind the winner. Third through fifth were outside front row starter Dale Blaney, Wolfe, and Starks. Sixth through tenth were 13th-starting Danny Dietrich, PA Speedweek points leader Freddie Rahmer (who came from 17th), Tim Glatfelter, Gerard McIntyre, Jr., and 19th-starting Cory Haas.
“It’s been a heck of-a-year for me. Every time I get on the track on Sundays I feel like I have a shot to win. This is five winged sprint car wins in a row. And especially a win here at Lincoln. This is a tough place. They kicked my butt here the couple times I’ve been here. I’m really excited to win for all you fans.”
“I wish we could go full-time racing, but Sundays kinda take up my time,” quipped Larson, “Someday we’ll do this again full time and I’m looking forward to it!”
Heats for the sprints were won by Starks, Wolfe, Brian Montieth (who spun out while running fifth on lap 17 of the feature and was scored 24th), Glatfelter, with Ryan Smith (subbing for Doug Esh in the Mark Coldren #07) winning the B-Main.
Fast time in time trials was set by TJ Stutts over the 42-car field with a one-lap time of 13.684-seconds (98.655 MPH).
Steve Wilbur started on the front row and led every lap for his first Lincoln “358”sprint car win. He became the 11th different winner in 12 races in the Pigeon Hills this year.
Ryan Higgins and C.J. Tracy ran second and third the entire way, with Jeff Halligan and Doug Hammaker completing the top five. Brie Hershey slowed to a stop on the backstretch while running fourth on lap 11.
Heats for the 31 358 Sprints were won by Trey Hivner, Kyle Abrahims, Wilbur, and Troy Wagaman, Jr., with Phil Walter winning the consolation.
Lincoln Speedway is back in action this Saturday, July 8, 2017, with a “K1 RaceGear Sprint Summer Series” event for the 358 sprint cars. Also on the schedule are the 600 Xcel Modifieds and All-American Outlaws. Gates will open at 5:30 PM, with racing scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.
To get all the latest news, results, schedule changes and rule changes, visit Lincoln Speedway's website at www.lincolnspeedway.com to stay up-to-date on all the action or pending weather conditions at Central Pennsylvania's "Premier" Saturday night race track - The Fabulous Lincoln Speedway.
RACE RESULTS
Monday, July 3, 2017
LINCOLN SPEEDWAY
Abbottstown, PA
PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK (Race 4 of 10)
Feature Finish (30 Laps) – 1. 57-Kyle Larson ($5,000); 2. 87-Alan Krimes; 3. 1-Dale Blaney; 4. 24-Lucas Wolfe; 5. 44-Trey Starks; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich; 7. 51-Freddie Rahmer; 8. 69-Tim Glatfelter; 9. 16-Gerard McIntyre, Jr.; 10. 39-Cory Haas; 11. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss; 12. 1X-Chad Trout; 13. 3-James McFadden; 14. 88-Brandon Rahmer; 15. 59-Jim Siegel; 16. 11-T. J. Stutts; 17. 4-Kasey Kahne; 18. 33-Jared Esh; 19. 27-Greg Hodnett; 20. 39M-Anthony Macri; 21. 35-Tyler Walker; 22. 16C-Matt Campbell; 23. 07-Ryan Smith; 24. 21-Brian Montieth. No Time
Lap Leaders – Lucas Wolfe (1-6), Kyle Larson (7-30)
410 Sprint Heat One Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 44-Trey Starks; 2. 35-Tyler Walker; 3. 16-Gerard McIntyre, Jr.; 4. 11-TJ Stutts; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer; 6. 33-Jared Esh; 7. 92A-Sammy Walsh; 8. 55K-Robbie Kendall; 9. 99M-Kyle Moody; 10. 21AU-Jordyn Brazier; 11. 17-George Streaker, Jr. Time – 2:33.914
410 Sprint Heat Two Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 24-Lucas Wolfe; 2. 57-Kyle Larson; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich; 4. 3-James McFadden; 5. 59-Jim Siegel; 6. 07-Ryan Smith; 7. 88-Brandon Rahmer; 8. 25-Aaron Ott; 9. 21T-Scott Fisher; 10. 8-Billy Dietrich (DNF); 11. 86-George Streaker, Jr. (DNF). No Time
410 Sprint Heat Three Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 21-Brian Montieth; 2. 4-Kasey Kahne; 3. 1X-Chad Trout; 4. 87-Alan Krimes; 5. 39-Cory Haas; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett; 7. 5-Chase Dietz; 8. 97-Mitchell Wormall; 9. 5B-Justin Barger; 10. 27Z-Sean Zemunik. Time – 2:35.345
410 Sprint Heat Four Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 69-Tim Glatfelter; 2. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss; 3. 16C-Matt Campbell; 4. 1-Dale Blaney; 5. 2W-Glenndon Forsythe; 6. 5-Tyler Ross; 7. 39M-Anthony Macri; 8. 35E-Tyler Esh; 9. 27G-Jay Galloway; 10. 12W-Troy Fraker Time – 2:46;948
410 Sprint B-Main Finish (12 laps/4 to qualify) – 1. 07-Ryan Smith; 2. 33-Jared Esh; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett; 4. 88-Brandon Rahmer; 5. 5-Tyler Ross; 6. 5G-Chase Dietz; 7. 99M-Kyle Moody; 8. 92A-Sammy Walsh; 9. 21T-Scott Fisher; 10. 5B-Justin Barger; 11. 2W-Glenndon Forsythe; 12. 97-Mitchell Wormall; 13. 17-George Streaker, Jr.; 14. 35E-Tyler Esh (DNF); 15. 21AU-Jordyn Brazier (DNF); 16. 12W-Troy Fraker (DNF); 17. 27G-Jay Galloway (DNF); 18. 55K-Robbie Kendall (DNF). DNS: 25-Aaron Ott; 27Z-Sean Zemunik. No Time
Time Trial Results – 1. 11-TJ Stutts, 13.684 (98.655 MPH); 2. 07-Ryan Smith, 13.711; 3. 87-Alan Krimes, 13.729; 4. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.815; 5. 44-Trey Starks, 13.853; 6. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 13.891; 7. 21-Brian Montieth, 13.924; 8. 69-Tim Glatfelter, 13.953; 9. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 13.957; 10. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.966; 11. 4-Kasey Kahne, 13.971; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 14.005; 13. 16-Gerard McIntyre, Jr., 14.011; 14. 59-Jim Siegel, 14.013; 15. 1X-Chad Trout, 14.048; 16. 16C-Matt Campbell, 14.070; 17. 33-Jared Esh, 14.071; 18. 25-Aaron Ott, 14.078; 19. 27-Greg Hodnett, 14.089; 20. 2W-Glenndon Forsythe, 14.100; 21. 35-Tyler Walker, 14.113; 22. 57-Kyle Larson, 14.123; 23. 5G-Chase Dietz, 14.133; 24. 5-Tyler Ross, 14.138; 25. 92A-Sammy Walsh, 14.189; 26. 3-James McFadden, 14.266; 27. 39-Cory Haas, 14.272; 28. 39M-Anthony Macri, 14.283; 29. 55K-Robbie Kendall, 14.294; 30. 8-Billy Dietrich, 14.296; 31. 27Z-Sean Zemunik, 14.392; 32. 35E-Tyler Esh, 14.431; 33. 21AU-Jordyn Brazier, 14.474; 34. 88-Brandon Rahmer, 14.532; 35. 97-Mitchell Wormall, 14.642; 36. 27G-Jay Galloway, 14.763; 37. 99M-Kyle Moody, 14.820; 38. 21T-Scott Fisher, 14.952; 39. 5B-Justin Barger, 15.083; 40. 12W-Troy Fraker, 15.458; 41. 17-George Streaker, Jr., 16.333; 42. 86-George Streaker, Sr., 16.337.
KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS 358 SPRINTS
358 Sprint Feature Finish (20 Laps) – 1. 59-Steve Wilbur ($1,000); 2. 13-Ryan Higgins; 3. 21-C.J. Tracy; 4. 41-Jeff Halligan; 5. 66-Doug Hammaker; 6. 27S-Adrian Shaffer; 7. 19-Troy Wagaman, Jr.; 8. 119-Chandler Leiby; 9. 12-Brent Shearer; 10. 21X-Kyle Abrahims; 11. 23-Chris Arnold; 12. 66A-Cody Fletcher; 13. 10-Zach Eucalano; 14. 23J-Jake Eldreth; 15. 28-Matt Findley; 16. 22M-Nyle Berkes; 17. 5-Phil Walter; 18. 23B-Todd Rittenhouse, Jr.; 19. 5Q-Ryan Quackenbush; 20. 12B-Mike Bittinger; 21. 77-David Holbrook; 22. 47-Michael Hamer; 23. 74-T. J. DeHaven; 24. 97-Brie Hershey (DNF). No Time.
Lap Leaders – Steve Wilbur (1-20)
358 Sprint Heat One Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 7-Trey Hivner; 2. 13-Ryan Higgins; 3. 21-C.J. Tracy; 4. 23J-Jake Eldreth; 5. 10-Zach Eucalano; 6. 5-Phil Walter; 7. 74-T.J. DeHaven; 8. 9-Dalton Dietrich; 9. 39-Eric Parker. No Time
358 Sprint Heat Two Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 21X-Kyle Abrahims; 2. 97-Brie Hershey; 3. 12-Brent Shearer; 4. 5Q-Ryan Quackenbush; 5. 22M-Nyle Berkes; 6. 89-Ashley Cappetta (DNF); 7. 44-Dave Brown (DNF). DNS: 19G-Todd Gracey. Time: No Time.
358 Sprint Heat Three Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 59-Steve Wilbur; 2. 27S-Adrian Shaffer; 3. 41-Jeff Halligan; 4. 119-Chandler Leiby; 5. 28-Matt Findley; 6. 12B-Mike Bittinger; 7. 23B-Todd Rittenhouse, Jr.; 8. 5A-Zachary Allman. Time: 2:52:00
358 Sprint Heat Four Finish (10 laps/5 to qualify) – 1. 19-Troy Wagaman, Jr.; 2. 66-Doug Hammaker; 3. 23-Chris Arnold; 4. 77-David Holbrook; 5. 66A-Cody Fletcher; 6. 47-Michael Hamer; 7. 11D-Kody Hartlaub; 8. 38D-Kyle Denmyer. No Time.
358 Sprint Consolation Finish (10 laps/4 to qualify) – 1. 5-Phil Walter; 2. 23B-Todd Rittenhouse, Jr.; 3. 12B-Mike Bittinger; 4. 47-Michael Hamer; 5. 74-T.J.DeHaven; 6. 38D-Kyle Denmyer; 7. 8-Kenny Kuhn; 8. 5A-Zachary Allman. DNS: 44-Dave Brown; 11D-Kody Hartlaub; 39-Eric Parker; 19G-Todd Gracey
THUNDER ON THE HILL
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
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JULY 3, 2017
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
LEVAN Machine & Truck Equipment
HOT LAPS: NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES PRESENTS PA SPRINT CAR SPEEDWEEK ACTION ON TUESDAY, JULY 4 AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (July 4, 2017) – NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series brings the twenty-third running of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speed week to Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, July 4.
To put some heat in your motors, here are the top stories heading into the Grandview Speedweek event.
THE ACTION -- The 35-lap, $5,000-to-win 410 Sprint Car event is the fifth of a ten-race stretch for competitors, while the 358 NASCAR Modified’s $3,000-to-win race allows Grandview’s premier weekly division to show off their action-enticing style.
Both divisions will participate in a full qualifying program. The 410s will time trial, to set up heat race line-ups, and then compete in a B-Main to line up the A-Main. Inversions will mix the line-ups throughout the night.
For the Modifieds, a blind draw will set the heat race line-ups, and a top-12 redraw will set the feature event, with the consolations filling in the remaining qualifying spots.
NEUTRAL GROUND – This Season, Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek makes up the first of two 410 Sprint Car events at Grandview Speedway. Without weekly 410 competition, Grandview becomes a level playing field for all competitors – which means anything can happen on the one-third mile.
FROM DAYTONA TO DIRT – Race fans are buzzing with excitement for NASCAR Cup Series competitors Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne. Both drivers competed Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway before heading out to start their Pennsylvania Speedweek.
Larson claimed Sunday’s win at Path Valley Speedway – his first in Central Pennsylvania. With two Cup Series victories, Larson currently leads the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Standings. Larson’s previous Grandview Speedway start resulted in a third-place finish in 2012.
In 2003, Kahne finished in 13th position at Grandview Speedway.
PERFECT 10 – Greg Hodnett has dominated at Grandview Speedway the past few years, claiming five of the past nine 410 Sprint Car main events. A win in Tuesday’s Speedweek event will mark Hodnett’s tenth Thunder on the Hill victory, leaving him tied for second place on the All-Time Sprint Car win list. Billy Pauch is the winningest Sprint Car driver with 11 victories.
ALL EYES ON DOUBLE D – Danny Dietrich’s 2015 win in the Inaugural Thunder Cup ended Greg Hodnett’s 5-Race win streak, Dietrich became the first driver since 2011 to beat Hodnett. Dietrich will be one to watch on Tuesday.
WALKER SPRINT CAR RANGER – Before Dietrich ended Hodnett’s win streak, it was California-native Tyler Walker who picked up two consecutive PA Speedweek wins in 2010 and 2011. Walker returns to the Bechtelsville oval for the first time in five years.
FAST FREDDIE REDUX – His last name is Rahmer, his first name is Freddie, but he doesn’t have 30 Speedweek wins -- He’s the 21-year-old son of the Sprint Car legend, and he picked up the opening night Speedweek win at Williams Grove Speedway. Dubbed ‘Faster Freddie’ by race fans, Rahmer leads the PA Speedweek Championship standings heading into Monday’s Lincoln Speedway event.
THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER – When you think Pennsylvania Speedweek at Grandview your first thought isn’t James McFadden – but in his only Grandview Speedway start (2012) McFadden brought home an impressive second-place finish. Such a strong run on ‘The Hill’ makes you a threat for the $5,000 Speedweek win.
FAN INFORMATION – General Admission gates open at 5 PM on Tuesday, July 4. The Low Down and Dirty Radio Show Driver Meet and Greet will take place from 5-6 PM and feature the popular driver of The Warko Group No. 94, Ryan Smith. Warm-Ups will start at 6:45 PM, with 410 Sprint Car Time Trials at 7:30 PM.
General Admission tickets are $25 for Adults, $10 for Children (6-11), and Kids under 6 are always FREE! Pit Admission is $35, and no license is required.
Fans may camp out at the Speedway for the ultimate Speedweek experience. Campers are asked to park in the turn 4 parking area, there are no hook-ups available, and no box camping allowed. Track officials ask that all fires be contained. There is no fee for camping.
THUNDER ON THE HILL FAN FUN – Fans are encouraged to sign-up for the Inside-Out Program, a free fan experience that allows you to watch 410 Sprint Car and Modified Warm-Ups from the infield of Grandview Speedway.
Along with Inside-Out fans are encouraged to sign-up for free tours of the jam-packed pit area. Sign Ups are available inside the main gate with the Thunder Girls.
JOE THE PIZZA DUDE – Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’ will offer up delicious (and Free!) pizzas to the rowdiest of race fans. Keep an eye out after the National Anthem, when Kressley Auto and Truck Center, along with Harry’s U-Pull-It and Northern Valley Erectors present Joe ‘The Pizza Dude’.
FAN PHOTO CONTEST – Stay engaged with the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill team at the track by following @TOTHRACING on Instagram and Twitter. Take a photo and use #TOTHRACING to enter our Fan Photo Contest – whether it be the crowd, the pits, the parking lot, or your favorite driver. The winner will receive a FREE General Admission to our Thursday, August 17 All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car event.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.
2017 Thunder Racing Series Schedule:
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* Levan Machine and Truck Equipment present Smoke on the Hill Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu racing 410 sprint cars.
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 125 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.
Kyle Larson Earns First Central PA Victory
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Mandee Pauch Relations
Mandee Pauch Relations
mandee@mandeepauchrelations.com
www.mandeepauchrelations.com
Kyle Larson Earns First Central PA Victory
Spring Run, PA – July 3, 2017 – The Elk Grove, C.A. native, Kyle Larson, crossed a victory off of his bucket list Sunday evening at Path Valley Speedway for Fred Rahmer Promotions Pennsylvania Speedweek event in front of a standing room only crowd.
The fourth annual Fred Rahmer Promotions event at the ¼-mile dirt track marked night three for Pennsylvania Speedweek.
Tyler Walker and Brock Zearfoss led the 24-car field to the initial green flag for the 40-lap main event.
Right from the drop of the green Zearfoss quickly grabbed the lead as they dove into turn one and two over Walker as Walker scattered and fell back to fifth-place.
Zearfoss caught lap traffic on lap five as fourth-place starter, Larson, began to put pressure on his rear bumper
Larson was able to take aantage of the lapped traffic and drive his car through multiple racing lanes to slide by Zearfoss for the lead on lap seven.
“Zearfoss was good all day,” Larson said. “Traffic was really intense. He got caught up in traffic and it got really tight in one and two. I got underneath him and just tried making sure I hit my marks.”
Sixth-place starter, Rico Abreu, began to real in on Zearfoss for second right before the second caution of the night waved on lap ten.
Kyle Moody, who started eighth, snuck under Wolfe on the backstretch and advanced to fourth-place on lap 18.
Pole starter, Walker, and Dan Shetler made contact and spun going into turn three on lap 19, bringing out the third caution of the night.
Larson led the field at the halfway mark over Zearfoos, Wolfe, Moody and Abreu.
At the checkers it was all Larson as he drove his No.24 sprint car to victory lane to pick up the $5,000 payday.
“It feels good,” smiled Larson in victory lane. “It’s been tough for me a few times when I’ve come out to Central PA. I know this isn’t your typical PA racetrack but I’m counting it as a win. Hats off to my crew. I honestly didn’t feel that good at the start of the feature but we got rolling pretty good. We got decent there late.”
Sunday evening was Larson’s first ever Central PA victory.
“It’s always tough when you come to PA,” he said. “To get a win here has been on my bucket list. I struggled here in 2012 and 2013 when I came out here so it’s cool to get a win on our first night of Speedweek. Hopefully we get some more. We have three more nights to get some wins.”
Runner up, Zearfoss, was bummed with his cars performance but was overall satisfied to finish second to Larson.
“We started out pretty good,” said Zearfoss. “I just need to get a little better in traffic. This is what Larson races on all the time so finishing second to him was pretty cool. I wish we could have beat him. I got under him a couple times there. Second place still isn’t bad though, so we’ll take it.
Wolfe in the No.24 sprint car capped off the evening with a third-place finish.
“It was an exciting feature,” said Wolfe. “With all of the holes in different spots it was hard to predict what was going to happen especially with fuel early. Everybody made it through the first couple of laps. There were certain spots in traffic where it was pretty tight. It got pretty racy the last 20-laps which gave me a few different options to move around. Fortunately we were able to salvage a different night here and come in third.”
The 600cc Micro Sprints were removed from the schedule after an incident on the track during their first heat race. The driver was treated by emergency personnel immediately according to safety protocol and was transported. The Rahmer family is hoping for the best for the injured driver.
The Micro Sprints will be rescheduled. The date has yet to be determined. Fred Rahmer noted that the purse will be bigger for the micros and hopes for an even bigger turnout.
Abreu collected an extra $700 courtesy of Emory Transmissions for the quick time award in time trials.
19th-place starter, Brian Montieth, picked up the hard charger award after passing eight cars during the feature and finishing seventh. Montieth collected an extra $500 courtesy of Wayne S. Corini – CPA>
410 Sprint Car Quick Results
A-main – (40 laps) – 1. 57-Kyle Larson, 2. 3z-Brock Zearfoss, 3. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 4. 99-Kyle Moody, 5. 27-Greg Hodnett, 6. 48-Danny Dietrich, 7. 21-Brian Montieth, 8. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 9. 4-Kasey Kahne, 10. 25-Aaron Ott, 11. 92a-Sam Walsh, 12. 3c-James McFadden, 13. 11-TJ Stutts, 14. 33-Jared Esh, 15. 97w-Mitchell Wormell, 16. 39-Anthony Macri, 17. 24r-Rico Abreu, 18. 35-Tyler Walker, 19. 7k-Dan Shetler, 20. 2-AJ Flick, 21. 1-Dale Blaney, 22. 87-Alan Krimes, 23. 69k-Lance Dewease, 24. 55-Mike Wagner
B-Main 2 (10 laps) – 1. 97w-Mitchell Wormell, 2. 7k-Dan Shetler, 3. 07-Ryan Smith, 4. 8L-Kyle Lick, 5. 5-Justin Barger, 6. 44h-Joey Hershey, 7. 2c-Cory Thornton, 8. 17-George Streaker, 9. 16-Gerard Mcintyre, 10. 27g-Jay Galloway, 1. 86-George Streaker Sr,
B-Main 1 (10 laps) – 1. 55-Mike Wagner, 2. 92a-Sam Walsh, 3. 5t-Tyler Reeser, 4. 5-Tyler Ross, 5. 19d-Waytt Hinkle, 6. 44b-Dave Brown, 7. 23-Darren Pifer, 8. 44-Tray Starks, 9. 8-Billy Dietrich, 10. 12w-Troy Fraker, 11. 27z-Sean Zemunik, 12. 1-Ryan Fredericks
Heat 4 (10 laps) – 1. 99-Kyle Moody, 2. 69k-Lance Dewease, 3. 48-Danny Dietrich, 4. 33-Jared Esh, 5. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 6. 07-Ryan Smith, 7. 5-Justin Barger, 8. 44h-Joey Hershey, 9. 27g-Jay Galloway, 10. 2c-Cory Thornton, 11. 86-George Streaker Sr.
Heat 3 (10 laps) – 1. 39-Anthony Macri, 2. 87-Alan Krimes, 3. 57-Kyle Larson, 4. 11-TJ Stutts, 5. 2-AJ Flick, 6. 7k-Dan Shetler, 7. 97w-Mitchell Wormell, 8. 16-Gerard Mcintyre, 9. 8L-Kyle Lick, 10. 17-George Streaker, 11. 119-Chandler Leiby
Heat 2 (10 laps) – 1. 35-Tyler Walker, 2. 3c-James McFadden, 3. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 4. 27-Greg Hodnett, 5. 21-Brian Monteith, 6. 92q-Sam Walsh, 7. 5s-Mike Wagner, 8. 8-Billy Dietrich, 9. 27z-Sean Zemunik, 10. 19D-Waytt Hinkle, 11. 12w-Troy Fraker
Heat 1 (10 laps) – 1. 3x-Brock Zearfoss, 2. 25-Aaron Ott, 3. 4-Kasey Kahne, 4. 24r-Riceo Abreu, 5. 1-Dale Blaney, 6. 44-Tray Starks, 7. 5-Tyler Ross, 8. 5t-Tyler Reeser, 9. 44b-Dave Brown, 10. 23-Darren Pifer, 11. 1-Ryan Fredericks
Qualifying – 1. Rico Abreu, 9693; 2. Greg Hodnett, 9.727; 3. Kyle Larson, 9.730; 4. Lucas Wolfe, 9.789; 5. Brock Zearfoss; 9.813; 6. Freddie Rahmer, 9.852; 7. Anthony Macri, 9.901; 8. Jared Esh, 9.902; 9. Aaron Ott, 9.950; 10. Tyler Walker, 9.965; 11. Alan Krimes, 9.999; 12. Kyle Moody, 10.016; 13. Kasey Kahne, 10.017; 14. James McFadden, 10.032; 15. TJ Stuffs, 10.043; 16. Lance Dewease, 10.052; 17. Tray Starks, 10.073; 18. Mike Wagner, 10.103; 19. Mitchell Wormell, 10.105; 20. Jay Galloway, 10.125; 21. Dale Blaney, 10.141; 22. Sam Walsh, 10.148; 23. AJ Flick, 10.154; 24. Danny Dietrich, 10.156; 25. Tyler Reeser, 10.177; 26. Brian Monteith, 10.200; 27. Dan Shetler, 10.211; 28. Ryan Smith, 10.340; 29. Tyler Ross, 10.368; 30. Sean Zemunik, 10.368; 31. Gerard Mcntyre, 10.372; 32. Justin Barger, 10.409; 33. Darren Pifer, 10.493; 34. Billy Dietrich, 10.502; 35. Kyle Lick, 10.580; 36. Joey Hershey, 10.593; 37. Dave Brown, 10.643; 38. Waytt Hinkle, 10.758; 39. Chandler Leiby, 10.777; 40. Cory Thornton, 10.812; 41. Ryan Fredericks, 10.930; 42. Troy Fraker 11.219; 43. George Streaker, 11.721; 44. 86-George Streaker Sr., 12.201
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