Archive for Sprints
THUNDER NEWS
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Thunder on the Hill
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OCTOBER 15, 2016
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
BILLY PAUCH JR. WINS THRILLING THUNDER ON THE HILL MODS AT THE MADHOUSE SEASON FINALE AT GRANDVIEW SATURDAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (October 15, 2016) – With a full moon looming over the Grandview Speedway, it was Frenchtown, NJ’s Billy Pauch Jr. battling back from a mechanical issue early in the evening to claim a hard fought win in a wild and exciting Mods at the Madhouse main event. Pauch topped a field of forty-two modifieds, taking home the $5,000 prize during Saturday night’s NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings. This festive Halloween event delivered a spooky scenario with Pauch Jr, Ryan Watt and Craig VonDohren finishing first, second and third, all carrying the car number 14.
“We got off to a rough start this evening breaking the driveshaft in warm ups,” an elated Pauch Jr. explained. “Winning here is really special and I’m glad we could grab one for the Breitenstein team.”
Orefield, PA’s Brett Kressley – aboard the Norm’s Save Station No. 357 machine – set the pace early on and held the lead through some early race cautions, battling with second place starter, John Willman.
Pauch Jr., aboard the Rod Breitenstein-owned No. 14 machine, charged around the outside of Kressley at the conclusion of the third circuit, as Boyertown, PA’s Ryan Watt moved into the third position and claimed second just a few laps later.
The caution flew for the fourth time on the ninth lap, as a mechanical issue ended the night for Kressley – who was holding on to the third position.
Watt slid inside Pauch Jr. on the restart, as Willman battled ten-time Grandview Speedway Champion, Jeff Strunk for the third position.
The pair of No. 14 machines of Watt and Pauch Jr. diced around lapped traffic as competitors got the halfway signal, with ‘The Kid’s Kid’ taking the lead for the second time on lap 23.
A lap 30 yellow retired the machines of Hellertown, PA’s Rick Laubach and Frenchtown, NJ’s Billy Pauch – both with left-side flat tires while running in fifth and sixth respectively.
Watt shot like a rocket on the restart taking the lead from Pauch Jr., only for Pauch Jr. to battle back to the top spot one lap later. Pauch Jr. set his sights on the $5,000 top prize holding off Watt and claiming his second NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series victory.
Ryan Watt settled for the second position, electrifying the crowd with some daring moves. Craig VonDohren of Oley, PA finished in the third position, Mike Gular came home in fourth, Jeff Strunk in fifth.
Ryan Godown, of Ringoes, NJ, charged from the 22nd starting position to finish sixth, Kyle Weiss in seventh, John Willman in eighth, Doug Manmiller in ninth and John McClleland battling back from an early race caution to finish tenth.
Brad Arnold of Sinking Spring, PA picked up the $1,300 top prize in the 25-lap Sportsman main event, dominating the event from the first-place starting position. Arnold’s second Grandview Speedway win of the season was no easy task as he held off previous Thunder winner Paul Kline and Freedom 76 prelude winner Brandon Grosso – who finished in second and third position. 2016 Grandview Track Champion Jordan Henn finished in the fourth position and Jim Houseworth rounded out the top five finishers.
Ringoes, NJ’s Tommy Carberry claimed his first TSRS Sprint Car career victory dominating A-Main. The 29-year-old racer led the field to the green flag and led all of the 20 laps, holding off five-time TSRS Champion Mike Haggenbottom after a lap 19 caution flag. Haggenbottom finished in the second position, Dave Brown finished in third, Tim Tanner Jr. finished in fourth and Chris Allen came home in the third position.
The second running of the Mods at the Madhouse event marked event number 124 of the 27 year history of NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series.
Modified
Heat 1 (10 Laps) – 1. Ray Swinehart 2. Mike Gular 3. Brett Kressley 4. Steve Young 5. John McClelland
Heat 2 (10 Laps) – 1. Rick Laubach 2. Billy Pauch 3. Brian Houseknecht 4. Kyle Weiss 5. Dan Bouc
Heat 3 (10 Laps) – 1. Craig VonDohren 2. Jeff Strunk 3. Jim Britt 4. Kevin Hirthler 5. Steve Davis
Heat 4 (10 Laps) – 1. Billy Pauch Jr. 2. John Willman 3. Ryan Watt 4. Doug Manmiller 5. Jared Umbenhauer
Consolation 1 (10 Laps) – 1. Chris Esposito 2. Colt Harris
Consolation 2 (10 Laps) – 1. Ryan Godown 2. Brian Hirthler
Feature (40 Laps) – 1. Billy Pauch Jr. 2. Ryan Watt 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Mike Gular 5. Jeff Strunk 6. Ryan Godown 7. Kyle Weiss 8. John Willman 9. Doug Manmiller 10. John McClleland 11. Rick Laubach 12. Ray Swinehart 13. Kevin Hirthler 14. Brian Houseknecht 15. Jim Britt 16. Steve Young 17. Billy Pauch 18. Brian Hirthler 19. Chris Esposito 20. Danny Bouc 21. Steve Davis 22. Colt Harris 23. Brett Kressley 24. Jared Umbenhauer
DNQ: Ryan Krachun, Duane Howard, Kory Fleming, Danny Erb, Dan Waisenpacher, Ryan Kunkle, Ryan Lilick, David Hunt, Nate Christman, Doug Pannepacker, Don Hoffman, Dan Hineline, Kevin Beech, Eric Engstrom, Justin Grim, Anthony Moran, Willie Osmun,
Sportsman
Heat 1 (8 Laps) – 1. Brandon Grosso 2. Dylan Swinehart 3. Ryan Shupp 4. Joe Funk 5. Chad Kohler 6. John McGovern
Heat 2 (8 Laps) – 1. Brad Arnold 2. Jim Houseworth 3. Mike Lisowski 4. Paul Kline 5. Roger Manning
Heat 3 (8 Laps) – 1. Jordan Henn 2. Brett Gilmore 3. Craig Whitmoyer 4. Brian Hirthler 5. Paul Houseknecht
Consolation (8 Laps) – 1. Mike Lisowski 2. Ryan Lilick 3. Brandon Whitmoyer 4. Derrick Smith 5. Ray Woodall, Sr. 6. Jeremy Guiswite
Feature (25 Laps) – 1. Brad Arnold 2. Paul Kline 3. Brandon Grosso 4. Jordan Henn 5. Jim Houseworth 6. Brian Hirthler 7. Craig Whitmoyer 8. Paul Houseknecht 9. Chad Kohler 10. Brandon Whitmoyer 11. Ryan Schupp 12. John McGovern 13 Jordon Cox 14. Jeremy Guiswite 15. Kenny Bock 16. Brett Gilmore 17. Mike Lisowski 18. Ryan Lilick 19. Joe Funk 20. Brian Papiez 21. Ray Woodall, Sr. 22. Roger Manning 23. Dylan Swinehart 24. Derrick Smith
DNQ: Mike Koffel, Jason Kosch, Scott Kohler, BJ Joly, Todd Hoffman, Cale Ross, Nathan Mohr
TSRS Sprint Cars
Heat 1 (6 Laps) – 1. Bryant Davis 2. Dave Bonner 3. Ryan Stillwaggon 4. Mike Haggenbottom 5. Tim Tanner Jr. 6. Keith Anderson
Heat 2 (6 Laps) – 1. Tommy Carberry 2. Samantha Lieberman 3. Chris Allen 4. Dave Brown 5. Scott Frack
Feature (25 Laps) – 1. Tommy Carberry 2. Mike Haggenbottom 3. Dave Brown 4. Tim Tanner, Jr. 5. Christopher Allen 6. Bryant Davis 7. Samantha Leiberman 8. Keith Anderson 9. Dave Bonner 10. Scott Frack 11. Ryan Stillwaggon
Schuchart Slides into Victory Lane at Port Royal
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World of Outlaws
Contact: Brendan Capria
World of Outlaws PR
704-425-5368 | bcapria@dirtcar.com
Schuchart Slides into Victory Lane at Port Royal Celebrates second series win in front of local crowd
PORT ROYAL, Pa. - Oct. 15, 2016 - Unlike the others, Logan Schuchart did not scale his car right away in victory lane. Rather, the Hanover, Pa. native took the time to hug his family in front of a local crowd. Schuchart won his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series race of the season Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway - less than 100 miles from his hometown.
Thereon, Schuchart jumped on the back of his racecar and began to climb to the wing and the confetti waiting for him at the top. Schuchart slid down the front of the wing as hundreds of fans applauded his dominant performance in the 30-lap feature. He led 28 laps, starting the feature on the outside of the first row in second.
"It means a lot to win here," Schuchart said. "Port Royal is where we started so to win here at home, we're proud. We're still from P.A. no matter what anybody says."
The qualifying flights earlier in the night foreshadowed the battle between pole-sitter Lucas Wolfe and Schuchart. Wolfe recorded the night's quick time with a 15.278; he established the track record for 410-sprints with 15.168 on July 5, 2014.Schuchart was second fastest in qualifying, just .02 seconds off his pace. Together, the feature showcased the two drivers' quickness around the half-mile oval.
Schuchart wasted no time, challenging Wolfe in the opening lap of the race. Though Wolfe slammed the door on his attempts in turns two and four, a caution the following lap essentially gave Schuchart a do-over.
Schuchart took advantage of the early-caution, finally making the pass low in turn two. In the next four laps, Schuchart extended his lead to a 2.316-second margin. By this time, the front of the 25-car field reached lapped traffic. However, his buffer did not last long as the race's second caution compromised his lead.
"It felt like the longest 30 laps ever," Schuchart said. "We've had races where we've been out front and have slowed down in lapped traffic. I got a little nervous. But once I got the top rolling, I could kind of pull the wing back and get my speed back. It felt pretty good. We're just really proud of this whole Shark Racing team."
On the restart, Wolfe reclaimed the lead but only momentarily. Schuchart answered back, soon reestablishing a comfortable cushion between him and Wolfe. Wolfe did not get another chance to challenge him. Within the final 10 laps of the feature, Wolfe began to fade while Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz took a similar route to the podium. Wolfe held onto fourth position.
"Donny showed me the bottom off two and four and we moved down," said Hodnett, who finished second. "I got going on the bottom but Logan was gone. He was in another zip code. We were just lucky to be able to come up to second. It was a great field of cars and great fans.
Schuchart increased the spread to nearly four seconds in the closing laps of the race and ultimately won by a 4.705-second margin. Schuchart said the second half of the year is when the team really started to click. But, he owed his quick lap times and overall success to car owner Bobby Allen, who is also his grandfather. Allen was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998.
"He's been doing it himself lately," Allen said. "He has a different car a little bit - different motor that seemed to work pretty well. It's great to get [a win] anywhere you can get them, but it was great to get it here. He had the car working good and was driving it very well."
Schatz, rounding out the podium, recorded his 58th top five performance of 2016. With five races left in the season, Schatz is two top five finishes shy of tying his total from last season.
"Obviously you want to win when you come out. That's how you get the 'Champion' status," Schatz said. "When you don't, you have to figure out why. So, we have a little work to do there. It was fun. [The track] did a great job giving us a great surface to race on top to bottom. You get to go to a lot of places in the country, and to see the pride that goes into what everyone has done here...it's just crazy how much pride the fans take in it. A lot of racetracks in the country people take for granted, but it's great to see [the pride] right here."
Port Royal Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Logan Schuchart jumped out to an early lead in the feature's opening laps to claim his second series win of 2016. Schuchart dominated the field, leading 28 of the 30 laps. Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz broke into the podium too late to catch him.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Stevie Smith; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Logan Schuchart, Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, David Gravel; Craftsman/Sears: Lucas Wolfe; KSE Hard Charger: Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Port Royal Speedway, Pa.; Oct. 15, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps)1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] [$10,000]; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [4] [$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$3,200]; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [1] [$2,800]; 5. 69K-Lance Dewease [12] [$2,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [10] [$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [6] [$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] [$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [7] [$2,050]; 10. 83-Joey Saldana [11] [$2,000]; 11. 51S-Stevie Smith [13] [$1,500]; 12. 19M-Brent Marks [15] [$1,200]; 13. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$1,100]; 14. 17W-Kerry Madsen [23] [$1,050]; 15. 70-Danny Holtgraver [8] [$1,000]; 16. 1B-Dale Blaney [16] [$900]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [20] [$800]; 18. 5C-Dylan Cisney [9] [$800]; 19. 7-Paul McMahan [17] [$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [14] [$800]; 21. 88-T.J. Stutts [18] [$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [21] [$800]; 23. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [24] [$800]; 24. 17B-Bill Balog [22] [$800]; 25. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [25] [$];
Lap Leaders:Lucas Wolfe 1-2, Logan Schuchart 3-30;
KSE Hard Charger Award:17W-Kerry Madsen [+9]
Qualifying- 1. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 15.258; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.278; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.285; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 15.308; 5. 27-Greg Hodnett, 15.340; 6. 5C-Dylan Cisney, 15.358; 7. 5-David Gravel, 15.385; 8. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.390; 9. 21-Brian Brown, 15.413; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.430; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 15.436; 12. 70-Danny Holtgraver, 15.443; 13. 83-Joey Saldana, 15.447; 14. 7S-Jason Sides, 15.457; 15. 51S-Stevie Smith, 15.468; 16. 69K-Lance Dewease, 15.487; 17. 17B-Bill Balog, 15.496; 18. 2-Shane Stewart, 15.509; 19. 41-Jason Johnson, 15.527; 20. 88-T.J. Stutts, 15.527; 21. 747-Davey Sammons, 15.558; 22. 94-Ryan Smith, 15.577; 23. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter, 15.589; 24. 7-Paul McMahan, 15.592; 25. 71M-Dave Blaney, 15.604; 26. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.607; 27. O7-Doug Esh, 15.630; 28. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.641; 29. M1-Mark Smith, 15.651; 30. 7W-Logan Wagner, 15.652; 31. 8S-Trenton Sheaffer, 15.660; 32. 19M-Brent Marks, 15.662; 33. 20-Ryan Taylor, 15.678; 34. 48-Danny Dietrich, 15.691; 35. 19-Paige Polyak, 15.778; 36. 33-Curt Stroup, 15.804; 37. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 15.814; 38. 55-Mike Wagner, 15.827; 39. 49X-Craig Dollansky, 15.844; 40. 44-Joey Hershey, 15.864; 41. 47K-Kody Lehman, 15.874; 42. 13X-Tim Shaffer, 15.888; 43. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 15.968; 44. 25-Aaron Ott, 16.689; 45. 24B-Dustin Baney, 16.028.
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 70-Danny Holtgraver [4]; 3. 5C-Dylan Cisney [2]; 4. 51S-Stevie Smith [5]; 5. 7-Paul McMahan [6]; 6. 7W-Logan Wagner [8]; 7. O7-Doug Esh [7]; 8. 47K-Kody Lehman [11]; 9. 24B-Dustin Baney [12]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [3]; 11. 20-Ryan Taylor [9]; 12. 19-Paige Polyak [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [4]; 4. 19M-Brent Marks [8]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [3]; 7. 71M-Dave Blaney [6]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [7]; 9. 33-Curt Stroup [10]; 10. 71A-R.J. Johnson [11]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)1. 1-Lucas Wolfe [1]; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 5. 88-T.J. Stutts [6]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [5]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [10]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 94-Ryan Smith [7]; 10. 13X-Tim Shaffer [12]; 11. 8S-Trenton Sheaffer [9]; 12. 49X-Craig Dollansky [11]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [2]; 3. 69K-Lance Dewease [4]; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [3]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 6. 747-Davey Sammons [6]; 7. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [7]; 8. M1-Mark Smith [8]; 9. 55-Mike Wagner [10]; 10. 44-Joey Hershey [11]; 11. 25-Aaron Ott [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature)1. 1-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett [6]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 6. 5-David Gravel [8]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [7]; 8. 70-Danny Holtgraver [5]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature)- 1. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [2] [-]; 2. 55-Mike Wagner [4] [-]; 3. 33-Curt Stroup [5] [$150]; 4. 49X-Craig Dollansky [6] [$150]; 5. 47K-Kody Lehman [7] [$150]; 6. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] [$125]; 7. 24B-Dustin Baney [11] [$125]; 8. 44-Joey Hershey [8] [$125]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich [1] [$125]; 10. 19-Paige Polyak [3] [$125]; 11. 13X-Tim Shaffer [10] [$125]; 12. 25-Aaron Ott [12] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1.1A-Jacob Allen [1] [-]; 2. 17B-Bill Balog [2] [-]; 3. 17W-Kerry Madsen [3] [-]; 4. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [8] [-]; 5. O7-Doug Esh [7] [$300]; 6. 94-Ryan Smith [6] [$250]; 7. 7W-Logan Wagner [11] [$225]; 8. 747-Davey Sammons [4] [$200]; 9. 55-Mike Wagner [16] [$200]; 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [15] [$200]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [10] [$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [9] [$200]; 13. 8S-Trenton Sheaffer [14] [$200]; 14. 71M-Dave Blaney [5] [$200]; 15. 20-Ryan Taylor [13] [$200]; 16. M1-Mark Smith [12] [$200]
WINDOM BESTS BOESPFLUG IN BREATHTAKING “HURTUBISE CLASSIC” AT TERRE HAUTE
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The United States Auto Club.
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Contact: Richie Murray | richie@usacracing.com
WINDOM BESTS BOESPFLUG IN BREATHTAKING "HURTUBISE CLASSIC" AT TERRE HAUTE
Terre Haute, Indiana October 15, 2016 - Over the last three-months, the red-hot Chris Windom has been on a tear.
However, the Canton, Illinois veteran driver may have saved his best performance of the year for Saturday night's "Jim Hurtubise Classic" USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car feature at the famed Terre Haute Action Track.
Windom battled back-and-forth, lap-after-lap, in a "hold your breath" 30-lap boxing match with Chad Boespflug that saw an astonishing 26 unofficial lead changes - four officially at the start/finish line!
The last lead change occurred with just three laps remaining when Windom made a turn three slider stick, then held Boespflug at bay off the fourth corner to claim the spot for good before going on to victory lane after one of the most memorable races witnessed in the long, storied history of the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds' half-mile.
During this stretch since mid-July, Windom has been victorious in the "Ted Horn 100" at Du Quoin and the "4-Crown Nationals" at Eldora on his way to the USAC Silver Crown title and, one night after his midget victory in the "Kokomo Klash," Windom picked up his second career "Jim Hurtubise Classic" trophy, joining Jack Hewitt as the only multiple-time winner of the race that debuted in 1990.
Plus, Windom's impressive streak of top-six finishes in USAC National races continues, a stretch that dates back to July 17th's "Indiana Sprint Week" feature at Terre Haute.
It was the second USAC National Sprint Car victory of the year for the team after the return of Windom to the Baldwin Brothers Racing/Fox Paving - AMSOIL/Maxim/Claxton Mopar, the same core group that captured the "Hurtubise Classic" back in 2011.
"You can race Chad (Boespflug) clean like that and you don't have to worry about anything," Windom said. "We had a hell of a race going on there. He found the top and got around me in the middle part of the race. Once I moved up and got in his line, we were a little better than him. We just kept slicing and dicing in (turns) three and four and, finally, I got a slide job to stick and got back in front of him. I thought once we got there, we'd be good."
"I knew at the start, it was really good on the bottom and, as we were going, it felt a little slower and slower," Windom added. "You're kind of a sitting duck when you're leading the race and you just don't know. I kept watching and watching and saw him rip by me. He ran a really good turn four, so we had to get in line behind him and chase him back down."
Unseasonably comfortable weather brought a sizable crowd for the USAC National Sprint Car Midwest season finale and, right from the get-go, the drivers up front put on a show that none of the fans in attendance would forget over the long Indiana winter.
On the start, pole sitter Justin Grant slid up in front of outside front row starter Thomas Meseraull to take the lead into turn one.
Meanwhile, Boespflug ducked down to the low side, briefly sticking his nose in front of Grant in turn two. The two continued their side-by-side battle throughout the first lap with Grant able to inch ahead at the stripe by two car lengths.
The two were stuck together as if they were racing side-by-side on a slot car track throughout the second circuit with Grant able to hold onto the top spot by the skin of his teeth at the line. Boespflug immediately pulled the bow and shot like an arrow down to the bottom of turn one, sliding up in front of Grant to grab the lead by the time the pair reached turn two.
One lap later, as Boespflug and Grant ran one-two, seventh-starting Windom seemingly came out of nowhere, rocketing from third to first in one-fell-swoop using a monster run off of turn two.
Windom's initial bid for the lead was short-lived as Boespflug was able to recapture the point on lap three, but the signs were there that Windom would play a lead role on tonight's stage.
On the ensuing lap, Windom once again used the bottom of turn two to power past Boespflug, instantaneously manufacturing a seven-car-length advantage as he appeared to be on the verge of a runaway.
Not so fast, my friend.
Little-by-little, lap-after-lap, Boespflug began to reel in Windom near the midway point as he altered his plan of attack by hitting the bottom of turns one and two and then formed his own groove up near the outside wall between turns three and four, running a line that would've made five-time Action Track winner Jim Hurtubise proud.
With 13 laps to go, the high line would pay off as Boespflug raced out of turn four with a full head of steam to slip by Windom for the lead on the outside, then cutting down to take away Windom's line as the two entered turn one. Windom responded with an unsuccessful turn three slider, falling in line behind Boespflug as he reloaded the chamber for his next shot at the lead.
Windom took his next run at Boespflug into turn three with 11 laps to go, blasting across the front of Boespflug's nose as they both drifted up to the red, white and blue-striped concrete. Boespflug countered, turning underneath Windom and nearly making contact when sliding across Windom's front bumper as the two raced mere inches apart off turn four.
The two drag-raced side-by-side down the front stretch, never giving an inch to each other through the first and second turns. With Windom whispering into the inside guardrail with his left front wheel and Boespflug just to his outside, the pair aimed for the same spot on the bottom of turn two where something had to give. Windom ran out of room, cracking the throttle just enough to allow Boespflug to assume the point for the time-being.
On laps 23 and 24, Windom went to the well once again, using a run off of turn two to pull even with Boespflug as they entered the third turn, but to no avail, as the two now encountered lapped traffic.
On laps 25 and 26, Windom fell into line behind Boespflug, shadowing his rear bumper off turn two each time as he contemplated his next move.
With three laps left, leader Boespflug and Windom had lapped cars high and low across the racetrack to contend with. Boespflug followed Corey Smith while Windom stalked Isaac Chapple with the leaders separated by a half-car-length.
Boespflug moved up a couple lanes to split between Chapple and Smith while Windom briefly got hung up behind Chapple.
But, as was the case all night, turn two was Windom's personal ATM as he disposed of Chapple and once again rocketed off the second turn and down the back straightaway to beat Boespflug into turn three, sliding up to the outside wall as Boespflug crossed over, trying with all his might to fight his way back to Windom off of turn four. Windom had just enough bite to sprint off of turn four to beat Boespflug to the line by a single car length before he ripped Boespflug's line away going into turn one.
That action proved to be the winning move for Windom as he finished off the final two laps in style to take his second USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car feature victory of the year followed by Boespflug, Jerry Coons, Jr., Chase Stockon and Grant.
Hanford, California's Boespflug officially led at the start/finish line on two different occasions, running at the front for a total of 13 laps before settling for second-place in his NineEight Motorsports-EZR/PAC Racing Springs - Schroeder Torsion Bars/Maxim/Claxton.
"That was fun," Boespflug exclaimed. "That was a great battle between Chris and I. I was trying to think of how I was going to hold him off. He was so much better off of 2. I gained a lot of ground in 3 and 4. This car was awesome tonight. It was so stable. I had so much forward drive. Man, that was a lot of fun. It took the breath out of me!"
Third-place finisher Jerry Coons, Jr. of Tucson, Arizona, the 2013 "Jim Hurtubise Classic" winner, came home with his best USAC Sprint Car finish of the season in his Monte Edison/Crume-Evans Insurance - Lincoln Condos/Spike/Chevy in what may have been longtime team owner Edison's farewell race.
"I just want to thank Monte and all these guys," Coons praised. "It's been a lot of fun driving for these guys. They work very hard and they put a nice racecar together week in week out. It's been a blast. I'm looking forward to seeing what next year brings."
"You see them up there dicing it up and think, 'Hey, maybe we will win this thing," Coons said regarding Windom and Boespflug's battle for the lead. "These guys are great racers and, obviously, they respect each other. It looks like it was pretty exciting up there. We had a good racecar. I wish I could've been up there to spice it up a little bit."
Contingency award winners Saturday night at the Terre Haute Action Track included Chase Stockon (ProSource Fast Qualifier), Chris Windom (Simpson Race Products First Heat Winner), Tyler Courtney (Competition Suspension, Inc. (CSI) Second Heat Winner), Jon Stanbrough (Benic Enterprises/Indy Race Parts Third Heat Winner), Brady Bacon (KSE Racing Products Hard Charger) and Dave Darland (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Feature Finisher).
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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: October 15, 2016 - Terre Haute, Indiana - Terre Haute Action Track - "Jim Hurtubise Classic"
PROSOURCE QUALIFYING: 1. Chase Stockon, 32, 32 TBI-20.424; 2. Aaron Farney, 17GP, Dutcher-20.628; 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 10E, Edison-20.771; 4. Chad Boespflug, 98E, NineEight/EZR-20.779; 5. Thomas Meseraull, 9x, SC-20.834; 6. Justin Grant, 17, McGhee-20.857; 7. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-20.870; 8. Tyler Courtney, 23c, TOPP-20.893; 9. Jon Stanbrough, 81, Stanbrough-20.909; 10. Dave Darland, 11, Walker/Curb-Agajanian-20.961; 11. Kevin Thomas Jr., 1, Ballou-21.005; 12. Joe Bares, 19, TEST-21.049; 13. C.J. Leary, 30, Leary-21.098; 14. Bret Mellenberndt, 97, Mellenberndt-21.208; 15. Carson Macedo, 21k, Krockenberger-21.229; 16. Kyle Robbins, 17R, Robbins-21.233; 17. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-21.243; 18. Corey Smith, 66, Smith-21.244; 19. J.J. Hughes, 76, Hughes-21.318; 20. Isaac Chapple, 52, LNR-21.511; 21. Nate McMillin, 24, McMillin-22.476; 22. Jeff Pritchett, 2J, Pritchett-25.954.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Windom, 2. Leary, 3. Boespflug, 4. Darland, 5. Stockon, 6. Robbins, 7. Hughes, 8. Pritchett. 2:48.94
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Courtney, 2. Bacon, 3. Farney, 4. Thomas, 5. Meseraull, 6. Chapple, 7. Mellenberndt. NT
BENIC ENTERPRISES/INDY RACE PARTS THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Stanbrough, 2. Smith, 3. Grant, 4. Coons, 5. Macedo, 6. Bares, 7. McMillin. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Chris Windom, 2. Chad Boespflug. 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 4. Chase Stockon, 5. Justin Grant, 6. Tyler Courtney, 7. Brady Bacon, 8. Jon Stanbrough, 9. C.J. Leary, 10. Aaron Farney, 11. Bret Mellenberndt, 12. Thomas Meseraull, 13. Dave Darland, 14. Kevin Thomas Jr., 15. Carson Macedo, 16. Corey Smith, 17. Isaac Chapple, 18. Kyle Robbins, 19. Joe Bares, 20. Nate McMillin, 21. J.J. Hughes, 22. Jeff Pritchett. NT
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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Grant, Laps 3-4 Boespflug, Laps 5-16 Windom, Laps 17-27 Boespflug, Laps 28-30 Windom.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Brady Bacon (17th-7th)
NEW USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Bacon-2,327, 2-Stockon-2,094, 3-Darland-1,968, 4-Meseraull-1,955, 5-Robert Ballou-1,919, 6-Boespflug-1,885, 7-Leary & Windom-1,858, 9-Farney-1,287, 10-Max McGhee-1,264.
NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACES: November 4-5 - Queen Creek, AZ - Arizona Speedway - "49th Western World Championships"
Dietrich with Dream Win at Williams Grove
Posted by: | CommentsWorld of Outlaws
Contact: Brendan Capria
World of Outlaws PR
704-425-5368 | bcapria@dirtcar.com
Dietrich with Dream Win at Williams Grove Saldana one position shy of milestone
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - Oct. 14, 2016 - A late push to the top Friday night ended in a victory lane celebration on the front stretch for Danny Dietrich, who won the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove Speedway. The Gettysburg, Pa. driver hoisted the $25,000 check in the air in front of a local crowd.
"This is pretty incredible," Dietrich said. "This may have been one of the toughest races I've ever ran. They were setting a heck of a pace. It was no easy win. Props to those guys for racing me clean. I hope the fans got their money's worth. These are the toughest guys to race against - ever. This is the National Open and people dream about winning this. But, dreams do come true."
Dietrich, who finished on the podium in the series' previous show at Fulton Speedway (N.Y.), finished mid-pack in qualifying earlier in the night's program. Tim Wagaman recorded the fastest lap time at Williams Grove all season with a 16.314 in qualifying. Logan Schuchart, who set the track record at Fulton, was two-thousandths of a second slower than Wagaman in the following group.
It was Dietrich's second place finish in the third heat that gave him a favorable starting spot for the feature. Dietrich finished sixth in the Craftsman Club® Dash and started in the spot for the 40-lap A-Main. However, he was not an outsider looking into the top five for long. When the green flag waved the 26-car field into the feature, Dietrich's No. 48 car sprang into action.
In the opening lap, second place starter Brad Sweet moved to the inside of the half-mile oval; Dietrich followed suit, eventually challenging seven-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for fourth position in turn three of the second lap. Platinum driver David Gravel, who beat Dietrich in the heat race, was also in the mix.
Entering lapped traffic by the sixth lap, Gravel swapped third position with Schatz while Sweet briefly overtook pole-sitter Joey Saldana for first. Both Saldana and Schatz avenged their battles, and Schatz moved by Sweet with 21 laps remaining. On lap 23, Dietrich knocked Sweet's No. 49 car out of his podium position before the feature's first caution.
"We had the speed," Sweet said. "You just need to get the track position. Things went right for us there. We were off the front row. I'm a little disappointed because I thought we had a car capable of winning the race. I felt like the driver gave it away a little there."
The field endured an open red that allowed teams to refuel their winged-sprints. On the restart, Dietrich powered through Schatz into second position before the race's second caution on lap 24. Including another yellow flag on lap 26, Saldana strung together a series of strong restarts to retain first position. Even so, Dietrich gained on Saldana with each lap. Dietrich consistently cut the corner in turn three, shaving seconds off Saldana's half-second lead. Dietrich momentarily passed Saldana until the fourth caution on lap 27.
"These guys are really good out here when you come here to race," Saldana said. "[Dietrich] snickered me on that restart there, and I just got lucky. We did have a good car. You have to come out here and perform."
One more near-perfect restart from Saldana kept his No. 83 car in front of the field; however, Dietrich resumed his strategy by sticking to the inside groove. On lap 34, Dietrich was able to get under Saldana exiting turn four for the lead. Saldana fought back. In a back-and-forth, Saldana was back out front.
"I kept working the bottom there," Dietrich said. "I really wasn't good anywhere but the bottom, so I just kept working it. I felt I could keep-up better down there than running on the top. I was a little too loose to be running around the top. I just couldn't get to the exit with speed like I needed to. If you told me by lap 10 I'd be standing up here [in victory lane], I would've laughed."
In the final laps, Saldana moved to the bottom of the track to block a hard-charging Dietrich. With four laps remaining, Dietrich overpowered Saldana for the lead. Dietrich ultimately won the battle, while Saldana and Sweet rounded-out the podium. In victory lane - removing the storied Outlaws-PA Posse rivalry from the picture in that moment - the three joked and laughed. Surrounded by a packed front stretch, the crowd applauded the three for another instant-classic to be added into the event's 54-year history.
Saldana, who won the dash and led the field into the green flag, was in position to win his 100th series race of his career. He was in contention to join Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and Doug Wolfgang as the only series drivers to record 100-plus series wins.
"That's something I want to accomplish before I'm done is to get at least 100 [wins]," said Saldana, who was not even thinking about his milestone during the race. "We were close tonight, just couldn't get it done."
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES:Danny Dietrich used the bottom of William Grove Speedway's half-mile oval to his advantage Friday night, capturing the 54th Annual Champion Racing Oil National Open. After battling pole-sitter Joey Saldana for much of the second half, Dietrich made a late push in the race's closing laps to seal the deal.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Dale Blaney; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears: Dave Blaney; KSE Hard Charger: Doug Esh; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Danny Dietrich; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, Pa.; Oct. 14, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps) -1. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] [$25,000]; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [1] [$12,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [$6,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4] [$5,250]; 5. 5-David Gravel [3] [$4,500]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [11] [$4,000]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$3,500]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$3,000]; 9. 69K-Lance Dewease [7] [$2,750]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [$2,500]; 11. 1B-Dale Blaney [16] [$2,300]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [12] [$2,250]; 13. 51-Freddie Rahmer [17] [$2,000]; 14. 51S-Stevie Smith [22] [$1,600]; 15. O7-Doug Esh [23] [$1,500]; 16. 41-Jason Johnson [24] [$1,300]; 17. 17W-Kerry Madsen [13] [$1,250]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$1,050]; 19. 1-Lucas Wolfe [15] [$1,050]; 20. 1T-Tim Wagaman [9] [$1,050]; 21. 88-T.J. Stutts [21] [$1,000]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [5] [$1,000]; 23. 21P-Brian Montieth [25] [$]; 24. 70-Danny Holtgraver [20] [$1,000]; 25. 7-Paul McMahan [18] [$1,000]; 26. 11C-Cory Haas [26] [$]Lap Leaders:Joey Saldana 1-14, 16-38; Brad Sweet 15, Danny Dietrich 39-40 KSE Hard Charger Award:51S-Stevie Smith[+8]
Qualifying -1. 1T-Tim Wagaman, 16.314; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 16.348; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney, 16.413; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.438; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.463; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett, 16.468; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 16.483; 8. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 16.499; 9. 88-T.J. Stutts, 16.536; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 16.537; 11. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 16.538; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 16.548; 13. 19-Paige Polyak, 16.596; 14. 25-Aaron Ott, 16.714; 15. M1-Mark Smith, 16.721; 16. 11C-Cory Haas, 16.737; 17. 5G-Chase Dietz, 16.802; 18. 13X-Tim Shaffer, 16.891; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 16.935; 20. 69-Tim Glatfelter, 16.975; 21. 1X-Chad Trout, 16.991; 22. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 17.244; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.252; 24. 87-Alan Krimes, 17.777; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.316; 26. 83-Joey Saldana, 16.408; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 16.485; 28. 69K-Lance Dewease, 16.502; 29. 9-Daryn Pittman, 16.515; 30. 21-Brian Brown, 16.517; 31. 5-David Gravel, 16.533; 32. 70-Danny Holtgraver, 16.574; 33. 51S-Stevie Smith, 16.586; 34. 1B-Dale Blaney, 16.652; 35. 7-Paul McMahan, 16.688; 36. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter, 16.702; 37. O7-Doug Esh, 16.779; 38. 41-Jason Johnson, 16.821; 39. 17B-Bill Balog, 16.862; 40. 21P-Brian Montieth, 16.890; 41. 19M-Brent Marks, 16.921; 42. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 16.928; 43. 94-Ryan Smith, 16.969; 44. 44W-Rodney Westhafer, 17.003; 45. 7W-Logan Wagner, 17.009; 46. 75-Nicole Bower, 17.067; 47. 49X-Craig Dollansky, 17.745; 48. 12W-Troy Fraker, 17.847
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 71M-Dave Blaney [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 3. 1T-Tim Wagaman [1] ; 4. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6] ; 6. 88-T.J. Stutts [5] ; 7. M1-Mark Smith [8] ; 8. 13X-Tim Shaffer [10] ; 9. 19-Paige Polyak [7] ; 10. 69-Tim Glatfelter [11] ; 11. 71A-R.J. Johnson [12] ; 12. 87-Alan Krimes [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2] ; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] ; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [4] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. 25-Aaron Ott [7] ; 7. 5G-Chase Dietz [9] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [10] ; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] ; 11. 1X-Chad Trout [11] ; 12. 11C-Cory Haas [8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 5. 7-Paul McMahan [6] ; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [5] ; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [9] ; 8. 94-Ryan Smith [10] ; 9. 17B-Bill Balog [8] ; 10. O7-Doug Esh [7] ; 11. 7W-Logan Wagner [11] ; 12. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [1] ; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [2] ; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3] ; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [5] ; 5. 70-Danny Holtgraver [4] ; 6. 21P-Brian Montieth [8] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [7] ; 8. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [6] ; 9. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [9] ; 10. 12W-Troy Fraker [12] ; 11. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [10] ; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [11]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 5. 71M-Dave Blaney [1] ; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] ; 7. 69K-Lance Dewease [8] ; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature)- 1. 13X-Tim Shaffer [1] [-]; 2. 94-Ryan Smith [4] [-]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [2] [$150]; 4. 7W-Logan Wagner [8] [$150]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [3] [$150]; 6. 1X-Chad Trout [7] [$125]; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] [$125]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [11] [$125]; 9. 12W-Troy Fraker [14] [$125]; 10. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12] [$125]; 11. 69-Tim Glatfelter [5] [$125]; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [10] [$125]; 13. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [6] [$125]; 14. 87-Alan Krimes [13] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 88-T.J. Stutts [1] [-]; 2. 51S-Stevie Smith [2] [-]; 3. O7-Doug Esh [6] [-]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [-]; 5. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [4] [$300]; 6. 11C-Cory Haas [11] [$250]; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [14] [$225]; 8. 21P-Brian Montieth [12] [$200]; 9. 5G-Chase Dietz [13] [$200]; 10. M1-Mark Smith [9] [$200]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [$200]; 12. 94-Ryan Smith [16] [$200]; 13. 17B-Bill Balog [10] [$200]; 14. 19-Paige Polyak [5] [$200]; 15. 25-Aaron Ott [7] [$200]; 16. 13X-Tim Shaffer [15] [$200]
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES NEWS
Posted by: | CommentsThunder on the Hill
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OCTOBER 11, 2016
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series returns. . . . .
MODIFIEDS, SPORTSMAN & SPRINT CARS HEADLINE “MODS” AT THE MADHOUSE FINALE SATURDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA (October 11, 2016) – Big, powerful machines; the fastest drivers in the region; and a Halloween trick-or-treat celebration – that’s what is in store for fans attending Grandview Speedway’s 2016 Modified racing finale this Saturday, October 15.
Action begins at 6 PM.
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presents Mods at the Madhouse -- the culmination of the 27th season of Thunder action on the 1/3-mile high banks – including the popular Halloween Party and a full-show with four divisions of racing action with the Modifieds, Sportsman, TSRS Sprint Cars and Vintage Cars all presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings.
The main event features the over 800 horsepower ground-shaking Big-Block Modifieds challenging the ultra-quick Small-Block Modifieds in a 40 lap duel to the finish, where a $5,000 jackpot waits in victory lane. The lucrative Modified finale includes a $1,000 tenth place prize and $500 payday to start the feature.
Drivers from around the region are taking advantage of a special rule package that allows for maximum participation. Hometown heroes like Craig VonDohren, Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk and Doug Manmiller defend the Berks County oval against New Jersey invaders Billy Pauch Sr. and Billy Pauch Jr., Ryan Godown, and Willie Osmun. Plus, Pennsylvania invaders Ryan Watt and Rick Laubach; and young guns like Brett Kressley, Danny Bouc, Jared Umbenhauer, and Ryan Karachi.
The rules package allows for competition from Big and Small Block engines and both American Racer and Hoosier Tires. However, no open small block motors will be permitted. For further rule information visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
The Sportsman compete in a 25-lap, $1,300 to win main event. 2016 Grandview Speedway Sportsman Champion Jordan Henn looks to hold off 2016 New Egypt Speedway Sportsman Champion and winner of the Freedom 76 Sportsman Spectacular Brandon Grosso to claim the top prize. Grandview Sportsman contenders Craig Whitmoyer, Ryan Lillick and Brian Hirthler are expected to be in competition.
Five-time TSRS Sprint Car Series Champion Mike Haggenbottom leads the winged warriors into the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series finale with Tim Tanner Jr., Jeff Geiges, Kyle Purks and Chris Allen expected for competition.
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Halloween Party events have been a staple of the Grandview Speedway schedule for over 15 years and will again include the Costume Parade. Race fans young and old are encouraged to dress in costume to be eligible for special Halloween treats.
Kressley’s Auto and Truck present “Joe the Pizza Dude” offering up hot, delicious and FREE pizzas to the rowdiest of race fans. Make some noise when ‘The Pizza Dude’ comes around!
Fans interested in early admission can take part in our Advance Ticket Reserve. Advanced tickets are available by calling 443-513-4456, where you can leave a message with your name, contact number, and the number of tickets you would like. Tickets may be paid for and picked-up at the Grandview Speedway Will Call window on race night after 3:00 PM. Advanced ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 3:30 PM a full half-hour before General Admission tickets go on sale.
General Admission ticket pricing for Saturday, October 15 is $25 for adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & Under are FREE! Pit Area admission is $35 and a license is not required.
The Pit gates open at 2:00 PM, Advanced ticket holders can enter at 3:30 PM, General Admission gates open at 4:00 PM and the first Green flag flies at 6:00 PM.
Celebrating the 27th season of racing action, the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series always includes fun for the fans with activities such as: Pre-Race Pit Tours, the Inside/Out Experience – where fans can sign-up to watch hot laps from the infield, giveaways, fireworks, and appearances by the Thunder Girls. Jim Gallagher and GALCO Communications always take part in offering some special fun for the race fans.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with Thunder on the Hill as the Series title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Quaker Steak & Lube, Eli’s Auto World, and GALCO Business Communications.
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: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
Schatz Stealthy in Fulton Win
Posted by: | CommentsWorld of Outlaws
Contact: Brendan Capria
World of Outlaws PR
704-425-5368 | bcapria@dirtcar.com
Schatz Stealthy in Fulton Win Majority of field shatters track record
FULTON, N.Y. - Oct. 8, 2016 - Donny Schatz earned his 24th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season Saturday night in front of a packed Fulton Speedway grandstand. Fans from near and far witnessed the series return after two years for the Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience Saturday Night Special.
"I can't say enough about this race, and the color pink has been awesome," said Schatz, who recorded his second win this season with his Breast Cancer Awareness themed racecar. "It's for a good cause, but I'm happy to find a lucky color for me."
The series made its cameo appearance during Upstate New York's prestigious 45th running of the NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week. The Outlaws shared the spotlight with the Super DIRTcar Series, which competed in the "Win and You're In" portion of the program that decided the final spot for Sunday's famed Bud Light 200. Though the stakes were high for the Big-Block Modified class, the winged-sprints made history at Fulton's 3/8-mile dirt oval.
The last time the Outlaws visited Fulton in 2014, David Gravel set the track record for 410-sprints with a lap time of 13.711. With wet conditions starting off the day, drivers found the silver lining. In qualifying, 28 of the 32 drivers broke Gravel's record. Eight drivers recorded sub-12 second lap times. Gravel, who ultimately finished 10th in the feature, said the moist track was different than when he initially set the record.
"All the rain [Fulton] got put a lot of moisture into the track, and it made the track really fast," said Gravel, who also broke his own record with a 13.298 in qualifying. "But we qualified badly. We dug ourselves a hole, and we had to overcome some adversity today."
The record went to Logan Schuchart, who recorded the night's quick time with a 12.803-second run. This was the first time in track history a sub-13 lap time had ever been recorded. After the qualifying session, Schuchart stood in front of the timing and scoring monitor in disbelief. He owed the record time to the track conditions.
Schatz kept the momentum going thereafter. He placed second in his heat race to advance to the dash draw. With an eight spot inversion, Schatz started the Craftsman Club® Dash in the lead spot. Using the momentum he has gained throughout the season, the Fargo, N.D. native won the dash and led the 24-car feature into the green flag.
"That was big, to be able to pull that eight," Schatz said. "We had a really good car in the dash, and I kind of throttled back on my guys from making the normal changes. I didn't feel as good as I probably would have liked, but you just never know what to expect with all the rain. The racetrack was really fast, and the top seemed like the best place to be. I did my best to get around [the track]. There were some really good cars behind us, and that's a good thing to have behind you."
Within the first lap, Schatz was challenged by Pennsylvania wheelman Danny Dietrich, who momentarily took the lead until the race's first caution regrouped the field. On the restart, Dietrich opened-up a 0.800-second lead. Schatz, slow on the draw, found himself in a battle with Lucas Wolfe for second.
"Donny had a heck of a car, and we thought we were going to beat him," Dietrich said. "We gave him a run for his money but to run like we did on a track like this, we're happy with that."
Wolfe overtook Schatz in turn four of the fifth lap, but a near-caution in turn four gave Schatz an opportunity to make-up the spread. A car in front of the leaders overshot the turn four cushion, slowing down Dietrich and Wolfe. Schatz took advantage of their misfortune and reclaimed the top spot. He never looked back.
"It was good to come here and be somewhat competitive," Wolfe said. "I was good on the restarts and through the middle, but once we got dirtied-up a little bit, we never had the chance to challenge [Schatz]. He got better and better while I was just hanging on."
Schatz, increased his 0.214-second lead at the halfway mark to a 2.441-second cushion with three laps remaining. Schatz held on for the checkers, while Wolfe and Dietrich rounded-out the podium. Schatz's last series win at the track came on July 25, 2006.
"Thank you fans for sticking with it," Schatz said. "The camaraderie with the fans was just great. Also, the track people. Obviously it was not the best of conditions, but it hardly ever is anymore. We just enjoyed it the best we could."
Fulton Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz led the majority of the laps in the Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience Saturday Night Special showdown, recording his 24th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season. Notably, 28 out of the 32 total drivers in the class broke the track record in qualifying. Logan Schuchart ultimately claimed the track record with a 12.801.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): David Gravel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Ryan Smith; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Danny Dietrich; KSE Hard Charger: Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Fulton Speedway, N.Y.; Oct. 8, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 1-Lucas Wolfe[4] [$5,500]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] [$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman[3] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [10] [$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson[7] [$2,300]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana[13] [$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$2,100]; 9. 19M-Brent Marks [8] [$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14] [$2,000]; 11. 94-Ryan Smith [6] [$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,200]; 13. 7K-Dan Shetler [18] [$1,100]; 14. 53-Shawn Donath[16] [$1,050]; 15. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen[15] [$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen[12] [$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [21] [$800]; 18. 33-Mike Mahaney [23] [$800]; 19. 19P-Paige Polyak [19] [$800]; 20. 7-Paul McMahan [9] [$800]; 21. 71M-Dave Blaney [11] [$800]; 22. 747-Davey Sammons [24] [$800]; 23. 71A-R.J. Johnson [20] [$800]; 24. M1-Mark Smith [22] [$800]
Lap Leaders: Danny Dietrich 1-7, Donny Schatz 8-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 83-Joey Saldana[+6]
Qualifying - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.801; 2. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 12.828; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.838; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.857; 5. 19M-Brent Marks, 12.881; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.936; 7. 94-Ryan Smith, 12.949; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.969; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.019; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.027; 11. 71M-Dave Blaney, 13.029; 12. 53-Shawn Donath, 13.045; 13. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.051; 14. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.055; 15. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen, 13.086; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.136; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.179; 18. 7K-Dan Shetler, 13.200; 19. 19P-Paige Polyak, 13.223; 20. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 13.230; 21. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.233; 22. 5-David Gravel, 13.298; 23. M1-Mark Smith, 13.311; 24. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec, 13.381; 25. 98-Joe Trenca, 13.491; 26. 91-Anthony Fiore, 13.501; 27. 747-Davey Sammons, 13.505; 28. 33-Mike Mahaney, 13.517; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.002; 30. 36-Matt Billings, 14.003; 31. 67-Chris Durand, 14.260; 32. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 14.870
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 49-Brad Sweet [3] ; 2. 19M-Brent Marks [2] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [6] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 6. 98-Joe Trenca [7] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 1-Lucas Wolfe [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 7K-Dan Shetler [5] ; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 7. 91-Anthony Fiore [7] ; 8. 36-Matt Billings [8]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 94-Ryan Smith [2] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [1] ; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [3] ; 4. 1Z-Jessica Zemken-Friesen [4] ; 5. 19P-Paige Polyak [5] ; 6. M1-Mark Smith [6] ; 7. 747-Davey Sammons [7] ; 8. 67-Chris Durand [8]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 4. 53-Shawn Donath [3] ; 5. 71A-R.J. Johnson [5] ; 6. 33-Mike Mahaney [7] ; 7. 49K-Scott Kreutter [8] ; 8. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec [6]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [7] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [8] ; 6. 94-Ryan Smith [6] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [5] ; 8. 19M-Brent Marks [4]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 7S-Jason Sides [2] [-]; 2. M1-Mark Smith [3] [-]; 3. 33-Mike Mahaney [8] [-]; 4. 747-Davey Sammons [7] [-]; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [9] [$300]; 6. 98-Joe Trenca [5] [$250]; 7. 36-Matt Billings [10] [$225]; 8. 91-Anthony Fiore [6] [$200]; 9. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec [4] [$200]; 10. 49K-Scott Kreutter [12] [$200]; 11. 67-Chris Durand [11] [$200]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$200]
Rico Abreu takes non-stop Sprintacular!
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Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions
Contact: Tyler Altmeyer
Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions
(724) 954-4915
altmeyer119@gmail.com
tyler@tonystewart.com
Rico Abreu takes non-stop Sprintacular! Dale Blaney cuts Kemenah’s point lead to 18
ROSSBURG, Ohio (October 8, 2016) - St. Helena, California’s Rico Abreu secured his fourth Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions victory of the 2016 season on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway; leading all 30 circuits of the non-stop, Sprintacular main event to officially solidify his position on top of the feature podium. For Abreu, the Eldora Speedway victory was the second of his career at The Big E during Arctic Cat All Star competition, holding back a pair of Arctic Cat All Star championship point contenders, Dale Blaney and Chad Kemenah, for a cool $5,000. Blaney would cross under the final checkers just behind Abreu, followed by Chad Kemenah, a hard-charging Cap Henry, and Cole Duncan.
“Hats off to Eldora Speedway and the entire staff. There are a lot of cars here between all three of the divisions (118). That is definitely not easy,” Rico Abreu explained. “I especially want to thank all of you fans for sticking this out through the cold weather here tonight. I’m not real used to this. I’m used to California weather. This is so much fun, though. I enjoy getting to come here and being a part of everything at Eldora Speedway.”
Rico Abreu started third on the feature grid, taking command before the completion of lap one over Dale Baney and Sheldon Haudenschild. The California native wasted no time and began to stretch his advantage right from the drop of the green flag; extending his lead to nearly three seconds by lap three. Dale Blaney eventually settled into second, followed by Chad Kemenah and Sheldon Haudenschild.
Abreu, Blaney and Kemenah raced-on unshuffled, hitting their first obstacle in the form of traffic with just ten laps in the books. Rubber started to come into play by the mid-point of the 30-lap program, allowing the racing surface to narrow which ultimately shrunk Abreu’s racing lane and advantage. Abreu’s two to three second lead shrunk to less than one second over Blaney and Kemenah by lap 25, with all three eventually racing single file and nose to tail on a thin lane of rubbered-up racing surface. Abreu held on, earning a sixth career victory against the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, equaling that of Kerry Madsen and Kasey Kahne on the all-time win list.
“I knew Dale (Blaney) was getting close. I probably shouldn’t have, but I looked up at the big screen a few times and saw he was behind me,” Rico Abreu explained. “You just have to stay patient with the lapped cars. It was taking rubber and the racing line kept getting narrower and narrower. I was able to get around the lapped cars that I needed to. By that time, the lapped cars that were ahead of me weren’t passing anybody. I just had to make sure to hit my marks and stay patient.”
Dale Blaney’s runner-up finish allowed the “Low Rider” to snip away at Chad Kemenah’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions point advantage. Kemenah, a former four-time Arctic Cat All Star point champion, will lead Dale Blaney into the Atomic Speedway season finale with an 18-point margin. The Alvada, Ohio, native led Blaney by 20 points entering the Sprintacular at Eldora Speedway.
“Overall, it was a really good run for us tonight,” Dale Blaney explained. “Second is tough to take here. I mean, Rico runs really good here so I can’t take that away from him or us. We really started to get single file there, especially in three and four, which made things really difficult in terms of passing. I’m happy with second. Things are going to be interesting at Atomic.”
(Photo: Rico Abreu celebrating on the Eldora Speedway victory lane stage - Arctic Cat All Star Media Photo Credit)
The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will wrap up the 2016 season with a two-day visit to the Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Friday and Saturday, October 21-22. All Star championship weekend will feature a full, Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions program during the two-day visit, complete with qualifying time trials and heat races on Friday, followed by consolations, dash and a $20,000-to-win main event on Saturday.
As an added bonus, a “Race of Champions” will be contested during the Friday night portion of the All Star championship weekend at Atomic Speedway. Sprint car track champions, as well as series champions, from coast to coast are invited to participate, all battling for a $2,000 top prize. Those seeking additional information should visit Atomic Speedway live on the Web at www.atomicspeedway.net.
Contingency Awards/Results: Eldora Speedway - Saturday, October 8, 2016:
Event: The Sprintacular
EMi Driver’s Meeting: 40 entries
State Water Heaters Warm-Ups: Kraig Kinser - 14.218
Lincoln Electric Fast Qualifier: Ian Madsen - 14.193
Kistler Racing Products Heat #1: Shawn Dancer
All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads Heat #2: Ian Madsen
Hunt Brothers Pizza Heat #3: Rico Abreu
EMi Heat #4: Chad Kemenah
JE Pistons Dash: Chad Kemenah
Daido Engine Bearings Main Event Winner: Rico Abreu
MSD Performance Hard Charger Award: Cap Henry (+15)
Outback Steakhouse A-Main 5th Place Finisher: Sheldon Haudenschild (6th)
Outback Steakhouse A-Main 10th Place Finisher: Danny Holtgraver (12th)
Outback Steakhouse A-Main 15th Place Finisher: Caleb Armstrong
(Lincoln Electric, Daido Engine Bearings, MSD Performance, Outback Steakhouse: Need decal to qualify for contingency award)
Qualifying
1.18-Ian Madsen, 14.193; 2.24-Rico Abreu, 14.267; 3.11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.282; 4.93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.322; 5.57X-Andrew Palker, 14.358; 6.5T-Travis Philo, 14.410; 7.12N-Cole Duncan, 14.419; 8.1-Dale Blaney, 14.426; 9.10H-Chad Kemenah, 14.453; 10.6M-Jac Haudenschild, 14.508; 11.81-Lee Jacobs, 14.514; 12.82-Sammy Swindell, 14.533; 13.17B-Bill Balog, 14.559; 14.23c-Tyler Courtney, 14.565; 15.7C-Caleb Armstrong, 14.567; 16.70-Danny Holtgraver, 14.613; 17.2M-Dustin Daggett, 14.619; 18.3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 14.664; 19.49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.718; 20.21-Cap Henry, 14.754; 21.97-Aaron Reutzel, 14.821; 22.5M-Max Stambaugh, 14.887; 23.40-Caleb Helms, 14.897; 24.71m-Paul May, 14.933; 25.7-Joe Swanson, 14.978; 26.8M-TJ Michael, 15.148; 27.A97-Cale Conley, 15.209; 28.4-Danny Smith, 15.300; 29.60-Kory Crabtree, 15.346; 30.13-Brandon Matus, 15.367; 31.49H-Bradley Howard, 15.389; 32.21K-Kyle Pruitt, 15.718; 33.O7-Jacob Wilson, 15.788; 34.5J-Jeremy Schultz, 15.832; 35.59N-Bryan Nuckles, 15.887; 36.3FX-Dean Kester, 16.234; 37.7K-Dallas Hewitt, 16.243; 38.16M-Danny Mumaw, 16.264; 39.83-Adam Cruea, 16.499; 40.11-Brian Benson, 16.685;
Heat 1, Group A - (8 Laps)
1. 49D-Shawn Dancer[1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[4] ; 3. 17B-Bill Balog[3] ; 4. 2M-Dustin Daggett[2] ; 5. 8M-TJ Michael[6] ; 6. 60-Kory Crabtree[7] ; 7. 71m-Paul May[5] ; 8. 59N-Bryan Nuckles[10] ; 9. 21K-Kyle Pruitt[8] ; 10. O7-Jacob Wilson[9]
Heat 2, Group B - (8 Laps)
1. 18-Ian Madsen[4] ; 2. 5T-Travis Philo[2] ; 3. 81-Lee Jacobs[1] ; 4. 7C-Caleb Armstrong[5] ; 5. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[6] ; 6. A97-Cale Conley[9] ; 7. 5M-Max Stambaugh[7] ; 8. 7-Joe Swanson[8] ; 9. 3FX-Dean Kester[10] ; 10. 57X-Andrew Palker[3]
Heat 3, Group C - (8 Laps)
1. 24-Rico Abreu[4] ; 2. 1-Dale Blaney[2] ; 3. 82-Sammy Swindell[5] ; 4. 12N-Cole Duncan[3] ; 5. 21-Cap Henry[8] ; 6. 23c-Tyler Courtney[6] ; 7. 70-Danny Holtgraver[7] ; 8. 6M-Jac Haudenschild[1] ; 9. 97-Aaron Reutzel[9] ; 10. 40-Caleb Helms[10]
Heat 4, Group D - (8 Laps)
1. 10H-Chad Kemenah[3] ; 2. 13-Brandon Matus[1] ; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser[4] ; 4. 4-Danny Smith[2] ; 5. 7K-Dallas Hewitt[7] ; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[6] ; 7. 16M-Danny Mumaw[8] ; 8. 83-Adam Cruea[9] ; 9. 11-Brian Benson[10] ; 10. 49H-Bradley Howard[5]
Dash 1 - (6 Laps)
1. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[2] ; 3. 24-Rico Abreu[4] ; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser[3] ; 5. 1-Dale Blaney[8] ; 6. 18-Ian Madsen[6] ; 7. 12N-Cole Duncan[5] ; 8. 5T-Travis Philo[7]
B-Main 1 - (12 Laps)
1. 97-Aaron Reutzel[5] ; 2. 23c-Tyler Courtney[3] ; 3. 70-Danny Holtgraver[4] ; 4. 6M-Jac Haudenschild[2] ; 5. 60-Kory Crabtree[11] ; 6. 71m-Paul May[8] ; 7. 40-Caleb Helms[7] ; 8. O7-Jacob Wilson[14] ; 9. A97-Cale Conley[10] ; 10. 16M-Danny Mumaw[18] ; 11. 59N-Bryan Nuckles[16] ; 12. 49H-Bradley Howard[12] ; 13. 21K-Kyle Pruitt[13] ; 14. 83-Adam Cruea[19] ; 15. 11-Brian Benson[20] ; 16. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[15] ; 17. 3FX-Dean Kester[17] ; 18. 5M-Max Stambaugh[6] ; 19. 7-Joe Swanson[9] ; 20. 57X-Andrew Palker[1]
A-Main 1 - (30 Laps)
1. 24-Rico Abreu[3] ; 2. 1-Dale Blaney[5] ; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 4. 21-Cap Henry[19] ; 5. 12N-Cole Duncan[7] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[2] ; 7. 18-Ian Madsen[6] ; 8. 5T-Travis Philo[8] ; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser[4] ; 10. 97-Aaron Reutzel[21] ; 11. 82-Sammy Swindell[13] ; 12. 70-Danny Holtgraver[23] ; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[18] ; 14. 49D-Shawn Dancer[9] ; 15. 7C-Caleb Armstrong[15] ; 16. 23c-Tyler Courtney[22] ; 17. 6M-Jac Haudenschild[24] ; 18. 2M-Dustin Daggett[14] ; 19. 17B-Bill Balog[11] ; 20. 81-Lee Jacobs[12] ; 21. 7K-Dallas Hewitt[20] ; 22. 8M-TJ Michael[17] ; 23. 60-Kory Crabtree[25] ; 24. 4-Danny Smith[16] ; 25. 13-Brandon Matus[10]
Current Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Standings (October 8, 2016):
1. Chad Kemenah - 5104
2. Dale Blaney - 5086
3. Sheldon Haudenschild - 5028
4. Cap Henry - 4788
5. Kraig Kinser - 4718
6. Danny Holtgraver - 4706
7. T.J. Michael - 4476
8. Caleb Helms - 4270
9. Lee Jacobs - 4152
10. Andrew Palker - 4060
Additional Arctic Cat All Star Series Info:
Those seeking additional information regarding the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions should visit their official online home at www.allstarsprint.com. Series updates and breaking news will be posted regularly on the official Twitter account of the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions: https://twitter.com/ASCoC. Find full text results from each and every event, as well as an up-to-date schedule, online at www.allstarsprint.com/schedule/.
About the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions:
All Star Enterprises, LLC, wholly owned by Tony Stewart, d/b/a the All Star Circuit of Champions, is a winged sprint car series. The All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series is one of the oldest traveling 410 sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing. Formed in 1970 by Bud Miller, the series has largely been considered the first 'outlaw' Sprint Car organization of the modern era. After a 10 year stint as owner of the All Stars, Miller passed control of the series to Bert Emick in 1980; a reign that would continue through 2002. Guy Webb then purchased the series from Emick in the summer of 2002 and served as the series President for the next 12 years. Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart agreed to terms with Guy Webb to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour in January of 2015.
About Arctic Cat:
The Arctic Cat brand is among the most widely recognized and respected in the recreational vehicle industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles, in addition to related parts, garments and accessories under the Arctic Cat® and Motorfist® brand names. Arctic Cat Inc.’s world headquarters is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ACAT.” More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.ArcticCat.com.
