Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek Race #4: 30 laps, 30 entries, (Lap Leader – Alan Krimes 1-30) 1.Alan Krimes; 2.Greg Hodnett; 3.Mark Smith; 4.Daryn Pittman; 5.Danny Dietrich; 6.Lance Dewease; 7.Dave Blaney; 8.Stevie Smith; 9.Adam Wilt; 10.Brian Leppo; 11.Keith Kauffman; 12.Donnie Kreitz Jr.; 13.Fred Rahmer; 14.Phil Walter; 15.Brent Marks; 16.Chad Layton; 17.Doug Esh; 18.Mike Wagner; 19.Steve Buckwalter; 20.Curt Michael; 21.Brian Montieth; 22.Curt Stroup; 23.Gerald McIntyre; 24.Bob Bennett; DNQ – Brad McClellan, Joey Hershey, Mathew Reed, Nicole  Bower, Troy Fraker, Jay Shypinka

-end-

CAPACITY CROWD CHEERS TYLER WALKER & CRAIG VONDOHREN TO NAPA AUOT PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL VICTORIES TUESDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

A huge crowd turned out  a beautiful night for the ninety-fifth event of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series on Tuesday night at the Grandview Speedway.    Tyler Walker earned the $5,000 payoff by winning a thriller, taking the lead on the final lap from Lance Dewease to win the 35 lap  410 Sprint car feature event.   In the 358  Modified 25 lap feature,  Craig VonDohren took the lead on lap fourteen from Kyle Follweiler to pocket  the $2,500 first place prize.  It was a bitter sweet victory for Walker who did his usual donut spin in turn one after taking the checker flag.  A near capacity crowd encouraged Walker to do his victory lane back-flip and he did.  Unfortunately, upon his landing, Walker twisted his knee, falling to the ground.  Walker was transported to the hospital to have his knee undergo medical evaluated.

A field of thirty-two sprint cars turned out for the third race of the Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week Series.   Jacks Carts and CnB Mushrooms posted a $200 cash bonus for fast time of the night and Daryn Pittman collected the extra cash.   Four heat race events were presented with victories going to Tyler Walker, Chad Layton, Greg Hodnett and Lance Dewease as Mark Bitner won the "B" Main.

For the modifieds, a field of thirty-three took part in three heat race qualifiers with victories going to Ryan Godown, Keith Hoffman and Tom Umbenhauer  as Ryan Grim won the modified consolation.

At feature time, twenty-four 410 sprints took the green flag with Danny Dietrich setting the early pace with Chad Layton  and Lance Dewease in the chase.   By lap eight,  Dietrich, Layton and Dewease were in a three wide battle for the lead.   One lap later, Layton was the pace setter followed by Dietrich and Dewease.    By lap eleven, Dietrich along with Dewease were again pressuring Layton for the lead.

On lap twelve, Lance Dewease took the lead followed by Layton, Dietrich and charging Tyler Walker and Alan Krimes.

By lap eighteen, the race continued caution free with Dewease on point  with Layton second, Krimes third, Walker fourth and Dietrich fifth.   The red flag was displayed on lap twenty-two for Phil Walters who flipped on the backstretch.  Walters was not injured in the crash.

On the restart, Dewease had a solid hold on the lead followed by Layton, Krimes, Walker and Dietrich.   By lap twenty-four,  Krimes moved into second  with Layton and Walker in the hunt.

The second and final caution of the race was displayed on lap twenty-seven   for Stevie Smith who stopped in turn two.

Everyone in the house knew the restart was going to be a thriller and as the green flag fell, Tyler Walker passed Chad Layton for third.  Walker immediately went to battle Krimes.   By lap twenty-nine,  Walker was in second and closing on race leader Lance Dewease.   On lap thirty-two, Walker challenged Dewease for the lead and one lap later, Dewease, Walker and Krimes were three abreast in chase of the lead.  As the field passed for the white flag, Dewease was the leader with Walker second and Krimes third.   With a strong run off of turn two on the final lap, Walker used the outside lane to make the pass for the lead.  Dewease quickly re-grouped   and attempted a strong fight to regain the top spot.

With the checker flag waiving, Walker took the win, his second career Thunder on the Hill Racing Series win and second consecutive victory at Grandview. Dewease earned a nod for a strong second place finish followed by Alan Krimes, Danny Dietrich and Chad Layton.

The 358 Modifieds were called to the track for their twenty-five lap feature event and  Kyle Follweiler was the early race leader.  It was not an easy time for Follweiler as he was challenged by Jeff Strunk and John Willman.   Duane Howard moved into  the heat of battle racing in third on lap nine, then advancing to second on lap ten.   At the halfway mark, Follweiler set the pace followed by Duane Howard, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk and Tom Umbenhauer.

The powerful #1c was on a charge moving from third to the lead as he passed on lap fourteen.   Once on top, VonDohren had solid control of the lead, that is, until  lap nineteen when Duane Howard set-up a challenge for the lead.  VonDohren quickly  responded to pulled away from Howard and Follweiler in the final laps.  VonDohren was not to be denied this win as he flashed under the checker flag with at least a six car length advantage over Duane Howard who  finished second.  Kyle Follweiler delivered an impressive third place finish with Jeff Strunk and Ryan Godown rounding out the top five.

410 Sprint Feature Finish:  #17 Tyler Walker, #30c Lance Dewease, #87 Alan Krimes, #48 Danny Dietrich, #7 Chad Layton, #27 Daryn Pittman, #22 Greg Hodnett, #7m Mark Smith, #71 Brian Leppo,  #51 Fred Rahmer, #21 Brian Montieth, #19m Brent Marks, #15 Adam Wilt, #39 Keith Kauffman, #93 Doug Esh, #747 Kevin Nagy, #20s Derek Sell, #v92 Matthew Reed,  #15b Mark Bitner, #70 Sam Schlosburg, #47 Tim Higgins, #1 Stevie Smith, #35 Justin Henderson, #63 Phil Walters. DNQ- - #2H Dave Hahn, #20 Ryan Taylor, #56 Dave Wilson, #8 Steve Petry, #138 Jay Shypinka, #74JR JR Barry, #38N Nick Schlauch Jr.,  #25 Aaron Ott.

358 Modified Feature Finish: #1c Craig VonDohren, #4 Duane Howard, #42 Kyle Follweiler, #41 Jeff Strunk, #357 Ryan Godown, #19 Tom Umbenhauer, #74w John Willman, #117 Kevin Hirthler, #R1 Rick Laubach, #77H Keith Hoffman, #21 Addison Meitzler, #17 Ryan Grim, #81 Terry Meitzler, #107 Danny Hieber, #CR7 Colt Harris, #31 Chris Esposito, #333 Kevin Albert Jr., #44 Danny Erb, #33 Ray Swinehart, #37x Tommy Sheetz, #27 Troy Wink, #29 Jeff Sechrist, #53 Mike Gular, #318 Mike Laise. DNQ-- #29 Sammy Piazza, #3 Jeremy Banos, #Z28 Bob Lilick Jr., #X Dan Mazy, #71 Jason Smythe, #50 Bobby Guntherwalsh, #78 Neil Huber, #327 Brad Missimer, #67 Jon  Kellner Jr.

-end-

ED LYNCH JR. CAPTURES BEDFORD SPEEDWEEK WIN

By Dave Harclerode

BEDFORD, PA –  Bedford Speedway hosted the 2nd night of the Pennsylvania Posse Speedweek for sprint cars on Sunday night.  Western PA driver Ed Lynch, Jr. won his career first at Bedford in the 30 lap main event over a stellar field of sprint car drivers.  The super late models were also on the card, and Jack Pencil made his first win of the season a memorable one when he took the lead 100 yards from the checkered.

Time trials kicked the evening's events off for the sprint cars.  Brian Leppo set fast time with a 16.796 second lap, just off Stevie Smith's track record of 15.597 set last year.  Greg Hodnett, Chad Layton, and Stevie Smith won the heat races, and the 23 car field was set for the 30 lap A-main.  Ed Lynch, Jr. started on the pole and took the early lead, with Alan Krimes, Greg Hodnett, Fred Rahmer, and Mark Smith following.  The front pack hit lapped traffic by lap six, and Krimes and Hodnett started to real in the leader.  Their charge for the front was halted on a lap 11 caution for Lance Dewease, and Lynch was able to extend his lead once again after the restart.  Rahmer and Mark Smith were the main attraction in the second half of the race, as the pair sliced and diced each other in a hard fought battle for fourth.  Krimes and Hodnett again started to reel in the leader, but the last caution of the race for Doug Esh and Brent Marks put a halt on their charge.  It was all Ed Lynch, Jr. on the restart, who went on to win by a comfortable margin over Krimes, Hodnett, Rahmer, and Mark Smith.  Completing the top ten was Daryn Pittman, Aaron Ott, Chad Layton, Adam Wilt, and Stevie Smith.

Derek Byler started on the outside of the first row in the super late model feature, and battled pole sitter Scott Haus for much of the early part of the race.  Byler was able to maintain the lead all throughout his battle with Haus, and eventually Haus started to lose touch with Byler's number 5*.  Jack Pencil worked his way by Haus for second, and it appeared that Byler had the field covered for his third win of the season.  However, with six laps to go, Pencil had reeled in the leader and was making a bid for the win.  Pencil ran the very top line of the speedway, and had several close encounters with taking the lead from Byler.  Finally, on the last lap in the last turn, Pencil flew by Byler on the outside coming down the frontstretch and stole the checkers.  It was Jack's 26th career win at Bedford in the super late models.  Byler settled for second, Haus third, Jeff Miller fourth, and Chuck Clise fifth.  Tom Eriksen, a Bedford regular and fan favorite from a few decades ago was sixth, and Jerry Bard, Scott Rhodes, TJ Wright, and Randy Burkholder rounded out the top ten.  Miller and Bard won the heat events.

Bedford Speedway
Monday-June 28
Feature (30 laps)
1. Ed Lynch Jr.
2. Alan Krimes
3. Greg Hodnett
4. Fred Rahmer
5. Mark Smith
6. Daryn Pittman
7. Aaron Ott
8. Chad Layton
9. Adam Wilt
10. Stevie Smith
11. Danny Dietrich
12. Keith Kauffman
13. Tyler Walker
14. Brian Leppo
15. Mike Wagner
16. Johnny Mackison Jr.
17. Matthew Reed
18. Justin Henderson
19. Ralph Spithaler
20. Doug Esh
21. Brent Marks
22. Lance Dewease
23. Joey Hershey

Lap Leader: Lynch 1-30

Fast Time: Leppo 16.796

Heat Winners:  Hodnett, Layton, S. Smith

2010 PENNSYLVANIA SPRINT CAR SPEEDWEEK POINTS (through Monday)
1. Mark Smith 286 
2. Fred Rahmer 271
3. Alan Krimes 265
4. Greg Hodnett 257
5. Daryn Pittman 231
6. Adam Wilt 180  
7. Chad Layton 175 
8. Johnny Mackison Jr. 167
9. Ed Lynch Jr. 162 
10.  Lance Dewease 157

-end-

2010 Pennsylvania Speedweek
Points- June 27
1. Mark Smith 165
2. Fred Rahmer 143
3. Brian Montieth 133 points
4. Alan Krimes  124 points
5. Lance Dewease  123 points
6. Greg Hodnett 122
7. Daryn Pittman 117
8. Johnny Mackison 111
9. Cory Haas 96
9. Doug Esh 96

MARK SMITH WINS LINCOLN SPEEDWAY PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK OPENER

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA , 6/26/2010 - Tower City's Mark Smith picked up his first career Lincoln Speedway 410 sprint win in the season opener back in March. So it was only fitting that he picked up his second career win in the 2010 Pennsylvania Speedweek Opener at the Pigeon Hills Saturday night.

Smith traded slide jobs with 10-time track champ Fred Rahmer following a 10th lap caution restart to grab the lead, and then held him off the remaining 20 laps to kick off Pennsylvania Speedweek action and claim the $7,000 top prize held in the 30-lap 11th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial.

Smith and Rahmer's exchange of slide jobs at both end of the lightning-quick 3/8th-mile high banked oval on the 10th lap restart had the packed grandstand on their feet and was not forgotten by an outwardly happy Smith in victory lane.

"We got by Fred (Rahmer) on a restart and that's doing something, said Smith upon exiting his Bricker's French Fries/NRC Controls/Mach 1 Chassis No.7M in victory lane. "He's the best on restarts and we beat him on one tonight and managed to hold him off the rest of the race."

Polesitter Kyle Pruitt grabbed the lead at the outset and led the first lap. But his lead was short-lived as fourth-starting Rahmer drove by on the second lap.

Smith, who started third, followed Rahmer into second on the third lap with second-starting Johnny Mackison Jr., sixth-starting Lance Dewease and fifth-starting Brian Montieth giving chase.

Montieth was charging hard and got by Dewease and Mackison to move into third by the time the first caution flag waved on the 10th lap for a stopped Bobby Howard.

That caution set up the race-winning pass by Smith as he threw a slider on Rahmer in the first and second turns, only to have the all-time leading feature winner do the same at the other end of the track in turns three and four, with Smith hanging on to get by for the lead.

Subsequent cautions for a Sam Schlosberg spin and a stopped Chad Layton on lap 11 kept Smith's hold on the top spot in doubt with Rahmer, Montieth, Mackison, Alan Krimes and Dewease behind him on each restart.

Just before the halfway point Montieth began making moves on Rahmer for second place, allowing Smith to open up some breathing room out front.

The red flag waved right at the halfway mark when Aaron Ott flipped in the first and second turns, collecting Tyler Walker, Brad McClelland, and Layton.

Smith kept Rahmer at bay over the next three laps before the race's final caution flag waved on the 19th lap for a Walker spin in turn four.

The remainder of the event went non-stop with Smith pulling away as the laps wound down and took the checkers 1.39 seconds ahead to start off Pennsylvania Speedweek as the point leader.

"I kind of was slowing down there a little bit at the end because I didn't want to kill my tires in case Fred was coming on at the end, said Smith, "I know how he is, he's a sleeper and he'll come on at the end when your stuff is all used up...I was saving some stuff there at the end in case he was going to come back on me."

"Fred's a hell of a racer and I have a lot of respect for the man. He's helped me along in my career."

Montieth, who was passed by Dewease with nine laps to go for third place, fought back around Dewease in an exciting battle with three laps to go and came on strong in the final laps to challenge Rahmer for second coming of the final turns to the checkered, with Rahmer holding him off by the slimmest of margins.

15th-starting Alan Krimes completed a great run by coming through the field to pass Dewease in the closing laps to finish fourth, with Dewease settling for fifth.

Completing the top-10 were Daryn Pittman, Mackison, fast time trialer Greg Hodnett, Cory Haas, and Doug Esh (who was driving the Pancho Lawler No.93 sprinter).

Sprint heats were won by Dewease, Esh, Mackison, and Smith, with Walker winning the B-Main.

Fast time in time trials was set by Hodnett over the 35-car field with a 1-lap time of 13.696-seconds (98.569 MPH).

Smith heads into Sunday night's race 2 of eight at Bedford Speedway with the point lead (165 points), followed by Rahmer (143 points), Montieth (133 points), Krimes (124 points), Dewease (123 points), Hodnett )122 points), Pittman (117 points), Mackison (111 points), Cory Haas (96 points), and Esh (96 points).

Lincoln Speedway will hold it's second Pennsylvania Speedweek next Thursday night. July 1st, at 7 PM. The popular thundercars will once again round out the special midweek show. Gates will open at 5 PM.

2010 PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK OPENER
11TH ANNUAL KEVIN GOBRECHT MEMORIAL
410 SPRINTS Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 7M-Mark Smith ($7,000); 2. 51-Fred Rahmer; 3. 21-Brian Montieth; 4. 87-Alan Krimes; 5. 30C-Lance Dewease; 6. 27-Daryn Pittman; 7. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr.; 8. 22-Greg Hodnett; 9. 11C-Cory Haas; 10. 93-Doug Esh; 11. 15-Adam Wilt; 12. 59-Jimmy Siegel; 13. 19M-Brent Marks; 14. 7-Chad Layton; 15. 39-Keith Kauffman; 16. 17-Tyler Walker; 17. 21K-Kyle Pruitt; 18. 71-Brian Leppo; 19. 70-Sam Schlosberg; 20. 48-Danny Dietrich; 21. 25-Aaron Ott (DNF); 22. 6-Brad McClelland (DNF); 23. 49-Bobby Howard (DNF); 24. 35-Justin Henderson (DNF). No Time

Lap Leaders - Kyle Pruitt (1), Fred Rahmer (2-9), Mark Smith (10-30)

1.39 second  margin of victory
2nd win of the year for Smith at Lincoln Speedway
2nd career win for Smith at Lincoln Speedway

1st Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 30C-Lance Dewease; 2. 39-Keith Kauffman; 3. 11C-Cory Haas; 4. 87-Alan Krimes; 5. 22-Greg Hodnett; 6. 16-Gerard McIntyre Jr.; 7. 4-John Rudisill; 8. 19H-Ryan Taylor; 9. 20S-Derek Sell (DNF). No Time

2nd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 93-Doug Esh; 2. 21K-Kyle Pruitt; 3. 15-Adam Wilt; 4. 49-Bobby Howard; 5. 7-Chad Layton; 6. 14-Doug Dodson; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich; 8. 3B-Randy Baughman. No Time

3rd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr.; 2. 21-Brian Montieth; 3. 25-Aaron Ott; 4. 70-Sam Schlosberg; 5. 27-Daryn Pittman; 6. 35-Justin Henderson; 7. 39T-Tim Glatfelter; 8. 17-Tyler Walker (DNF); 9. 6W-Josh Wells (DNF). No Time

4th Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 7M-Mark Smith; 2. 51-Fred Rahmer; 3. 6-Brad McClelland; 4. 71-Brian Leppo; 5. 59-Jimmy Siegel; 6. 26-Pat Cooper; 7. 19M-Brent Marks; 8. 7A-Ed Aikin; 9. 747-Kevin Nagy. No Time

B-Main (12 Laps/4 to qualify) - 1. 17-Tyler Walker; 2. 35-Justin Henderson; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich; 4. 19M-Brent Marks; 5. 16-Gerard McIntyre Jr.; 6. 26-Pat Cooper; 7. 14-Doug Dodson; 8. 6W-Josh Wells; 9. 4-John Rudisill; 10. 20S-Derek Sell; 11. 7A-Ed Aikin; 12. 3B-Randy Baughman; 13. 39T-Tim Glatfelter; 14. 19H-Ryan Taylor; 15. 747-Kevin Nagy. No Time

Time Trials - 1. 22-Greg Hodnett, 13.696 seconds (98.569 MPH); 2. 87-Alan Krimes, 13.697; 3. 51-Fred Rahmer, 13.802; 4. 27-Daryn Pttman, 13.866; 5. 7M-Mark Smith, 13.873; 6. 30C-Lance Dewease, 13.935; 7. 21-Brian Montieth, 13.947; 8. 35-Justin Henderson, 14.006; 9. 39-Keith Kauffman, 14.142; 10. 59-Jimmy Siegel, 14.144; 11. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr., 14.166; 12. 17-Tyler Walker, 14.166; 13. 11C-Cory Haas, 14.182; 14. 6-Brad McClelland, 14.202; 15. 21K-Kyle Pruitt, 14.230; 16. 49-Bobby Howard, 14.266; 17. 71-Brian Leppo, 14.286; 18. 20S-Derek Sell, 14.299; 19. 7A-Ed Aikin, 14.305; 20. 14-Doug Dodson, 14.330; 21. 93-Doug Esh, 14.334; 22. 4-John Rudisill, 14.362; 23. 7L-Chad Layton, 14.365; 24. 15-Adam Wilt, 14.368; 25. 16M-Gerard McIntyre Jr., 14.387; 26. 26-Pat Cooper, 14.406; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 14.420; 28. 25-Aaron Ott, 14.433; 29. 6W-Josh Wells, 14.564; 30. 19H-Ryan Taylor, 14.567; 31. 3B-Randy Baughman, 14.705; 32. 70-Sam Schlosberg, 14.739; 33. 39T-Tim Glatfelter, 14.789; 34. 19M-Brent Marks, 14.812; 35. 747-Kevin Nagy, 14.970.

410 SPRINTS & 358 MODIFIEDS TO BE WEELIN' IT  ON THE HILL, TUESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 29 AS THUNDER SERIES CONTINUES

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will return to the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday night, June 29th when the 410 Sprints and 358 Modifieds showcase this always popular mid-week Double-Header.   Now in its' twenty-first season, the Tuesday, June 29 Thunder Series event will mark  the ninety-fifth race for Thunder on the Hill.   Tyler Walker, winner of the May 410 sprint show at Grandview is a fan favorite to win along with Fred Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, Lance Dewease and Stevie Smith just to name a few.    In the 358 Modified ranks, Craig VonDohren, hot off an upset victory on Tuesday night in the 100 lap TRAFFIC JAM will be a favorite.  Duane Howard, Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller, Billy Pauch Jr.  and Kevin Hirthler are among the favorites to stand in victory lane at the end of the night.

The teams will be Wheelin' it on the Hill in grand style as the 410 sprints shoot for a $5,000  payday in their 35 lap main event with the 358 Modifieds chasing a $2,500 prize to win their 25 lap main event.  The 410 Sprint event is part of the Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series.   For the sprint cars, they'll compete in time trial qualification plus heat races and the 35 lap feature event.  The 358 Modifieds are open to all competitors and will follow the weekly 358 Modified rules at Grandview.  Heat races and a consolation will lead up to their 25 lap main event.

Adult admission tickets are $20, children 6-11 $5 and children under the age of six will be admitted for free.  If you would like to go into the pits, the pit fee is $25 and a license is not required.   To purchase advance tickets, please make your check  payable to Grandview Speedway and mail it to:  Thunder Series 2010    11747 Winding Creek Drive   Berlin, MD   21811.   Please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope and your tickets will be mailed to you immediately.

Coming Events:

When: Tuesday night, June 29   7:30 PM   Gates open at 5:00 PM
Where:  Grandview Speedway   43  Passmore Road, Route 100 Bechtelsville, PA  19505, ten mile north of Pottstown, PA
What:   WHEELIN'  IT  PA  Speed Week 410 Sprints Plus Full Show of 358 Modifieds
Admission: $20 Adults, $5 Children 6-11, Children under 6 Free
Pit Fee:   $25  license is not required
Track #:   610-754-7688
Website: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com

http://www.grandviewspeedway.com

-end-

FINAL 2009 Pa Speedweek Points
1. Greg Hodnett 1062
2. Daryn Pittman 823
3. Mark Smith 822
4. Chad Layton 770
5. Chad Kemenah 730
6. Cody Darrah 729
7. Doug Esh 683
8. Fred Rahmer 612
9. Stevie Smith 581
10. Mike Erdley 528

KEMENAH WINS SUSPENCEFUL SPEEDWEEK FINALE AT SELINSGROVE

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The 19th Annual PA Speedweek Series for 410 sprint cars
came to an exciting conclusion Sunday night at Selinsgrove Speedway when
Chad Kemenah of Findlay, Ohio, scored the victory in the 30-lap main event by out-dueling Brian Leppo of New Oxford and Trevor Lewis of Upper Black Eddy. 

The $5,000 win was Kemenah’s second in the seven-race series and the first
of his career at Selinsgrove Speedway. Kemenah, who was also the night’s fast qualifier with a lap time of 17.470, won a series event at Grandview Speedway Tuesday night behind the wheel of the Sorokach Trucking No. 35. 

Greg Hodnett of Thomasville clinched his second career Speedweek title entering Sunday’s event at Selinsgrove. 

Second-place starter Leppo powered into the lead at the start of the main event. Leppo was chased by fourth-place starter Kemenah and fifth-place starter Lewis at the onset.  By lap six, 14th-place starter Hodnett was already into the sixth position.

The event’s first caution flag unfurled on lap 7 when Ryan Kissinger stopped on the backstretch. When the race resumed, Hodnett stormed into fourth. The caution flag regrouped the field again on lap 8 when Justin Henderson spun in turn one.

The ensuing restart saw Lewis drive by Kemenah for second and set his sites
on Leppo. At the same time, third-place starter Mark Smith dueled with Hodnett for the four position.

At the halfway point, Leppo appeared to have the fastest car on the track while leading over Lewis, Kemenah, Smith, and Hodnett. Then, on lap 18, Kemenah reclaimed the runner up position with an inside pass by Lewis in turns one and two.

By lap 21, Kemenah began to reel in Leppo and on lap 22 made the winning
pass using the inside lane entering turn one. Two laps later, Lewis passed Leppo for second and began to gain real estate on Kemenah. 

On the final lap, Kemenah took evasive action when Dave Gravel flipped in front of him on the backstretch and brought out the red flag. Gravel escaped injury.

For the chase to the checkered flag, Kemenah kept his No. 35 sprinter out in front and posted a 1.5-second margin of victory over Lewis, Hodnett, polesitter Doug Esh, and Leppo.

There will be no racing at Selinsgrove Speedway on July 11. The speedway will resume racing action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, with a program of 358 sprint cars, late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners.

The 410 sprint cars will return to Selinsgrove Speedway on Saturday, September 19, for the 27th Annual National Open.

SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY SUMMARY – 5 July 2009
410 Sprint Cars – 26 Entries
30-Lap A-Main: 1) 35 Chad Kemenah $5,000 2) 6 Trevor Lewis 3) 22 Greg Hodnett 4) 39 Doug Esh 5) 71 Brian Leppo 6) 7M Mark Smith 7) 88 Todd Shaffer 8) 17 Daryn Pittman 9) 1AU Gary Brazier 10) 11 Mike Erdley 11) 51 Fred Rahmer 12) 12 Blane Heimbach 13) 7 Chad Layton 14) 21 Brian Montieth 15) 25 Justin Henderson 16) 19M Brent Marks 17) 5 Jeremy Ohl 18) 89G Dave Gravel 19) 17B Steve Buckwalter 20) 27 Keith Kauffman 21) 37 Scott Flammer 22) 66 Ryan Kissiner 23) 3 Bob Bennet 24) 0 Rick Lafferty

Time Trials: 1) Chad Kemenah 17.470 2) Mark Smith 17.540 3) Brian Leppo 17.608 4) Doug Esh 17.802 5) Blane Heimbach 17.804 6) Scott Flammer 17.805 7) Trevor Lewis 17.824 8) Justin Henderson 17.901 9) Keith Kauffman 17.911 10) Gary Brazier 17.967 11) Todd Shaffer 17.971 12) Daryn Pittman 13) Chad Layton 18.026 14) Greg Hodnett 18.087 15) Fred Rahmer 18.196 16) Mike Erdley 18.233 17) Steve Buckwalter 18.254 18) Dave Gravel 18.271 19) Bob Bennett 18.273 20) Brian Montieth 18.283 21) Aaron Ott 18.287 22) Ryan Smith 18.393 23) Rick Lafferty 18.456 24) Brent Marks 18.513 25) Jeremy Ohl
18.557 26) Ryan Kissinger 19.357

Heat Winners: Chad Layton, Greg Hodnett, Fred Rahmer

B-Main: Blane Heimbach

-end-

FRIDAY:  $10,000 MITCH SMITH MEMORIAL TO DARYN PITTMAN

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- Daryn Pittman found a familiar racing surface at Williams Grove Speedway Friday night and took advantage of it as he scored a $10,000 victory in the Mitch Smith Memorial for sprint cars, the richest race of Pennsylvania's Speedweek.

With the second race in as many nights, the Grove's surface slowed considerably as rubber became more evident by the start of the feature.

Former All Star champion Chad Kemenah beat Chad Layton into the first turn to take the lead at the start and  immediately began to pull away from the field.

Pittman, who started third, took the runnerup spot from Layton on the fourth lap and began to chase the leader. 

Kemenah's night ended unexpectedly on lap seven when mechanical problems sent him to the pits and gave the lead to Pittman.

Once in front Pittman used his years of experience on the road with the World of Outlaws to his advantage.  While the surface wasn't what the local racers have come to expect, it was much to Pittman's liking.

Despite a gallant effort by Layton, Pittman never wavered from his preferred line and rolled to his first win of the season and the third of his career at Williams Grove.

It was also the first win in many years for Pittman's  new car owner, Jesse Keen, who returned to racing this year after enjoying much success during the 1980's.

Layton held off point leader Todd Shaffer to finish second.

Speedweek point leader Greg Hodnett was fourth and Cody Darrah completed the top five.

Stevie Smith settled for sixth.  Don Kreitz, Jr. came from 12th to  finish 7th.  Garry Brazier started sixth and finished 8th.  Pat Cannon  came from 15th to 9th.  Mark Smith completed the top ten after starting 16th

Greg Hodnett set fast time in qualifications with a lap of 16.965.

Heats for the 36 cars in competition were won by S. Smith, Layton, Cannon and Fred Rahmer.

Keith Kauffman claimed the B-Main.
 
Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finish - July 3, 2009
 
Sprint Car Feature - 30 laps - 1. Daryn Pittman,  2. Chad Layton,  3. Todd Shaffer,  4. Greg Hodnett,  5. Cody Darrah,  6. Stevie Smith,  7. Don Kreitz, Jr.,  8. Garry Brazier,  9. Pat Cannon,  10. Mark Smith,  11. Alan Krimes,  12. Aaron Ott,  13. Fred Rahmer,  14. Cory Haas,  15. Mike Erdley,  16. Dave Ely,  17. Doug Esh,  18. Mike Wagner,  19. Brian Leppo,  20. Keith Kauffman,  21. Brian Montieth,  22. Trevor Lewis,  23. Chris Meleason,  24. Chad Kemenah

-end-

THURSDAY:  BRIAN MONTIETH SCORES $5000 SPEEDWEEK WIN

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- After being close on a number of occasions this season, Brian Montieth finally got to victory lane at Williams Grove Speedway after winning the 25-lap Speedweek sprint car feature Thursday night.

Montieth started sixth and moved into the fourth position on lap two while Chris Meleason was pacing the field.

Meleason started on the pole and beat Fred Rahmer into the first turn. For the first eleven laps Meleason was able to keep Rahmer at bay.

A restart following a caution period on lap twelve dramatically altered the outcome of the race.

Meleason, who had been running the high side of the race  track to perfection, chose the low line into turn one on the restart.  Rahmer was also intent on taking that inside line and the two collided  with Meleason crashing into the guard rail and Rahmer flipping over it.  Although neither driver was injured, they were unable to continue.

Chad Layton, who was third at the time, was also involved and was forced to pit for repairs.

At this point Montieth inherited the lead.  Greg Hodnett stayed within striking distance for the final 14 laps but was never able to challenge Montieth and settled for second place.

Mark Smith moved from his 10th starting spot to finish third with Stevie Smith fourth and Daryn Pittman fifth.

Point leader Todd Shaffer was sixth. Justin Henderson, Mike Erdley, Cody Darrah and Alan Krimes completed the top ten.  

Montieth earned $5000 for his third career victory at Williams Grove.

The program was delayed by rain showers, but was run off smoothly after qualifying began at 10:10.

Hodnett set fast time in qualifications with a lap of 16.656.

Heats for the 35 sprint cars in competition were won by Erdley, Keith Kauffman, Henderson and Doug Esh.

Dave Ely won the B-Main.

Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finish - July 2, 2009
 
Sprint Car Feature - 25 laps - 1. Brian Montieth,  2. Greg Hodnett,  3. Mark Smith,  4. Stevie Smith,  5. Daryn Pittman,  6. Todd Shaffer,  7. Justin Henderson,  8. Mike Erdley,  9. Cody Darrah,  10. Alan Krimes,  11.  Doug Esh,  12. Chad Layton, 13. Brian Leppo,  14. Chad Kemenah,  15. Mike Wagner,  16. Johnny Mackison, Jr., 17. Keith Kauffman,  18. Chris Meleason,  19. Fred Rahmer,  20. Scott Flammer,  21. Dave Ely,  22. Aaron Ott,  23. Pat Cannon,  24. Rick Lafferty

2009 Pennsylvania Speedweek Points
Through July 2
1. Greg Hodnett  606
2. Mark Smith   491
3. Chad Layton   483
4. Cody Darrah   463
5. Doug Esh   427
6. Daryn Pittman  415
7. Justin Henderson  409
8. Stevie Smith  407
9. Brian Montieth  406
10. Chad Kemenah  381
11. Keith Kauffman  352
12. Fred Rahmer  331
13. Alan Krimes  264
14. Mike Erdley  256
15. Johnny Mackison Jr. 213
16. Adam Wilt   187
17. Matthew Reed  141
18. Aaron Ott   138
19. Brian Leppo  134
20. Ed Lynch Jr  125

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PA Speedweek Points through June 30
1. Greg Hodnett 444
2. Chad Layton  390
3. Cody Darrah 365
4. Mark Smith, 359
5. Doug Esh  339
6. Chad Kemenah  307
7. Justin Henderson 300
8. Keith Kauffman  285
9. Daryn Pittman  283
10.Fred Rahmer 278

MOTHER NATURE WINS HAGERSTOWN’S SPEEDWEEK

Hagerstown, Md. – With showers forecast, a massive swirling front over the Northeast gained momentum to the southwest during the late afternoon hours and took aim at Hagerstown Speedway Wednesday evening. After sizing up the situation, officials were forced to cancel the fourth night of the 19th Annual Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek. .

Rain checks will be honored up to 18 months.

Since joining the Speedweek program, Hagerstown has had to overcome weather related obstacles each time it’s tried to run the program. In 2005, heavy rains all week had more than half the infield flooded, but the show went on with Lance Dewease winning. Dewease returned to victory in 2006 when it rained throughout the afternoon and then high humidity after it cleared resulted in a delay. Last year when Jeff Shepard won, it was under similar conditions. 

Winners so far have included Brian Montieth at Lincoln, Stevie Smith at Bedford and Chad Kemenah at Grandview

The programs continue at Williams Grove both Thursday and Friday, then to Port Royal on Saturday and ending at Selinsgrove on Sunday.

Point standings after the three completed events are: 1.Greg Hodnett, 444; 2.Chad Layton, 3909; 3.Cody Darrah; 365; 4.Mark Smith, 359; 5.Doug Esh, 339; 6.Chad Kemenah, 307; 7.Justin Henderson, 300; 8.Keith Kauffman, 285; 9.Daryn Pittman, 283; 10.Fred Rahmer, 278

This Saturday’s (July 4) racing features the longest running and one of the most prestigious late model programs on the schedule, the 44th Annual Johnny Roberts Memorial. Included on the program will be the Late Model Sportsman Clash with $1,000 to win and the pure stocks. The holiday program also includes a spectacular fireworks display. Rain date is Sunday.  Check the speedway website for any changes in the weather at: www.hagerstownspeedway.com or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.

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THUNDER ON THE HILL BEATS MOTHER NATURE,
CHAD KEMENAH  POCKETS $5,000 FOR PA SPRINT SPEED WEEK VICTORY, DUANE HOWARD TOPS MODIFIED FIELD AT GRANDVIEW TUESDAY

BECHTELSVILLE,  PA-- .It was a night of many winners, especially for the big crowd of race fans who braved the bad weather conditions that hovered around the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday evening.  

Despite rain, hail and severe thunder storms, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series beat all the odds and completed the scheduled Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series and 358 Modified Double header program. 

The show started on time with time trials, six heat races and two consolations completed well before 9 PM.  

But then the rain began to fall forcing a one hour delay.  

Never-the-less, the show was completed at 11:32 PM with Chad Kemenah  of Finley, Ohio pocketing the $5,000 winner's share for the 35 lap sprint feature as Duane Howard won the night cap, the twenty-five lap 358  Modified feature.

Greg Hodnett set fast in the CnB Mushroom time trials with a time of 11.477, just slightly off the track record of 11.433.   Three qualifying heat race events were presented with victories going to Adam Wilt,  Justin Henderson and Alan Krimes as  Mike Erdley won the "B" Main. The 358 Modifieds went to battle in three heat races as well with victories going to  Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach and Billy Pauch Jr. with John Willman winning the consolation.

The thirty-five lap sprint feature was a heart stopper, filled with several spectacular crashes. At the start of the feature event, "B" Main winner Mike Erdley took a wild flip at the end of the homestretch, climbing the outside wheel fence entering turn one. This caused the fed flag and the start of the one hour rain delay. When the field returned to the speedway, the track was especially fast, but Mifflintown, PA driver Keith Kauffman set the early pace. Kauffman led the first six laps before turning the lead over to Chad Kemenah. Kauffman followed in second with Mark Smith third and Daryn Pittman fourth.   Once on top, Kemenah dominated the lead, but the real battle was taking place from second through tenth. Daryn Pittman was on a charge racing in fourth with Stevie Smith in fifth.

The second red of the night was displayed on lap thirteen Brent Marks flipped down the homestretch, landing at the base of the flag stand. On the restart, things went really wild when Stevie Smith made contact with the backstretch wall, sending a chain reaction that involved as many as nine cars. All drivers walked away but the damage to the race cars was extensive.

On the restart, Kemenah regained immediate control followed by Kauffman, Mark Smith, a fast closing Greg Hodnett and Daryn Pittman.  The top five remained unchanged at the halfway point of the race. All eyes were on Greg Hodnett as he began to track down third place runner Mark Smith. A four car  battle  was underway on lap thirty-one between second place Keith Kauffman,  Greg Hodnett, Mark Smith and Daryn Pittman.

The outside lane was the fast way around  the track and the sprinters were using the boiler plate wall to scruff off the speed. On the final lap, Hodnett took second but ran short of time to challenge Kemenah for the win. At the checker flag,  Chad Kemenah scored his first ever Thunder on the Hill feature win over Greg Hodnett with Mark Smith third, Keith Kauffman fourth  and Doug Esh  fifth.

In the twenty-five lap 358 Modified feature Shawn Reimert was the leader for the first four laps with Duane Howard taking the point on lap five. Craig VonDohren was on a charge and appeared to be moving in on Howard, when mechanical problems sent his 1C into the third turn wall, displaying the caution on lap sixteen. 

On the restart,  Mike Gular was in second with Jeff Strunk third and this battle was far from over. By lap eighteen, Strunk was in second and making his way towards Howard. Rick Laubach was now racing in third on lap twenty-two.

With the checker flag waiving, Howard took the win over Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Mike Gular and Keith Hoffman.   Making up the top ten were Shawn Reimert, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, MeMe Desantis and Billy Pauch Jr.

410 Sprint Finish:  #35 Chad Kemenah, #22 Greg Hodnett, #7m Mark Smith, #27 Keith Kauffman, #39 Doug Esh, #17 Daryn Pittman, #7 Chad Layton, #51 Fred Rahmer, #25 Justin Henderson, #89 Cody Darrah, #V92 Matthew Reed, #63 Josh Weller, #7A Ed Aiken, #1 Stevie Smith, #6 Trevor Lewis, #21 Brian Montieth, #89G Dave Gravel, #87 Alan Krimes, #15 Adam Wilt, #19M Brent Marks, #2H Dave Hahn, #138 Jay Shypinka, #70 Sam Schlosberg, #11 Mike Erdley.

358 Modified Finish: #4 Duane Howard, #41 Jeff Strunk, #357 Rick Laubach, #53 Mike Gular, #15J Keith Hoffman, #58S Shawn Reimert, #14 Doug Manmiller, #117 Kevin Hirthler, #88D MeMe DeSantis, #8p Billy Pauch, Jr., #42 Kyle Follweiler, #74W John Willman, #R2 Jimmy Horton, #21K Kyle Weiss, #14d AJ DeSantis, #11d Jimmy Horton, IV., #31 Chris Esposito, #2 John Tschudy, #37X Tommy Scheetz, Jr., #Z28 Brian Lillick, #327 Brad Missimer, #19U Tom Umbenhauer, #8 John Kellner, #1C Craig VonDohren.

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Stevie Smith Wins PA Posse Show

By Laura Cornman

BEDFORD, PA –A high-speed evening of racing was on hand Sunday as the Pennsylvania Posse 410 sprint cars invaded the speedway for the first time in over twenty years.  The super late model division and the cruiser hobby stock division were also on the schedule.  A sum of 56 cars filled the pit area; twenty eight 410sprints, eighteen super late models, and ten cruiser hobby stocks.  

Sunday was another record-breaking night.  Stevie Smith shattered the Bedford Speedway 410sprint car record of 16.647. The new record to beat is 15.597.  Spectators witnessed speeds well over 130 miles per hour. Winners of the 410sprint heat races were Adam Wilt, Keith Kauffman, and Justin Henderson.  The Bedford Valley Petroleum super late models ran two heats; Jeff Rhine and DJ Troutman were victorious.  

Ed Lynch Jr. led the field of twenty three sprints to the cone.  Chad Kemenah quickly took command going into turn one and began distancing himself from the rest of the field.  Chad Layton moved into the second place, lynch trailed him.  Within six laps Kemenah was faced with lap traffic.  Karl Baker rolled and landed on his wheels between turns one and two, bringing out a closed red flag.  Kemenah brought the field back to full power and blasted off the restart.  Layton followed his lead while Greg Hodnett tagged behind. Stevie Smith made his way into the third position and looked to make a move on Layton.  Smith and Layton battled frivolously for the second place spot.  Layton began closing ground on Lynch.  The rest of the field battled for their positions.  Again, Lynch was faced with lap traffic.  Despite the lap traffic, a battle for the lead began.  Stevie Smith pulled off a pass against Lynch coming off of turn four with eleven laps to go.  Smith took full command as he began separating himself from the rest of the field.  Kemenah occupied the second position while Layton followed.  Smith’s position was solidified as he drove his black and white number one into victory lane. 

Scott Rhodes escorted the pack of super late models to the start of green flag racing. Rhodes began to stretch his lead.  DJ Troutman followed closely behind with Jack Pencil trailing him.  Troutman began to feel pressure as Pencil looked to make his move for the second position.  Jeff Rhine and Scott Haus ran side by side for the fifth place spot, Rhine was successful.  With fifteen laps to go Pencil pulled off a pass against Troutman.  He didn’t stop there; within a lap he obtained the lead from Rhodes.  The rest of the field continued to drive hard for their positions.  Even in the face of lap traffic, Pencil secured ground between he and Troutman.  With sixteen laps in the book, Eric Zembower landed his blue number forty nine on the inside wall of the front stretch.  Pencil brought the field up to speed and back to green flag racing.  Pencil expanded his lead as he began driving away from Rhine.  Mike Altobelli resided in the third position while Troutman followed.  Rhine couldn’t manage to close the gap between himself and Pencil.  Pencil was first to drive under the waving checkered flags, earning his fifth win of the season. 

Come and celebrate Independence Day weekend at the Bedford Speedway on July 5.  An exciting five division show is scheduled which includes the super late models, 358 limited late models, street stocks, hobby stocks, and the 4-cylinders.  This race will be dedicated as a memorial night for racing families.  There will also be a fireworks show after the races.

410 Sprints Feature
#1 Stevie Smith
#35 Chad Kemenah
#7 Chad Layton
#22 Greg Hodnett
#89 Cody Darrah
#2L Ed Lynch Jr.
#7M Mark Smith
#17 Daryn Pittman
#25 Justin Henderson
#27 Keith Kauffman
#11 Mike Erdley
#39 Doug Esh
#15 Adam Wilt
#65 Johnny Mackinson Jr.
#19 Cale Grubb
#V92 Matthew Reed
#56 Ralph Spithaler
#33 Brian Ehrenzller
#51 Fred Rahmer
#25ott Aaron Ott
#44 Joey Hershey
#51B Karl Baker
#3 Bob Bennett

Super Late Models Feature
#14 Jack Pencil
#92 Jeff Rhine
#79 Mike Altobelli Jr.
#50E DJ Troutman
#57 Jeff Miller
#83R Scott Rhodes
#8A Alan Sagi
#77 Randy Burkholder
#76 Scott Haus
#5 Chuck Clise
#8L Scott Lebaron
#43 Tom Decker Jr.
#0 Ron Delano Jr.
#74 Tyler Hershey
#20 Shawn Claar
#0 Larry Bare (DNF)
#15E Steve Everhart (DNF)
#49 Eric Zembower (DNF)
#17J Wayne Johnson (DNF)

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TWO SPEEDWEEK RACES PLUS FIREWORKS AT WILLIAMS GROVE

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The 2009 version of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek is at hand and Williams Grove Speedway will host two Speedweek races this year.

The Speedweek events at Williams Grove are scheduled for Thursday evening, July 2, and Friday evening, July 3.

Both nights will include time trials, qualifying heats, a B-main and a feature race.

Thursday night's feature will be 25 laps in distance and will pay $5000 to win.

Friday night's Mitch Smith Memorial will be 30 laps and will be worth $10,000 to win.

A fireworks display will be presented each night.

Both race nights at Williams Grove will be for sprint cars only with no support division scheduled.

Qualifying is slated to begin at 7:45 on Thursday and again on Friday.

Although this will be the first time two Speedweek events have been run on successive nights at Williams Grove, it will be the second time the historic speedway has hosted two Speedweek races in the same year.

Pennsylvania Sprint car Speedweek was begun in 1991 and the series stopped at Williams Grove on Wednesday, July 3, and again on Friday, July 5, of that year.

Hall of Fame driver Steve Smith won the first night. This year his son, Stevie, will be one of the favorites to be Speedweek champion.

Don Kreitz, Jr. won on July 5, 1991, and 18 years later is still winning races at Williams Grove Speedway.

Kreitz will be one of the contenders this year along with point leader Todd Shaffer, plus the likes of Greg Hodnett, Fred Rahmer, Cody Darrah and Brian Montieth.

Speedweek is an eight race series spread over nine nights at seven regional speedways.

Further information concerning Williams Grove Speedway is available at williamsgrove.com.

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MONTIETH CARRIES AMOCO COLORS TO WIN IN KEVIN GOBRECHT MEMORIAL

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA , 6/27/09 - "I guess Kevin was sitting in this thing tonight," were the words from an emotional Brian Montieth after dominating opening night of the 19th annual Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway.

Montieth was referring to the late Kevin Gobrecht, who the race was run in memory as his Jerry Parrish owned team raced a car that was painted identical to the Amoco No. 93 sprint car that Gobrecht last drove before his untimely death ten years ago while racing with the World of Outlaws.

Montieth's win was the fifth of the season at Lincoln and his 14th career win for the defending track champion. It was also Montieth's first career Pennsylvania Speedweek feature win and puts him on top of the early Speedweek point chase.

"It was an honor to drive this car tonight," stated the Phoenixville driver following his $7,000 payday. "The Gobrecht family means a whole lot to this entire team."

Montieth made it known early that he was the car to beat.

Lining up on the pole for the 30-lap feature, he quickly jumped out front before Mike Erdley brought out a yellow with one lap complete with a spin in turn two. Two laps later, Erdley stopped again in turn three with mechanical problems while Cory Haas also stopped on the track with drive line issues.

Montieth set the pace on the restart over Brian Leppo and Greg Hodnett as 10th starting Cody Darrah began to show strength, moving into the top five by lap nine.

Darrah passed Hodnett for third place on lap 17 and drove under Leppo a lap later to move into the runner-up spot.

And like so many times this season, the Montieth-Darrah Shootout was about to begin!

With lapped traffic playing into the equation, Darrah closed on the leader with seven laps to go. Montieth got the break he needed on lap 24 when the rear end locked up in Leppo's car sending him for a hard flip in turn three to end his great run.

It was just what Montieth needed as he drove away from Darrah over the final laps to capture the popular win n front of a packed house.  "It was mine to lose," Montieth stated. "It's always better to run second in traffic. I thought I was gonna be going backwards. I'm sorry for Brian to bring out the red but I really needed a yellow and that's what I got. This is all sort of a haze right now and we'll see how long it keeps going."

Montieth's win came in a Maxim chassis that has over 200 races on it. Parrish summed it up best in victory lane.

"I think we have the driver that best represents Kevin Gobrecht sitting in this car," Parrish said. "I told the guys today, if we can park this car in victory lane, they might tear the fence down."

It certainly was a storybook night for the Premier Motorsports team and the family of Kevin Gobrecht.

Darrah of Red Lion finished second with Thomasville's Hodnett third.  Lancaster's Doug Esh drove around Rahmer for the fourth spot coming off the fourth turn for the checkered flag.

Completing the top 10 were Chad Layton, Jim Siegel, Mark Smith, Johnny Mackison, Jr. and Justin Henderson.

Heats for the 37 "410" sprinters were won by Greg Hodnett, Niki Young, Danny Dietrich and Fred Rahmer with Alan Krimes winning the B-Main. Krimes paced time trials with a one lap time of 13.337.

PA SPEEDWEEK OPENER
10TH ANNUAL KEVIN GOBRECHT MEMORIAL
410 SPRINTS:
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 93-Brian Montieth ($7,000); 2. 89-Cody Darrah; 3.
22-Greg Hodnett; 4. 39-Doug Esh; 5. 51-Fred Rahmer; 6. 7-Chad Layton; 7.
59-Jim Siegel; 8. 7M-Mark Smith; 9. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr.; 10. 25-Justin
Henderson; 11. 87-Alan Krimes; 12. 6K-Chris Knopp; 13. 88-Danny Dietrich;
14. 17-Daryn Pittman; 15. 17E-Cris Eash; 16. 27-Keith Kauffman; 17. 6W-Josh
Wells; 18. 47J-Jeff Busby; 19. 15-Adam Wilt; 20. 98-Niki Young; 21. 71-Brian
Leppo (DNF); 22. 25o-Aaron Ott (DNF); 23. 11C-Cory Haas (DNF); 24. 11-Mike
Erdley DNF). No Time

Lap Leaders - Montieth (1-30)

RAHMER TOPS DARRAH AND SEVENTY OTHER COMPETITORS TO WIN PA SPRINT SPEEDWEEK 2008 

York Haven, Pa.....The 2008 Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek could go down in the record books as a number of things.  It could be termed as another year in the continuing saga of Fred Rahmer as "Speedweek King".  It could be termed as the year of rainouts, although 2008 didn't break any records in that department.  It could even be termed as the year Rahmer even qualified well.

What it will be know as, is the year Rahmer, the wiley veteran, outgunned Cody Darrah, the recent high school graduate,  to win his 11th Speedweek crown, in 18 years.

Simply put, Rahmer did everything well this year during Speedweek.  He won two races, he passed cars, and he even time trialed well.  For the record, Rahmer won two of the five races, finished second in one, third in one, and dropped out of the other while running third after starting tenth.  Rahmer also set fast time for four of the five races, and won one heat race.  In the end it was more than enough to best Darrah for the Speedweek crown.

Darrah, an 18 year old fourth generation driver, who just graduated from Red Lion High School, put together a very solid week to let everyone know that he is the real deal.  Darrah won one race and never finished out of the top ten in the five races.  His other finishes included a fourth, a seventh and two eighths.

Greg Hodnett quietly put together a solid week to claim third in the Speedweek series points.  Hodnett's best finish was fourth, which he did twice.  He also finished fifth twice, and had one DNF in 17th position.  Hodnett also won two heat races.

Jeff Shepard made the biggest splash during Speedweek with his Hagerstown win over Rahmer.  Rahmer had come from eighth spot to pass Shepard for the lead, but Shepard fought back for a popular win.  Had his other Speedweek races gone as well, he would have fared better than fourth in the final rundown.  Shepard also had finishes of fifth, sixth, 13th and 16th, plus one heat win.

Brian Leppo completed the top five in Speedweek points, and only missed out on all top ten runs by two positions.  Leppo was also the only driver other than Rahmer to set fast time during this Speedweek.  His best run was a third, with fifth, two tenths, and a 12th his other scores.

The 18th annual Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek lost three of the scheduled eight races to rain. That is something that has also happened in two other Speedweeks (1995 and 1996).  Events that were rained out were those at Bedford, Williams Grove, and the first of two scheduled for Port Royal.

Rahmer won events at Grandview and Selinsgrove, while Doug Esh won at Lincoln, Shepard at Hagerstown, and Darrah at Port Royal.

A total of 71 different drivers competed in Speedweek events this year, with about five others on hand for nights that rained out prior to competition.

To answer the question, Rahmer has more than four previous "Fast Times" in Speedweek competition, but in the past eleven years he had only set "Fast Time" five times.  He nearly doubled that number in one week.

Rahmer pushed his series leading win total to 30 wins during Speedweek.  Shepard and Esh each scored their third Speedweek wins, while Darrah's was his first.  Twenty different drivers have now won a Speedweek event.  There have been a total of 117 Speedweek races.

Rahmer's other Speedweek titles have come in 1992-95, 1998, 2000, and 2003-06.

2008 Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek Point Standings
1. Fred Rahmer 749
2. Cody Darrah 640
3. Greg Hodnett 573
4. Jeff Shepard 562
5. Brian Leppo 559
6. Doug Esh 524
7. Mark Smith 500
8. Chad Layton 464
9. Todd Shaffer 458
10. Stevie Smith 424

FAST TIME
Fred Rahmer 4
Brian Leppo 1

HEAT WINS
Greg Hodnett 2
Chad Layton 2
Stevie Smith 2
Steve Buckwalter 1
Alan Cole 1
Brian Leppo 1
Jeff Shepard 1
Fred Rahmer 1
Mark Smith 1
Niki Young 1
Brian Paulus 1
Shawn Weaver 1
Michael Carber 1
Doug Esh 1

B-MAIN WINS
Blane Heimbach 1
Brian Montieth 1
Craig Keel 1
Sam Schlosberg 1
Cody Darrah 1

A-MAIN WINS
Fred Rahmer 2
Cody Darrah 1
Jeff Shepard 1
Doug Esh 1

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2008 Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek Series
FINAL POINTS
1. Fred Rahmer 749
2. Cody Darrah 640
3. Greg Hodnett 573
4. Jeff Shepard 562
5. Brian Leppo 559
6. Doug Esh 524
7. Mark Smith 500
8. Chad Layton 464
9. Todd Shaffer 458
10. Stevie Smith 424
 

RAHMER CLINCHES 11th SPEEDWEEK TITLE WITH SELINSGROVE WIN

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Fred Rahmer, of Salfordville, clinched his 11th career Cindy Rowe Auto Glass PA Speedweek Series title with a win in Sunday night’s 30-lap Jan Opperman Memorial 410 sprint car race at Selinsgrove Speedway.

The $5,000 victory at the wheel of the Miller Bros. Chevrolet No. 51 marked Rahmer’s 12th of the season and 30th of his career in Speedweek competition. Rahmer now owns 54 career sprint car victories at Selinsgrove Speedway, ranking him third on the track’s all-time win list behind Ray Tilley and Mitch Smith. 

Rahmer was the night’s fast qualifier with a lap time of 17.966 seconds. He was the only repeat winner in the 18th annual PA Speedweek series, having won the Tuesday night event at Grandview Speedway. Three of the eight events in the series were rained out this year.   

AJ Hoffman, of Richfield, drove to his second win of the season in the 15-lap pro stock feature. 

Selinsgrove Speedway’s next racing event will be the Paul Stine Chevrolet Jack Gunn Memorial for URC/358 sprint cars at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19. The late models and pro stocks will also be on the racing program. There will be no racing on July 12. 

Second-place starter Sean Michael powered into the lead at the start of the sprint car feature. Michael was chased by polesitter Greg Hodnett and third-place starter Keith Kauffman. 

The event’s first caution flag unfurled on lap six when Duane Mausteller looped his sprint car in turn two. On the ensuing restart, sixth-place starter Fred Rahmer drove by Kauffman for third and set his sites on Hodnett. 

At the midway point of the race, Hodnett and Rahmer reeled in Michael in traffic. On the 17th circuit, Rahmer passed Hodnett for second and quickly gained real estate on the leader. Racing down the frontstretch on lap 19, Rahmer made the winning pass by Michael at the start/finish line.

Following Rahmer’s pass for the lead, a lap 19 caution flag turned into a red flag fuel stop. When the race resumed, Rahmer pulled away from the field and posted a 2.2-second margin of victory over Michael, Kauffman, Hodnett, and Jeff Shepard. 

Polesitter Cody McFadden led the first lap of the pro stock feature only to withdraw from the race on the second circuit, relinquishing the lead to second-place starter Dan Jensen. On the third lap, fourth-place starter AJ Hoffman made the winning pass using the inside lane entering turn one. 

Hoffman’s most serious challenger was sixth-place starter Peanut Heintzelman. On several occasions Heintzelman put in a bid for the lead to no avail. With a four laps remaining, Heintzelman made contact with another car and began to fall off the pace. 

At the finish, Hoffman was victorious by 1.73 seconds over seventh-place starter Jason Smith. Chad Davis, Troy Miller, and Scott Landis completed the top five. 

SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY SUMMARY – 6 July 2008
410 Sprint Cars – 28 Entries
30-Lap A-Main:  1) 51 Fred Rahmer $5,000 2) 6 Sean Michael  3) 7 Keith Kauffman 4) 22 Greg Hodnett  5) 1 Jeff Shepard  6) 88 Todd Shaffer  7) 89 Cody Darrah  8) 11 Mike Erdley  9) 19 Stevie Smith  10) 71 Brian Leppo  11) 7M Mark Smith  13) 35 Alan Cole  14) 0 Rick Lafferty  15) 17B Steve Buckwalter  16) 30 Doug Esh  17) 4 Todd Hestor  18) 21 Brian Monteith  19) 11T TJ Winegardner  20) 12 Blane Heimbach  21) 1W Phil Walter  22) 42 John Smith  23) 21 Duane Mausteller  24) 3 Bob Bennett Heat Winners:  Steve Buckwalter, Alan Cole, Brian Leppo. Consolation Winner:  Blane Heimbach

Time Trials:  1) Fred Rahmer 17.966  2) Todd Shaffer 18.037  3) Phil Walter 18.105 4) Keith Kauffman 18.211  5) Sean Michael 18.239  6) Greg Hodnett 18.304  7) Todd Hestor 18.387  8) Cody Darrah 18.421  9) Mike Erdley 18.442  10) Jeff Shepard 18.455  11) Alan Cole 18.514  12) Doug Esh 18.524  13) Chad Layton 18.566  14) Steve Smith Jr. 18.633  15) Brian Leppo 18.660  16) Steve Buckwalter 18.807  17) Rick Lafferty 18.823  18) Mark Smith 18.850  19) Bob Bennett 18.894  20) Brian Monteith 18.940  21) Craig Keel 18.949  22) TJ Winegardener 19.058  23) Blane Heimbach 19.105 24) Duane Mausteller 19.146  25) John Smith 19.531  26) Ryan Kissinger 19.877 
27) Mark Zimmerman  28) Cliff Brian No Time

Pro Stocks – 19 Entries
15-Lap A-Main:  1) 19 AJ Hoffman  2) 28 Jason Smith  3) 91 Chad Davis  4) 115 Troy Miller  5) 38 Scott Landis  6) 6 Dan Jensen  7) 06 Frank Reisser  8)  70G Bill Glass III  9) A18 Shaun Miller  10) 29 Rob Pyle  11) 34 Scott Spahr  12) 99 Peanut Heintzelman  13) 34X Hank Steffen  14) 67 Anthony Munn  15) 64 Cody McFadden  16) 26 AJ Stroup   10M Brad Mitch (DNS)   76 Dave Bowsman (DNS)   23 Jim Somers (DNS)  Heat Winners:  Troy Miller, Peanut Heintzelm
 

18th annual PA Speedweek
Points after Port Royal 7/5
1. Fred Rahmer 560
2. Cody Darrah 522
3. Brian Leppo 461
4. Doug Esh 457
5. Greg Hodnett 443
6. Jeff Shepard 438
7. Mark Smith 412
8. Chad Layton 376
9. Todd Shaffer 329
10. Stevie Smith 328  

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Port Royal Speedway
Saturday
18th annual Speedweek
410 sprint car feature: 1. Cody Darrah, 2. Rick Lafferty, 3. Doug Esh, 4. Greg Hodnett, 5. Keith Kauffman, 6. Alan Cole, 7. Todd Shaffer, 8. Sean Michael, 9. Stevie Smith, 10. Mark Smith, 11. Mike Erdley, 12. Brian Leppo, 13. Brian Montieth, 14. Brian Paulus, 15. Mike Wagner, 16. Jeff Shepard, 17. Daryl Stimeling, 18. T.J. Winegardner, 19. Cliff Brian, 20. Craig Keel, 21. Bob Bennett, 22. Fred Rahmer, 23. Todd Hestor, 24. Chad Layton. DNS-Dave Hahn, John Smith III, Bill Jones, Jr., Curt Stroup, Joey Hershey, Randy Kaylor, Craig Robinson, Doug Dodson, Michael Heckman, Mark Zimmerman, Vince Snyder.
Heat Race Winners, Shepard, Rahmer, Smith, Hodnett. B-Main, Montieth. Lap Leaders, Lafferty, 1-19, Darrah, 20-30. Fast Time, Leppo, 16.400.

PRO STOCK FEATURE: 1. Derick Garman, 2. Tim Krape, 3. Jim Palm, 4. John Heane, 5. Dave Bowsman, 6. Dan Berry, 7. Neil Foust, 8. Mark Auker, 9. Meade Hahn, 10. Terry Naugle, 11. Galen Palm, 12. Jeff Rayson, 13.  Max Hampton, 14. Devin Frey.
Heat Race Winners, Palm, Foust. Lap Leaders, Foust, 1-14, Garman, 15.

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SPEED WEEK EVENT RAINED OUT AT WILLIAMS GROVE
MECHANICSBURG, PA - The Pennsylvania Speed Week sprint car race was rained out Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway.

A persistent light rain and the forecast of showers and thunderstorms caused the event to be cancelled.

A double header featuring sprint cars and 358s was originally scheduled for July 11.  A change in the schedule will find the sprint car teams competing for an increased purse, which will pay the winner $5000.

The sprint car portion of the program will honor the late Mitch Smith, one of the all-time greats of Central Pennsylvania sprint car racing and a first ballot Hall of Famer.

HAGERSTOWN’S SPRINT SPEEDWEEK VICTORY TO SHEPARD

Hagerstown, Md. –  After Jeff Shepard and Fred Rahmer put on a driving clinic with the lead being swapped at least eight times following a 3rd lap restart. Shepard retook the point on lap 20 and drove away to pick up the Wednesday’s $5,000 triumph during Night 4 of the 18th Annual Cindy Rowe Auto glass Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek. It was the first ever win at Frank Plessinger’s Hagerstown Speedway for Shepard, of Upperco, MD as he held a 1.63 second advantage on Rahmer at the line.

“We were on our way here and I thought to myself, ‘I’ve never won at this race track.’ It’s always bit me,” said the driver of the John and Pee Wee Zemaitis Zemco sprint car. “I’ve ended up in the infield, out of the park, you name it.”

One thing for certain, the race fans got to see sprints in action, especially at the front with sliders on every turn until Shepard closed in.

“I don’t think there’s a better racer out there than Fred Rahmer. To get a chance to race wheel to wheel with him is priceless,” Shepard said. “We were close. That was the most fun I’ve had in a while. He was good, no question about it. Lapped traffic plays a hell of a role. I though he was going to pass us back.”

And then late in the race, Shepard’s engine began showing a whisp of smoke.

“We blew the motor up with about eight laps to go and I thought for sure he was going to get back around us but the car was good. We worked on it all night,” he said. ”We didn’t get a good start at the beginning. I did some adjustments under the yellow inside the car but pretty much determination was what it was.”

With a damp humid night, the track was a while in getting ready but it was smooth and quick. The top 28 sprints were separated by only .964 seconds in time trials. For the third straight night, Rahmer was the quick one with a lap of 15.268 and then pulled a number eight inversion.

Shepard began from the pole but Mark Smith powered off the top of turn two to take command with Rahmer to fourth by the first circuit and took third from Doug Esh by the second.

The red was displayed on lap three when Doug Esh ended on his side in turn four and Keith Kauffman got a flat tire out of the deal when he made contact.

On the restart, the show began with Rahmer under, then Shepard back in front, and more of the same lap after lap until Rahmer finally secured the spot and broke free on lap nine with Smith and Todd Shaffer trailing Shepard.

Rahmer closed on traffic as Shepard quickly arrived on the scene and became a challenger again. He blew by Rahmer on the 20th lap and later started showing some smoke from the car. His lead of 2.2 seconds on lap 27 slowed to 1.63 in the final circuits. 

Shepard’s celebration ended by saying, “Fred’s hard to pass….he came from eighth…he had a fast race car, but I have two words, Fred WHO!”

Shaffer got by Smith for the third spot on 20th while Brian Leppo picked off several spots in the closing laps to move into fifth on the final circuit.

Chad Layton was sixth after coming from 16th with defending winner, Lance Dewease next while Cody Darrah, Brian Paulus and 19th starter Stevie Smith completed the top ten. Heats went to Layton, S.Smith and Esh while Craig Keel was the B Main winner.

The speedway returns to action Saturday evening with a full night of racing entertainment. The 1st Annual Red Nininger Memorial Shootout II 40-Lap Late Model which is postponed from June 14 the will take center stage with the 13th Annual Cornett Tribute 20-lap event for the pure stocks as the premier event for that popular division. The Late Model Sportsman and a postponed 30 lap Enduro Dash are also included on the program.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5 p.m and warm ups begin at7:00 p.m. Check the speedway website for any changes in weather at: http://www.hagerstownspeedway.com/ or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.

Hagerstown Speedway Results
Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek, 30 Laps,  30 entries (Lap Leaders – Mark Smith 1-3, Jeff Shepard 4-8, 22-30, Fred Rahmer, 9-19) 1.Jeff Shepard; 2.Fred Rahmer; 3.Todd Shaffer; 4.Mark Smith; 5.Brian Leppo; 6.Chad Layton; 7.Lance Dewease; 8.Cody Darrah; 9.Brian Paulus; 10.Stevie Smith; 11.Mike Wagner; 12.T.J. Winegardner; 13.Keith Kauffman; 14.Alan Cole; 15.Aaron Ott; 16.Niki Young; 17.Greg Hodnett; 18.Michael Carber; 19.Michael Heckman; 20.Bob Bennett; 21.Craig Keel; 22.Bob Howard; 23.Kramer Williamson; 24.Doug Esh -  DNQ: Jeff Busby, Randy Baughman, Joey Hershey, Mark Zimmerman, Richie Fitz, Cale Grub

Time Trials: 1Fred Rahmer, 15.268; 2.Brian Leppo, 15.299; 3.Todd Shaffer, 15.322; 4.Brian Paulus, 15.341; 5.Cody Darrah, 15.358; 6.Lance Dewease, 15.362; 7.Mark Smith, 15.431; 8.Jeff Shepard, 15.436; 9.Michael Carber, 15.440; 10.Mike Wagner, 15.449; 11.Alan Cole, 15.457; 12.Doug Esh, 15.462; 13.Greg Hodnett, 15.518; 14.Keith Kauffman, 15.523; 15.Niki Young, 151.527; 16.Chad Layton, 15.573; 17.Stevie Smith, 15.628; 18.T.J. Winegardner, 15.855; 19.Crai Keel, 15.882; 20.Bob Bennett, 15.888; 21.Kramer Williamson, 15.911; 22.Cale Grubb, 15.977; 23.Aaron Ott, 16.031; 24.Michael Heckman, 16.048; 25.Richie Fitz, 16.049; 26.Jeff Busby, 16.101; 27.Bobby Howard, 16.149; 28.Randy Baughman, 16.232; 29.Mark Zimmerman, 17.496; 20. Joey Hershey, No Time

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CAPACITY CROWD CHEERS FRED RAHMER & DOUG MANMILLER TO VICTORY IN THUNDER ON THE HILL MID-WEEK HOLIDAY SPECIAL AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presented still another star-studded show as the Pennsylvania  410 Sprint Speed Week Series and the 358 Modifieds teamed-up for a block-buster special that kicked off the Independence Holiday celebration.  The crowd budged the large Grandview Speedway grandstands to watch the thirty sprint cars and thirty 358 Modifieds battle it out on the "hill" in grand style.    

Fred Rahmer of Salfordville, PA pocketed a hefty $5,000 for the win in the thirty-five lap sprint feature event as Doug Manmiller collected the cash for winning the 25 lap modified feature  It was a great show from start to finish as the racing was absolutely awesome.

In the COMDIAL Telephone Communications Time Trials Fred Rahmer set fast time, stopping the clocks with a time of 12.024 and collecting an additional $200.    Three qualifying events were presented for the 410 Sprints with victories going to  Steve Smith, Michael Carber and Greg Hodnett as the "B" victory went to Sam Schlosberg.

Twenty-four cars then took the green flag in the 35 lap sprint feature with Brian Leppo gunning to the early lead followed by Doug Esh and Fred Rahmer.  Leppo ran to hide from the field in the early going, but on lap six, a wild mix-up with slower traffic found Robbie Stillwaggon flipping just as the leaders were charging into turn one.  Second place runner Doug Esh made contact with the flipping
car that pulled Nick Schlaugh into the accident. All drivers walked away uninjured with Doug Esh able to continue.

On the restart, Leppo ran to hide but now Fred Rahmer was in the runner-up spot and in the chase.  Mark Smith and Lance Dewease locked-up in a battle for third, with Dewease taking the spot on lap eleven. At the front of the pack, Rahmer was closing in on Leppo as the leader approached lapped traffic. On lap sixteen, Rahmer took the lead followed by Leppo, Dewease, Mark Smith and Jeff Shepard.

By lap twenty-three, Lance Dewease was in second and closing on the leader. Jeff Shepard had a tire go flat on lap twenty-six and theyellow flag was displayed for the final time.   When green flag racing resumed, Dewease made a serious run at Rahmer. But as the laps ticked by, Rahmer extended his lead. With five laps remaining, Rahmer, Dewease, Leppo, Mark Smith and Cody Darrah were the top five.  

Rahmer maintained his lead to take the win with Dewease second, Brian Leppo third, Cody Darrah fourth and  Greg Hodnett squeaking into the top five in the closing laps.   For Rahmer, this was his ninth career Thunder victory, with his previous win taking place on June 26, 2005. On the career win list, Billy Pauch has eleven wins, Lance Dewease is a ten time winner and Rahmer is ranked third with nine.

The 358 Modifieds competed in three qualifying dashes with victories going to Danny Erb, Stewart Freisen and Kevin Hirthler taking the victories.  The thirty car feature field was then called to the speedway for their 25 lap feature event.  John Tschudy set the early pace with Doug Manmiller taking the lead on lap seven.  Tschudy held on to second with Jason Hamilton third, Kevin Hirthler fourth and Rick Laubach fifth.

All eyes were watching deep in the  pack as Duane Howard and the BPG Racing #4 were on a charge.  By lap fourteen, Howard was fifth and on lap sixteen, he had advanced to fourth.  Manmiller and Hamilton were leading the field and on lap seventeen, Howard moved into third.  One lap later, Howard was second and chasing down Manmiller.  The yellow flag was displayed  on lap nineteen when Matt Sheppard spun in turn two.

With just six laps remaining, Howard was now on the rear bumper of Manmiller as green flag racing resumed.  Manmiller had a flawless start and quickly pulled away to a six car length lead.  As the laps ticked by, Howard slowly closed in once again on Manmiller, then the yellow was displayed on lap twenty-four when Ryan Beltz spun in turn three.

The race now came down to a two lap shootout with Manmiller on point and Howard on his rear bumper.  With the green flag waiving, Manmiller once again excelled on the start to establish the lead position.  With the white flag waiving, Howard once again had closed in on the leader, but just ran short of time as Manmiller dashed under the checker flag for this third Thunder on the Hill modified victory.  Howard delivered an impressive second place finish with Jason Hamilton third, Kerry Kratz fourth  and Rick Laubach fifth.

410 Sprint Feature - - Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Brian Leppo, Cody Darrah, Greg Hodnett, Mark Smith, Stevie Smith,  Michael Carber, Doug Esh, Brian Montieth, Alan Cole, Bobby Howard, Jeff Shepard, Chad Layton, Todd Shaffer, Josh Weller, Ryan Taylor, Sam Schlosberg, Dave Hahn,  J.R. Berry, TJ Winegartner, Jeff VanDusen,  Nick Schlaugh Jr.,  Robbie Stillwaggon. Fast Time- - Fred Rahmer 12.024.  

358 Modified Feature- - Doug Manmiller, Duane Howard, Jason Hamilton, Kerry Kratz, Rick Laubach, Kevin Hirthler, Craig VonDohren, John Tschudy, Stewart Freisen, Ryan Godown,  Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Gular, Sean Merkel, Jeff Strunk, MeMe DeSantis, Brad Missimer, Tom Umbenhauer, Shawn Reimert, Brad Brightbill, Ryan Watt, Danny Heiber, Matt Sheppard, Troy Wink, Jason Smythe, Ryan Beltz, John Willman, Danny Erb, Terry Meitzler, DNS Don Norris.

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Bedford Rained out on Sunday and Monday

The second of eight nights of racin fell to rain on Sunday and then again on Monday at Bedford Speedway.

Race number three is set for Tuesday night at Grandview Speewday.

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ESH CLAIMS 2008 PA SPEEDWEEK OPENER EARLY SUNDAY AT LINCOLN SPEEDWAY

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA, 6/28/08 - Doug "the Hammer" Esh took the green flag from wife Kelly and never looked back in scoring the $7,000 win on opening night of the 18th annual Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek early Sunday morning at Lincoln Speedway.

Esh started on the pole and led every lap of the 9th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial after the packed house waited through a 3-hour, 40-minute rain delay which began when a thunderstorm stopped action in the middle of the third heat at 8:45 p.m. 

By the time the "410" sprint cars resumed action, it was 12:25 a.m. During the delay, organizers of a fund-raising raffle to benefit the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Fund selected Kelly Esh's number as the winner of the drawing to determine the honorary starter for the start of the "A" main. She stood behind the officials in the flagstand for the remainder of the event and watched as her husband was challenged numerous times by Brian Montieth and Fred Rahmer over the middle stages of the race. Several times between laps 14 and 18, the Premier Auto Works/Auto Locator #21 pulled alongside the leader with Rahmer right behind as the leaders worked through lapped traffic.

The three-car race cooled down after a caution flag was waived for a bizarre turn of events on the front stretch. The string of red lights dropped down dangerously close to the top wings of the sprint cars, and had to be removed before the race could continue. When the green waived again on lap 19, Esh pulled away to a comfortable lead until the leaders again entered lapped traffic on lap 25. Esh's .97-second lead on lap 23 evaporated to .66-seconds on lap 26, and a final charge by Montieth over the last two laps reduced the margin of victory to a scant .22-seconds at the end.

Rahmer crossed third, with Chad Layton and Greg Hodnett completing the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Jeff Shepard, Niki Young, Cody Darrah, Brian Paulus, and 20th-starting Brian Leppo. Heats for the 410 Sprinters were won by Young, Layton, Paulus and Shawn Weaver, with Darrah winning the B-Main. 

Fast time in time trials over the 36-car field was set by Rahmer, with a one-lap time of 13.510-seconds (99.926 MPH).

A.J. Michael was transported to York Hospital for a check-up after he and Jeff Busby both flipped into the turn one catch fence in heat #4. A.J. was conscious and talking with emergency crews as he was placed into the ambulance. Todd Shaffer was uninjured when he plowed into the outside wall in turn one and brought out the red flag in heat #3. The thunderstorm hit when crews were cleaning up from his crash, leading to the lengthy delay.

Esh left Lincoln with the PA Speedweek points lead (167), six points ahead of 10-time Speedweek champ Fred Rahmer (161). Brian Montieth (145), Chad Layton (133), and Greg Hodnett (127) were third through fifth in Speedweek points after the first night.

RACE RESULTS
Saturday - June 28, 2008
LINCOLN SPEEDWAY
Abbottstown, PA
18TH ANNUAL 410 SPRINT PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK OPENER
9TH ANNUAL KEVIN GOBRECHT MEMORIAL
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 30-Doug Esh ($7,000); 2. 21-Brian Montieth; 3. 51-Fred Rahmer; 4. 25-Chad Layton; 5. 22-Greg Hodnett; 6. 1-Jeff Shepard; 7. 10N-Niki Young; 8. 89-Cody Darrah; 9. 28-Brian Paulus; 10. 71-Brian Leppo; 11. 17E-Cris Eash; 12. 6W-Josh Wells; 13. 59-Jim Siegel; 14. 11C-Cory Haas; 15. 7-Keith Kauffman; 16. 7M-Mark Smith; 17. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr.; 18. 12-Mike Bittinger; 19. 22Z-Michael Carber; 20. 47J-Jeff Busby; 21. 19-Stevie Smith (DNF); 22. 87-Alan Krimes [alternate] (DNF); 23. 25-Aaron Ott; 24. 4-John Rudisill. DNS-Shawn Weaver. No time.

Lap Leaders - Doug Esh (1-30)

1st Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 10N-Niki Young; 2. 17E-Cris Eash; 3.51-Fred Rahmer; 4. 30-Doug Esh; 5. 25O-Aaron Ott; 6. 6W-Josh Wells; 7. 45L-Scott Geesey; 8. 3-Bob Bennett; 9. 49-Bob Howard. Time - 2:24.665

2nd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 25-Chad Layton; 2. 59-Jim Siegel; 3.7M-Mark Smith; 4. 19-Stevie Smith; 5. 71-Brian Leppo; 6. 89-Cody Darrah; 7. 7-Keith Kauffman; 8. 11T-TJ Winegardner; 9. 43-Doug Dodson (DNF). No Time

3rd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 28-Brian Paulus; 2. 11C-Cory Haas; 3.22-Greg Hodnett; 4. 22Z-Michael Carber; 5. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr.; 6. 87-Alan Krimes; 7. 26-Pat Cooper; 8. 5-Adam Lawrence; 9. 88-Todd Shaffer (DNF). Time - 3:40.00 (With rain delay)

4th Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 69-Shawn Weaver; 2. 4-John Rudisill; 3. 21-Brian Montieth; 4. 12-Mike Bittinger; 5. 1-Jeff Shepard; 6. 18-Adam Gordon; 7. 47J-Jeff Busby (DNF); 8. 45-A.J. Michael; 9. 9-Craig Keel (DNS). No Time

B-Main (12 Laps/4 to qualify) - 1. 89-Cody Darrah; 2. 7-Keith Kauffman  3.6W-Josh Wells; 4. 47J-Jeff Busby; 5. 87-Alan Krimes; 6. 49-Bobby Howard; 7. 26-Pat Cooper; 8. 5-Adam Lawrence; 9. 11T-T.J. Winegardner; 10. 3-Bob Bennett (DNF); 11. 18-Adam Gordon (DNS).

Time Trials - 1. 51-Fred Rahmer, 13.510 seconds (99.926 MPH); 2. 89-Cody Darrah, 13.559; 3. 87-Alan Krimes, 13.563; 4. 21-Brian Montieth, 13.655; 5.30-Doug Esh, 13.670; 6. 7-Keith Kauffman, 13.784; 7. 22-Greg Hodnett, 13.843; 8. 1-Jeff Shepard, 13.866; 9. 6W-Josh Wells, 13.876; 10. 25-Chad Layton, 13.882; 11. 28-Brian Paulus, 13.886; 12. 47J-Jeff Busby, 13.936; 13. 10N-Niki Young, 13.942; 14. 43-Doug Dodson, 13.950; 15. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr., 13.991; 16. 69-Shawn Weaver, 14.008; 17. 17E-Cris Eash, 14.012; 18. 59-Jimmy Siegel, 14.040; 19. 11C-Cory Haas, 14.050; 20. 4-John Rudisill, 14.074; 21. 25O-Aaron Ott, 14.094; 22. 7M-Mark Smith, 14.174; 23. 22Z-Michael Carber, 14.182; 24. 9-Craig Keel, 14.196; 25. 45L-Scott Geesey, 14.215; 26. 71-Brian Leppo, 14.217; 27. 26-Pat Cooper, 14.231; 28. 12-Mike Bittinger, 14.262; 29. 3-Bob Bennett, 14.287; 30. 19-Stevie Smith, 14.313; 31. 88-Todd Shaffer, 14.388; 32. 45-AJ Michael, 14.424; 33. 49-Bobby Howard, 14.677; 34. 11T-TJ Winegardner, 14.699; 35. 5-Adam Lawrence, 15.068; 36. 18-Adam Gordon, 15.099.

2008 PA Speedweek points: 1. 30-Doug Esh, 167; 2. 51- Fred Rahmer, 161; 3. 21- Brian Montieth, 145; 4. 25-Chad Layton, 133; 5. 22-Greg Hodnett, 127; 6. 1-Jeff Shepard, 117; 7. 10N-Niki Young, 115; 8. 89-Cody Darrah, 113; 9. 28-Brian Paulus, 107; 10. 17E-Cris Eash, 89.

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It will also be a Diamond Series event sponsored by the law offices of Colgan Marzzacco.

The 358 sprints will remain on the card. Qualifying for the sprint cars will begin at 7:45.
 
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