Well another racing weekend
is in the books, and for the first time ever people are yelling DAMN YOU
BILL, and not talking to me. Tropical storm Bill hit the area Saturday night and washed out all of the racing action in Central PA, but Friday night both Trail Way and Williams Grove Speedway's got their races in the books.
Friday night
at Trail Way Speedway 2nd generation driver and former guest of Slicks
and Sticks last week (yeah I know cheap plug), Cody Fletcher scored his
first and long over due win. Cody has led a bunch of laps at the bull
ring this season only to have misfortune strike as he wrecked out of the
lead twice. Well, this week he finally put everything together and put
the local favorite red Fletchers Amoco 66a back in Victory lane. He
would hold off the defending 358 point series champion Brad McClelland
and Trail Way point leader Isaac Sneeringer to collect his first win.
And for everyone keeping track at home, those two drivers have 6 total
wins between them in the area, 5 at Trail Way Speedway alone.
Also
for those keeping track, that makes 6 different winners at Trail Way in
2015. The most of any 358 track in Central PA. So much for that track
being dominated by just 1 driver.
At
Williams Grove Speedway the 410's and 358's put on one hell of a show
again, this week. Lucas Wolfe would pick up his 1st win of the season at
the historic half mile and the 2nd of 2015 by catching Kyle Reinhardt
on the last lap to steal the win. Lucas was by far the class of the
field Friday night,
but I'm not sure what has people talking more: his last corner pass for
the win, or his headers he had on his car in warm-ups? Now, I don't
know if he was trying something new or just trying the old bait and
switch move by having everyone worry about that, but whatever he was
doing it worked. Congrats to the former outlaw driver on a great win.
Now
the feature itself wasn't the best race I've personally seen at
Williams Grove this season, because there really wasn't a lot of passing
going on. Although, Brian Montieth jumped out at the beginning of the
feature and looked to be the man to get to the front first, but
something happened to the 21's wing and it slowed his progress around
the 5th spot that eventually led to him falling backwards to a 12th
place finish in the end. The big surprise for me (and maybe it shouldn't
have been to be honest) was Freddie Rahmer, who started 3rd would run a
great race and bring the Miller Brothers Chevrolet home in 3rd. Marking
his best feature finish at Williams Grove in just his 2nd season behind
the wheel of a 410 sprinter. The biggest surprise (yeah I know don't
even say it ok) was Greg Hodnett spinning out in turn 4 during the
feature event and only finishing 14th. Now that sounds great after
spinning, but I don't think he was actually passing any cars, his finish
was because all the guys in front of him dropped out. The track was
definitely tricky Friday night so I guess not everything can be blamed on missed setup this week.
In
the 358 feature event Matt Campbell picked up his 2nd career feature
win at Williams Grove Speedway after leading all 20 laps. The big story
was the start of the feature when Bill Stine got turned around and
caused a 9 car pileup in turn 1 taking out some good cars. Bill was
shaken up after the wreck, and took his time getting out of the car, but
walked away (THANK GOD). Chase Dietz chased Campbell the entire 20 laps
and looked to be closing with 2 to go; but smacked the wall pretty good
coming out of turn 4 and just ran out of time to make up the
difference, even with a last lap bonzi move going into turn 3 & 4.
It was great watching 2 of the feature stars in our area race each other
hard. Remember folks the 358 division is where the future of Central PA
sprint car racing starts, and I'm pretty sure the future is looking
damn good.
Hope you all took the time to check out Matt Campbell's interview this past Thursday night
on Slicks and Sticks. From the numbers I have been seeing from the
station I would say a hell of a lot of you are, so THANK YOU for that,
but something Matt said during the interview sort of struck me as both
funny and made me happy at the same time. Host Kristina Chambers asked
Matt about him moving up to the 410 division, and his answer was "I'm
not in a big hurry, I'm still young and have plenty of stuff to learn
before jumping in a 410." Now I don't know about you but I love that
answer. Not just because I want to watch him in the 358 division, but I
just don't see why these kids (and yes folks some of these guys and gals
are just kids) have to be rushed to the 410 division so damn quickly.
When Cole Young won at Lincoln Speedway earlier this season, you started
to hear people say they cant wait to see him in a 410. but the kid is
just 15 years old. Matt Campbell is just 17 years old. I know we are a
410 sprint car area, and you are not anything unless you are running a
410 (or a 360 depending on the person), but damn folks let these kids
grow up and mature as human beings before they make the jump to the
410's. God willing, we will have plenty of years to enjoy watching these
two youngsters as well as guys like Leiby,Lehman,Halligan,Quirk and a
bunch more. Give them time to grow up and enjoy being a teenager before
you push them into the deep end where everyone looks miserable and the
stress is 10 fold. In other words, just chill folks if they truly do
have the talent then we will see them in a 410 in a few years. Until
then, I'm going to enjoy shaking hands with them in victory lane that
first time like I always do.
Okay folks it's that time of the year again and Speed Week 2015 is about to begin. Friday night
the racing kicks off at Williams Grove Speedway, while Trail Way
Speedway will host the 358 sprinters in the only race for the Central PA
358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade this week. I'm looking
for a good car count this Friday because of that, so if you don't feel like watching another Time Trial race you have another option down in Hanover. Saturday Speed Week jumps to Lincoln Speedway, then it's off to Path Valley, Grandview, Hagerstown, back to Lincoln Thursday, then back to Williams Grove, Port Royal on Saturday, before finishing up at Selinsgrove Speedway on Sunday. Don't forget July 3rd and 4th the 358 sprinters will be in action at Trail Way and Lincoln Speedway's so there is another option besides TT.....just sayin.
My picks for the week will be....
Williams Grove - Brian Montieth
Trail Way Speedway - Seth Kearchner
Lincoln - Brian Montieth
Path Valley - Lucas Wolfe
Grandview - Greg Hodnett
Hagerstown - Stevie Smith
Lincoln - Danny Dietrich
Williams Grove - Greg Hodnett
Trail Way - Brad McClelland
Port Royal - Greg Hodnett
Lincoln - Doug Hammaker
Selinsgrove - Greg Hodnett
Speed Week Champion - Greg Hodnett
With that everyone have a great week. I will see everyone on Friday night
at Trail Way Speedway. Keep an eye on Twitter and periscope this
weekend as I plan on having some behind the scenes stuff from both Trail
Way on Friday night.
Going to give everyone who has never seen the track before a glimpse
into why it's one of my favorite tracks and the hidden gem in Central
PA. Saturday night
I will be at Lincoln Speedway so look for the crew in the parking lot
early as we will be tailgating and enjoying the day and night at The
Fabulous Lincoln Speedway. Until then hope your work week goes fast, the
weather stays warm, your beer stays ice cold, and the racing no matter
where you see it is red hot.
©Bill McIntyre and Central PA Racing Scene.com 2015
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