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By Rich Berry & Mike Leone
June 23, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lakeville, OH
Alan Dellinger from Hermitage, Pennsylvania topped the
25-lap FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series race at Ohio's
Lakeville Speedway on Saturday night. The $1,200 victory was
Dellinger's first ever FASTRAK-sanctioned victory of any kind giving
him yet another division to add to his impressive resume. It was the
Series' first stop to the Bob and Judy Schipper's owned facility, as
11 drivers from three states made tows ranging from two to six hours
to support the Series' fifth event.
Tom Snyder, Jr. and Dave Padula won the two heat races to start the
evening, as the top eight drivers redrew for their starting positions
for the feature. New York drivers Greg Oakes and Jon Law made up the
front row as the feature event went to the green flag.
The majority of the competitors used the high outside line of the
speedway. The outside edge of the oval is ringed by a high-banked
rim, as this was the fast way around if drivers hit it right. If
they didn't, it meant trouble, and the drivers were ready to go on
the track that they all seemed to term as "fun".
Oakes, from Franklinville, NY, used the inside groove to move nose
ahead of Law into the lead as the green light lit up. Law quickly
felt a challenge from fourth starting Alan Dellinger at lap two.
Dellinger was using the inside to perfection as they were side-by-
side for second coming to lap three when the first caution flag of
the event appeared for a spin by Mike Snyder, who was again subbing
for Rodney Phillips, on the backstretch.
On the double file restart, Oakes pulled back ahead using the outside
line. Sixth starting Tom Snyder got to second by a nose at the
scoring line on lap four inches ahead of Dellinger working the
bottom. Dellinger charged hard into turn one on the inside and shot
past Oakes for the lead. However, he slid high and lost his
momentum, and Oakes shot down with speed off of the banking and
regained the lead down the backstretch. Lap five had Oakes leading
Dellinger, Snyder, Law, and Tom Kemp. Working lap six, Dellinger
tried the slide job pass again entering turn one. Again, Oakes shot
back past exiting turn two with the slingshot down the banking.
A spin by Chad Myers on lap seven brought out the second caution
period of the race, and it would be the final caution of the event as
the last 18 laps went green-to-checkered. Oakes chose the outside
for the restart, and he raced side-by-side with Dellinger as racing
resumed. At the line for lap eight, they were still door-to-door
with Oakes still retaining the lead by inches. This time through turn
one, Dellinger got a good run on the bottom and nosed ahead of Oakes.
Oakes came back on the inside, but could only get up alongside
Dellinger's Bob Williams-owned, yellow #8 car.
On lap nine, Dellinger gained the lead for good. Oakes and Snyder
trailed, with John Watson now fourth after starting eleventh. Law
remained fifth, but lost the spot to Kemp on lap 12. Dellinger
continued to stretch his lead in front, as the fifth position
remained a hotly contested spot. Dave Padula took fifth from Kemp on
lap 17, as Dellinger continued to set sail in front.
At the checkered flag, it was Dellinger taking a convincing victory.
Oakes was second for his best Series finish to complete a busy week
for their team, as their engine required work, triggered by losing a
radiator hose at McKean County Raceway a week before. Snyder of
Mayport, PA, turned in a solid run for third- his best Series finish
after coming up light in his apparent victory at Raceway 7 on June
15, as the Stock Car division graduate continues to make impressive
runs. Watson from Rome, Ohio was fourth, ironically the only driver
from Ohio at the race in his home state. Padula's six hour tow from
his Greencastle, PA home netted him fifth place at the finish.
Completing the finishing order was Kemp, Steve Hollabaugh, Carl
McKinney, Mike Snyder, Chad Myers, and Jon Law.
With point leader Dick Barton skipping the event combined with
Dellinger's victory, Dellinger has taken over the point lead in the
$5,000 to-win Northeast Touring Series Championship, which will pay
down 10 spots. Oakes' runner-up moves him to second in points
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Series Race #5 (25 laps): 1. ALAN
DELLINGER ($1,200), Hermitage, PA. 2. Greg Oakes, Franklinville,
NY. 3. Tom Snyder, Jr., Mayport, PA. 4. John Watson, Rome, OH. 5.
Dave Padula, Greencastle, PA. 6. Tom Kemp, Batavia, NY. 7. Steve
Hollabaugh, Guys Mills, PA. 8. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Twp., PA.
9. Mike Snyder (for Rodney Phillips) Punxsutawney, PA. 10. Chad
Myers, Oil City, PA. 11. Jon Law, Friendship, NY.
Lap leaders: Greg Oakes (1-7), Alan Dellinger (8-25)
Heat winners: Tom Snyder, Jr. & Dave Padula
Car count: 11
The next event is Wednesday, July 4 at Mercer Raceway Park.
The "Yankee 40" will pay $5,000 to-win. Pits open at 2:30 with
grandstands at 3:30, hot laps at 5:15, and racing at 6 p.m. For more
info check out www.mercerracewaypa rk.com,
To join our mailing list, simply send an e-mail to fastrakpr-
subscribe@yahoogrou ps.com. Mike Leone and Vicki Emig can be reached
at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknorthea st.com and snail mail
to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. For more information, check out
our new website at www.fastraknortheas t.com.
Partners of the FASTRAK Racing Series Include: Goodyear Racing, GM
Performance Parts, Maypole Chevrolet, Duralite Wheels, PPM Racing
Products, Heintz Performance, MK-Direct, Braswell Carburetion,
Mastersbilt Racing Chassis, TNT Racing Chassis, Rocket Racing
Chassis, Modern Chevrolet and Schoenfeld Headers.
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