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Jody Keegan Notches Sprint Win on Bill Kirila Memorial Night at Sharon Speedway
Brandon Spithaler - 15 - notches first career win in Limited Sprints as FANtastic Five divisions complete 10th show of 2007
HARTFORD, Ohio; July 7, 2007 - On "Bill Kirila Memorial Night", which featured double points in all of the heats and features, Jody Keegan (Sprint), Del Rougeux (Modified), Alan Dellinger (E-Mod), Dwayne Clay (Stock) and Brandon Spithaler (Limited Sprint) were victorious in the Fantastic Five's 10th evening of racing at Sharon Speedway in 2007.
The first feature on the Hartford dirt was the 25-lap Gibson-Governor Insurance Modified race sponsored by World of Wheels, which saw Del Rougeux lead all 25 laps to take the checkered flag. Rougeux and Russell King occupied the top two slots at the start of the race. Rougeux snagged the early edge ahead of Russell King. Those two leaders broke away from the battle for third between Bob Dorman and Jim Rasey as the cars worked the third lap, just before the yellow flag flew. Rougeux maintained his slight edge on the restart. With eight laps in the books, Rougeux held a five car length lead over Russell King. After 10 circuits were in the books, Rougeux led Russell King, Jim Rasey, Rob Kristyak and Rex King, who started 11th. The caution flag flew once again on the 11th lap when Rex King Jr. clipped a tire in Turn One. The restart saw much of the same at the front, but Rex King found his way from fifth to third. Meanwhile, Rougeux maintained his five-car edge in front of the No. 56 big block of Russell King. However, Russell King slowed and left the track with a mechanical problem while circulating under yellow flag conditions. His misfortune moved his dad Rex King to second. The save of the day belonged to Brian Swartzlander who nearly lost his machine while running fifth on the 17th lap, but he was able to save the car and continued on. Back at the front, Rougeux held a safe margin over Rex King and Rasey with 20 laps on the board. The last five laps were much of the same, as Rougeux rode the cushion all the way to his third feature victory of the season. Rex King wound up second, with Rasey third, Dave Schrader fourth and Swartzlander fifth. Don McKnight and Rex King won the heat races.
In the Coy Brothers Trucking E-Mod feature, Alan Dellinger notched his fifth victory of the season in only eight visits. Scott Stiffler and Paul Phillips paced the field to the green in the feature sponsored by the Dave Blaney Fan Club. Stiffler clinched the early advantage, but a Turn Two spin by Steve Haefke caused the field to partake in a complete restart. The restart saw Phillips get the early edge. His lead was short-lived as the two drivers tangled when they entered Turn Three. Stiffler's No. 14 tagged the rear of Phillips' machine, causing both cars to slam into the Turn Three wall. Without a full lap completed, a third complete restart took place with Howard Fraley and Dwayne Clay on the front row. The start allowed Clay to take the lead, with Dellinger, who rolled off fourth, slotting into second. Dellinger did not waste any time as he took the lead on the second lap with a nifty move on the inside of Turn Three. Dellinger built a 10 car length edge over Clay with five laps completed. The caution flag flew once again when Junior Mechling and Arlan Coy tangled coming out of Turn Four. With the race halfway completed, Dellinger continued his dominance on the bottom of the speedway. His lead grew to nearly half of a straightaway with nine completed. After 10 circuits, the top five runners were Dellinger, Clay, Bob McCann, Howard Fraley and Jeff Sharp. Despite a late-race yellow, Dellinger had his machine on rails as he cruised to the checkered flag to take back-to-back wins in the e-mod class. By winning two in a row, Dellinger cannot start better than 12th in the July 14 feature. Clay finished second, with Fraley third, Sharp fourth and McCann fifth. In the heat races, Stiffler and Clay were the winners.
Jody Keegan had the car to beat, and ultimately took the checkered flag as the winner of the 25-lap Warren Harley-Davidson Sprint feature presented by Promo-Specialties. Jarod Larson and Shawn Minor made up the front row in the feature. David Doherty spun in the first turn on lap No. 1. Behind Doherty's spin, Keith Taylor flipped hard bringing out a red flag. Taylor climbed out of the car under his own power. The red flag resulted in a complete restart. Larson jetted out to the early lead when the green flag finally flew. Keegan, who rolled off in ninth, carved his way to fourth with a powerful move on the cushion of Turn Three. His charge did not stop there, as he once again powered his way to second from fourth with a dash off of the Turn Four cushion on lap No. 3. His pass sent Dan Shetler and Minor to third and fourth, respectively. Meanwhile, Larson built nearly a straightaway advantage over Keegan as dealt with the traffic. However, a slight slipup allowed Keegan to close into within a car length of Larson by lap No. 8. Keegan was all over Larson's No. 47 for a series of laps until he made his move on the 11th circuit. The pass came in the form of a slide-job entering Turn One. Keegan rocketed away from there. On lap No. 14, Bob Felmlee made his presence known for the first time during the race when he moved around Larson for second. Meanwhile, Keegan caught heavy lapped traffic as the cars circulated for the 17th time. However, Felmlee was unable shave down the lead. Ed Lynch, Jr., who drove a quiet, but steady race, showed his nose for the first time at the front on the 21st lap when he raced into third and began pressuring Felmlee for second. Keegan appeared to be well on his way to the victory, but Kyle Moffit looped the No. 77 in Turn One on the 23rd lap. The restart placed two lapped cars between Keegan and Lynch, who found his way around Felmlee out of Turn Two before the caution flag. Nevertheless, Keegan continued his stellar performance, and drove three more flawless laps to take his first sprint feature win of the season at Sharon Speedway. Lynch crossed the line in second, with Felmlee third, Shetler fourth and Kevin Schaeffer fifth. Doherty and Minor took the heat races.
Brandon Spithaler, all of 15 years of age, scored his first career win in the Limited Sprint division's 15-lap race sponsored by Fowler General Store. Spithaler and Nick Miller were the front row starters for the feature. Joel Trent spun before a lap was completed, resulting in a complete restart. Trent spun for the second time on the restart, which led to another complete restart. When the field finally completed a lap, Spithaler took the lead and Miller slotted into to second. Current point leader Guy Griffin moved to fourth in one lap after starting seventh. Behind leader Spithaler, Nate Stein moved to second position with a pass on the inside of Miller down the backstretch. All this took place behind a cruising Spithaler, who maintained nearly a one straightaway lead over Stein in second. With nine laps on the board, Spithaler led Stein, Griffin, Miller and Eric Williams. The remaining six laps featured much of the same dominance as 15-year-old Spithaler cruised to his first career victory. Stein crossed the line in second, with Griffin third, Williams fourth and Jason Scoville fifth. Griffin won the only heat race.
In the Tom's Sewer and Drain Service Pure Stock 15-lap feature, Dwayne Clay took top honors. Bill Hanna and Clay were the front row starters for the race sponsored by Sunoco. Hanna took the early lead, but Clay stayed right on his bumper. Clay made his move for the lead on the second lap as the cars charged into Turn Three. All eyes were on Dan Lewis, who started 12th because he won back-to-back features in the past two weeks, found his way to eighth before five laps were on the board when a caution flag flew. With five complete, Clay led Hanna, Brian Carothers, Steve D'Apolito and Ed Cornell. D'Apolito made a three-wide pass to move into second with seven in the books. The caution flag halted action on the eighth lap with Clay leading D'Apolito. Clay held his edge on the restart, but Lewis continued his scurry to the front. Before an incident halted the action on lap No. 10, Lewis occupied fourth spot behind Cornell in third, D'Apolito second and Clay in first. D'Apolito was all over Clay's bumper, but Clay maintained his edge on the 12th circuit. Lewis' methodic run placed him in third spot with two laps to go. He charged to second on the 14th lap with a dart to the inside of D'Apolito after exiting Turn Two. Lewis closed to within bumper of Clay in Turn Four on the last lap, But Clay held him off to take his second stock victory of the season. Lewis' furious charge ended with a second. D'Apolito finished third, Carothers fourth and Mike Aley rounded out the top five. Lewis, Tony Spaghetti and Clay won the heat races.
FANtastic Five racing will continue Saturday, July 14. Tickets for Saturday's action will be available at a price of $11 for adults (16 and older), $5 for kids (12-15) and free for children 11 and younger. Pit passes are $22, and the pit gate opens at 3 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Fans can call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more information and directions.
RESULTS:
Sharon Speedway - 7/7/2007
410 Sprint Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio; 2. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 3. Bob Felmlee, Franklin, Pa.; 4. Dan Shetler, Windber, Pa.; 5. Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning, Pa.; 6. Jeffrey Busby, Bridgeville, Del.; 7. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio; 8. Shawn Minor, Lordstown, Ohio; 9. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 10. Nick Mulheim, Navarre, Ohio; 11. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio; 12. David Doherty, Sydney, Aus; 13. Bob Lime, North Olmsted, Ohio; 14. Kyle Moffit, South Dayton, N.Y.; 15. Leo O'Malley, Austintown, Ohio; 16. Ricky Byers, Weirton, W. Va.; 17. Broc Martin, Wooster, Ohio; 18. Tait Hilbert III, Rogers, Ohio; 19. Keith Taylor, Salem, Ohio; 20. Mike Palmer, Lisbon, Ohio; 21. Aaron Shaffer, Oak Park, Ill..
Heat 01 -- 1. David Doherty, Sydney, Aus; 2. Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning, Pa.; 3. Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio; 4. Tait Hilbert III, Rogers, Ohio; 5. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio; 6. Dan Shetler, Windber, Pa.; 7. Jeffrey Busby, Bridgeville, Del.; 8. Nick Mulheim, Navarre, Ohio; 9. Bob Lime, North Olmsted, Ohio; 10. Leo O'Malley, Austintown, Ohio; 11. Ricky Byers, Weirton,
Heat 02 -- 1. Shawn Minor, Lordstown, Ohio; 2. Bob Felmlee, Franklin, Pa.; 3. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 4. Kyle Moffit, South Dayton, N.Y.; 5. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 6. Keith Taylor, Salem, Ohio; 7. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio; 8. Broc Martin, Wooster, Ohio; 9. Mike Palmer, Lisbon, Ohio; 10. Aaron Shaffer, Oak Park, Ill..
E-Mods
A-Main 01 -- 1. Alan Dellinger, Hermitage, Pa.; 2. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 3. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio; 4. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 5. Bob McCann, New Castle, Pa.; 6. Joe Gabrielson, Bristolville, Ohio; 7. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 8. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 9. Jack Young, Thompson, Ohio; 10. James Turley, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 11. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio; 12. Ed Wilson, Hermitage, Pa.; 13. Scott Jones, Vienna, Ohio; 14. William Mechling JR, Warren, Ohio; 15. Vincent Crisanti, Renfren, Pa.; 16. Bob Williamson, Canfield, Ohio; 17. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 18. Paul Phillips, Hartford, Ohio; 19. Richard Stiffler, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 20. JD Johnston, Greensburg, Pa.; 21. Scott Stiffler, Farmdale, Ohio; 22. Jeff Walters, Evans City, Pa.; 23. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Scott Stiffler, Farmdale, Ohio; 2. Jack Young, Thompson, Ohio; 3. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio; 4. Richard Stiffler, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 5. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 6. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio; 7. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 8. Bob Williamson, Canfield, Ohio; 9. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 10. Ed Wilson, Hermitage, Pa.; 11. JD Johnston,
Greensburg, Pa.; 12. Scott Jones, Vienna, Ohio.
Heat 02 -- 1. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 2. Joe Gabrielson, Bristolville, Ohio; 3. Alan Dellinger, Hermitage, Pa.; 4. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 5. Bob McCann, New Castle, Pa.; 6. Paul Phillips, Hartford, Ohio; 7. Jeff Walters, Evans City, Pa.; 8. William Mechling JR, Warren, Ohio; 9. James Turley, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 10. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 11. Vincent Crisanti,
Limited Sprints
A-Main 01 -- 1. Brandon Spithaler, EvansCity, Pa.; 2. Nathan Stein, Waterford, Pa.; 3. Guy Griffin, Greenville, Pa.; 4. Eric Williams, Greenville, Pa.; 5. Jason Scoville, Warren, Ohio; 6. Nick Miller, Greenville, Pa.; 7. Jack Whitmore, Brookfield, Ohio; 8. Joel Trent, Brunswick, Ohio; 9. James Morris III, Kinsman, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Guy Griffin, Greenville, Pa.; 2. Nathan Stein, Waterford, Pa.; 3. Brandon Spithaler, EvansCity, Pa.; 4. James Morris III, Kinsman, Ohio; 5. Jack Whitmore, Brookfield, Ohio; 6. Joel Trent, Brunswick, Ohio; 7. Nick Miller, Greenville, Pa.; 8. Eric Williams, Greenville, Pa.; 9. Jason Scoville, Warren, Ohio.
Pure Stocks
A-Main 01 -- 1. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 2. Dan Lewis, Hubbard, Ohio; 3. Steve D'Apolito, Boardman, Ohio; 4. Brian Carothers, Youngstown, Ohio; 5. Michael Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 6. Randy Riffe, Transfer, Pa.; 7. Bill Hanna, Jamestown, Pa.; 8. Tony Spaghetti, Girard, Ohio; 9. Mark Sanders, New Castle, Pa.; 10. Bret McCarthy, Hamburg, N.Y.; 11. Jeffrey Kravec, Austintown, Ohio; 12. Timothy Stassin, Warren, Ohio; 13. Allan Hudzik, Austintown, Ohio; 14. Eric Williams, New Waterford, Ohio; 15. Tim Burns, Greenville, Pa.; 16. James Ash, Rogers, Ohio; 17. James Davis, Burghill, Ohio; 18. Jim Collins, Jr., Greenville, Pa.; 19. Jeremy Flinner, Cortland, Ohio; 20. Ed Cornell, Masury, Ohio; 21. Jeff Christy, Niles, Ohio; 22. Stan Woomer, Warren, Ohio; 23. Dennis Lenny, West Farmington, Ohio; 24. Larry Root, West Farmington, Ohio; 25. Ron Kennedy, Bristolville, Ohio; 26. Jeff Yocum, Boardman, Ohio.
B-Main 01 -- 1. Allan Hudzik, Austintown, Ohio; 2. Jeremy Flinner, Cortland, Ohio; 3. James Davis, Burghill, Ohio; 4. Jeffrey Kravec, Austintown, Ohio; 5. Jim Collins, Jr., Greenville, Pa.; 6. Jeff Christy, Niles, Ohio; 7. James Ash, Rogers, Ohio; 8. Tonya Graham, Masury, Ohio; 9. James Keith, Titusville, Pa.; 10. William Aley, Hermitage, Pa.; 11. Jeff Yocum, Boardman, Ohio; 12. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Dan Lewis, Hubbard, Ohio; 2. Ed Cornell, Masury, Ohio; 3. Bill Hanna, Jamestown, Pa.; 4. Larry Root, West Farmington, Ohio; 5. Mark Sanders, New Castle, Pa.; 6. Bret McCarthy, Hamburg, N.Y.; 7. Allan Hudzik, Austintown, Ohio; 8. Jason Stanke, Columbiana, Ohio; 9. Jim Collins, Jr., Greenville, Pa.; 10. Tonya Graham, Masury, Ohio; 11. William Aley,
Heat 02 -- 1. Tony Spaghetti, Girard, Ohio; 2. Randy Riffe, Transfer, Pa.; 3. Timothy Stassin, Warren, Ohio; 4. Brian Carothers, Youngstown, Ohio; 5. Ron Kennedy, Bristolville, Ohio; 6. Dennis Lenny, West Farmington, Ohio; 7. Jeff Yocum, Boardman, Ohio; 8. James Davis, Burghill, Ohio; 9. James Keith, Titusville, Pa.; 10. Jeff Christy, Niles, Ohio.
Heat 03 -- 1. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 2. Michael Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 3. Stan Woomer, Warren, Ohio; 4. Steve D'Apolito, Boardman, Ohio; 5. Tim Burns, Greenville, Pa.; 6. Eric Williams, New Waterford, Ohio; 7. Jeffrey Kravec, Austintown, Ohio; 8. Jeremy Flinner, Cortland, Ohio; 9. James Ash, Rogers, Ohio; 10. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio.
V-8 Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Del Rougeux, Frenchville, Pa.; 2. Rex King, Bristolville, Ohio; 3. Jim Rasey, Southington, Ohio; 4. Dave Schrader, Endeavor, Pa.; 5. Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg, Pa.; 6. Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 7. Andy Priest, New Castle, Pa.; 8. Bob Dorman, Stockton, N.Y.; 9. Chris Dye, Grove City, Pa.; 10. Daniel Taylor, Warren, Ohio; 11. Howard Duff, Mercer, Pa.; 12. Ben Porter, Ashtabula, Ohio; 13. Russell King, Bristolville, Ohio; 14. Donald McKnight, Jamestown, Pa.; 15. Rex King Jr., Bristoville, Ohio; 16. Joe Crawford, Polk, Pa.; 17. Jim Weller, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio; 18. Clint Baker, Cranberry, Pa..
Heat 01 -- 1. Donald McKnight, Jamestown, Pa.; 2. Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 3. Russell King, Bristolville, Ohio; 4. Jim Weller, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio; 5. Dave Schrader, Endeavor, Pa.; 6. Bob Dorman, Stockton, N.Y.; 7. Rex King Jr., Bristoville, Ohio; 8. Daniel Taylor, Warren, Ohio; 9. Howard Duff, Mercer, Pa..
Heat 02 -- 1. Rex King, Bristolville, Ohio; 2. Jim Rasey, Southington, Ohio; 3. Andy Priest, New Castle, Pa.; 4. Joe Crawford, Polk, Pa.; 5. Del Rougeux, Frenchville, Pa.; 6. Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg, Pa.; 7. Chris Dye, Grove City, Pa.; 8. Clint Baker, Cranberry, Pa.; 9. Ben Porter, Ashtabula, Ohio. |
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