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Kevin Harvick Outduels Jeff Sharp to Score First Dirt Track Victory in NASCAR Duel at Sharon Speedway, Then Donates $1,000 Winnings to Sharp
Dale Blaney takes $5,000 crown in open sprint car race at home track
HARTFORD, Ohio; August 14, 2007 - In front of a packed house, Dale Blaney notched the victory in the 50-lap, $5,000 to win sprint race, but Kevin Harvick stole the show as he outdueled the field of local e-mod drivers as well as NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Dave Blaney and Clint Bowyer to score his maiden dirt win in the 25-lap, $1,000 to win e-mod feature at Sharon Speedway on Tuesday night.
In the e-mod division, the headlining NASCAR stars jumped in four e-mods to battle 41 other local drivers in the NASCAR Duel at Sharon Speedway two days after circulating the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Dave Hess was the winner in the first heat race, but Stewart led a handful of laps and finished second while driving the No. 127 e-mod usually piloted by Dustin Fraley. Clint Bowyer finished seventh in the first heat. Quincy Turner won the second heat, with Sharon Speedway co-owner Dave Blaney finishing fourth in the Mike Butler No. 52b. Dwayne Clay took the third heat race, with Harvick scoring a second place finish in his No. X e-mod. In the fourth and final heat, Rob Kristyak took the checkered flag as the winner.
Joe Gabrielson and Dave Willoughby paced the 25-car field to the green flag in the 25-lap feature. Harvick rolled off fourth, with Stewart starting 10th. Willoughby took the early lead, but Harvick quickly slotted into second with a powerful move on the Turn One cushion. The field was halted after one lap when a multi-car incident evolved in Turn Three. Harvick wasted little time on his way to the lead. On the restart, Harvick jumped to the Turn One cushion and powered around Willoughby's No. 00 machine to take the top spot. While working the fourth circuit, Jeff Sharp also powered around Willoughby to take second. As the tenth lap clicked onto the scoreboard, Harvick led Sharp, Willoughby, Dave Hess and Clay. However, Sharp, who is the most recent e-mod winner at Sharon Speedway, used a lap 11 restart to return the favor. He also used the cushion in turns one and two to take the top spot away from the NASCAR star. Hess was also on the move on the restart, as he found his way to third.
With 10 laps to go, Sharp led Harvick by just over five car lengths. That was when Harvick began his charge back to the front. Harvick closed in on the rear bumper of Sharp with 21 laps on the board. While Harvick had his machine handling on the bottom of the speedway, Sharp found the cushion to his liking. He patiently followed Sharp for a series of laps before the two drivers caught lapped traffic. The slower traffic gave Harvick a slight window, and he capitalized. He used some grip on the bottom of the oval out of Turn Four to secure the lead under Sharp's machine with two laps remaining. From there, he did not look back, and Harvick went on to score his very first victory on dirt after just eight starts. The rest of the NASCAR stars in the field also drove strong races. Bowyer rolled off last in the feature, and put his dirt modified experience to good use, as he drove all the way to seventh. Blaney rolled off 14th and crossed the finish line ninth. Stewart retired with a mechanical problem, and finished 22nd in the feature. Behind Sharp in second was Joel Watson, who drove a stellar race. Watson started 21st before finishing third. Hess came home in fourth, with Turner rounding out the top five.
Following the race, in a very classy move, Harvick donated his $1,000 winnings to second place finisher Sharp. Harvick was commended by his fellow NASCAR competitors for running a nearly-perfect race. Stewart, Bowyer and Blaney applauded Harvick's savvy drive despite his limited experience in the ranks of dirt racing.
After 24 sprint cars checked into the pit area, the drivers headed onto the oval for single car qualifying. The all-time feature win leader at Sharon Speedway, Ed Lynch Jr., set the quickest time in qualifying (13.547 sec. 99.653 MPH). Dale Blaney, from just down the road, went out late and set the second quickest time in qualifying. Bob Felmlee was third fastest, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fourth and Mike Kekich fifth.
Following some adjustments in the pits, the sprints headed back onto the oval for heat racing. Chris Andrews took the checkered flag as the winner in the first of three heat races. Mike Lutz won the second heat race. Stenhouse scored the victory in the third heat.
In a six-lap eight-car dash, which was made up of the top two finishers of each heat, and the fastest qualifiers who did not finish in the top two of their respective heat, Dale Blaney scored the victory to garner the pole for the 50-lap feature. Lynch finished second in the dash to earn the second starting spot for the feature. Blaney jetted out to the early lead, but Stenhouse, who rolled off third, was the quick starter in the feature, as he quickly passed Lynch, and then set sail for Blaney's red No. 2. Stenhouse darted under Blaney on the third lap to take the lead. The field slowed on lap No. 8 when Danny Mumaw and Russ Sansosti tangled in Turn One. The field reset saw Stenhouse as the leader, Blaney second, Felmlee third, Lynch fourth and Andrews fifth. Stenhouse remained the car to beat after the restart. He and Blaney cruised away from Felmlee and Lynch before they caught traffic. Stenhouse built nearly a half straightaway edge over Blaney with 15 laps on the board. The two leaders appeared to be in cruise control just as Tim Hunter spun right in front of them on lap No. 19 to bring out the yellow flag. Fortunately, Stenhouse and Blaney took evasive action to avoid the stationary car.
On the restart, Stenhouse once again built a slight lead, but Blaney remained within striking distance. With the race approaching the halfway point, the cars gradually moved to the bottom of the oval to preserve their tires. The field was stopped for a mandatory fuel stop when the scoreboard read 30 laps. At the stop, Stenhouse was the leader, with Blaney second, Felmlee third, Lynch fourth and Andrews fifth.
Stenhouse picked up right where he left off after the fuel stop. He pulled away from Blaney and Felmlee before a Keegan spin slowed the field on lap 31. After the yellow, the action was behind Stenhouse, as Lynch, who was running fourth, looped his machine on the 37th circuit, but continued on in ninth place. For the first time all night, Stenhouse appeared to be vulnerable on lap No. 44 as the leaders caught lapped traffic. Blaney closed in on Stenhouse's bumper as the cars exited Turn Two. When the cars exited Turn Four, Stenhouse slipped high and nearly tagged the wall, allowing Blaney to dart into the lead. Stenhouse's outstanding drive came to a smoking halt four laps later when his engine expired. Despite a late yellow for the engine failure, Blaney was able to hold off Felmlee to score the home track victory, and the $5,000 prize. Andrews drove a great race to finish third, with Andy McKisson coming home fourth and Lutz rounding out the top five.
FANtastic Five racing will continue Saturday, August 18. 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 NASCAR Duel - 8/14/2007
410 Sprint Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Dale Blaney, Fowler, Ohio; 2. Bob Felmlee, Franklin, Pa.; 3. Christopher Andrews, Sandusky, Ohio; 4. Andy McKisson, Strattanville, Pa.; 5. Mike Lutz, Sharon, Pa.; 6. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 7. Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio; 8. Nick Mulheim, Navarre, Ohio; 9. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 10. Scott Bonnell, Girard, Pa.; 11. Kyle Moffit, South Dayton, N.Y.; 12. Thomas Winegardner, Pierson, Fla.; 13. Rchard Stenthouse jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 14. Danny Holtgraver, Piitsburgh, Pa.; 15. Joe Butera, Wampum, Pa.; 16. Ricky Byers, Weirton, W. Va.; 17. Brent Matus, Wampum, Pa.; 18. Bryan Grove, Beach City, Ohio; 19. Tim Hunter, Millersburg, Ohio; 20. Danny Mumaw, Wooster, Ohio; 21. Cody Jacobs, Wooster, Ohio; 22. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio; 23. Leo O'Malley, Austintown, Ohio; 24. Dan Shetler, Windber, Pa..
Heat 01 -- 1. Christopher Andrews, Sandusky, Ohio; 2. Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio; 3. Bob Felmlee, Franklin, Pa.; 4. Andy McKisson, Strattanville, Pa.; 5. Thomas Winegardner, Pierson, Fla.; 6. Tim Hunter, Millersburg, Ohio; 7. Leo O'Malley, Austintown, Ohio; 8. Cody Jacobs,
Heat 02 -- 1. Mike Lutz, Sharon, Pa.; 2. Dale Blaney, Fowler, Ohio; 3. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 4. Scott Bonnell, Girard, Pa.; 5. Kyle Moffit, South Dayton, N.Y.; 6. Danny Holtgraver, Piitsburgh, Pa.; 7. Danny Mumaw, Wooster, Ohio; 8. Ricky Byers, Weirton, W. Va..
Heat 03 -- 1. Rchard Stenthouse jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 2. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 3. Nick Mulheim, Navarre, Ohio; 4. Dan Shetler, Windber, Pa.; 5. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio; 6. Brent Matus, Wampum, Pa.; 7. Bryan Grove, Beach City, Ohio; 8. Joe Butera, Wampum, Pa..
E-Mods
A-Main 01 -- 1. Kevin Harvick;; 2. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 3. Joel Watson, Ashtabula, Ohio; 4. Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, Pa.; 5. Quincy Turner, Jamestown, N.Y.; 6. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 7. Clint Bowyer;; 8. Joe Gabrielson, Bristolville, Ohio; 9. David Blaney, High Point, N.C.; 10. Aubrey Nolan, St Clairesville, Ohio; 11. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 12. Shawn Shingledecker, Franklin, Pa.; 13. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 14. Dave Willoughby, Warren, Ohio; 15. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 16. Mathew Cosner, Cumberland, Md.; 17. Tim Henrich, West Middlesex, Pa.; 18. Paul Phillips, Hartford, Ohio; 19. Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 20. Jack Young, Thompson, Ohio; 21. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 22. Tony Stewart, Charlotte, N.C.; 23. Scott Stiffler, Farmdale, Ohio; 24. Bill Thomas, Waterford, Pa.; 25. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio.
B-Main 01 -- 1. Joel Watson, Ashtabula, Ohio; 2. Shawn Shingledecker, Franklin, Pa.; 3. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool, Ohio; 4. Jeffrey Deeter, Titusville, Pa.; 5. David Tackett, Ripley, N.Y.; 6. Ed Wilson, Hermitage, Pa.; 7. Alex Fieser, McKeen, Pa.; 8. Kevin Miller II, Toronto, Ohio; 9. Timothy Engles, Franklin, Pa.; 10. Brian Douglas, PainesvilleTwp, Ohio; 11. Victor Vena, Shanolis, Pa.; 12. Clint Bowyer;; 13. Ron Jaeger, Girard, Ohio.
B-Main 02 -- 1. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 2. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 3. Brett Porter, Edinboro, Pa.; 4. Jeff Walters, Evans City, Pa.; 5. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio; 6. William Mechling JR, Warren, Ohio; 7. Jason Stanke, Columbiana, Ohio; 8. Eugen Stetson, North East, Pa.; 9. Shawn Scheerbaum, Evans City, Pa.; 10. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 11. Alan Dellinger, Hermitage, Pa.; 12. Greg Cizmar, Girard, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, Pa.; 2. Tony Stewart, Charlotte, N.C.; 3. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 4. Aubrey Nolan, St Clairesville, Ohio; 5. Bill Thomas, Waterford, Pa.; 6. David Tackett, Ripley, N.Y.; 7. Clint Bowyer;; 8. Kevin Miller II, Toronto, Ohio; 9. Timothy Engles, Franklin, Pa.; 10. Victor Vena, Shanolis, Pa.; 11. Jeffrey Deeter, Titusville, Pa.; 12. Ed Wilson, Hermitage, Pa..
Heat 02 -- 1. Quincy Turner, Jamestown, N.Y.; 2. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 3. Scott Stiffler, Farmdale, Ohio; 4. David Blaney, High Point, N.C.; 5. Tim Henrich, West Middlesex, Pa.; 6. Alex Fieser, McKeen, Pa.; 7. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool, Ohio; 8. Joel Watson, Ashtabula, Ohio; 9. Brian Douglas, PainesvilleTwp, Ohio; 10. Shawn Shingledecker, Franklin, Pa.; 11. Ron Jaeger, Girard, Ohio; 12. Russell Dunn, Fenelton, Pa..
Heat 03 -- 1. Dwayne Clay, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 2. Kevin Harvick;; 3. Dave Willoughby, Warren, Ohio; 4. Jack Young, Thompson, Ohio; 5. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio; 6. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 7. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 8. Alan Dellinger, Hermitage, Pa.; 9. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 10. William Mechling JR, Warren, Ohio; 11. Jeff Walters, Evans City, Pa..
Heat 04 -- 1. Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 2. Paul Phillips, Hartford, Ohio; 3. Joe Gabrielson, Bristolville, Ohio; 4. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 5. Mathew Cosner, Cumberland, Md.; 6. Brett Porter, Edinboro, Pa.; 7. Jason Stanke, Columbiana, Ohio; 8. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio; 9. Eugen Stetson, North East, Pa.; 10. Greg Cizmar, Girard, Ohio; 11. Shawn Scheerbaum
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