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Heydenreich Wins ARDC Career First at Big Diamond
By Mark Kielblock
Minersville, Pa. - An ARDC win has been three years in the making for Eric Heydenreich. Shortly after sweeping into victory lane at Big Diamond Raceway Friday night, he summed up just what it meant to him. "If I never win another race, that'll be fine," a beaming Heydenreich said. "I won an ARDC Midget race."
One of the reasons an ARDC win is so important to Eric Heydenreich is that his cousin and open wheel driving legend Johnny Heydenreich owns 36 of them. Johnny sits eighth on the ARDC All-Time Feature Winners list covering the period of 1955-2006. Other names on that list include Ed "Dutch" Schaefer, Johnny Coy, Sr. and Len Duncan. Lofty company indeed.
Greg Robinson of Harrisburg and Brett Arndt led the 26 car field to the green flag. Eric Heydenreich made his intentions known right from the drop of the green as he powered out of his third starting spot and had the lead before the completion of lap one. As Heydenreich immediately stretched his lead on the field, Robinson served notice that he was ready to have the break-out race of his rookie ARDC season. Robinson held on to second spot as Tracy Readinger advanced from his fifth starting spot and began to put pressure on the rookie. Readinger tried high and low for several laps, but Robinson steadfastly held the spot.
Finally, just before halfway Readinger was able to wrestle the spot from Robinson. While Readinger and Robinson were disputing second place, the other action on the track was provided by ARDC's top-two point men -- Andy Martin and Frank Polimeda. Martin advanced into the top-ten from his eighteenth starting spot while Polimeda came through from sixteenth. Also forging his way to the front was a driver who has caught fire of late, Bruce Buckwalter. Buckwalter started sixth and came forward to slot into third spot behind Heydenreich and Readinger.
The only thing that could slow Heydenreich on this night were caution flags on lap four, seven and thirteen. "I was just hammer down on those restarts," Heydenreich said. "On one of the yellows Tracy pulled along side and tried to psyche me out. I don't think he got that close to me when we were racing," Heydenreich smiled. "When I saw the halfway sign it seemed like it took forever for the race to be over. This is my dream come true."
Readinger agreed that he didn't have much for Heydenreich. "I used up every adjustment I had in the cockpit, there just wasn't anything left and I couldn't catch him. I'm happy for second, after all the bad luck we've had lately -- including earlier tonight."
Third place Buckwalter was equally as pleased as his two other victory lane mates. "I've just gotta thank my crew for sticking with me all year. This team is starting to pick up momentum now. I've also got to thank Bryan Kobylarz and 'Two Dogs Racing' for helping us out." The third place finish was Buckwalter's second top-five in a row. Frank Polimeda completed his charge from the rear by finishing fourth behind Buckwalter, Robinson had a career-high fifth and Andy Martin finished up sixth.
28 ARDC Midgets signed in for competition. Heat races went to Bruce Buckwalter, Ryan Watt and Frank Polimeda.
1) 11 Eric Heydenreich 2) 2 Tracy Readinger 3) 83 Bruce Buckwalter 4) 44 Frank Polimeda 5) 00 Greg Robinson 6) 21 Andy Martin 7) 54 Ryan Smith 8) 46 Brett Arndt 9) 6 Ed Stimely, Jr. 10) 75 Ryan Watt 11) 9 Steve Lenig 12) 27 Randy Monroe, Jr. 13) 19 Phil Meisner 14) 29 Zack Martini 15) 14 AJ Ernesto 16) 33 Lew Blair 17) 64 Brett Conkling 18) 25 Chris Zrinski 19) 96 Jim Jackson 20) 78 Nick Wean 21) 38 Bob Goerner 22) 51 PJ Gargiulo 23) 16 Dave Shirk 24) 61 PJ Pavlick 25) 95 Mark Lawshe
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