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Dave Constantino wins Checkers Out / Dirt Track Digest Throw Down
The Checkers Out Speedway go-cart track in Johnstown NY hosted the first ever Dirt Track Digest Throwdown on Saturday afternoon at their beautiful indoor facility. The event helped raise money for a local child who is battling cystic fibrosis. In addition, competitors were asked to provide a canned good for the local food bank. Over forty-five people signed up to race in the event and at least two-thirds of the field were drivers from the local speedways. Dave Constantino won the 40-lap A-main. Jim King and Paul Smalz announced the event and took part as drivers as well. Both proved that they are very good announcers.
Each competitor ran in two heat races to set the grid for the main events, with the best drivers of the day running in the A-main for the big trophy and bragging rights. The story in the early mains was Chris House, the younger brother of Justin House. Chris started in the E-main and advanced to the next main by finishing in the top three. Chris continued to advance all the way up to the B-main, but finished one spot out of a transfer to get into the A-main.
When the green flag did drop for the 40-lap A-main mayhem broke out on the track as all the drivers tried to get to the bottom line. DIRTcar Sportsman Champion for 2007, Joe Williams, led the first lap with Mark Hughes and Craig Barker in tow. Bryan Runkle transferred from the B-main and was up to third on lap two. Lap 5 saw Hughes get around Williams for the lead, but Williams regained the lead two laps later. The top five on lap ten was Williams, Bryan Runkle, Dave Constantino, Mike Runkle and Barker.
Williams caught the back of the field and had to battle lapped traffic by lap 16. The field got bunched up in turn three and that allowed Rob Runkel to grab the lead. Constantino also made a bid for the lead in the melee but wound up parked facing the inside wall. Williams regained the front spot on lap 24 but lost it again in a three-wide battle for the lead to Mike Runkel. Three laps later Williams muscled his way back to the lead with Barker now in tow.
With ten laps to go another three wide battle for the lead allowed Constantino to take the top spot. Jeremy Wilder moved into third and Williams shuffled back to third. Constantino was able to pull away a little bit as Wilder and Williams traded the second position for several laps. In the end, it was Constantino sporting an open-faced helmet of Maynard Forrette taking the checkered flag first. Williams held off Wilder for second and Wilder finished third.
It was a great day that helped raise money for a family in need. It was a lot of fun for some of the fans to be able to race against the drivers that they watch on a weekly basis at the speedways in the area. The Hile family made the long haul from Syracuse just to take part today and they probably get the long haul award. Thanks to all the people that came out the Checkers Out Speedway today. Thanks to Donnie Greco and his staff at the track and to everyone that helped make this event fun and successful. For more information about how you can race at the Johnstown track go to www.checkersout.com. Plans are already in the works for 2009 for the second annual DTD Throwdown in 2009.
CHECKERS OUT-DIRT TRACK DIGEST THROWDOWN A-MAIN OFFICIAL FINISH (40-LAPS) DAVE CONSTANTINO, Joe Williams, Jeremy Wilder, Mike Runkle, Aaron Jacobs, Bryan Runkle, Craig Barker, Mark Hughes, Rob Hile
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