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Tri State Outlook
by Duane Hancock
Finally, the sprint car season got under way in
Ohio last weekend. There was plenty of wet weather all
week plus, the first part of the weekend. Attica
Raceway Park officials, along with the All Stars,
didn't let that keep them from getting the Coor's
Light Spring Clash in the books. It took many hours of
prep time all week long but, after the Friday night
show was pushed back to Saturday, the track was ready
for racing action. The grounds of ARP was still plenty
wet Saturday. An excellent job by the entire ARP crew
to point teams and fans in the right direction for
minimal problems on the wet grounds.
With all the tracks in Ohio and Western PA rained
out, a nice field of cars was on hand. 41 cars
officially took times for the program. Brian
Ellenberger set quick time on the night. The track was
not what everyone was expecting. Most thought it would
be super heavy, single groove surface. Surprise, it
was in great shape when the night started an actually
a little dust was kicking up. As the night went on and
the sun went down, the moisture came out of the track
making it rough and heavy. The ARP crew took every
advantage they could to keep the track in safe racing
shape. There was some ruts and bumps but the racing
was great. Plenty of side by side racing, wheelies,
bicycling, and passing.
A strong Western Pa showing as Rob Eyler, Rod
George, Caleb Griffith, and Brian Paulus took the heat
race wins. Caleb had his car all but over and still
held on for the win. Joking during the radio interview
I had with him, he was looking for belly-pan sponsors
for his next race. Bob Felmlee took the Dash win. To
that point in the night, no major carnage, just a few
broken parts and pieces due to the ruts. Really an
excellent job by all as the pre-race chat was, how
much stuff is going to get tore-up since its opening
night and a cowboy-up style track to boot. Did I say
how good the racing was, oh yeah, I think I did. A
stacked B Main was many drivers were getting the
winter rust knocked off in the heat races. A wild B
Main it was. Andy Shammo had a strong run come to an
end right in front of the field coming off turn 4. All
was good but Andy's night was done. PA's Craig Folmar
and Tim Hunter made contact going down the back
stretch, Folmar took a wild tumble. Mark Keegan was on
the edge all race long running in a transfer spot
until, he kangaroo hopped one too many times in turn
2, stalling the car. When it was all said and done
Mike Linder took the win from his 8th place starting
spot. Kenny Jacobs, Butch Schroeder, up from 14th, and
Cap Henry, up from 15th took the transfer spots. Guys
like Martin, Keegan, Harrison, Shammo, and Andrews
missed the A Main. Cap Henry was just going to take a
few laps and pull in during the B. He was just there
to shake down his 360 and ending up running very well
through the ruts. He stuck it out and made his first
ever All Star A Main. This was his first ever attempt
in a sprint car that had a power plant bigger than the
305 he normally races.
In an agreed effort of safety, the 40 lap A Main
was cut to a 30 lapper. The ARP crew did all they
could to keep as smooth as possible racing surface.
With all the rains and moisture in the ground, the
track was getting stubborn to work with and kept
rutting up. So 30 laps it was. In all honesty, many
really didn't think they could pull the show off at
all but, they did and a good one as well. The new
format for the line-up, 6 young fans draw cards for
the top 6 fastest drivers, put Ellenberger and Lee
Jacobs on the front row. Ellenberger got the jump on
the start to take the lead. Lance DeWease quickly shot
from 4th to 2nd to challenge Ellenberger. Lap 2,
DeWease takes the lead. As the pack was coming into
turn 3, heading towards lap 3, Ellenberger breaks a
shock and flips hard off the top of turn 3. Brian was
OK. DeWease gets a good restart and opens about a 8
car length lead. Lap 5, Eyler stops. Lap 6, George
stops. Finally, the race stay under green. DeWease
maintains a decent lead but, Byron Reed is moving
closer and closer. Reed makes up about a 10 car length
deficit to get on Lance's tail tank. They battle. Lap
15, Reed takes the lead. They race 2 and 3 wide,
bouncing thru the rough stuff. DeWease regains his
momentum and is hot on Reed's tail tank. Lap 22,
DeWease shoots past Reed, wait yellow for a Randy
Hannagan spin. Hannagan was in 3rd working towards the
lead pack. During the yellow, Reed pulls into the work
area, giving the lead back to DeWease. Reed had a
o-ring fall off the fuel valve. With a clear track and
just 8 laps to go, DeWease just had to keep it upright
thru the rough stuff to take the win. Lance showcased
why he is one of the PA Posse's best and holds on for
the win. Dale Blaney, Dean Jacobs, Greg Wilson, and Ed
Lynch Jr rounded out the top 5.
First off, I must correct myself from my last
column. I stated the NRA and SOD were both taking on
the 305's at Fremont Speedway August 9th. My bad!!!!
It is JUST the NRA vs 305's. Thanks to all who pointed
that out to me. I was just testing you all to see who
actually reads this stuff..lol. No, not really, just
messed-up. Maybe I was wishing it was SOD and NRA vs
the 305's like it has been in the past...Chad Blonde
will be home early in the morning on Saturday April
26th, just in time to head to Eldora for the All Star
race. Chad has been in Australia racing since late
December. Look for Chad in his familiar 5B for some
races once he gets back.
UPCOMING: Friday and Saturday the 30th anniversary
tour of the World of Outlaws hits Eldora Speedway for
the first time in 08. Lets hope Mother Nature holds
off so we can get this one in. This is always one of
the best WOO shows of the year at Eldora. Other action
places the MSCS Sprints at Brownstown IN Saturday
night.
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