A collection of shots from track photographers Elaine & Jim Collum of Action Photos. See more of their shots here: actionphotosfremont.smugmug.com
Area Auto Racing News & National Speed Sport News photographer Rick Sherer
By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) Craig Mintz got a fantastic restart on the ninth lap of the feature at Attica Raceway Park Friday, moving from fourth to second and then drove around Greg Wilson to take the lead with a perfect slide job in turns three and four on lap 14, and cruised to his third win of the season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints.
Mintz’s eighth career victory at Attica also propelled him into the lead of the $10,000-to-win Kistler Racing Products Fremont Attica Sprint Title (FAST) Championship Series. Mintz won the very first FAST title in 2009. The victory on Croghan Colonial Bank/Flag City Recycling/Bob’s Machine Shop Night also gave Mintz the point lead for Attica Raceway Park.
“We got lucky on that restart…the guys ahead of us got hung up there a little bit by each other and there was an opening and I decided to try it. This GF1 Ti22 car…we’ve fallen in love with it lately,” said Mintz beside his Real Geese Decoys, R2C Filters, Erie Shore Propane, Kistler Engines, Design Graphics Group, Keller Chevrolet, Wasserman Construction, KS Sales and Service backed #09.
“Normally we run this place right in the middle and have won a couple races here like that. But I found some stuff at the top tonight that this car really liked. It was nice to be able to run it in there hard and straight and get the momentum down the back stretch going into three and try to do some slide jobs,” continued Mintz in the Engine Pro Victory Lane . “My guys over here, my dad, Kevin Shammo, Brad, my fiancée, Denny Keller…these guys put the car on the track and I just drive it.”
Fremont, Ohio’s D.J. Foos has one of the best winning percentages of any sprint car driver in the country. He took the lead on lap 2 and never looked back to claim the $1,200 Engine Builders’ Challenge presented by Level Performance and Gressman Powersports. It was the fifth win of the year at Attica for Foos out of the eight events to have taken place in 2012 and his seventh overall as he owns two victories at Fremont Speedway.
“I’d get a half a track lead and then there’d be a caution and I’d get another half track lead and another caution…I was looking for my crew on the cautions for someone to tell me how far ahead I was. I came here to win and we did it. I have to thank Dennis Level…he gives me the best motor,” said Foos beside his Advanced Fire Protection, Buckshot Farms, Pit Stop Carryout, Gyro Motorsports, Schiets Motorsports, Crown Battery backed machine.
“My buddy Keith told me I couldn’t run the bottom tonight, so I showed him I could. The car was good…my dad gave me the best race car he could and I drove the wheels off it and we’re taking home the big check tonight,” added Foos.
Tiffin, Ohio’s Art Ball has been battling some health issues of late, but at the age of 73 and in his 51st year of racing, he shows no signs of letting that stop him. He took the lead in the Bob’s Machine Shop/BMS Engines Dirt Truck feature on lap six and held off several late race challenges from Andy Keegan to post his 13th career win in the trucks at Attica .
“It’s past my bed time…I normally go to bed at 10. I had a little problem and they cured it yesterday,’ said Ball pointing to his left arm. “When you’re my age you get those little knicks and pains, but when I get behind the wheel of that truck they all seem to go away,” added Ball beside his Kear’s Speed Shop, Chaney Roofing, Ritzler Accounting, Nye Farms, Harley and Bev Lee backed machine.
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FAST 410 Sprints – Craig Mintz #09
At the start of the 30-lap 410 sprint feature, Todd Heller and Greg Wilson would bring the field to the green with Wilson gaining the advantage. Heller was then locked in a tremendous battle with Bryan Sebetto and Byron Reed for second. As they came down to conclude the second lap, Heller and Sebetto made contact, sending Sebetto spinning into the infield with front end damage and ending his night as he came into the event leading the Attica and FAST points.
On the restart Wilson would power away for the lead while Reed grabbed second with Heller, 7th starting Mintz, Stuart Brubaker, Brad Bowman, Phil Gressman and 17th starter Brian Smith in tow. As the top four continued in those positions, Smith was on the move, grabbing fifth by the seventh lap.
The caution would fly again on lap eight when Travis Philo and Duane Zablocki got together in turn one. Mintz made his big move on the ensuing restart, blasting from fourth to second. Wilson would see a big lead start to evaporate as Mintz closed lap after lap while Reed, Heller, Smith and Bowman were locked in a tremendous battle for third.
Mintz nearly took the lead on the high side exiting turn two on lap 13, but Wilson slid up to stop the run. But, Mintz stayed glued to Wilson ’s rear bumper and dove under him in turn three and slid up in front to take the lead as they came across the line to end the 14th lap.
The caution would fly at the half way point for a Brian Lay spin with the running order Mintz, Wilson, Reed, Smith, Bowman, Mike Linder and Heller. Smith would drive under Reed on the restart to take third while Mintz pulled away and Wilson ran comfortably in second.
With 10 laps to go, Smith and Bowman had caught Wilson and a fantastic three car battle ensued for second as Mintz was on cruise control out front. The final caution would fly on lap 20 for Zablocki and Philo once again, giving Mintz a clear track which he used to pull away on the restart.
The battle for second was still a dandy between Wilson, Smith and Bowman with 16th starter Linder and 17th starter Dean Jacobs closing. Bowman’s great run would take a set-back on lap 23 as he slid off the high side of turn three, losing six positions. As Mintz continued to stay ahead of the pack, Wilson , Smith and now Jacobs would battle for second.
Mintz would blast to the checkers, with Wilson holding on to second followed by Smith, Jacobs and Linder.
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FAST 305 Sprints – D.J. Foos #11F
Alvin Roepke and Bobby Clark would bring the 305 sprint field to the green in the 30-lap feature with Roepke grabbing the lead over Clark, Foos, Dustin Dinan and Paige Polyak. After a lap was completed, Paul Weaver would tumble in turn two, with Matt Ferrell, Jess Stiger and Troy Kingman spinning in the mêlée.
On the restart Foos would squeeze past both Clark and Roepke to take the lead. A caution for a Jim Taddeo spin after two laps were recorded would bunch the field back up. On the ensuing restart Foos would check out while Clark grabbed second from Roepke with Polyak, Dinan, Jason Keckler and 10th starting John Ivy in tow.
The caution would fly again on lap five for a Tyler Gunn spin with the running order Foos, Clark, Roepke, Dinan, Polyak, Keckler, Ivy, Jordan Ryan and 18th starter Caleb Griffith. While Foos would again run away from the field on the restart, Clark and Roepke traded the runner-up spot over the next five laps until the caution for a Stiger spin.
Once again Foos would power away on the restart over Clark, Roepke, Dinan, Ivy, Polyak, Keckler and Griffith . At the half-way point, Clark was beginning to eat into Foos’ big lead as they raced into lapped traffic. But once through the lapped cars, Foos would pull away. The final caution would fly on lap 18 when Polyak lost her brakes and slid off the top of turn one as her radiator hose broke, covering her legs with hot water (she was okay).
On the ensuing restart, Foos pulled away from Clark and Ivy grabbed third from Dinan. With five laps to go, Foos held a half track lead over Clark who was locked in a great battle for second with Ivy while Dinan, Roepke, Griffith and Nate Dussel, who flipped hard in his heat and was driving from 17th starting spot. Foos would encounter lapped cars with three laps remaining, but was able to slice his way through for the win with Ivy taking second in the last four laps followed by Clark, Dinan and Griffith .
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Bob’s Machine Shop Dirt Trucks – Art Ball #01
Cory Ward and Art Ball would bring the dirt truck field to the green in their 15-lap feature with Ward taking the lead. After a lap was completed, Chuck Roelle and Craig Holland would get hooked together to bring out the caution. On the restart Ward would continue to lead Ball with Jimmy McGrath Jr., Jeff Wank, Kent Brewer, Steve Endicott and Andy Keegan in tow. As they came down to complete the fifth lap, Ward slid up the track a bit and Ball pounced, driving under him. Ward tried to get back to the bottom, but Ball had no where to go and they made contact, sending Ward spinning and bringing out the caution as several other trucks were collected.
Ball would stay glued to the bottom on the restart with Brewer, Keegan, McGrath and Dan Roepke Jr. giving chase. Would bring the caution back out on lap eight. On the restart, Willie Keegan and McGrath would get together to bring the yellow back out.
Ball was able to get great restarts to stay in the lead while Brewer was locked in a tight race for second with Andy Keegan and Roepke. Keegan would take the runner-up spot on lap 10 with Roepke moving into third a lap later when the final caution would fly for Dwight Waltermeier.
Ball would slip up slightly on the restart allowing Keegan to get a run to his inside. But, Ball, who has won track championships in the former street stock division at Attica , would fend off the challenge and drive to the win over Keegan, Roepke, Brewer and Endicott.
Attica Raceway Park will have double points on the line next Friday for the Burns Electric Mid-Season Championship for the 410 sprints, UMP Late Models, 305 sprints and dirt trucks.
For more information go to www.atticaracewaypark.com
Attica Raceway Park – 6/8/2012
Croghan Colonial Bank/ Bob’s Machine Shop/ Flag City Recycling Night
O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints (26 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[2] ; 2. 14H-Todd Heller[3] ; 3. 12-Jarred Ridge[1] ; 4. 5R-Byron Reed[9] ; 5. O-Lee Jacobs[6] ; 6. 3-Mike Linder[4] ; 7. 60-Jody Keegan[7] ; 8. 46AU-Stuart Williams[5] ; 9. 69-Scott Curren[8]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 53-Phil Gressman[1] ; 2. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[6] ; 3. 35-Stuart Brubaker[4] ; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 5. 45L-Brian Lay[5] ; 6. 1X-Matt Linder[9] ; 7. 73-Joe Armbruster[3] ; 8. 27-Scott Euler[2] ; 9. 97-Dean Jacobs[7]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 16-Chris Andrews[1] ; 2. 5T-Travis Philo[4] ; 3. 55-Brad Bowman[7] ; 4. O9-Craig Mintz[8] ; 5. 2+-Brian Smith[6] ; 6. 14-Chad Wilson [5] ; 7. 3F-Rick Frahley[2]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 3-Mike Linder[1] ; 2. 97-Dean Jacobs[10] ; 3. 14-Chad Wilson [3] ; 4. 60-Jody Keegan[4] ; 5. 46AU-Stuart Williams[7] ; 6. 1X-Matt Linder[2] ; 7. 27-Scott Euler[8] ; 8. 73-Joe Armbruster[5] ; 9. 3F-Rick Frahley[6]
A-Main – (30 Laps)
1. O9-Craig Mintz[7]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [2]; 3. 2+-Brian Smith[15]; 4. 97-Dean Jacobs[17]; 5. 3-Mike Linder[16]; 6. O-Lee Jacobs[13]; 7. 16-Chris Andrews[9]; 8. 45L-Brian Lay[14]; 9. 55-Brad Bowman[6]; 10. 60-Jody Keegan[19]; 11. 53-Phil Gressman[11]; 12. 5R-Byron Reed[5]; 13. 14-Chad Wilson [18]; 14. 35-Stuart Brubaker[3]; 15. 46AU-Stuart Williams[20]; 16. 12-Jarred Ridge[10]; 17. 14H-Todd Heller[1]; 18. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[8]; 19. 5T-Travis Philo[12]; 20. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[4]
Hard Charger: 97-Dean Jacobs[+13]
Fremont Fence 305 Sprints (30 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 8B-Bobby Clark [6] ; 2. 5R-Jordan Ryan[1] ; 3. 36-Seth Schneider[8] ; 4. 1W-Paul Weaver[9] ; 5. 67M-Matt Ferrell[7] ; 6. 68G-Tyler Gunn[3] ; 7. 6L-Talon Stephens[2] ; 8. 35-Josh Burdette[4] ; 9. 1-Nate Dussel[5] ; 10. 40-Caleb Griffith [10]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 25-Jason Keckler[1] ; 2. 5-Dustin Dinan[4] ; 3. 8K-John Ivy[2] ; 4. 13-Junior Felver[3] ; 5. 39-Matt Merrill[8] ; 6. 83X-Nate Reeser[9] ; 7. 91-Troy Kingman[6] ; 8. 72C-Ross Moore [5] ; 9. 19R-Steve Rando[7] ; 10. 22D-Dan Hammond [10]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 27-Paige Polyak[5] ; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos[2] ; 3. OO-Alvin Roepke[6] ; 4. 8J-Jess Stiger[3] ; 5. 4T-Jim Taddeo[8] ; 6. 94K-Kurt Huber[4] ; 7. 13D-Jeremy Duposki[1] ; 8. 4M-Jamie Miller[10] ; 9. 9-Jimmy Colvin[7]
Dash #1 – OC Shocks
1. OO-Alvin Roepke[2] ; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos[5] ; 3. 27-Paige Polyak[3] ; 4. 25-Jason Keckler[6] ; 5. 8J-Jess Stiger[4] ; 6. 1W-Paul Weaver[1]
Dash #2 – Computer Man Inc.
1. 8B-Bobby Clark [2] ; 2. 5-Dustin Dinan[3] ; 3. 5R-Jordan Ryan[6] ; 4. 36-Seth Schneider[1] ; 5. 8K-John Ivy[5] ; 6. 13-Junior Felver[4]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 4M-Jamie Miller[9] ; 2. 1-Nate Dussel[10] ; 3. 40-Caleb Griffith [13] ; 4. 19R-Steve Rando[11] ; 5. 91-Troy Kingman[5] ; 6. 72C-Ross Moore [8] ; 7. 6L-Talon Stephens[4] ; 8. 68G-Tyler Gunn[1] ; 9. 94K-Kurt Huber[3] ; 10. 3F-Dean Kester[15] ; 11. 83X-Nate Reeser[2] ; 12. 9-Jimmy Colvin[12] ; 13. 22D-Dan Hammond [14]
A-Main – (30 Laps)
1. 11F-D.J. Foos[3]; 2. 8K-John Ivy[10]; 3. 8B-Bobby Clark [2]; 4. 5-Dustin Dinan[4]; 5. 40-Caleb Griffith [18]; 6. OO-Alvin Roepke[1]; 7. 4M-Jamie Miller[16]; 8. 1-Nate Dussel[17]; 9. 19R-Steve Rando[19]; 10. 25-Jason Keckler[7]; 11. 36-Seth Schneider[8]; 12. 5R-Jordan Ryan[6]; 13. 67M-Matt Ferrell[13]; 14. 39-Matt Merrill[14]; 15. 13-Junior Felver[12]; 16. 68G-Tyler Gunn[21]; 17. 4T-Jim Taddeo[15]; 18. 91-Troy Kingman[20]; 19. 27-Paige Polyak[5]; 20. 8J-Jess Stiger[9]; 21. 72C-Ross Moore [22]; 22. 1W-Paul Weaver[11]
Hard Charger: 40-Caleb Griffith [+13]
Bob Machine Shop Dirt Trucks (24 Trucks)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 17-Bob Dible[2] ; 2. 5JR-Jimmy McGrath Jr.[5] ; 3. 4X-Brian Sorg[4] ; 4. 8KB-Kent Brewer[3] ; 5. 33C-Kyle Cline[6] ; 6. 40-Lee Moore [7] ; 7. 33-Brian Arnold [8] ; 8. 44-Todd Keegan[1]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. O-Andy Keegan[3] ; 2. P51-Willie Keegan[1] ; 3. O1-Art Ball[5] ; 4. O9-Jeff Wank[4] ; 5. 71-Craig Holland [6] ; 6. 39-Dwight Waltermier[7] ; 7. 52-Charlie Gingerich[2] ; 8. 4-Ron Sorg Jr.[8]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 88-Dan Roepke Jr.[2] ; 2. D1-Dustin Keegan[4] ; 3. 18W-Cory Ward[1] ; 4. 8-Steve Endicott[6] ; 5. 3R-Chuck Roelle[3] ; 6. 95-Keith Sorg[5] ; 7. 73-Darrin Basinger[7] ; 8. 85-Brandon Stuckey[8]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 95-Keith Sorg[3] ; 2. 39-Dwight Waltermier[2] ; 3. 44-Todd Keegan[7] ; 4. 33-Brian Arnold [4] ; 5. 4-Ron Sorg Jr.[8] ; 6. 52-Charlie Gingerich[5] ; 7. 40-Lee Moore [1] ; 8. 73-Darrin Basinger[6]
A-Main – (20 Laps)
1. O1-Art Ball[2]; 2. O-Andy Keegan[9]; 3. 88-Dan Roepke Jr.[10]; 4. 8KB-Kent Brewer[4]; 5. 8-Steve Endicott[7]; 6. 4X-Brian Sorg[8]; 7. 33-Brian Arnold [19]; 8. D1-Dustin Keegan[11]; 9. 17-Bob Dible[12]; 10. 5JR-Jimmy McGrath Jr.[3]; 11. P51-Willie Keegan[6]; 12. 95-Keith Sorg[16]; 13. 44-Todd Keegan[18]; 14. 4-Ron Sorg Jr.[20]; 15. 39-Dwight Waltermier[17]; 16. O9-Jeff Wank[5]; 17. 18W-Cory Ward[1]; 18. 33C-Kyle Cline[13]; 19. 3R-Chuck Roelle[15]; 20. 71-Craig Holland [14]
Hard Charger: 33-Brian Arnold [+12]
©2012 – Results Provided by: Computer Man Inc. Fremont, OH
By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) A lot has changed in sprint car racing over the past 34 years. But, as the old saying goes, “as much as things change, they remain the same.”
That’s especially true with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Back in the early days of the organization, it was Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell battling for wins and championships. Fast forward to 2012… and it’s still Steve and Sammy battling for the point lead of the World of Outlaws as they get set for Northern Ohio’s only visit of “The Greatest Show on Dirt” on Friday, June 1st at Attica Raceway Park .
And just like the first time the World of Outlaws visited Attica in 1990, the tough weekly competition at “ Ohio ’s Finest Racing” speed plant will provide the travelling teams of the series with stiff competition.
With just two races prior to the Outlaws’ visit to Attica, 20 time series champion Steve Kinser, who won the first two World of Outlaw shows at Attica in 1990 and 1991, held a slim 18 point lead over Swindell, a three time series champion, who took an Outlaw victory at Attica in 1994.. Kinser has scored two wins in 2012 while Swindell has 4 series’ wins.
Four time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz, a teammate of Kinser’s at Tony Stewart Racing, sits third in the 2012 standings with three feature wins. Schatz has won two of the last three World of Outlaws features at Attica, including last season’s exciting slide-job-trading win over Craig Dollansky, his first series’ win of 2011.
Kinser and Swindell each have four career wins at Attica while Schatz has two.
Joey Saldana, piloting a Kasey Kahne Racing entry, sits fourth on the Outlaws’ tour with two victories. Saldana captured many All Star Circuit of Champion wins at Attica over the years and took the World of Outlaws win at the track in 2007. He has six career victories at ARP.
Dollansky sits fifth in the Outlaw point standings with 3 wins in 2012. He has one career win at Attica.
Others expected to travel to Attica include Kraig Kinser, who is sixth in the Outlaw points; Chad Kemenah, who sits third on Attica’s all-time win list with 20 victories and scored an Outlaw win at Eldora recently; Cody Darrah, who sits 8th in the Outlaws points; Kerry Madsen who is ninth in the series’ points, Lucas Wolfe who is 10th in the points; Jason Sides, who is 11th in the standings; and Bill Rose, who is 12th in the points.
Look for Jac Haudenschild, Paul McMahan, who has an Outlaw win this season; and many of the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions such as Tim Shaffer, who has 10 career wins at Attica; Dale Blaney, who has 3 wins at Attica in 2012 and 16 career victories at the track and took the Outlaw win in 2009; David Gravel who has several top 10 runs with the Outlaws in 2012 and scored a series win in 2011; and more.
Then throw in the tough Attica weekly competitors like defending champion Dean Jacobs, who recently scored at win at Fremont Speedway and has 10 career victories at Attica; Bryan Sebetto, who scored a win recently at Attica and has 4 career victories at the track; Craig Mintz, who has two wins at Attica in 2012 and 7 total at the track in his career; Byron Reed, a six time Attica champion who has 28 career wins at the track to sit second on the all-time win list; Greg Wilson, who has 15 career wins at Attica; Phil Gressman, who has six career wins at Attica and sits third in the track’s current points; 2009 track champion Chris Andrews, who sits third in the track’s 2012 point standings; and a host of others.
Then throw in possibilities like several Pennsylvania teams and Stevie Smith, who has taken World of Outlaw wins at Attica in 1994 and 2005 and has four career wins at Attica.
And, to make things more interesting, the “locals” have plenty of monetary incentive to beat the Outlaws.
Not only will the teams be battling for the $10,000 payday for the 40-lap Kistler Engines Classic, but there are plenty of bonus funds up for grabs. Any driver in the Top-25 of Attica Raceway Park ’s weekly point standings who defeats the Outlaws for the feature victory will get an additional $2,500 from Attica Raceway Park . Should that driver also be in the Top-10 of the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champion’s National point standings through May 27th, there is another $1,000 bonus from that series. Also, engine manufacturers Kistler Engines, Gressman Powersports and Level Performance are offering a $2,000 gift certificate if one of the Top-25 in Attica ’s weekly point standings is running an engine built by one of those companies and wins the race. Also, All Pro Aluminum Heads is giving a $250 gift certificate if the race winner is using their engine heads.
Attica Raceway Park will also give the highest finisher in the A-Main that is in the track’s Top-25 in points a $500 bonus. If a driver in the Top-25 in points wins the race, then the second highest feature finisher in the Top-25 in points will get the $500 bonus.
And if that weren’t enough, Attica Raceway Park is one of very few tracks across the country to support those drivers who are in the top 25 in the season point standings, to pay for the $125 World of Outlaws membership fee for the June 1st show.
The Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Models will also be in competition battling it out for $1,000 to win.
General admission tickets to the Kistler Engines Classic featuring the World of Outlaw Sprint Series are $30 for adults; $15 for teens ages 11-15; with kids 10 and under free. Pit passes will be $35 each. The top six rows in the middle grandstands (sections D, E, F and G) are reserved. Call 419-680-5606 or go to www.atticaracewaypark.com to view the reserved seating chart.
Pit gates will open Friday, June 1 at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands gates opening at 4 p.m. and racing at 7:45 p.m.
There are camping sites available with a limited number with electric hook-up (available for $10 per day).
Go to www.atticaracewaypark.com or www.woosprint.com
A collection of shots from track photographers Elaine & Jim Collum of Action Photos. See more of their shots here: actionphotosfremont.smugmug.com
Area Auto Racing News & National Speed Sport News photographer Rick Sherer
By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) Dale Blaney went where no one else wanted to go at Attica Raceway Park Friday, living up to his moniker “The Low Rider.” The Hartford , Ohio resident’s bottom line proved to be very beneficial, as he was able to avoid several early race incidents from his 12th starting spot and went on to earn his 16th career victory on Merrill Lynch/All Pro Aluminum Heads Night.
Blaney now has three wins in 2012 at Attica and is fifth on the track’s all-time win list for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints. But, it wasn’t easy, as he avoided the early race pitfalls and then battled Dean Jacobs and Bryan Sebetto the last half of the race before taking the lead with 10 circuits to go.
“I just stayed on the bottom… no one else was racing there so it was wide open and the car was good down there. We have been really fast all season and I’m looking forward to the big shows coming up,” said Blaney beside his Ti22 Performance #2. “The whole trick was to be patient and take what the car and traffic would give you.”
In the Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Models, Rusty Schlenk battled with defending track champion Ryan Missler early, and then figured out his high line was not the best place to be and tried the bottom on a restart with 15 laps to go and steadily pulled away for his 13th career Attica win and the second of the season.
“I saw Ryan down there and when that yellow came out I made up my mind I was going to go down there and the car worked perfect. We weren’t that good early in the year, but we have it figured out now,” said Schlenk beside his Lazer Chassis, Micro-Armor Lubricants, Main & Company, Zeller Automotive, Kercher Engines backed machine.
In the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints, Caleb Griffith refused to go to the bottom and would ride the track’s outer rim to lead all 25 laps, holding off a charging D.J. Foos, to score his third career win at Attica Raceway Park .
“The car was very good every where tonight. This one is for my crew chief Vic…he celebrated his birthday this week and he gave me the present of a great car tonight,” said Griffith beside his Tackle Box 2, Young’s Breading and Batter Mix, McDonalds Restaurant, Al Davis Carpet and Laminate, JLH General Contractors backed #40.
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FAST 410 Sprints – Dale Blaney #2
In the 410 sprint 30-lap feature, Brian Lay and Dean Jacobs would lead the field to the green, but several cars made contact in turn one, sending Lee Jacobs upside down. On the restart Dean Jacobs would power into the lead over Lay, Bryan Sebetto, Phil Gressman, Byron Reed, Andrew Palker and Brad Bowman. By the second lap, Sebetto and Dean Jacobs were running nose to tail with Gressman staying within striking distance while Lay, Reed, Bowman, Palker, Craig Mintz and Blaney battled hard for fourth. Marty Perovich would get upside down in turn four on lap three to stop the action.
On the restart, Dean Jacobs, Sebetto and Gressman continued to wage a torrid battle for the top spot with Lay, Reed and a very quick Blaney in tow. When Duane Zablocki spun on lap eight, the crowd was now paying attention to Blaney who had climbed to fifth. On the restart, however, now all eyes were on Brandon Martin who had climbed to seventh from his 18th starting spot.
Jacobs and Sebetto would continue to run nose to tail, pulling away from Gressman who had his hands full with Blaney and Reed. Blaney would drive under Gressman for third on lap 13 and quickly closed on the front duo. At the half way point, Dean Jacobs still led over Sebetto, Blaney, Gressman, Reed, Mintz, Lay, 14th starter Danny Smith and Bowman. Blaney would drive under Sebetto and beside Dean Jacobs on lap 19 and would take the lead a circuit later.
Blaney would then hit lapped traffic and would pull away as no one else seemed to want to run the bottom groove. Meanwhile Dean Jacobs and Sebetto raced hard for second with Reed, Gressman, Mintz and Smith in tow. With five laps to go, Sebetto would race inside of Dean Jacobs for second and take the runner-up spot with four laps to go. However, no one was going to catch Blaney as he drove to the win over Sebetto, Dean Jacobs, Reed and Mintz.
With is second place run, Sebetto would maintain his lead in the Kistler Racing Products Fremont Attica Sprint Title (FAST) Championship Series, which he took the title in last season.
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Summit UMP Late Models – Rusty Schlenk #91
John Bores and Justin Chance would bring the UMP late models to the green to start the 25 laps feature, but a caution on the start for a Cody Scott spin would necessitate a complete restart. When the green came out, Chance would rocket into the lead over third starter Schlenk with Ryan Missler, John Bores, Mike Bores and John Mayes Jr. in tow. Schlenk would driver around Chance for the lead on lap two as Chance spun in turn four, collecting Mike Bores. Schlenk would bang up against the outside cushion on the restart as Missler raced to his inside. That tandem would battle side by side over the next few laps until Missler grabbed the lead on lap 8, with Schlenk regaining the top spot a lap later as they continued to race side by side.
Meanwhile there was a tremendous battle for third involving John Bores, Larry Kingseed, Mayes, Casey Noonan, Jeff Babcock, John Henry and Troy Catterene. Catterene would spin on lap 10, collecting Henry. This time on the restart Schlenk decided on the bottom groove and it worked to perfection as he steadily pulled away. Missler would then battle with Babcock the remainder of the race. Schlenk wouldn’t catch the back of the field until he took the white flag, but he was able to maintain his lead and the win over Missler, Babcock, Kingseed and John Bores.
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FAST 305 Sprints – Caleb Griffith #40
Jason Keckler and Griffith would pace the field at the start of the 305 sprint main with Griffith using the high line to immediately take the lead. Griffith built a sizeable lead with all eyes on the battle for second between Keckler, Dustin Stroup, D.J. Foos, John Ivy, Steve Rando, Paige Polyak and Nate Dussel. Foos would grab third on lap eight and second by lap 10 and began closing on Griffith .
A spat of cautions on laps 12 and 13 slowed the race pace, with first Dustin Dinan spinning, then a Steve Rando tip-over on the ensuing restart, followed a lap later by a Dustin Stroup spin after contact with Polyak. When the green came back out, Dussel would grab third from Keckler as Griffith pulled away from Foos. Keckler would rebound to regain the third spot on lap 15 with Polyak taking fourth a lap later.
Griffith hit lapped traffic with about five laps to go, allowing Foos to close ever so slightly. But, it was too little too late as Griffith drove to the checkers. Foos, Paul Weaver (from 14th), Keckler and Dussel would round out the top five.
It was also the first race of the FAST Championship Series for the 305 sprints.
Attica Raceway Park will be silent next week in preparation for the June 1st appearance of the World of Outlaw Sprint cars. For reserve seat information and more go to www.atticaracewaypark.com
Attica Raceway Park – 5/18/2012
Merrill Lynch / All Pro Aluminum Heads Night
O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints (31 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 2-Dale Blaney[3] ; 2. O9-Craig Mintz[1] ; 3. 3-Mike Linder[2] ; 4. O-Lee Jacobs[8] ; 5. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[7] ; 6. 17-Marty Perovich[5] ; 7. 16-Chris Andrews[10] ; 8. 2+-Brian Smith[9] ; 9. 60-Jody Keegan[11] ; 10. 11N-Ed Neumeister[4] ; 11. 98-Robert Robenalt[6]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 57X-Andrew Palker[1] ; 2. 97-Dean Jacobs[3] ; 3. 45L-Brian Lay[2] ; 4. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[7] ; 5. 4-Danny Smith[6] ; 6. 44-Austen Wheatley[9] ; 7. 15H-Mitch Harble[4] ; 8. 12-Jarred Ridge[10] ; 9. 11-Shawn Hubler[5] ; 10. 9X-Brandon Martin[8]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 35-Stuart Brubaker[1] ; 2. 53-Phil Gressman[5] ; 3. 5R-Byron Reed[6] ; 4. 55-Brad Bowman[3] ; 5. 14H-Todd Heller[7] ; 6. 22-Cole Duncan [10] ; 7. 14-Chad Wilson [8] ; 8. 73-Joe Armbruster[2] ; 9. 5T-Travis Philo[9] ; 10. 69-Scott Curren[4]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (12 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 44-Austen Wheatley[2] ; 2. 16-Chris Andrews[4] ; 3. 9X-Brandon Martin[14] ; 4. 2+-Brian Smith[7] ; 5. 17-Marty Perovich[1] ; 6. 14-Chad Wilson [6] ; 7. 11N-Ed Neumeister[13] ; 8. 60-Jody Keegan[10] ; 9. 15H-Mitch Harble[5] ; 10. 11-Shawn Hubler[11] ; 11. 69-Scott Curren[15] ; 12. 73-Joe Armbruster[9] ; 13. 5T-Travis Philo[12] ; 14. 22-Cole Duncan [3] ; 15. 12-Jarred Ridge[8] ; 16. 98-Robert Robenalt[16]
A-Main – (30 Laps)
1. 2-Dale Blaney[12]; 2. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[4]; 3. 97-Dean Jacobs[2]; 4. 5R-Byron Reed[3]; 5. O9-Craig Mintz[9]; 6. 53-Phil Gressman[6]; 7. 4-Danny Smith[14]; 8. 57X-Andrew Palker[5]; 9. 55-Brad Bowman[7]; 10. 44-Austen Wheatley[16]; 11. 45L-Brian Lay[1]; 12. 9X-Brandon Martin[18]; 13. 2+-Brian Smith[19]; 14. 16-Chris Andrews[17]; 15. 35-Stuart Brubaker[11]; 16. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[13]; 17. 3-Mike Linder[10]; 18. 14H-Todd Heller[15]; 19. 17-Marty Perovich[20]; 20. O-Lee Jacobs[8]
Hard Charger: 2-Dale Blaney[+11]
Summit Racing Equipment Late Models (24 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 15-Jon Henry[2] ; 2. 1N-Casey Noonan[1] ; 3. 21-Larry Kingseed[3] ; 4. O1-Justin Chance[5] ; 5. 99-Steve Sabo[4] ; 6. 46-Ken Hahn[6] ; 7. 23-Mike Hudson [7]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 91-Rusty Schlenk[5] ; 2. 48-John Bores[3] ; 3. 69-John Mayes Jr.[6] ; 4. 1-Jeff Babcock[8] ; 5. 9C-Troy Cattarene[1] ; 6. 56-B.J. Gregory[7] ; 7. 75-Dusty Moore [2]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 50Y-Ryan Missler[7] ; 2. 15B-Mike Bores[3] ; 3. 5H-Ernie Haynes[6] ; 4. 92-Cody Scott[8] ; 5. 8-Rob Anderzack[5] ; 6. 30-Nate Potts[2] ; 7. X3-Dan Wallace[4] ; 8. O6-Kyle Perry[1]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. X3-Dan Wallace[6] ; 2. 56-B.J. Gregory[2] ; 3. 30-Nate Potts[3] ; 4. 23-Mike Hudson [4] ; 5. 46-Ken Hahn[1]
A-Main – (25 Laps)
1. 91-Rusty Schlenk[3]; 2. 50Y-Ryan Missler[4]; 3. 1-Jeff Babcock[10]; 4. 21-Larry Kingseed[8]; 5. 48-John Bores[1]; 6. 1N-Casey Noonan[7]; 7. 15-Jon Henry[12]; 8. O1-Justin Chance[2]; 9. X3-Dan Wallace[16]; 10. 5H-Ernie Haynes[9]; 11. 69-John Mayes Jr.[6]; 12. 99-Steve Sabo[13]; 13. 92-Cody Scott[11]; 14. 30-Nate Potts[18]; 15. 8-Rob Anderzack[15]; 16. 56-B.J. Gregory[17]; 17. 9C-Troy Cattarene[14]; 18. 46-Ken Hahn[20]; 19. 15B-Mike Bores[5]; 20. 23-Mike Hudson [19]
Hard Charger: 1-Jeff Babcock[+7]
Fremont Fence 305 Sprints (27 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 – Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 25-Jason Keckler[3] ; 2. 4M-Jamie Miller[2] ; 3. 19R-Steve Rando[4] ; 4. 5R-Jordan Ryan[1] ; 5. 68G-Tyler Gunn[8] ; 6. 22D-Dan Hammond [5] ; 7. 39M-Matt Merrill[7] ; 8. 77S-Jim Sipe[9] ; 9. 3B-Jeremy Duposki[6]
Heat 2 – Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 40-Caleb Griffith [3] ; 2. 8K-John Ivy[5] ; 3. 9-Jimmy Colvin[7] ; 4. 83X-Nate Reeser[1] ; 5. 1W-Paul Weaver[8] ; 6. 13-Junior Felver[4] ; 7. 36-Seth Schneider[9] ; 8. 8J-Jess Stiger[6] ; 9. 5-Dustin Dinan[2]
Heat 3 – Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 10X-Dustin Stroup[1] ; 2. 1-Nate Dussel[6] ; 3. 27-Paige Polyak[2] ; 4. 11F-D.J. Foos[7] ; 5. 4T-Jim Taddeo[3] ; 6. 72C-Ross Moore [4] ; 7. 67M-Matt Ferrell[9] ; 8. 91-Troy Kingman[5] ; 9. 94K-Kurt Huber[8]
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 13-Junior Felver[2] ; 2. 5-Dustin Dinan[11] ; 3. 22D-Dan Hammond [1] ; 4. 39M-Matt Merrill[4] ; 5. 67M-Matt Ferrell[6] ; 6. 72C-Ross Moore [3] ; 7. 91-Troy Kingman[9] ; 8. 36-Seth Schneider[5] ; 9. 8J-Jess Stiger[8] ; 10. 94K-Kurt Huber[12] ; 11. 77S-Jim Sipe[7]
A-Main – (25 Laps)
1. 40-Caleb Griffith [2]; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos[5]; 3. 1W-Paul Weaver[14]; 4. 25-Jason Keckler[1]; 5. 1-Nate Dussel[9]; 6. 8K-John Ivy[7]; 7. 39M-Matt Merrill[19]; 8. 27-Paige Polyak[6]; 9. 9-Jimmy Colvin[12]; 10. 4M-Jamie Miller[10]; 11. 5-Dustin Dinan[17]; 12. 5R-Jordan Ryan[8]; 13. 67M-Matt Ferrell[20]; 14. 10X-Dustin Stroup[4]; 15. 83X-Nate Reeser[11]; 16. 13-Junior Felver[16]; 17. 68G-Tyler Gunn[13]; 18. 19R-Steve Rando[3]; 19. 4T-Jim Taddeo[15]; 20. 22D-Dan Hammond [18]
Hard Charger: 39M-Matt Merrill[+12]
©2012 – Results Provided by: Computer Man Inc. Fremont , OH