A collection of shots from track photographers Elaine & Jim Collum of Action Photos. See more of their shots here: actionphotosfremont.smugmug.com
By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) You would have to excuse Vienna, West Virginia’s Steve Shaver if he had trouble finding VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane at Attica Raceway Park Friday night. He had never been there in a World of Outlaws Late Model event let alone at “Ohio’s Finest Racing” speedplant.
Shaver, aboard his Drywall Systems Inc, United Bank, Lakeview Estates, Malcuit Racing Engines, late model, led all 50 laps on Construction Equipment and Supply Night to take home the $10,000 pay check. But, it wasn’t easy, as he had to withstand several challenges from George Satterlee, then Robbie Blair, followed by Josh Richards and finally defending World of Outlaw champion Darrell Lanigan.
Image”This is a great feeling. I just want to thank my guys for working hard. Today’s my son Dylan’s birthday, so happy birthday,” said a beaming Shaver.
“I just tried to stay in the black on the high side. Later in the race I tied to squeeze it down a little bit. The car was good, the Malcuit Engine was great, the Rocket Chassis was great and the Hoosier tires were wonderful,” added Shaver. “The track was wonderful and the fans were great too.”
Gibsonburg, Ohio’s Craig Mintz is working on the best season of his young career behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car. His hot streak continued, as he led all 30 laps to take his second win of the season at Attica. Mintz came into the event the point leader in the Kistler Racing Products Fremont Attica Sprint Title championship standings and he padded his lead with his fourth FAST victory of 2009. Mintz has not scored six 410 sprint feature wins in 2009.
“If you would have told me at the beginning of the season I would have six wins I would have told you you were crazy. But I’ve never doubted these guys. Bobby’s team (Bobby Sears) and our team have been clicking. They’re really good guys. Bobby and Kellie stepped up and really helped us out. When we run the 20x it’s just as fast. It’s just a great thing we’re running so well on these FAST nights…we’ve been lucky,” said Mintz beside his Bobby’s Truck and Auto Repair, Pumps Landscaping and Nursery, Erie Shore Propane Real Geese Decoys backed sprint car.
It wasn’t easy for Mintz as Brandon Wimmer raced under him several times in turns one and two. Mintz was great on the high side in turns three and four, but Wimmer was better on the bottom of turns one and two.
“I saw him under me a couple times and thought about going down there. But the curb around this place is like hitting a brick wall. And I tried to stay off of it, and stay as fast as I could in one and two and hammer down in three and four,” added Mintz.
ImageAt the drop of the green in the late model feature, Shaver used the high line to grab the lead with Satterlee racing Blair, Tim Dohm, Josh Richards and Lanigan for second. Blair would take second on lap four with last year’s Attica winner Richards grabbing third on lap six. Shaver was able to pull away slightly, but the race for second was a dandy between Blair, Richards, Satterlee and Lanigan.
Lanigan was the car on the move as he grabbed third on lap 12 and bolted into second a lap later. Still Shaver raced comfortably in the lead when the first caution would fly on lap 17. On the restart, Lanigan tried to drive under Shaver, but couldn’t get the pass. Three laps later, another caution, then a lap and the final caution of the night would fly on lap 20 with the running order Shaver, Richards, Lanigan, Satterlee and Blair. All eyes were on 9th place starter Steve Francis who had clawed his way to the top five by lap 22.
On the final restart, Richards tried the bottom groove to get around Shaver, but Shaver was just too strong up top, though he couldn’t put any distance between himself and the tremendous battle for second. With 20 laps remaining, the huge crowd was treated to a fantastic battle for second with Richards, Lanigan and Francis. Behind them was a good race between Satterlee, Rick Eckert and 17th place starter Brady Smith.
Lanigan would retake second on lap 33 while Richards, Francis, Eckert and Smith duked it out for third. With nine laps to go, Lanigan had closed the gap on Shaver and was racing to his inside. Soon, Richards would make it a three car battle for the lead. With five laps remaining, Francis crept into third and began pressuring Lanigan for the runner-up spot. This allowed Shaver to get away ever so slightly as he blasted across the start finish line for the victory. Francis’ great run through the pack would net him a runner-up finish with Lanigan, Richards and Smith rounding out the top five.
ImageWimmer would jump into the early led of the sprint feature, only to see it come to a grinding halt for a nasty tumble by Chris Andrews who was uninjured. Mintz would use the second attempt at the start to jump into the lead while Wimmer battled Sam Hafertepe Jr., Greg Wilson and Brandon Martin for second. A caution on lap four would bunch up the field, but Mintz would pull away while Wimmer and Hafertepe waged a torrid battle for second and Wilson, Martin and 11th place starter Tim Shaffer raced hard in their tire tracks.
Mintz could not shake Wimmer who continually raced under him in turns one and two while Hafertepe was right there to pounce if they made a mistake. Shaffer would move into fourth on lap 12. Mintz hit lapped traffic by lap 16 and used it to pull away slightly. However, the final caution on lap 20 would bunch up the field, allowing Wimmer to drive to Mintz’s inside again. However, now Hafertepe wanted in on the action and stole second from Wimmer on lap 22. Wimmer would attempt a slide-job on Hafertepe exiting turn two on lap 23 and the two would touch, with Hafertepe almost getting upside down. He was able to gather it back up but had fallen to fifth.
With five laps remaining, Mintz again saw pressure from Wimmer on the bottom while Shaffer raced right on their rear bumpers. Meanwhile Hafertepe, Wilson, Martin an Brock Mayes waged a tremendous battle for fourth.
At the checkered flag, Mintz won by a car length over Wimmer with Shaffer, Wilson and Hafertepe rounding out the top five.
Attica Raceway Park will be back in action on Friday, July 31 with another Kistler Racing Products FAST points night for the 410 sprints with the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints and the Fultz Fabrications and Speed Shop UMP Late Models also in action. For times, ticket prices and directions log onto www.atticaracewaypark.com
Attica Raceway Park – 7/24/2009
Construction Equipment & Supply Night
World of Outlaws Late Model Series
Qualifying – Hualmark Trailers
1. 17T-Tim Dohm; 2. 12D-Doug Drown; 3. 7-Matt Miller; 4. 99B-Rick Briggs; 5. 22S-Greg Satterlee; 6. 29-Darrell Lanigan; 7. 18-Dustin Hapka; 8. 55V-Jeep Vanwormer; 9. 24-Rick Eckert; 10. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr.; 11. 30-Steve Shaver; 12. W11-Robbie Blair; 13. 3-Brent Robinson; 14. 1-Josh Richards; 15. 39-Tim McCreadie; 16. 25-Shane Clanton; 17. 56-Russell King; 18. 64-Jerry Bowersock; 19. 9K-Mike Knight; 20. 99M-Donnie Moran; 21. 1S-Chub Frank; 22. 2-Brady Smith; 23. C9-Steve Casebolt; 24. 44-Clint Smith; 25. 19-Steve Francis; 26. 21M-Jason Montgomery; 27. 1H-Jon Henry; 28. 12B-Jordan Bland; 29. 19T-Tim Fuller; 30. 49-Brian Ruhlman; 31. 11H-Austin Hubbard; 32. 21L-Matt Lux; 33. 40WD-Dusty Moore; 34. 5M-Ryan Markham; 35. 11R-Tyler Reddick; 36. 15B-Mike Bores; 37. 40M-Wayne Moffett Jr.; 38. 5H-Ernie Haynes; 39. 93T-Jeff Esbenshade; 40. 50Y-Ryan Missler; 41. 2D-Curtis Deisenroth; 42. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergen; 43. 27-Ken Hahn; 44. 83-Noah Wagner; 45. 22G-Jill George; 46. 51-Devin Schields; 47. 48-John Bores; 48. 12S-Michael Stiltner; 49. 3R-Chuck Roelle; 50. 69-John Mayes Jr.; 51. 50L-Chuck Hummer; 52. 41-Randy Pollock; 53. 99S-Steve Sabo; 54. 15M-Justin McNeill
Heat 1 – Ultra Schield Race Products (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer)
1. 22S-Greg Satterlee; 2. 17T-Tim Dohm; 3. 19-Steve Francis; 4. 24-Rick Eckert; 5. 19T-Tim Fuller; 6. 1S-Chub Frank; 7. 56-Russell King; 8. 40WD-Dusty Moore; 9. 22G-Jill George; 10. 40M-Wayne Moffett Jr.; 11. 3-Brent Robinson; 12. 2D-Curtis Deisenroth; 13. 3R-Chuck Roelle; 14. 99S-Steve Sabo
Heat 2 – Bell Racing (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer)
1. 29-Darrell Lanigan; 2. 12D-Doug Drown; 3. 1-Josh Richards; 4. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr.; 5. 2-Brady Smith; 6. 21M-Jason Montgomery; 7. 64-Jerry Bowersock; 8. 49-Brian Ruhlman; 9. 5M-Ryan Markham; 10. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergen; 11. 15M-Justin McNeill; 12. 5H-Ernie Haynes; 13. 69-John Mayes Jr.; 14. 51-Devin Schields
Heat 3 – Friendship Food Stores (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer)
1. 30-Steve Shaver; 2. 9K-Mike Knight; 3. 11H-Austin Hubbard; 4. 7-Matt Miller; 5. 18-Dustin Hapka; 6. C9-Steve Casebolt; 7. 1H-Jon Henry; 8. 11R-Tyler Reddick; 9. 39-Tim McCreadie; 10. 27-Ken Hahn; 11. 48-John Bores; 12. 50L-Chuck Hummer; 13. 93T-Jeff Esbenshade
Heat 4 – Tin Lizzy Collision (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer)
1. 55V-Jeep Vanwormer; 2. W11-Robbie Blair; 3. 12B-Jordan Bland; 4. 44-Clint Smith; 5. 99M-Donnie Moran; 6. 21L-Matt Lux; 7. 50Y-Ryan Missler; 8. 99B-Rick Briggs; 9. 25-Shane Clanton; 10. 15B-Mike Bores; 11. 41-Randy Pollock; 12. 83-Noah Wagner; 13. 12S-Michael Stiltner
B-Main #1 – Computer Man Inc. (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer)
1. 2-Brady Smith; 2. 3-Brent Robinson; 3. 64-Jerry Bowersock; 4. 21M-Jason Montgomery; 5. 49-Brian Ruhlman; 6. 40WD-Dusty Moore; 7. 15M-Justin McNeill; 8. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergen; 9. 22G-Jill George; 10. 5H-Ernie Haynes; 11. 51-Devin Schields; 12. 3R-Chuck Roelle; 13. 69-John Mayes Jr.; 14. 19T-Tim Fuller; 15. 56-Russell King; 16. 2D-Curtis Deisenroth; 17. 40M-Wayne Moffett Jr.; 18. 1S-Chub Frank; 19. 5M-Ryan Markham; 20. 99S-Steve Sabo
B-Main #2 – Computer Man Inc. (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer)
1. 99M-Donnie Moran; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie; 3. 18-Dustin Hapka; 4. 25-Shane Clanton; 5. 1H-Jon Henry; 6. 99B-Rick Briggs; 7. 11R-Tyler Reddick; 8. 27-Ken Hahn; 9. 50Y-Ryan Missler; 10. 15B-Mike Bores; 11. 93T-Jeff Esbenshade; 12. 41-Randy Pollock; 13. 50L-Chuck Hummer; 14. 21L-Matt Lux; 15. 83-Noah Wagner; 16. C9-Steve Casebolt; 17. 48-John Bores; 18. 12S-Michael Stiltner
A-Main – (50 Laps) [#]-Starting Position
1. 30-Steve Shaver[2]; 2. 19-Steve Francis[9]; 3. 29-Darrell Lanigan[5]; 4. 1-Josh Richards[6]; 5. 2-Brady Smith[17]; 6. 24-Rick Eckert[13]; 7. 19T-Tim Fuller[20]; 8. 22S-Greg Satterlee[1]; 9. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr.[10]; 10. 12B-Jordan Bland[8]; 11. W11-Robbie Blair[4]; 12. 9K-Mike Knight[7]; 13. 1S-Chub Frank[25]; 14. 99M-Donnie Moran[14]; 15. 11H-Austin Hubbard[11]; 16. 55V-Jeep Vanwormer[22]; 17. 25-Shane Clanton[23]; 18. 18-Dustin Hapka[18]; 19. 3-Brent Robinson[19]; 20. 39-Tim McCreadie[16]; 21. 7-Matt Miller[15]; 22. 44-Clint Smith[12]; 23. 12D-Doug Drown[24]; 24. 64-Jerry Bowersock[21]; 25. 17T-Tim Dohm[3]
410 Sprints
Kistler Racning Products Fremont/ Attica Sprint Title (F.A.S.T.) Series Night #15
Heat 1 – Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. O-Brandon Wimmer; 2. 15C-Chris Andrews; 3. O9-Craig Mintz; 4. 5R-Byron Reed; 5. 3J-Kevin Lee; 6. 53-John Ivy; 7. 12-Caleb Griffith; 8. 16-Bryan Sebetto
Heat 2 – Bell Racing (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 11B-Brock Mayes; 2. 11M-Brandon Martin; 3. 83-Tim Shaffer; 4. 9Z-Duane Zablocki; 5. 25-Lee Jacobs; 6. X-Mark Keegan; 7. 2+-Brian Smith; 8. 48S-Andy Shammo
Heat 3 – Friendship Food Stores (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.; 2. W20-Greg Wilson; 3. 312-Mike Linder; 4. 5T-Travis Philo; 5. 22-Cole Duncan; 6. O4-Cap Henry; 7. 27-Scott Euler; 8. 40-Mark Imler
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 12-Caleb Griffith; 2. X-Mark Keegan; 3. O4-Cap Henry; 4. 2+-Brian Smith; 5. 16-Bryan Sebetto; 6. 53-John Ivy; 7. 27-Scott Euler; 8. 40-Mark Imler; 9. 48S-Andy Shammo
A-Main – (30 Laps) [#]-Starting Position
1. O9-Craig Mintz[1]; 2. O-Brandon Wimmer[2]; 3. 83-Tim Shaffer[11]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson[6]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[4]; 6. 11M-Brandon Martin[3]; 7. 11B-Brock Mayes[10]; 8. 5R-Byron Reed[5]; 9. 12-Caleb Griffith[16]; 10. 312-Mike Linder[12]; 11. 5T-Travis Philo[9]; 12. O4-Cap Henry[18]; 13. 2+-Brian Smith[19]; 14. X-Mark Keegan[17]; 15. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[8]; 16. 25-Lee Jacobs[14]; 17. 3J-Kevin Lee[13]; 18. 22-Cole Duncan[15]; 19. 16-Bryan Sebetto[20]; 20. 15C-Chris Andrews[7]
By Kevin Kovac (World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director)
(Attica, OH) Josh Richards turned a corner in his career when he won last year’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Attica Raceway Park.
Fourteen months later, the 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., will return to the one-third-mile oval on Friday night (July 24) with his racing fortunes flying even higher.
With the WoO LMS headed to Attica on Friday for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main that is scheduled as the second stop of the four-race Ohio Speedweek, Richards sits atop the tour’s points standings and 2009 win list. He’s flashing true championship form – the elusive combination of speed and smarts he showed he was capable of when he captured last year’s inaugural series event at the high-banked track in the center of the Buckeye State.
Richards drew raves for his ’08 performance at Attica. Racing at a bullring he had never before seen, the 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year demonstrated a veteran’s poise as he patiently chased fellow Outlaw Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., until finally pulling off a high-side move to assume command with six laps remaining.
It was a hallmark night for Richards. Yes, he had won seven WoO LMS A-Mains before reaching Victory Lane at Attica, but his eighth career triumph was just different. Something seemed to click in the youngster’s head that evening. He didn’t force the issue, didn’t wear out his tires, didn’t get over-anxious. He just calmly waited for his inevitable opportunity to pass Frank, who had gone too soft with his tire choice, and seized it.
“My car felt really good the whole race,” Richards said after his win on May 16, 2008. “I knew (Frank) couldn’t pull away, so I thought if I just maintained, there would be a chance that I could get by him.
“He looked a little too tight to run the top, and my car was just balanced well. I don’t know if he was fading just a little to where he had to search (for a line), but when he moved down (on lap 44) I snuck around the outside of him and got the lead.”
Frank, a hard-nosed 47-year-old whose racing career has stretched nearly a decade longer than Richards’s life, led the chorus of observers hailing Richards after the event.
“Josh did a very good job,” said Frank. “He was very patient. He didn’t do anything that would’ve wrecked either one of us. He took his shots when he thought he had ‘em, and when he couldn’t clear me on those ‘sliders’ he got out of the gas and let me go.
“I think that was very good for him to see that patience sometimes is better than being aggressive.”
While Richards hasn’t been perfect since that spring night at Attica, he’s certainly emerged as a serious championship contender. He went on to finish second in last year’s points standings and tie Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the most wins on the ’08 tour, and this season he’s stepped up to threaten the tour’s modern-day (2004-present) single-season win record and thrust himself into a tight title battle with former champions Francis and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. – two drivers Richards calls “the best point racers in the country.”
Driving his father Mark’s familiar Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket No. 1, Richards enters the WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek on a major tear. He’s won six of the last 11 tour A-Mains – including a victory in the last series event, on July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., during which he used his head and well as his right foot to survive a surface that wore tires – to leave him just two wins shy of matching Scott Bloomquist’s single-season win standard (nine victories in 2004).
In addition, since last year’s Attica event, no driver has won more WoO LMS A-Mains than Richards, whose 11 victories over the past 58 races have pushed him to second on the tour’s modern-day win list, with 19 wins.
What’s more, Richards is gaining national notoriety beyond the dirt tracks. Earlier this year he made his NASCAR asphalt debut in a Camping World East Series event, and last Saturday night he ran his first ARCA superspeedway race at Kentucky Speedway.
“Hopefully we can keep up our momentum on the Ohio swing,” said Richards, who holds a 10-point lead over both Francis and Lanigan entering the WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek. “I’m definitely looking forward to going back to Attica. That race last year was one of the most fun races I’ve ever run. It’s a real racy track.”
Frank will be one of the WoO LMS drivers looking to slow down Richards at Attica. Last year’s second-place finisher at ARP, the veteran comes into Ohio Speedweek riding a frustrating 14-month, 57-race winless streak on the tour.
Lanigan, who finished third last year at Attica, and Francis (eighth place) will arrive in Ohio just below Richards on the ‘Who’s Hot’ scale. Lanigan won two of the four A-Mains on the recent WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour,’ while Francis is second to Richards with five wins this season and owns runner-up finishes in the last two WoO LMS events.
Other World of Outlaws travelers ready for Ohio Late Model Speedweek include Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.
An impressive influx of regional and local drivers are expected to challenge the Outlaws at Attica, which runs UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Models as part of its weekly shows. Last year’s WoO LMS field numbered a healthy 52 cars.
Several drivers have listed all the Ohio Speedweek events on their schedules, including Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., and Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y.
Other drivers expected at Attica include 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., Wayne Chinn of Tipp City, Pa., Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, Rusty Schlenck of Jackson, Mich., Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, Doug Drown of Wooster, Ohio, and Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind.
Friday’s show will offer show-up points and some bonus cash for Attica’s weekly UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model competitors. The top 20 drivers in Attica’s points standings are eligible to collect a $1,000 bonus if they win the WoO LMS A-Main; if an Attica driver doesn’t pull off the upset, then the highest-finisher in the A-Main who’s ranked among the top 20 in the Attica points will receive $500.
In addition, there’s the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash that goes to the highest-finishing driver in the A-Main who has never won a tour event and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.
Friday’s program, which also includes a complete show for Attica’s regular 410 Sprint Car division, will see racing action begin at 7:45 p.m. Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for teens 11-15 and free for kids 10-and-under. Pit passes are $35.
Additional info on Attica’s WoO LMS event is available by logging on to www.atticaracewaypark.com.
The WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek kicks off on Thurs., July 23, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. After Attica, the swing will also visit Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, on Sat., July 25, and Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., on Sun., July 26.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.
A collection of shots from track photographers Elaine & Jim Collum of Action Photos. See more of their shots here: actionphotosfremont.smugmug.com
By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) A late race caution helped Wooster, Ohio’s Doug Drown gather his composure and go on to score his first career late model victory at Attica Raceway Park Friday on Bazell Race Fuels/Underground Utilities Night.
Bradner, Ohio’s Nate Dussel has had a great week. On Saturday he scored the 305 sprint victory at Fremont, and just six days later captured his first career victory at Attica Raceway Park.
It looked like Dwight Waltermeier would cruise to his second straight win in the dirt trucks at Attica. However, a broken rear-end sent his truck tumbling with just two laps remaining, handing the lead and the victory to Art Ball. It was Ball’s fourth win of the season at Attica and his 12th career victory in the division, the most all-time.
Drown drove the high line around Jon Henry on a lap 12 restart to take the lead exiting turn two in eh 25-lap Ludwig Propane feature for the Fultz Fabrications and Speed Shop UMP Late Models. However, Henry would methodically work the bottom groove and was challenging Drown over the next 11 laps until the caution flew with just two to go. Drown moved to the bottom of the track and successfully held off Henry for the win.
Image”When I saw Jon on the inside of me…the one I was actually worried about was Rusty (Schlenk) because I know he has a Rayburn (chassis) and would probably get up there on the cushion a little bit better than most, so I was surprised to keep seeing Jon coming in the inside,” said Drown beside his Wooster Glass, Becker Farms, D.J. Directional Services, Malcuit Racing Engines backed late model.
“A couple of weeks ago here we were challenging but I had the battery die on me so I definitely didn’t want to let this one get away. I knew if I took his (Henry) line he’d have to earn it a little bit and get up on the wheel,” added Drown of his first win of the season. “It’s been a real tough season. We had a good run going here…we’ve had a good strong car, but just haven’t gotten the job done. We were used to Rockets and now we have a Lazer Chassis and we’re doing some adjustments and getting used to it. It flexes a lot more than my Rocket…just some odds and ends things to get used to. With the World of Outlaws coming here next week, this definitely helps to get some test and tune in.”
Dussel took the lead of the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints feature on lap 14, and utilized the top side of the track to build a lead, only to see Bobby Clark use the same line to hunt him down. But, Dussel picked his way through lapped traffic and went on to the victory.
“Once again, Mike and Craig (Dussel) put a great car under me. I just had to be patient with the lapped cars. What a week it’s been, I just hope we can keep it up,” said Dussel beside his Berrier Fabrication, Dussel Welding, OC Shocks backed sprint car.
In the 15-lap dirt track feature, Waltermeier grabbed the early lead while Ball worked his way into second and drove under the leader several times, but a handful of cautions slowed Ball’s momentum. However, Ball could see something amiss in the rear-end of Waltermeier’s truck, and just as the leader entered turn one to complete the 13th lap, something broke, sending Waltermeier tumbling. Ball would cruise to the victory.
“He was having a few problems there the last few laps. I hated to see that happen to Dwight…but those things happen,” said Ball, beside his Magers Lumber, Kear’s Speed Shop, Chaney Roofing and Maintenance backed truck. “We’ve been doing alright…things have been going our way.”
Henry would grab the lead at the start of the late model feature from his outside front row starting spot, but Dusty Moore would pressure him while Drown held third with Ryan Missler and Justin Chance battling for fourth. Henry and Moore raced side-by-side until the first yellow flew on lap nine for Steve Kester. On the restart, Drown would drive around Moore into second and begin his battle with Henry. A caution on lap 11 would set up Drowns winning move. As the green came back out he bolted to the top side of turns one and two and shot past Henry. The car on the move was Rusty Schlenk as he moved into third from his 11th starting spot on lap 12. But, during a caution on lap 13, Schlenk would head pitside with mechanical woes.
Drown and Henry would wage a great battle over the next nine laps while behind them, Missler, Moore and Ken Hahn would fight it out for third. Just when it looked like Henry might have enough on the bottom of the track to get around Drown, the caution would fly for John Bores on lap 22. Drown regrouped and moved to the bottom to stop Henry’s advance and would go on to take the checkered with Henry, Moore, Missler and Hahn rounding out the top five.
ImageFourth place starter Matt Ferrell would drive around the high side and into the lead at the start of the 305 sprint feature with Zack Kramer, Dussel, Matt Merrill, Steve Rando and Stuart Brubaker right on his tail. Kramer would use the bottom groove to take the lead a lap later while Ferrell ran comfortably in second and the real battle was for third between Dussel, Merrill, Brubaker and Rando. Following a lap five caution, Ferrell’s run would end when his engine let go, moving Dussel to second and Rando to third. The race would go the rest of the distance without a caution.
Kramer would continue to lead, but Dussel, using the high line, was slowly chopping away at his advantage. Meanwhile there was a heck of a battle for third between Rando, Brubaker, 11th starter Bobby Clark and Paul Weaver. Brubaker would grab third on lap 2 with Clark also utilizing the high line to take fourth. Dussel would keep his momentum up and fly around Kramer into the lead on lap 14 and would hit lapped traffic a lap later. Kramer began to fade, and on lap 10, Clark would drive around Brubaker and Kramer into the runner-up position.
While Dussel was working through traffic, Clark was flying around the track’s rim and closed within three car lengths when Dussel took the white flag. Entering turn three and four for the final time, Dussel made a great move, splitting two lapped machines, as he went on to nip Clark for the victory. Brubaker, Rando and Kramer would round out the top five.
ImageIn the 15-lap truck feature, while Waltermeier was cruising out front early, the real battle was behind him between Dave Gibbs, Ball, Brian Arnold, Paul Brown Jr. and Alex Wiechman. After a lap three caution for Brown, the race gathered some steam, allowing Ball to close in on Waltermeier while Wiechman took third on lap six with Arnold and Kent Brewer battling for fourth. Following a lap 12 caution, Waltermeier and Ball would race side-by-side the next lap and Wiechman and Arnold raced door-to-door for third, while the crowed watched a great charge from Dan Hennig who had moved from 16th to sixth. Then disaster struck for Waltermeier a lap later. On the restart, Ball pulled away the final two laps for the victory while Wiechman, Arnold, Brewer and Hennig would round out the top five.
Attica Raceway Park will play host to the best dirt late model racers in the world on Friday, July 24, as the World of Outlaw Late Models come calling for $10,000 to win. The 410 sprints are also in action for $3,000 to win. For ticket prices and times go to www.atticaracewaypark.com
Attica Raceway Park – 7/17/2009
Underground Utilities/ Bazell Fuels Night
Fultz Fabrication & Speed Shop UMP Late Models
Heat 1 – Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 12D-Doug Drown; 2. 1-Jon Henry; 3. 27S-Eric Spangler; 4. 40-Wayne Maffett Jr.; 5. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergern; 6. 12-Michael Stiltner; 7. 51-Devin Schields; 8. 15B-Mike Bores; 9. 3R-Chuck Roelle
Heat 2 – Bell Racing (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. O1-Justin Chance; 2. 91-Rusty Schlenk; 3. 40WD-Dusty Moore; 4. 27-Ken Hahn; 5. 33-Bryan Koebbe; 6. 5H-Ernie Haynes; 7. 93T-Jeff Esbenshade; 8. O3-Jim Gingery; 9. 71-Dave Hornikem
Heat 3 – Friendship Food Stores (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 5M-Ryan Markham; 2. 50Y-Ryan Missler; 3. 48B-Mike Marteney; 4. 48-John Bores; 5. 77-Steve Kester; 6. 92-Noah Wagner; 7. 69-John Mayes Jr.; 8. 99-Steve Sabo; 9. 12M-Bobby Michaels
B-Main – Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 51-Devin Schields; 2. 5H-Ernie Haynes; 3. 21-Larry Kingseed; 4. 3R-Chuck Roelle; 5. 69-John Mayes Jr.; 6. 99-Steve Sabo; 7. O3-Jim Gingery; 8. 12-Michael Stiltner; 9. 12M-Bobby Michaels; 10. 92-Noah Wagner; 11. 15B-Mike Bores
A-Main – (25 Laps) [#]-Starting Position
1. 12D-Doug Drown[3]; 2. 1-Jon Henry[2]; 3. 40WD-Dusty Moore[1]; 4. 50Y-Ryan Missler[4]; 5. 27-Ken Hahn[12]; 6. O1-Justin Chance[6]; 7. 27S-Eric Spangler[5]; 8. 33-Bryan Koebbe[14]; 9. 3R-Chuck Roelle[19]; 10. 48-John Bores[9]; 11. 21-Larry Kingseed[18]; 12. 91-Rusty Schlenk[11]; 13. 5M-Ryan Markham[10]; 14. 48B-Mike Marteney[8]; 15. 51-Devin Schields[16]; 16. 40-Wayne Maffett Jr.[7]; 17. 5H-Ernie Haynes[17]; 18. 69-John Mayes Jr.[20]; 19. 77-Steve Kester[15]; 20. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergern[13]
Fremont Fence 305 Sprints
Heat 1 – Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 19R-Steve Rando; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos; 3. 8K-Zack Kramer; 4. 1-Nate Dussel; 5. 1W-Paul Weaver; 6. 51-Brad Bowman; 7. 94-John Ivy; 8. 10X-Dustin Stroup
Heat 2 – Bell Racing (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 35-Stuart Brubaker; 2. 13-Junior Felver; 3. 40-Bobby Clark; 4. 22D-Dan Hammond; 5. 2-Tim Kern; 6. 83X-Nate Reeser; 7. 71-Bill Kraylek; 8. 8J-Jess Stiger; 9. 29-Chris Lang
Heat 3 – Friendship Food Stores (8 Laps – Top 5 Transfer)
1. 67M-Matt Ferrell; 2. 14-Chad Wilson; 3. M28-Josh Muntz; 4. 39-Matt Merrill; 5. 28-Shawn Valenti; 6. 41-Dustin Dinan; 7. 31-Chuck Wilson; 8. 65-Mark Lang
A-Main – (25 Laps) [#]-Starting Position
1. 1-Nate Dussel[2]; 2. 40-Bobby Clark[11]; 3. 35-Stuart Brubaker[6]; 4. 19R-Steve Rando[3]; 5. 8K-Zack Kramer[1]; 6. 1W-Paul Weaver[13]; 7. 11F-D.J. Foos[12]; 8. 39-Matt Merrill[7]; 9. 13-Junior Felver[8]; 10. 22D-Dan Hammond[9]; 11. 2-Tim Kern[14]; 12. 28-Shawn Valenti[15]; 13. M28-Josh Muntz[5]; 14. 31-Chuck Wilson[19]; 15. 14-Chad Wilson[10]; 16. 71-Bill Kraylek[18]; 17. 10X-Dustin Stroup[20]; 18. 83X-Nate Reeser[16]; 19. 8J-Jess Stiger[21]; 20. 65-Mark Lang[22]; 21. 67M-Matt Ferrell[4]; 22. 41-Dustin Dinan[17]
Computer Man Dirt Trucks
Heat 1 – Ultra Schield Race Products (8 Laps – Top 8 Transfer)
1. O1-Art Ball; 2. 39-Dwight Waltermier; 3. 30-Dave Gibbs; 4. 71-Craig Holland; 5. P51-Paul Brown Jr.; 6. 4X-Brian Sorg; 7. 5F-Skeeter Fitch; 8. 9-Curt Inks; 9. 13S-James Saam
Heat 2 – Bell Racing (8 Laps – Top 8 Transfer)
1. 33-Brian Arnold; 2. 8K-Kent Brewer; 3. 56-Alex Weichman; 4. 4S-Keith Sorg; 5. 84-Adam Jones; 6. 4J-Jeremy Lozano; 7. 21R-Dustin Keegan; 8. 32H-Dan Hennig
A-Main – (15 Laps) [#]-Starting Position
1. O1-Art Ball[4]; 2. 56-Alex Weichman[9]; 3. 33-Brian Arnold[6]; 4. 8K-Kent Brewer[7]; 5. 32H-Dan Hennig[16]; 6. 84-Adam Jones[5]; 7. 4X-Brian Sorg[11]; 8. 30-Dave Gibbs[1]; 9. 9-Curt Inks[15]; 10. 4J-Jeremy Lozano[12]; 11. 39-Dwight Waltermier[2]; 12. 21R-Dustin Keegan[14]; 13. 4S-Keith Sorg[3]; 14. 5F-Skeeter Fitch[13]; 15. P51-Paul Brown Jr.[8]; 16. 71-Craig Holland[10]; 17. 13S-James Saam[17]