Palmer Wins LMS Opener at Hagerstown Speedway

By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Scott Palmer brought his Late Model Sportsman out of the garage this week to win the 20 lap Late Model Sportsman feature at Hagerstown Speedway.

The Greencastle, PA veteran started outside the front row with Barry Miller on the inside, and never relinquished the top spot once taken the lead.

Miller and eighth-place starter James Lichliter made up ground as Palmer raced through lapped traffic, but not enough ground as Palmer picked up $1,000 and his 19th career LMS victory.

Following the lead trio to complete the top five were Clinton Hersh and Greg Moore.

“It felt really good to stay up front, that’s for sure”, said Palmer.

Joey Zambotti made the tow from Kittaning, Pennsylvania again and won the 15 lap Pure Stock feature for the second straight week. Zambotti powered past early race leader Michael Warrenfeltz after a mid-race restart on the high side, and never looked back on his way to the checkered flag.

Danny Atherton finished third, Tony Stoneberger was fourth, and Randy Zechman finished fifth.

Kevin Thomas drove the Neff Racing No. 03 Chevy Monte Carlo to a dominant drive in winning the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature. It was also his 3rd career Hobby Stock win. He was followed by Brady Daniels, James Speelman, Billy Ecton, and Jamie Mills at the finish.

Jimmy Iser claimed the inaugural feature event checkered flag in the 20 lap LaSalle’s Sportsman Modified division. Matt Wallace, Scott Daniels, Chris Cogan, and Cameron Campbell completed the top five.

The U-Car feature win went to Matt Worley. Tim Raup was second, last week’s winner Robbie Carroll was third, while Matthew Chronister, and Devin Iser wrapped up the top five.

Feature Results

Late Model Sportsman – 1. 86-Scott Palmer, 10:20.236[2]; 2. 88-Barry Miller, 10:20.835[1]; 3. 8-James Lichliter, 10:21.857[8]; 4. 16-Clinton Hersh, 10:24.362[4]; 5. 48W-Greg Moore, 10:24.656[3]; 6. 43-Cody Kershner, 10:25.293[6]; 7. 74-Derick Quade, 10:25.892[10]; 8. 72D-Dale Murphy, 10:27.131[11]; 9. 36-Sam Archer, 10:29.737[7]; 10. 53-Tyler Kirby, 10:38.524[12]; 11. 24R-John Rowland, 10:38.979[9]; 12. 77S-Elwood Sord, 10:42.303[15]; 13. 44-Dylan Lewis, 10:43.002[14]; 14. 17-Doug Legum, 10:23.829[17]; 15. 33-Gino Comi, 10:38.120[13]; 16. 000-Paul Cursey Jr., 07:30.657[5]; (DNS) 11-Joe Westerman Jr., 07:30.657

Pure Stock – 1. 948-Joey Zambotti, [4]; 2. 12-Michael Warrenfeltz, [2]; 3. 19-Danny Atherton, [3]; 4. 12S-Tony Stoneberger, [5]; 5. 2-Randy Zechman, [6]; 6. 81F-Dylan Welsh, [9]; 7. 83-Bryan Kerns, [1]; 8. 19M-Bobby Meixsell, [8]; 9. 69-Dwayne Snyder, [10]; 10. 7-Brian Swiger, [12]; 11. 25-Jeremy Mills, [14]; 12. 27-Doug Hoffman, [7]; 13. 47-Tike Loizos, [11]; (DNS) 65-Dillon Wilson

Hobby Stock – 1. 03-Kevin Thomas, [2]; 2. 76-Brady Daniels, [5]; 3. 11A-James Speelman, [4]; 4. 67-Billy Ecton, [1]; 5. 0-Jamie Mills, [6]; 6. 12LC-Laura Chamberlain, [9]; 7. 57-William Ecton Jr., [3]; 8. 19-Mike Fuller, [7]; 9. 41-Sam Caravello, [11]; 10. 7K-Michael Knight, [8]; 11. 52-Jeff Dillon, [13]; (DNS) 141-Tom Caravello, ; (DNS) 10-Drew Fertig, ; (DNS) 43-Jason Sarver, ; (DNS) 64-William Crook

LaSalle Sportsman Modified – 1. 23-Jimmy Iser, [1]; 2. 07-Matt Wallace, [2]; 3. 10-Scott Daniels, [3]; 4. 85C-Chris Cogan, [6]; 5. 8-Cameron Campbell, [10]; 6. 00-Keith Van Horn, [8]; 7. 44-Scott Corbin, [9]; 8. 70-Andy Swope, [7]; 9. R1-Brian Ringer, [4]; 10. 75C-Zane Cogan, [5]

U-Cars – 1. 6-Matt Worley, [4]; 2. 19-Tim Raup, [6]; 3. 69-Robbie Carroll, [2]; 4. 81-Matthew Chronister, [1]; 5. 2FAST-Devin Iser, [10]; 6. 64F-Travis Semple, [5]; 7. 18-Kala Varner, [7]; 8. 00-Anthony Varner, [8]; 9. 80-Dale Varner Jr., [9]; 10. 2SLOW-Kevin Banzhoff, [13]; 11. 5M-Wyatt Marker, [11]; 12. 15-Chris Anderson, [3]; 13. 23B-Derek Iser, [12]

Season Opener and Fan Promoter Challenge This Weekend

This Saturday night, March 30 will be the official season opener and first point races of 2019 at Hagerstown Speedway for the Late Model Sportsman, Pure Stock, and Hobby Stock divisions. The U-Cars and the first appearance of the LaSalle Engine & Chassis Sportsman Modifieds will also be on the racing card.

The LMS race will pay $1,000 to the winner this week. The LMS received an increase in payoff in 2019 as regular shows will now pay $800 to win.

The LaSalle Sportsman Modifieds are an Economy Modified (E-Mod) division using the GM 602 Crate engine. They are the same in appearance as the Mid Atlantic Modifieds that have been featured on occasion at the speedway for a few years.  This is the first of five scheduled appearances for the newly featured division at Hagerstown Speedway.

It’s also Fan Promoter Challenge night.  For over a week, discount coupons have been posted on our speedway social media pages, and the link to print them is also listed on the website.

Fans have been encouraged to write their name on as many coupons as they want to print off and give away. Bring the coupon to the track this week and get $3 off general admission.

The person who gives away the most coupons that has been redeemed for discount in their name will win a 4-pack of tickets to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on April 13!

Coupons are only good for this week only.

For more information, visit the website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or call the speedway office at 301-582-0640.

Hagerstown & Ultimate NE SLM Opener Win to Weaver

By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Justin Weaver picked up the 30 Lap Ultimate Northeast Super Late Model Series opener at the 72nd season opening event at Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday night.

It was the 1st career SLM win for the former multi-time Late Model Sportsman champion out of Williamsport, Maryland behind the wheel of the Coleman Family No.72 Rocket XR-1.

The win for Weaver also guarantees him a spot in the upcoming Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race on April 13.

Kyle Lee jumped out to the early lead on the outside past pole setter Scott Palmer. Weaver, coming from his sixth place start on the grid, raced side-by-side Palmer for a few laps before settling into second position as Lee stretched out to a six second advantage.

Lee’s advantage was erased as a caution waved for Jakob Piper on Lap 12. With a Delaware style restart, Lee was all alone up front as Weaver had to contend with Palmer and Gregg Satterlee. Weaver quickly disposed of Palmer and Satterlee as he chased Lee.

With ten laps to go, Weaver’s car began trailing smoke, but it wasn’t slowing. He closed up a ten car length gap on Lee as Lee encountered lapped traffic with only five laps to go.

Lee’s handling started to go away as the car began to push into the turns, allowing Weaver to pull even beside him. With two laps to go, Weaver nipped Lee at the flagstand, and pulled away at the end to take the checkered flag.

“We had something going south there, the motor sounded smooth but I started smelling a little bit of oil. It was right when I was going for the lead and I looked up at the scoreboard, I saw there was two laps to go and I was like, man, I think we can push this to the end. I didn’t know if it was going to make it. If it went too bad, I was going to pull in. But this is awesome.”, said a jubilant Weaver in victory lane.

Lee held onto finish second, followed by Mason Zeigler, Satterlee, and Jared Miley in the top five.

Kittaning, Pennsylvania invader Joey Zambotti drove to a convincing win over Craig Parrill in the 15 Lap Pure Stock feature event. Zambotti took the lead following a restart on Lap 5, and survived two more cautions to score his first win at Hagerstown on his first visit to the track.

Jeremy Tinsman finished third, followed by Michael Warrenfeltz and Bob Egley.

Robbie Carroll drove his newly-built Acura R7 to the 12 Lap U-Car feature for the nightcap. He battled and held off Matt Worley for his first checkered flag of 2019.

Chris Anderson, Ryan Peer, and Travis Semple rounded out the top five.

Notes:  22 Super Late Models, 13 Pure Stocks, and 17 U-Cars were pit side for the opening race of 2019. Last season’s UNSLMS and Hagerstown Speedway opening night winner Trever Feathers fell to engine woes during hot laps and was scratched for the night.

The track was fast as current SLM track record holder Gregg Satterlee had quick time with a 17.941 second lap. Satterlee set the record in October 2018 with a blistering 17.089 lap. In hot laps, Kyle Lee and Mason Zeigler were also in the 17 second zone along with Satterlee.

A violent, high-speed heat race crash claimed the cars of Andy Anderson, Kirk Baker, and Rodney Walls entering Turn 3. Fortunately, each driver walked away. Baker’s car got the worst of the accident with a series of rolls, and Walls was on his roof.

Incredibly, Walls was able to make enough repairs to his damaged racer good enough to take the green flag for the SLM feature.

SLM heats went to Satterlee, Zeigler, and Weaver.

Feature Results

UNSLMS – 1. 72-Justin Weaver, 2. 2T-Kyle Lee, 3. 25Z-Mason Zeigler, 4. 22-Gregg Satterlee, 5. 10-Jared Miley, 6. 44-Gary Stuhler, 7. 45-Jamie Lathroum, 8. 46-Marvin Winters, 9. 86-Scott Palmer, 10. 7-Darryl Hills, 11. 14-Tyler Horst, 12. 8-Matt Sponaugle,  13. 5-Glenn Elliott, 14. 32J-Shaun Jones, 15. 21-Jakob Piper, 16. 44S-Scott Sweeney, 17. 82-Andy Fries, 18. 85-Rodney Walls, 19. 12-Ryan Montgomery

DNS – Andy Anderson, Kirk Baker   DNQ- Trever Feathers

Pure Stock – 1. 948-Joey Zambotti, 2. 3-Craig Parrill, 3. 8-Jeremy Tinsman, 4. 12-Michael Warrenfeltz, 5. 30-Bob Egley, 6. 55-Kevin Boyer, 7. 81F-Dylan Welsh, 8. 7-Brian Swiger, 9. 19M-Bobby Meixsell, 10. 19-Danny Atherton, 11. 81J-Jamie Zentmyer, 12. 47-Anastasios Loizos, 13. 65-Dillon Wilson

U-Cars – 1. 69-Robbie Carroll, 2. 6-Matt Worley, 3. 15-Chris Anderson, 4. 64-Ryan Peer, 5. 64F-Travis Semple, 6. 18-Kala Varner, 7. 3S-Steve Settle, 8. 757-Travis Heavner, 9. 00-Anthony Varner, 10. 27-Melvin McCartan, 11. 95D-Dustin Detrick, 12. 2SLOW-Kevin Banzhoff, 13. 65D-Todd Detrick,  14. 50-Colin Welsh,  15. 2FAST-Devin Iser,  16. 2-Robert Cutshall, 17. 80-Dale Varner Jr.

Ultimate Northeast SLM Series Opener at Hagerstown Speedway

The 2019 racing season is officially here! Kicking off the 72nd season of racing at Hagerstown Speedway will be the Ultimate Northeast Super Late Model Series, which also serves as the first UNSLMS race of the season this Saturday night, March 23.

The winner not only gets $3,000 but also will be awarded a guaranteed qualifier for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Hagerstown Speedway on April 13.

Joining the UNSLMS will be the Pure Stock and U-Car divisions. Pure Stocks and U-Cars will race under a Home Track Rules format.

Pit gates open at 3:30, grandstands open at 4pm, and racing begins at 6pm. General admission is $16, Students/Seniors/Military $12, and pit admission is $30.

For the latest and updated information, follow Hagerstown Speedway on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call the speedway office at 301-582 0640 for more information.

Tex Shaffer Memorial for Super Late Models to Be Held On Sun May 19, $4,600 to the Winner

On May 19, Hagerstown Speedway will honor one of the great car owners that fielded some of the most competitive Limited Late Model and Super Late Model rides in this area.

Longtime race fans have recognized the black No.46 Ford for many years that was campaigned by Tex Shaffer. Drivers such as Dave Burk, Nathan Durboraw, Bob Salathe, and Brent Smith sat behind the wheel of the Shaffer’s Auto Salvage Special, but the car has been synonymous with driver Marvin Winters. Winters has gained the most notoriety as the longest tenured and winningest driver of the familiar No. 46 out of Mercersburg, PA.

Tex Shaffer passed away on February 15, 2019. He was 82 years old.

To honor one of the legendary race team owners in the history of Hagerstown Speedway, Super Late Models will be in competition for the Shaffer 46 Special. Fittingly, this special event will go a feature distance of 46 laps, paying $4,600 to the winner.

Crate Late Models, originally scheduled for May 19 will be part of the card, as will the Pure Stock and Hobby Stock divisions. Each of those respective divisions will be racing for $460 to win.

Hagerstown Speedway management will be collecting bonus money and/or gifts/prizes to remaining finishers. If you’d like to be a contributor to this event, please contact Lisa Plessinger at the speedway office at 301-582-0640, ext. 202, or see Marvin Winters at the speedway when he is racing.

More information will be released as details emerge. Please keep informed via the track website at hagerstownspeedway.com, or our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

2019 Schedule Updates and Changes

Due to lack of interest from other tracks in the area, the Western Pennsylvania Sprint Car Series has withdrawn from hosting an event at Hagerstown Speedway originally scheduled for May 19. WPSCS officials notified Hagerstown Speedway officials that the series was unable to put together a schedule for 2019.

There are still two other opportunities to see 410 Sprint Cars at Hagerstown Speedway on July 4 for the Johnny Grum Tribute during PA Sprint Speedweek, and again on September 22 for the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions.

Crate Late Models originally scheduled on the canceled May 19 card will be moved to a new event to be announced a night earlier on May 18.

The LaSalle 602 Crate E-Mods brought to you by LaSalle’s Engine & Chassis of Breezewood, PA will be in action a few times at Hagerstown Speedway in 2019. They are scheduled for competition on March 30, April 6, June 8, July 20, and August 24.

For more information, contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640 or e-mail the speedway at info@hagerstownspeedway.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.