“Jeff King Scores Coveted Victory in Hagerstown Opener”/“Levi Crowl Crate Late Model Star”

By Doug Watson

     Hagerstown, MD- Pasadena Maryland’s Jeff King kicked off the 2022 season at Hagerstown Speedway by posting his first career Late Model Sportsman feature win at the historic Washington County oval. King and Dale Murphy shared the front row for the start of the 20-lap event with Murphy leading the first lap until King swept by on lap two to take the top spot. From that point forward it would be a race for second as King had his Rocket no.24K dialed into perfection and would speed off to the breakthrough win. “I just got lucky and drew a good pill and fortunately I was able to capitalize on my good fortune.” King stated after his victory. “ The track was really slick early but we had a good car tonight and I have dreamed of winning here most of my life.” Murphy settled for a hard fought second, with Sean Merkel, Kyle Lear and 11th starting Dale Hollidge rounding out the top five.

     Clear Spring Maryland’s Levi Crowl would also take his career first Hagerstown feature win in the 20-lap FASTRAK Crate Late Model main aboard his Rocket no.5. Matt Hildebrand and Justin Kann each lead for one lap until Crowl blew in to take the lead for good on the third lap. Crowl would then runoff uncontested to take the win over Justin Kann, Mason Diaz, Trevor Collins and Matthew Hildebrand. “ it’s always been a dream of mine to stand on that front stretch in victory Lane as well as my dad’s.” Crowl reflected after his win. “In the feature I knew I wasn’t going to be able to pass Justin (Kann) once we got going green flag. So my only shot was going 3rd to 1st with that slider going into one and luckily it stuck and we held on for the win.”

    In other opening day action, defending track champion Cody Kershner collected the 15-lap pure stock feature win for his seventh career track score, and in the 15 lap Hobby Stock contest youthful Dylan Beavers Also became a first time Hagerstown feature winner.

Late Model Sportsman feature finish

Jeff King, Dale Murphy, Sean Merkel, Kyle Lear, Dale Hollidge, Matt Glanden, Scott Palmer, Branson Woodward, Cody Lear, Danny Atherton, John Rowland, Elwood Sword, Brandon Bard, Mason Strait, Michael Walls DNS-Danny Garrett, Cody Kershner, Tom Chaffins, Harry Shipe Jr.

Crate Late Model feature finish

Levi Crowl, Justin Kann, Mason Diaz, Trevor Collins, Matthew Hildebrand, Noah Brunell, Megan Mann, Matt Sponaugle, Steve Lowery, Tyler Hoy, Brayden Anderson, Cody Breeden, David Dill, Mike Raleigh, James Loar, Aaron Drummond, Dustin Arnold, Brian Coe Jr, Jeremy Tinsman, Ray Ciccarelli, Sam Brown, Ben Scott, Brandon Churchey, Dylan High, Cecil Cash Jr. DNS-Cameron Campbell

Pure Stock feature finish

Cody Kershner, Chuckie Johnson, Jamie Zentmyer, Mike Grady Jr., Bobby Miexsall, Greg Diehl, Wayne Hawbaker, Shane McQuay, Jeremy Mills, Andrew Fertig DNS-Kenneth Wolfe, Dylan Rutherford, Deakon Snyder

Hobby Stock feature finish

Dylan Beavers, James Speelman, Nick Fogle, Keith Reed, John Catlett, Mike Fuller, Nathaniel Younker, Carter Shank, Trevor Larrick, Randy Linaburg, Devin Thomas, Tyler Fisher, Sam Hoffman, William Crook DNS-James Mongan Sr. DQ-Charles Noblitt