1st Career SLM Win for Lee at Hagerstown

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By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Kyle Lee is not a stranger to victory lane at Hagerstown Speedway as he has won in both the Late Model Sportsman and Crate Late Model divisions, but he parked his D&D Auto Recycling No.2t Super Late Model there after the 25 lap feature event for the first time in his racing career.

Lee shared the front row with pole starter Bryan Bernheisel, and blasted himself into the lead from the start. A quick caution flag unfurled to setup a restart, and Lee repeated with the same results.

By the halfway point, the young Mercersburg, PA driver put his red Rocket XR-1 about a straightway between him and Bernheisel’s No.119 BRC Lazer. With seven circuits remaining, Lee hit lapped traffic but continued his torrid pace to wire the field to the checkered flag.

 “Yeah, that thing was great, uh, I can’t thank the crew enough.  I was only into the shop last night until 11:30 and everyone else was in the shop until 3 in the morning, back at it at 11:00 today clean up until race time. This is what makes it worth it; all the countless hours.”, said Lee.

“We’re starting to figure a little bit more on the slick track. We’re getting better each week.”

Bernheisel finished a distant second, but was well ahead of third place finisher Roy Deese, Jr., fourth place finisher Trever Feathers, and fifth place finisher Andy Anderson.

Kyle Lear recorded his fourth win of 2017 in the 20 lap Late Model Sportsman feature. Lear had to chase and battle race-long leader Barry Miller until a late caution gave Lear a chance to get by Miller. On the restart,  Lear charged hard into turn one and made the pass stick up high with just three laps to go, and went on the rest of the way for the win.

Miller was second, while Alan Sagi, Dan Zechman, and tenth place starter Paul Cursey, Jr. completed the top five.

The Mid Atlantic Modifieds were on the card for their second appearance of the season, and Jimmy Jesmer took the checkered flag in a wild 15 lap feature that saw many of the top runners taken out in a multi-car pileup and spins at the initial start.

One of the cars affected was piloted by pole starter Rick Hulson, who had to go to the rear of the field. Hulson drove from the back to finish second, while Carl McKinney, Mike Potosky, and Jonathan Taylor rounded out the top five.

Craig Parrill recorded his seventh Pure Stock win of the season. This time, he was behind the wheel of his own No.34c instead of the Dickie Tharp No.3. Parrill took the lead from outside of fellow front row starter Tom Wakefield, and never looked back.

Sean Dawson drove into second in the early going of the 15 lap feature, but was a distant second to Parrill at the finish.

Following the top tandem at the checkers were Keith Koontz, Brandon Churchey, and Wakefield.

Davey Gross, Jr. was the Hobby Stock victor for the second consecutive race, and for the third time in 2017. Gross had Jeff Dillon closing on his bumper, but it wasn’t enough to take away the win.

Gary Breeden finished third, James Speelman was fourth, and Willie Ling finished fifth.

Feature Results

Super Late Model – 1. 2T-Kyle Lee, 2. 119-Bryan Bernheisel, 3. 05-Roy Deese Jr., 4. 20-Trever Feathers, 5. 41-Andy Anderson, 6. 46-Marvin Winters, 7. B2-Brian Booze, 8. 74-Tyler Hershey, 9. 86-Scott Palmer, 10. 94-Jason Miller, 11. 55-Gary Stuhler, 12. 5-Brad Omps, 13. 3-Tim Wilson, 14. 11-Kirk Baker, 15. 3V-Kyle Hardy, 16. 5M-Mike Steck, 17. 39-Bill Kessler, DNS 22R-Reese Masiello

Late Model Sportsman – 1. 151-Kyle Lear, 2. 88-Barry Miller, 3. 5-Alan Sagi, 4. 2-Dan Zechman, 5. 37-Paul Cursey Jr., 6. 43-Cody Kershner, 7. 9A-Kurt Zimmerman, 8. 11-Joe Westerman Jr., 9. 39-Ryan Walls, 10. D34-Curtis Dunn, 11. 24R-John Rowland, 12. 121-Larry Neiderer, 13. 33-Craig Smith, 14. 81-Eddie Cornett, DNS 99-Michael Walls

Mid Atlantic Modifieds – 1. 47-Jimmy Jesmer, 2. 40-Rick Hulson, 3. 6M-Carl McKinney, 4. M20-Mike Potosky, 5. 5-Jonathan Taylor, 6. 8-Brad Kling, 7. 95-Chris Fletcher, 8. 0-Haley Kaiser, 9. 90-Ray Kable, 10. 99-Bryan Green, 11. 83-Ray Ciccarelli, 12. 26X-James Sparks, 13. 80-Keith Reed, 14. 28-Jim Trenary, 15. 67-Chris Beall, 16. 55-Alyssa Rowe, 17. 74-Rich Goodman, 18. 1N-Hunter Nester, 19. 95C-Justin Cullum, 20. 21H-Quintin Hankla, 21. 7H-Josh Hughes, DNS 70L-Kyle Lloyd

Pure Stock – 1. 34C-Craig Parrill, 2. S7-Sean Dawson, 3. 08-Keith Koontz, 4. 05-Brandon Churchey, 5. 27W-Tom Wakefield, 6. 62-Danny Beavers Jr., 7. 00-Joshua Bloom,  8. 2+2-Shane Wilt, 9. 64-William Crook, 10. 59-Mike Desch, 11. 3T-Dickie Tharp, 12. 25X-Jeremy Mills, 13. 7-Brian Swiger, 14. 4-Nick DiBella, (DNS) 81F-Marshall McMullen, DNS 44-Frank DiBella DQ 6-Wayne Hawbaker

Hobby Stock – 1. 27-Davey Gross Jr.,  2. 52-Jeff Dillon, 3. 6-Gary Breeden, 4. 11A-James Speelman,  5. 31-Willie Ling,  6. 18-Ralph Hansberger,  7. 54-John Catlett,  8. 25-Rodney Miner,  9. 72-Jimmy Kline,  10. 0-Jamie Mills, DNS 92-Jonathan Raley

Dewease Takes Johnny Grum Memorial/PA Speedweek Checkers

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By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – In front of a huge crowd assembled on a Wednesday evening that packed the punch of some nationally known superstars, Lance Dewease drove his way through the field to the checkered flag in the 1st annual 30 Lap, $5,000 to win Johnny Grum Memorial.

Thirty-six 410 Sprint Cars signed into the pit area, and T.J. Stutts drove his No.11 machine to a quick lap of 15.580 seconds around the Hub City oval. It was the third straight quick time of PA Sprint Speedweek for the Liverpool, PA racer.

Freddie Rahmer shared the front row with former World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney, and immediately put his No.51 into the lead. Rahmer began to pull away as Rico Abreu and Danny Dietrich began battling Blaney for the runner-up spot.

Dewease began marching through the field from his tenth-place start, and was up to third by Lap 14. A spin on the backstretch by James McFadden brought out the only caution of the feature at the halfway point.

Shortly after the restart, Rahmer sped away as Dewease passed Abreu for second on Lap 17. Rahmer hit lapped traffic on Lap 22, and that allowed Dewease to close in on the lead. The Fayetteville, PA veteran caught Rahmer, and made the pass for the lead in the Don Kreitz, Jr. No. 69k on the low side coming off of turn two with just three laps remaining.

Dewease drove on to victory to record his 15th career win at Hagerstown Speedway, and won the Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek race at Hagerstown for the second straight year.

In his winner’s interview, Dewease said: “Tonight was a great night. We weren’t very good there in the heat race, and they kept working hard on it, and got it better. I’m glad I ain’t gonna have to race Little Freddie (Rahmer) the rest of my career, because he’ll be racing way longer than I’ll be racing. He’s turning into a helluva good racer in a little bit of time, and my hat’s off to him, his dad, and everybody on that team.”

“He probably had a little bit better car than me, but he just kinda didn’t know what to do with a couple of those lapped cars, and I hit a couple of those cars pretty good, got a good run at him, and it’s always easier when your second with lapped cars than what it is in the lead.”

Rahmer held on to second, while Abreu, Ryan Smith, and Danny Dietrich completed the top five.

Kyle Larson had his three race Speedweek win streak snapped. He started 18th and finished 11th, while Kasey Kahne started 15th and finished 17th.

Heat race winners were Dave Blaney, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Smith, and Trey Starks. After a brief delay for a passing rain shower, the B-Main winner was Frankie Herr.

Feature Results

410 Sprint Cars-  1. Lance Dewease, 2. Freddie Rahmer, 3. Rico Abreu, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Danny Dietrich, 6. Mike Wagner, 7. T.J. Stutts, 8. Lucas Wolfe, 9. Dale Blaney, 10. Trey Starks,  11. Kyle Larson, 12. Greg Hodnett, 13. Alan Krimes, 14. Brock Zearfoss, 15. Dave Blaney, 16. Brandon Rahmer, 17. Kasey Kahne, 18. Aaron Ott, 19. James McFadden, 20. Justin Barger, 21. Robbie Kendall, 22. Anthony Macri, 23. Frankie Herr, 24. Sammy Walsh

PA Sprint Speedweek This Wednesday Night

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This Wednesday evening, Hagerstown Speedway hosts Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek, while presenting the Johnny Grum Memorial in honor of the 1966 and 1969 Super Modified/Sprint Car track champion that also recorded 21 feature wins at the Hub City oval.

Grum was best known as the driver of Harry Fletcher’s No.66 machines back in those days, and they were a force to be reckoned with in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Hagerstown Speedway might be in Maryland below the Mason-Dixon Line from Pennsylvania, but the track does hold a great history in Sprint Car racing.

The $5,000 to win event is expected to draw the best of Central Pennsylvania 410 Sprints, plus current NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson are expected to be in attendance.

Last year’s winner Lance Dewease is also looking to repeat at the track where he earned his first career 410 Sprint Car win in 1986.

West End Shell of Hagerstown is sponsoring the Hard Charger Award, and the commemorative winner’s check to the feature winner. The gasoline and service station that was long formerly known as Timmons’ Sunoco and Texaco has been a longtime supporter of local auto racing.

Joining the card will also be the EMMR exhibition. Race time is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm.

General admission is $25, reserved seats are $30, students/seniors/military is $20, kids 12 and under are free, and pit admission is $35.

  Feathers Victorious in Frank Sagi Tribute at Hagerstown

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By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – On a night when many legendary former drivers and car owners came out to Hagerstown Speedway to pay homage to the late Frank Sagi, a youthful Trever Feathers parked his No.20 machine in the winner’s circle for the second time this season in the 25 lap Super Late Model feature at Hagerstown Speedway.

The 24 year old from Winchester, Virginia rocketed from his fourth place start following an early restart to take the lead away from Bryan Bernheisel. Feathers remained in control of the top spot with last week’s winner Andy Anderson chasing him for the lead.

Feathers hit traffic on lap 11, and Anderson closed the gap some, but Feathers was able to keep Anderson at bay as he navigated through the traffic, and went on his way to the win.

In his winner’s interview with Danny Wilson, Feathers said: “You know, these guys spend a bunch of money on motors, and there’s Roger (Devenny) down in Staunton, Virginia that builds amazing power, but all my guys that come in there and spend their hard earned time and hard earned money to go racing with us, it’s amazing what we’ve been able to do so far.”

Anderson held on to second, while Bryan Bernheisel, Kyle Hardy, and Kenny Moreland completed the top five spots.

Bryan Bernheisel drove his No.119 BRC Lazer Chassis to the 20 lap Late Model Sportsman feature win. Bernheisel survived two multi-car pileups before the first lap was completed, and another caution following the first lap before moving up from his fourth place start to move around pole sitter Derick Quade to take the lead.

Bernheisel came into traffic around the halfway point, and that allowed Quade and Barry Miller to close in. As they maneuvered through the back of the field, Miller moved around Quade, then closed in on Bernheisel before the final caution waved with just four laps to go.

Bernheisel got a trememdous restart on Miller, and pulled away to the victory. Following Bernheisel and Miller was third place finisher Alan Sagi, Kyle Lear, and fifth-place finisher Quade.

Craig Parrill was victorious for the fifth consecutive race in the 15 lap Pure Stock feature event. Parrill started ninth, buzz sawed his way through the field, and passed race-long leader Brandon Churchey up on the high side with just four laps to go.

A caution a lap later setup a restart, but Parrill was able to drive away from Churchey to take the checkered flag. Frank DiBella was third, Sean Dawson was fourth, and Danny Atherton finished fifth.

Dylan Rutherford appeared to pick up his fourth Hobby Stock win of the 2017 season, as he led all 15 laps, but he was disqualified after the race. That handed the win to Davey Gross, Jr for his second win of the season.

James Speelman was credited with second, while Jamie Mills, Jeff Dillon, and Joe Rodgers rounded out the top five.

Notes:  A special thanks goes out to Alan Sagi for his tireless efforts and everyone else involved who promoted this grand night of racing. Many thanks go out to all of the racers, fans, sponsors, and former drivers and car owners, along with all of our current competitors that made this a grand event.

Thanks also go to promoter Doug Timmons for electing to bypass consolation races and start all cars in each feature event.

Bryan Bernheisel pulled double duty in racing two cars in both the SLM and LMS divisions. It was a good night with a win in the LMS feature and a third place run in the SLM.

Craig Parrill is in another zip code against the Pure Stock competition right now. Five straight wins, and six overall, yet he still follows point leader Sean Dawson.

Davey Gross, Jr. was very gracious in his winner’s interview. He’s a driver who is really passionate about racing, and wants to see the future of racing grow.

Feature Results:

Super Late Model – 1. Trever Feathers,  2. Andy Anderson, 3.Bryan Bernheisel, 4.Kyle Hardy, 5. Kenny Moreland,  6. 2T-Kyle Lee, 7.Marvin WInters, 8. Scott Palmer, 9. Gary Stuhler, 10. Reese Masiello,  11. Brian Booze, 12.Matt Cosner, 13. Roy Deese Jr., 14. Steve Axtell Jr., 15.Brian Tavenner, 16.Brad Omps, 17.Rodney Walls, 18. Tyler Emory, 19. Kirk Baker, 20. Matt Sponaugle, 21. Ryan Walls, 22. Devin Friese, 23. Mike Steck, 24. D.J. Myers,  25. Gene Knaub

Late Model Sportsman – 1.Bryan Bernheisel, 2. Barry Miller, 3. Alan Sagi, 4. Kyle Lear, 5. Derick Quade, 6.Justin Weaver, 7. James Lichliter, 8. Paul Cursey, Jr., 9. Donnie Farling, 10. Devin Hart, 11. Ryan Walls, 12. Andrew Yoder, 13. Curtis Dunn, 14. Kenneth Yoder, 15. Craig Smith, 16. Joe Westerman, Jr., 17. Bruce Kane, 18. Larry Neiderer, 19. John Rowland, 20. Johnny Oliver, 21. Justin Dillman, 22. Dale Murphy, 23. Kurt Zimmerman, 24. Justin Jesmer, 25. Taylor Farling,  26.Michael Walls, 27. Davey Dunkle, DNS- Ronnie Bottenfield

Pure Stock – 1.Craig Parrill, 2. Brandon Churchey, 3. Frank DiBella, 4.Sean Dawson, 5. Danny Atherton, 6. Drew Fitzsimmons, 7. Wayne Hawbaker,  8.Ed Pope, 9.Bryan Kerns, 10. Jesse Snyder, 11. Doug Hoffman, 12. Shane Wilt, 13.Brian Swiger, 14. Travis Calhoun, 15. Dwayne Snyder, 16. Jeremy Mills, 17. Marshall McMullen, 18. Earl Brown, 19. William Crook, 20. Nick DiBella, 21. Dickie Tharp

Hobby Stock – 1. Dylan Rutherford, 2. Davey Gross Jr.,3. James Speelman,4. Jamie Mills, 5. Jeff Dillon, 6. Joe Rodgers, 7. John Catlett, 8. Greg Mattingly,  9. Willie Ling, 10. Jonathan Raley,  11. Ralph Hansberger, 12. Rodney Miner, (DNS) Mike Fuller

Frank Sagi Tribute – Late Model PRIZES

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$25 to all heat race winners from Glenn Nininger of Nininger’s Tire & Auto in Brunswick, Maryland.

Custom-made commerative slot car and oversized feature winner’s check from Brent and Tim Hottle of Outback Motor Speedway and Need-a-Sign in Winchester, Virginia.

$100 Gift Certificate to the highest finishing Rocket Chassis from Mark Richards Racing Enterprises and Rocket Chassis of Shinnston, West Virginia.

$50 Cash Bonus to the highest finishing Hershey Racing Engine from Curt Hershey of Hershey’s Racing Engines in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus to the “Hard Charger of the Race” from Kurt Smith of KRS Graphics in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus to the 3rd place feature finisher from Alan Sites of Sites’ Garage in St. Thomas, Pennsylvania.

$100 Gift Certificate to the 4th place feature finisher for the “Bell 4 Safety” award from Steve Thomas Racing and Bell Helmets of Ludlow, Illinois.

$100 Cash Bonus to the 6th place feature finisher from Tex Shaffer of Shaffer’s Auto Salvage in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus to the 7th place feature finisher from Alan Sites of Sites’ Custom Racing Bumpers in St. Thomas, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus to the 9th place feature finisher from Jimmy and JT Spence of Champion Auto Sales of Winchester, Virginia.

$150 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from John Chamberlain of K&K Machine, Inc. of Glen Burnie, Maryland.

$150 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Scott LeBarron of LeBarron’s Auto Salvage in Dover, Pennsylvania.

$75 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn for the “Speed is for the Speedways, but not for the Highways” award from Walter Nichols and Turn 5 Turnaround.

$50 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Dwayne Snyder of Dwayne’s Auto Repair in Hagerstown, Maryland.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Port City Racing and Keyser Manufacturing of Coopersville, Michigan.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Brian Booze of Booze Brothers Performance in Marion, Pennsylvania.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Jim Bernheisel of Bernheisel Race Cars in Jonestown, Pennsylvania.

$25 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Bobby Dennis of Round Hill Auto Service in Round Hill, Virginia.

Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn for a sleeve of premium laminated tear-offs from Racing Optics in Las Vegas, Nevada.

$25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

A 2nd $25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

A 3rd $25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

A 4th $25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Free custom-made carbonfiber driveshaft for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Steve Campbell of Mapco Driveshafts in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

$750 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from FK Rod Ends of Southington, Connecticut.

Frank Sagi Tribute – Late Model Sportsman PRIZES

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$75 to all heat race winners from Nick Pappas and Allen Rodgers of A&C Racing Engines in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Custom-made commerative slot car and oversized feature winner’s check from Brent and Tim Hottle of Outback Motor Speedway and Need-a-Sign in Winchester, Virginia.

$100 Cash Bonus to the feature winner from Jeff Sweitzer of Jeff Sweitzer Oval Research in York, Pennsylvania.

$50 Gift Certificate to the 4th place feature finisher from George Shearer and Marvin Winters of Shearer Custom Speed & Accessories in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.

$50 Gift Certificate to the 6th place feature finisher from George Shearer and Marvin Winters of Shearer Custom Speed & Accessories in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.

$50 Cash Bonus to the 14th place feature finisher from Dana Winters of Dana Signs in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus to the “Hard Charger of the Race” from Jimmy and JT Spence of Champion Auto Sales in Winchester, Virginia.

$50 Cash Bonus to the highest finishing Hershey Racing Engine from Curt Hershey of Hershey’s Racing Engines in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

$125 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Scott LeBarron of LeBarron’s Auto Salvage in Dover, Pennsylvania.

$100 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from John Chamberlain of K&K Machine, Inc. in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

$100 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from AR Bodies of Greenbrier, Tennessee.

$75 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn for the “Who’s got the Hot Shoe” award from Walter Nichols of Turn 5 Turnaround.

$50 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Dwayne Snyder of Dwayne’s Auto Repair in Hagerstown, Maryland.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Jim Bernheisel of Bernheisel Race Cars in Jonestown, Pennsylvania.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Brian Booze of Booze Brothers Performance in Marion, Pennsylvania.

$50 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Port City Racing and Keyser Manufacturing in Coopersville, Michigan.

Box of premium pop rivets and washers for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Cizmar Pop Rivets of Girard, Ohio.

$25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

A 2nd $25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

A 3rd $25 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Pancho Lawler of Pancho’s Racing Products in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Gift Certificate for a sleeve of premium laminated tear-offs for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Racing Optics of Las Vegas, Nevada.

$25 Cash Bonus for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Nick Pappas and Allen Rodgers of A&C Racing Engines in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Free Hoosier tire for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Bob Wirts of Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic in Finksburg, Maryland.

Free set of Wilwood brake pads for a feature finishing position to be drawn from Wilwood Engineering of Evansville, Indiana.

$750 Gift Certificate for a feature finishing position to be drawn from FK Rod Ends of Southington, Connecticut.