Stuhler wins 70th Anniversary opener at Hagerstown Speedway
By Brett Rose
HAGERSTOWN, MD – Veteran driver Gary Stuhler knows his way to Victory Lane at Hagerstown Speedway. The Greencastle, PA ace is the winningest driver in Hagerstown Speedway history, and he added one more to his illustrious career. Stuhler drove his Glenn Elliott-owned No.55 Black Diamond chassis from a sixth-place start to score his 135th Super Late Model win at the Hub City oval with a pass over race-long leader Brian Tavenner at the halfway mark.
Stuhler pulled away over the final ten circuits of the 25 Lap main event to win in convincing fashion over runner-up Tavenner, defending track champion Scott Palmer, Kenny Moreland, and Jason Covert.
Stuhler’s win also automatically qualifies him for Bedford Speedway’s 81st anniversary program in July.
In Crate Late Model action, Logan Roberson powered past leader Allen Brannon with six laps to go to grab the feature win. Brannon held on to second, while Mike Franklin, Steve Lowery, and Transtan Stoner completed the top five. It was the 2nd overall win of the season for the youthful racer from Waynesboro, VA.
Kyle Lear dominated the competition in his heat race, and in the Late Model Sportsman feature to record his first win of 2017. He was followed distantly by Bobby Beard, Alan Sagi, Cam Zeigler, and Barry Miller.
Jamie Zentmyer took the lead from Keith Koontz on the fourth lap, and never looked back to record his first Pure Stock win of the season. Zentmyer was followed by Sean Dawson, Koontz, Nick DiBella, and Craig Parrill.
Wrapping up the night was the Hobby Stock feature, and Dustin Proctor took the victors.
Hagerstown Speedway presents a regular show on April 8, with Super Late Models, Late Model Sportsman, Pure Stocks, and Hobby Stocks. The racing action will begin at 7pm. General admission is $15, kids age 12 and under are free, and pit admission is $30.
Feature Results
Super Late Model – 1. Gary Stuhler, 2. Brian Tavenner, 3. Scott Palmer 4. Kenny Moreland, 5. Jason Covert, 6. Matt Cosner, 7. Marvin Winters, 8.Chad McClellan, 9. Roy Deese, Jr., 10. Kyle Lee, 11. Bryan Bernheisel, 12. Michael Lake, 13. Brian Booze, 14. D.J. Myers, 15. Rodney Walls, 16. Matt Sponaugle, 17. Chuck Clise, 18. Glenn Elliott, 19. Reese Masiello, 20. Tyler Emory, 21. Tyler Horst, 22. Greg Roberson, 23. Mason Zeigler
Late Model Sportsman– 1. Kyle Lear, 2. Bobby Beard, 3. Alan Sagi, 4. Cam Zeigler, 5. Barry Miller, 6. Michael Walls, 7. Chaz Walls, Sr., 8. Joe Westerman, 9. Ronnie Bottenfield, 10. Kurt Zimmerman, 11. Chris Ebersole, 12. Paul Cursey, Jr., 13. Eddie Cornett, 14. Dale Murphy, 15. Elwood Sord, 16. Justin Jesmer, 17. John Rowland, 18. Cody Kershner, 19. Ryan Walls, 20. Jason Sarver
Crate Late Models – 1. Logan Roberson, 2. Allen Brannon, 3. Mike Franklin, 4. Steve Lowery, 5. Transtan Stoner, 6. Michael Duritsky, 7. Lindsey Barton, 8. Darren Alvey, 9. Matt Glanden, 10. Devin Brannon, 11. Brian Luttrell, 12. Zach Price, 13. Harry Shipe III, 14. Scott Sweeney, 15. Levi Crowl
Pure Stocks- 1. Jamie Zentmyer, 2. Sean Dawson, 3. Keith Koontz, 4. Nick DiBella, 5. Craig Parrill, 6. Frank DiBella, 7. Bob Egley, 8. Dwayne Snyder, 9. Rick Stouffer, 10. Brian Swiger, 11. Shane Wilt, 12. Mike Walls, 13. Jeremy Mills, 14. William Crook
Hobby Stocks – 1. Dustin Proctor, 2. Jamie Mills, 3. Matt Wampler, 4. James Mongan, Sr. 5. Davey Gross, Jr., 6.Bryan Neff, 7. Marshall McMullen, 8. Ralph Hansberger, 9. Tyler Ritchey, 10. James Speelman, 11. Willie Ling, 12. John Catlett, 13. Jonathan Raley, 14. Billy Ecton, Jr., DNS-Joey Harrison