WILLIAMS GROVE, PA (September 4, 2020): It seemed only fitting that a Rahmer would reach victory lane on Bob Stewart Tribute Night at Williams Grove Speedway. Fred Rahmer celebrated many victories while driving Stewart’s Sprint Cars early in his career, and Freddie Rahmer, Jr. got to pose with Stewart at the conclusion of the 25 lapper. But perhaps the happiest member of the Rahmer family was the matriarch, Debbie, who greeted Stewart with a big hug before doing the same with her son.

“This was a pretty cool race for Bob, and to recognize all of the guys who drove for him,” Rahmer Jr. said. “I didn’t think that I was going to get it (the win), I wasn’t very good on the restarts.” Rahmer also confessed to having problems with the lapped cars, explaining “I wasn’t very good getting off the corners.” Despite his complaints, it was a successful night for him in another important respect. Rahmer entered the night tied with his nemesis, Danny Dietrich, for the points lead. Dietrich pitted to change the right exhaust header seven laps into the race, surrendering fourth position. Dietrich rallied to salvage eighth, but lost valuable ground in the title chase.

Anthony Macri started on the pole, with Lucas Wolfe beside him. Rahmer was paired up with Brian Montieth, who sailed out of the ballpark in turn one on the opening lap of the race. Then came Dietrich and T.J. Stutts in row three. Matt Campbell and Brent marks had row four covered. Kyle Moody and Jeff Halliagn were in row five. Kyle Reinhardt and invader Brian Brown were in row six. Brown had a little extra incentive, as the Apple Dealerships (owned by Stewart) put up a $5,000 bonus if the driver starting twelfth (in honor of Stewart’s number 12 machines) could pull off the win. Alas, the bonus went unclaimed.

Macri jumped out to the lead and Wolfe followed him for a couple of laps. Rahmer moved into second on lap three, with Dietrich riding fourth and Marks in fifth. Things remained in that order until Dietrich slowed and brought out the yellow flag.

On the restart, Macri had no difficulty in opening up a sizable advantage over Rahmer. Wolfe and
Marks followed, with Stutts moving into the top five. On the following two restarts, Macri was again superior to Rahmer. While there was not much happening at the front of the field, there was plenty of action in the back of the pack as Dietrich worked his way towards the front again. He reached the top ten by the halfway mark, but it became harder for him to advance after that.

In the final few laps of the contest, Rahmer was able to close in on Macri, who was in search of his first 410 Sprint victory at the venerable speedway. Macri got hung up behind some slower cars and Rahmer chopped into the lead.

Rahmer made a bold inside move as the leaders were coming through turn four to get the two lap sign. He barely cleared Macri. Marks repeated the maneuver one lap later to take second away from the young driver. Macri tried to swing ahead of Marks as they raced down the front stretch, but Marks deftly blocked his attempt to regain second.

At the checkers, it was Rahmer over a fast-closing Marks. Macri held on for third. Wolfe and Stutts crossed the finish line next. Campbell, Brown, Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, and Halligan completed the top ten.

Heat races belonged to Macri, Stutts, and Wolfe. There was no B Main. Rahmer was the night’s fastest qualifier, tuning a lap of 16.569-seconds.

In the 358 Sprint feature, Zach Newlin claimed the win. The race was stopped three times for two major wrecks and a medical consultation. There were also several cautions during the event. Fortunately no drivers were injured in any of the incidents.

Williams Grove will not be racing Sprint Cars next week in support of the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway. Instead, fans can see two-wheeled excitement as the American Motorcycle Association will tackle the fast half mile. Sprint Cars will return on September 18 with the All Stars Circuit of Champions racing for the Dirt Classic Qualifier.

410 sprints, 25 laps:

1. Freddie Rahmer, 2. Brent Marks, 3. Anthony Macri, 4. Lucas Wolfe, 5. TJ Stutts, 6. Matt Campbell, 7. Brian Brown, 8. Danny Dietrich, 9. Brock Zearfoss, 10. Jeff Halligan, 11. Kyle Moody, 12. Kyle Reinhardt, 13. Justin Peck, 14. Brett Michalski, 15. Chase Dietz, 16. Robert Ballou, 17. Steve Surniak, 18. Dwight Leppo, 19. Troy Fraker, 20. Adrian Shaffer, 21. Trenton Sheaffer, 22. Brian Montieth, 23. Chad Trout. DNS: Tyler Ross

358 sprints, 20 laps:

1. Zach Newlin, 2. Derek Locke, 3. Matt Findley, 4. Chris Arnold, 5. Dylan Norris, 6. Steve Owings, 7. Chris Frank, 8. Justin Foster, 9. Ashley Capetta, 10. Kevin Nouse, 11. Jordan Givler,12. Scott Fisher, 13. Brett Strickler, 14. Cody Fletcher, 15. Jordan Strickler, 16. Zachary Cool, 17. Wyatt Hinkle, 18. Russell Hammaker, 19. Jacob Galloway, 20. Nat Tuckey, 21. Doug Hammaker, 22. Kyle Denmyer, 23. Brett Wanner, 24. Tyler Brehm. DNQ: Tyler Templin, Hannah Riser, Shane Yost, Brett Rose, Billy Heltzel, Chad Criswell, Kyle Rohrbaugh, Mark Van Vorst, Dylan Orwig