Connect with us

Dirt Racing

Reitz Doubles Up in 358 Modifieds, and Felmlee Flies in 410 Sprints at Tri City Raceway Park; Tim Bish and Morrison Score in Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks

Published

on

FRANKLIN, PA (May 19, 2024): Chad Reitz, who lives just two miles from Tri City Raceway Park, became the first driver to tally two wins in the 2024 season. On lap fifteen of twenty, he swooped ahead of Rick Regalski, who led from the drop of the green in the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds. Bob Felmlee was untouchable in the Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars. Also getting their first triumphs of the season were Tim Bish in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks and Dillon Morrison in the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks.

The first feature to hit the track was the twenty lapper for the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds.

Rick Regalski and Nick Joy were making their first starts of the 2024 season from the front row. Mark Sevin and Logan Lockhart were next in line. Jessica Kriegisch and Ron Cartwright were matched in row three. The fourth belonged to Jimmy Holden and Steve Slater. Last week’s winner, Chad Reitz, and Kole Holden made up row five. The sixth consisted of Don Cornelius and Hayden Holden.

Regalski opened up a modest lead over Joy, Kriegisch, Cartwright, and Lockhart on the opening lap. Regalski started to separate himself over the course of the first five or six laps. However, a caution on the sixth round of the big half mile eliminated Green and Sevin.

Regalski held control after the pair of restarts that were required to get the next round into the books. Joy continued in second, followed by Cartwright, Reitz and Kole Holden. Reitz was on the move when the race

Joy bought out cautions on laps fourteen and sixteen. Between those interludes, Reitz moved into the lead. He dipped to the inside to pass Regalski entering turn three.

Reitz complete the final four laps without incident. Regalski remained strong in second, ahead of Slater, Jimmy Holden, and Cartwright. The next five to cross the line were Kole Holden, Hayden Holden, Ryan Guthrie, Lockhart, and Jeremy Beichener.

Regalski’s car failed post-race tech, resulting in his disqualification. Brayden Beatty was moved up into the top ten.

Heat wins were scored by Slater, Kriegisch, and Reitz. There was no B Main.

In the Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars, Logan McCandless and Bob Felmlee brought the field to the green for the start of the twenty-five lapper. Gale Ruth, Jr., and Brandon Matus were right behind. Matt Farnham and Jack Sodeman, Jr. presented in row three. The fourth consisted of last week’s winner, A.J. Flick, and Jeremy “Hollywood” Weaver. In row five, Zane DeVault and Michael “The Professor” Bauer. John Jerich and Andy Cavanaugh paired up in row six.

Felmlee won the race to turn pone and he dropped to the inside to secure the lead. McCandless settled into second, ahead of Ruth, Brandon Matus, and Flick. Felmlee set a brisk pace, and there were no significant changes in the running order through the first ten laps.

On lap eleven, Tommy Jasen brought out a caution that brought Felmlee and McCandless back to the rest of the field. Felmlee held control once again.

On lap seventeen, Farnham stopped in turn four to drop from the top ten.

Six more rounds were completed before the final stoppage, on lap twenty-three.

Felmlee kept his car straight and completed the final two laps ahead of McCandless, Brandin Matus, DeVault, and Ruth. Sodeman, Flick, Weaver, Bayer, and Brent Matus completed the top ten.

The trio of heat winners were Ruth, DeVault, and Weaver. There was no B Main.

In the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, Tommy Dembowski and Matt Bernard led the way to the green. Doug Iorio, II, and Mike Miller had row two covered, while Tim Bish and Rod Laskey made up row three. The fourth duo was Pat Fielding and Josh Seippel. Following them were Aaron Smith and Jason Kimmy.

The early portion of the Pro Stock main was a three-car breakaway consisting of Dembowski, Iorio, and Bish. With Dembowski out front, Iorio and Bish were fighting intensely for the second position. Bish eventually took control of it before a caution realigned the field.

In the second half of the contest, Bish moved to the front of the line. Iorio faded and Dembowski dropped out.

Laskey came on for second, ahead of Fielding, last week’s winner, Chris Schneider, and Mike Miller. Seippel, Iorio, Bernard, Coyne, and Charlie McMillen rounded out the top ten.

Bish and Fielding shared the glory for the heat race wins. There was no B Main.

Dillon Morrison and Mike Kelley headed the field for the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. Justin Forsythe and Tim Callahan were in the second row, ahead of Bill Fuchs and last week’s winner, Matt Urey. Ben Aley and Dillon Thorne held the fourth row.

Morrison bolted out to the lead in the twelve lapper, just as he did on opening night. Urey worked into second once again, but, this time, he was unable to chase down Morrison.

Joe Campbell came home in third, ahead of Forsythe and Aley. Chad Greeley, Matt Daugherty, Bill McCollums, Thorne, and Callahan completed the top ten.

The pair of heats went to Urey and Callahan. There was no B Main.

The Old Skool Kool Tour brought over a dozen assorted vintage race cars to Tri City Raceway Park. A pair of twelve lap features were contested. Wally Stock scored the win for the Modifieds, and Bob Alcorn captured the Modified Sportsmen. In the Late Model division, the winner was Bill Coada. Brian Lederhouse took the Stock Car go.

Tri City Raceway Park announced the Marsh Heating and Cooling Heat Race Challenge. All racers are eligible for a special award at the end of the season based upon the number of heat races won, regardless of the class. Leading the way with two wins each are Steve Slater, Tim Bish, Tim Callahan, and Matt Urey. Winners of a single heat race so far are Matt Farnham, A.J. Flick, Logan McCandless, Gale Ruth, Jr., Zane DeVault, and Jeremy Weaver, Jessica Kriegisch, Chad Reitz, Josh Seippel, Chris Schneider, and Pat Fielding.

Next weekend, Tri City Raceway Park will host the first visit of the BRP Modified Tour. Also on the card will be the 305 Sprint Cars, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks, and the Vintage Modifieds.

21st Centyry Energy Group 358 Modifieds: Chad Reitz, Steve Slater, Jimmy Holden, Ron Cartwright, Kole Holden, Hayden Holden, Ryan Guthrie, Logen Lockhart, Jeremy Beichner, Brayden Beatty, Kyle Fink, Troy McGregor, Nick Joy, Don Cornelius, Jessica Kriegisch, Brandon Ritchey, Patrick Lane, Mark Sevin, Kenin Green, Thomas Rodgers, Tom Holden, Rick Regalski (DQ). DNS: Lenny Liebold, III, Ryan Kemery.

Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars: Bob Felmlee, Logan McCandless, Brandon Matus, Zane DeVault, Gale Ruth, Jr., Jack Sodeman, jr., A.J. Flick, Jeremy Weaver, Michael Bauer, Brent Matus, Ricky Peterson, Andy Cavanaugh, Vivian Jones, John Jerich, Cameron Nastasi, Bodey mcClintock, Chase Metheney, Matt Farnham,Jacob Gomola, Timmy Jasen, Carl Bowser. DNS: Nathen McDowell.

Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Tim Bish, Rod Laskey, Pat Fielding, Chris Schneider, Mike Miller, Josh Seippel, Doug Iorio, Matt bernard, Russ Coyne, Charlie McMillen, Aaron Smith. Jason Kimmy, Tommy Dembowski. DNS: Jake Whitling, Gary Miller. Jr.

4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks: Dillon Morrison, Matt Urey, Joe Campbell, Justin Foirsyth, Ben Aley, Chad Greeley, Matt Daugherty, BillMcCollums, Dillon Thorne, Tim Callahan, Bill Fuchs, Mike Kelley.

Old Skool Kool Tour Vintage: Modifieds/Sportsmen: Wally Stock, Bob Alcorn (Sp.), Tom Warburton, Jim Kurpakus, Tim Beatty, Paul Bacchus, Nick Hessom (Sp.). Late Models/Stocks: Bill Coada, Larry Walters, Brian Lederhouse (St.), Gary Taylor (St.), Bill Stile.

The divisional sponsors of Tri City Raceway Park for 2024 are: Krill Recycling, LLC (410 Sprint Cars), 21st Century Energy Group (358 Modifieds), Hovis Auto and Truck Supply (Pro Stocks), and 4 Your Car Connection (Mini Stocks).

All competitors at Tri City Raceway Park will now be eligible for the Marsh Heating and Cooling Heat Race Challenge. The driver that wins the most heat races over the course of the season, regardless of the class, will receive a special award.

Other marketing partners of Tri City Raceway Park for 2024 include: Erie Beer, Wab-Tec (manufacturer of locomotive engines), Schaeffer Lubricants, Keystone Transit (school buses), Blue Ox Timbers (buyers of timber and timber land managment), Constable Refuse (residential and commercial garbage collectors), First Rate Realty (real estate sales), Landscape Connection (portable toilets and landscape supplies), KEI-Klapec Express Inc. (trucking company), BKI-Bert Klapec Inc. (excavation and demolition), Shambaugh Towing, Gibson Hill Automotive (auto repair), McCandless Ford Sales (located in Mercer and Meadville), McCandless Trailer Sales (located in Mercer and Meadville), Big Dog RC (remote controlled cars and race track), McGregor Excavating, Les Frickshun Lubricants (lubricants and undercoating), Bish Heating and Cooling, Wet Hose LLC (pressure washing), Heffern Septic Service, Tionesta Builders Supply (located in Tionesta and Shippenville), UCIP-United Community Independence Program (housing and services for the handicapped), Close Racing Supply, Billy’s Garage and Towing, Oakland-Rampart Equipment (makers of centrifugal dryers, wash systems, and separators).

Remember that you will need to check the Facebook page, Tri City Raceway Park, for current information. The former website is not updated and will soon be replaced.

Tri-City Raceway Park is located just a few miles north of Franklin, PA, at 3430 State Route 417 in Oakland Township. Professional auto racing will be presented in a family friendly atmosphere most Sunday evenings from May through Labor Day weekend.

Dirt Racing

Parker Price-Miller rules the Fantasy Cup at PA Motor Speedway

Published

on

Photo: Steve Skarupa/PPMS

By Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway

IMPERIAL, PA (September 5, 2026) – The 3rd Annual Dow Carnahan Fantasy Cup delivered exactly what fans came to Dirt’s Monster Half Mile to see Saturday night, but one driver made sure the biggest story of the evening belonged to him.

PPMS packed the night with qualifying, nine heat races, a B Main, and six feature events, all building toward the 25-lap main event for the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive FAST on Dirt 410 Sprint Car Series.

When the green flag dropped for the Fantasy Cup, “The Law Firm” Parker Price Miller (71), from Kokomo, Indiana, wasted no time taking control.

What followed was a wire-to-wire performance as Price Miller led all 25 laps and never surrendered the top spot on his way to winning the 3rd Annual Dow Carnahan Fantasy Cup.

But the Sprint Cars were only part of a night filled with familiar faces finding their way back to victory lane.

Matt Benard (15), from Oakdale, picked up his third win of the season in the Rohrich Parts Center/Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Model feature.

Nick Kocuba (10), from Burgettstown, added another victory in the Kehm Oil Penn Ohio Pro Stock feature.

Ryleigh Heasley (212), from Beaver, continued his winning ways with another victory in the Young Guns feature.

Garrett O’Patchen (25), from Scott Township, returned to victory lane in the Auto House Hobby Stock feature.

Shawn Metty (45), from Rawlings, Maryland, completed the night’s list of winners by taking the checkered flag in the Northeast Crown Vic Series feature.

And while Price Miller may have led every lap of the headline event, there was plenty more happening behind him before the final checkered flag fell at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile.

A strong field of 26 Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive FAST on Dirt 410 Sprint Cars was on hand for the 3rd Annual Dow Carnahan Fantasy Cup.

Following qualifying, the field was divided into three heat races, with each heat winner and the fastest qualifier from each group drawing for the top six starting positions in the 25-lap A Main.

Parker Price Miller (71), from Kokomo, Indiana, started the night by setting fast time with a lap of 16.921, but that was only the beginning of what was to come.

Price Miller later drew the pole for the 25-lap Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive FAST on Dirt 410 Sprint Car feature, with Brandon Spithaler (22), from Butler, starting alongside him in second.

Carl Bowser (11), from Butler, started third with Leyton Wagner (38), from Enon Valley, lining up fourth.

When the green flag dropped, Price Miller immediately jumped out to the lead with Spithaler following him into second.

As the leaders quickly began working through lapped traffic, Wagner moved his way into the runner-up position and tried to close the gap on Price Miller.

But every time the traffic seemed like it might give the field an opportunity, Price Miller continued to control the race from the front.

Then, with just one lap remaining, the yellow flag flew and erased the advantage Price Miller had built, giving the field one final shot at “The Law Firm.”

It still wasn’t enough.

Price Miller nailed the restart and completed a dominant wire-to-wire performance, leading all 25 laps and picking up right where he left off during his last visit to Dirt’s Monster Half Mile with a victory in the 3rd Annual Dow Carnahan Fantasy Cup.

Bowser finished second, Wagner crossed the line third, Ricky Peterson finished fourth, and Jeremy Kornbau rounded out the top five.

Heat race victories went to AJ Flick, Carl Bowser, and Brandon Matus.

Mitch Harble picked up the victory in the B Main.

A field of 17 Rohrich Parts Center/Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Models was on hand Saturday night, and with just two points separating the top three drivers in the championship standings, every position suddenly carried a little more weight.

Tom Klein (77), from Rochester, entered the night leading the standings with 775 points, while Clinton Hersh (16), from Somerset, sat second with 774 points and Brandon Burgoon (5X), from McDonald, was right behind them in third with 773 points.

That made the 20-lap feature more than just another race, especially with Burgoon starting from the pole.

Matt Benard (15), from Oakdale, started alongside Burgoon in second, while Zach Gunn (17G), from McDonald, lined up third and Jacob Billyk (4), from New Castle, started fourth.

When the green flag dropped, Benard quickly took control of the race with Burgoon settling into second and Gunn running third.

Benard continued to lead as the laps clicked away, but a caution on lap 12 suddenly erased his advantage and gave the field another opportunity.

Benard chose the outside for the restart with Burgoon lined up to his inside, setting up a late-race showdown with both the win and valuable championship points hanging in the balance.

When green replaced yellow, Benard held onto the top spot and quickly regained control of the race.

Nobody could take it away from him.

Benard led all 20 laps to pick up his third win of the season in the Rohrich Parts Center/Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Models.

Gunn finished second, Burgoon crossed the line third, Daryl Charlier finished fourth, and Hersh rounded out the top five.

Heat race victories went to Clinton Hersh and Zach Gunn.

The Kehm Oil Penn Ohio Pro Stocks rolled onto Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for their 12-lap feature with Nick Kocuba (10), from Burgettstown, starting from the pole.

Jordan Perkins (13), from New Wilmington, lined up alongside Kocuba in second, while Adam Kostelnik (36), from East McKeesport, completed the three-car field in third.

When the green flag dropped, Kocuba immediately took control of the race and never gave the top spot back.

Kocuba led all 12 laps from green to checkered to pick up another Kehm Oil Penn Ohio Pro Stock victory at PPMS.

Perkins finished second with Kostelnik crossing the line third.

The Kehm Oil Penn Ohio Pro Stocks did not run a heat race.

Kane Zupancic (11), from Collier, started on the pole for the 10-lap Young Guns feature with Hunter Bennett (67), from New Cumberland, West Virginia, alongside him in second.

Ryleigh Heasley (212), from Beaver, started third, while Connor Greynolds (18) was listed as a DNS.

When the green flag dropped, Heasley wasted no time making her move, shooting from third into the early lead with Zupancic following her into second and Bennett settling into third.

Once Heasley grabbed the top spot, nobody was taking it away.

She led all 10 laps from green to checkered to pick up another Young Guns victory at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile.

Zupancic finished second, Bennett crossed the line third, and Greynolds was credited with fourth.

The heat race victory went to Kane Zupancic.

Shawn Metty (45), from Rawlings, Maryland, started on the pole for the 10-lap Northeast Crown Vic feature with Dacron Powell (13), from Wiley Ford, West Virginia, alongside him in second.

Garrett Wolfe (22), from North Huntington, started third with Mike Matta (7), from West Mifflin, lining up fourth.

When the green flag dropped, Metty immediately took control of the race and quickly established himself as the driver to beat.

Once out front, Metty never gave the rest of the field an opening.

He led all 10 laps from green to checkered to pick up the Northeast Crown Vic victory.

Devin Thompson finished second, Wolfe crossed the line third, Powell finished fourth, and Matta rounded out the top five.

The heat race victory went to Dacron Powell.

Last but not least was the 15-lap Auto House Hobby Stock feature, with Joe Brown Jr. (48), from Aliquippa, starting on the pole and Leroy Brown (40B), also from Aliquippa, starting alongside him in second.

Tom Anton (64), from Jefferson Hills, started third with Adam Kostelnik (25A) lining up fourth.

When the green flag dropped, L. Brown jumped out to the early lead with Garrett O’Patchen (25), from Scott Township, moving into second.

L. Brown controlled the opening portion of the race, but O’Patchen stayed within striking distance as the laps began to disappear.

On lap 10, O’Patchen made his move and took over the top spot.

Once out front, O’Patchen never gave it back, leading the final five laps on his way to another Auto House Hobby Stock victory.

Kostelnik finished second, L. Brown crossed the line third, Marc Corio (14) finished fourth, and J. Brown Jr. rounded out the top five.

Heat race victories went to Stephen Shelpman and Leroy Brown.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

Dietrich Takes Hawkins Memorial at Lincoln

Published

on

Photo: Lincoln Speedway

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (September 5, 2026):  Danny Dietrich scored his second consecutive victory in the Elijah Hawkins Memorial at Lincoln Speedway. The race, the first of two Labor Day Duels, celebrated the life of a young boy who loved Sprint Car racing. He succumbed to burn injuries in July of 2021.

Dietrich’s second Lincoln win of the season and seventh overall netted the Gettysburg driver $7,000.

This one, however, was controversial.

Late in the thirty-five lap contest, Dietrich chased down Freddie Rahmer Jr. in traffic. Rahmer Jr., who led from lap twelve, began driving defensively as Double D explored his options to get by. Rahmer Jr. brushed the wall at the exit of turn four and Dietrich went low to make the pass on lap thirty-three. Rahmer Jr. immediately began plotting for a counterattack.

On the next trip around, it was Dietrich’s turn to get loose coming through turn four. He, too, brushed the wall coming off the corner and heading to the white flag. As Dietrich came down the track, Rahmer Jr. tried to get to his inside. The two racers collided. Rahmer Jr. spun down the track and collected Justin Whittall, who was running a lap down in tenth at the time. Dietrich then held off Logan Rumsey in a one lap shootout for the win.

“There was a monster cushion in (turn) four,” the happy victor said. “I went in hard and got over the cushion.” Dietrich noted that he had two wheels into the fluff. He did not realize that he had made contact with Rahmer Jr. until he saw the mark on his own left rear tire in victory lane.

Dietrich explained that he and crew chief Jake Sprugnoli worked hard all day to get his car ready for this event. “We busted our butts to get this car ready for today. It was just the two of us in the shop.” He explained that the car had not raced since July. They switched machines so that his other ride would be fresh for the upcoming Tuscarora 50.

Rumsey battled with T.J. Stutts on the opening lap. Rumsey’s slider in turn three put the nineteen-year-old out front. They continued to lead in the early laps, with Rahmer Jr. lurking in third. Chase Dietz and Dietrich followed.

The more experienced Rahmer Jr. closed the gap on Rumsey after they got into traffic on lap seven. Rahmer Jr. assumed control five laps later.

The intensity of the race picked up after the halfway sign was displayed to the field. Rahmer Jr. continued to lead over Rumsey. Dietrich was up to third, and Dietz was fourth. Around lap twenty, the top four were racing nose to tail with no lapped cars among them. Stutts still held down fifth, but he was some distance behind the frontrunners.

Dietrich rode the top line to take over second on lap twenty-two. Rumsey stayed close as the duo began to close in on Rahmer Jr. Several laps later, Dietrich got within range to try a slider for the lead in turns three and four, but he could not pull off the pass.

Rahmer Jr. maintained his lead of six-tenths as the race was drawing to a close. After Dietrich began to press him, however, Rahmer Jr. changed his approach. He got over the berm in turn four and lost the lead to Danny Dietrich, who swooped low as they thundered down the front stretch to complete lap thirty-three.

Their battle continued for another lap. It ended when Dietrich swerved left coming off the wall in turn four. Rahmer Jr. tried to turn under him, leading to the collision that literally popped the balloon.

Track officials called for a red flag so that medical attention could be provided to Whittall, who became a victim of the leaders’ tangle.

After the field realigned for the anticlimactic last lap, Rumsey made a desperate attempt to steal the win in the final turn. However, his slider failed and he took the checkers three tenths of a second behind Dietrich.

Dietz, Troy Wagaman, Jr., and Stutts completed the top five. Cameron Smith was sixth, followed by Kyle Moody, Dylan Norris, Chad Trout, and Tyler Ross.

Lance Dewease was the hard charger for the night, coming from twenty-second to thirteenth. Rahmer Jr. received the hard luck award.

Heat wins went to Rumsey, Whittall, and Dietrich. Chris Arnold won the B Main. Stutts was the fastest of thirty cars that tested the clock. His time was 13.189 seconds.

Tim Wagaman took the win in the 358 Sprint Car nightcap. He inherited the lead when Chase Hendershot slowed in turn one and Logan Spahr struck the disabled machine. They were first and second at the time of impact.

Steve Owings was second, followed by the hard charger, Brock Hammaker, who advanced sixteen positions in the twenty lapper. Bryn Gohn and Tylar Rutherford were fourth and fifth.

Ashley Cappetta also passed sixteen cars on her way to sixth. Andy Best, Jayden Wolf, Cody Fletcher and Matt Findley rounded out the top ten.

The race got off to a rocky start. Cameron Merriman struck the turn four wall while six cars tangled further ahead on the track. None of the drivers required medical assistance.

Eli Tuckey, Owings, and Fletcher scored heat race triumphs. Travis Leh tipped over in his heat race before Jansen Strine flipped spectacularly a few laps later. Neither driver was injured in their respective spills. Hammaker took the B Main laurels.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

Hammaker Defeats Rahmer In Williams Grove Thriller

Published

on

Photo: Williams Grove Speedway

MECHANICSBURG, PA (September 4, 2026):  Doug Hammaker, a highly successful 358 Sprint Car racer at Williams Grove Speedway earlier in his career, defeated Freddie Rahmer, Jr. in a thriller to notch his first career 410 victory at the historic oval. Hammaker lost the lead to Rahmer twice during the closing laps, but he rallied to pass Rahmer in turn three on the final lap. However, Hammaker did not earn the bonus for a last lap pass because he was electronically scored as the leader on lap twenty-four by only 0.026 seconds.

Hammaker had what appeared to be an insurmountable lead with five laps remaining. But when lapped traffic slowed his pace, Rahmer was able to cut the margin significantly as the race drew to a close. Indeed, Rahmer passed Hammaker twice in the final laps, but Hammaker retained the lead at the scoring loop throughout. Nonetheless, Hammaker trailed Rahmer through turns one and two on the last lap and he made a strong inside move in turn three to regain the lead. Hammaker took the checkers 0.119 seconds ahead of his challenger.

Hammaker explained why his lead shrank in the closing laps thusly. “I hit the lapped cars at the wrong time,” adding that he seemed to reach them at the end of the long straights. “I knew I was just a sitting duck. I was trying to run the bottom and that was not the right move.” He continued, “they (the lapped cars) were too far of a gap where I couldn’t slide them. So, I had to do my best to try and carry my momentum around those corners.”

However, Rahmer first passed Hammaker on the inside coming off turn two when the leader got hung up behind some slower cars.

There were no lapped cars to interfere with Hammaker’s winning move on the final lap. Hammaker used the same strategy to salvage the win. “I ran it in on the bottom (of turn three) and I think that screwed up Freddie’s entry,” he noted. Hammaker then finished off the pass with a short slider.

Despite the frenzied last lap, Hammaker candidly admitted that Chase Dietz was the man to beat this night. Once again, though, Dietz suffered from some bad racing luck. He led Hammaker by more than 1.2 seconds moments before tangling with a lapped car in turn four on lap nine. Dietz spun toward the inside guardrail but avoided contact with the barrier. With no apparent damage, he rejoined the back of the field and raced his way into the top ten by the conclusion of the thirty lapper.

Dietz used the cushion in turn two to drive by Hammaker on the opening lap. Rahmer, Cameron Smith, and Dylan Norris made up the rest of the top five in the early going. Dietz built a substantial lead until the calamity in turn four nine laps into the event.

Hammaker inherited the lead for the restart, with Rahmer, Smith, Norris, Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Austin Bishop, Troy Wagaman, Jr., T.J. Stutts, and Kody Hartlaub rounding out the top ten at that time. Hartlaub lost his spot in the top ten on lap fourteen, and Norris ended his top five run five laps later.

The caution for Norris was converted into an open red because track officials determined that the racers would not be able to finish the remaining eleven laps without adding fuel.

So, Hammaker had the point for the final restart with eleven laps to go. He was followed by Rahmer, Smith, Dietrich, Rumsey, Wagaman, Bishop, Stutts, Lance Dewease, and Brent Shearer.

Rahmer tried to go under Hammaker entering turn one on the restart. Hammaker had the right rear planted in the cushion, and his momentum carried him past Rahmer.

Three laps after the race resumed, Dietrich took third away from Smith with a slider in turn four. Dietrich then began to close in on Rahmer. Soon, they were both approaching Hammaker.

However, the late race drama began to unfold because Hammaker was struggling with lapped traffic. Rahmer and Dietrich had both cut into his lead. For a moment, It seemed that there would be a three-car battle for the top spot, but Dietrich lost contact with the leaders while they were navigating through the slower cars.

Rahmer made his most significant move taking the lead coming off turn two, but Hammaker was somehow ahead by a nose at the scoring loop as they took the white flag. Rahmer regained the advantage through the first two corners on the final lap. Hammaker came storming back entering turn three. Rahmer tried to turn back under him coming off turn four, but Hammaker was far enough ahead after the final two turns to secure his momentous win.

Dietrich followed Hammaker and Rahmer to the checkers. Smith and Rumsey were fourth and fifth, respectively. Wagaman, Bishop, Stutts, Dewease, and Dietz completed the top ten.

The $8,000 victory was the first for Sandy Kline at Williams Grove as the sole owner of the yellow number 22 with the throwback paint scheme. For several years, she co-owned a similar car with her late husband, Jim. Their last win at the Grove came in 2009 with the late Greg Hodnett at the controls.

Dietz, Rahmer, and Hammaker scored heat wins. There was no B Main needed for the twenty-five car field.

Justin Whittal flipped during hot laps and scratched for the night. He was not injured in the crash.

Mike Walls surprisingly passed Kyle Lee in turn two on the final lap of the Limited Late Model race. Kyle Lee took the lead from Dan Zechman on lap nine and it appeared that he would cruise to victory in the twenty lapper. However, Kyle Lee slowed when he jumped the cushion following a lap nineteen restart and Mike Walls was there to capitalize on the error.

D.J. Myers made some nifty moves in the closing laps to get third, finishing ahead of Chase Billet and Brian Booze. Travis Mease, Treyton Lee, Chad Earnst, Colton Friese, and Shannon Slaughter completed the top ten.

Lane Snook, Kyle Lee, John Moser, Jr., and Mike Wells won the heat races in the only appearance of the Limited Late Models at the track for 2026. Travis Horan captured the B Main. Thirty-three cars signed in for the event.

Continue Reading

Discover more from Pittsburgh Racing Now

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading