From Central Pa.
Mechanicsburg, PA – Hanover native Stevie Smith snared the lead from Shane Stewart and went on to win the $10,000 Mitch Smith Memorial at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night as part of PA Speedweek for sprint cars.
It was Smith’s second career win in the prestigious event, run in honor of the late, great area sprint car star from Linglestown.
Smith started third in the 30-lap event aboard the CJB Motorsports No. 19 and swapped third with Danny Lasoski on the first circuit before securing the spot as Stewart led over Aaron Ott.
The race pace was slowed for the first time just after the first lap was scored when Paul McMahan glanced off of the first turn rail and stopped.
Smith motored by Ott and into second on the fourth circuit before Ott stopped with six away, bringing out another caution flag.
Lasoski lined up third for the restart followed by Greg Hodnett and Brian Montieth.
The next 22 laps clicked off non-stop and by the time the 10th circuit was being scored, both Stewart and Smith had run up a healthy advantage ahead of Lasoski and company while hanging onto the ragged cushion.
All it took was one misstep on that cushion by Stewart in the third turn with 10 laps to go for Smith to take advantage and blast into the lead.
And once in control, the veteran began pulling away as he sped to the win.
But with just two laps to go, Smith was forced to stop with the lead when Daryn Pittman rolled his No. 27 in the second corner and collected Brian Montieth.
Having started 18th, Pittman was making noise as he advanced through the field and was running in fourth when he jumped the cushion and turned over, gathering up fifth-place runner Montieth.
Another red flag unfurled with only one lap to go when Danny Dietrich flipped out of ninth place in the fourth corner.
The final restart saw Smith blast away to the win in the 24th annual Smith Memorial after having also taken the inaugural event in 1989.
“That’s too long,” Smith said of the years between his Smith Memorial wins.
He credited his hard working crew for victory.
“I get to drive it. They’re doin’ all the work,” Smith commented.
“All the credit goes to them.”
Smith remarked on his winning move, saying of Stewart, “He eased up for one second and I let it go across.”
“That’s how you do it here.”
Stewart held on for second followed by Hodnett, Lasoski and Don Kreitz Jr.
Sixth through 10th went to Mike Erdley, Fred Rahmer, Doug Esh, Lance Dewease and defending Smith Memorial winner Alan Krimes.
Heats went to Hodnett, Lasoski, Smith and Adam Wilt. Steve Buckwalter took the B Main.
Rahmer set fast time over the 42-car field with a time of 17.386 seconds.
July 6, 2012 Feature Finishes:
410 sprint cars, 30 laps: 1. Stevie Smith, 2. Shane Stewart, 3. Greg Hodnett, 4. Danny Lasoski, 5. Don Kreitz Jr., 6. Mike Erdley, 7. Fred Rahmer, 8. Doug Esh, 9. Lance Dewease, 10. Alan Krimes, 11. Adam Wilt, 12. Logan Schuchart, 13. Kyle Larson, 14. Mike Wagner, 15. Danny Dietrich, 16. Brent Marks, 17. Chad Layton, 18. Daryn Pittman, 19. Brian Montieth, 20. Jim Siegel, 21. Steve Buckwalter, 22. Aaron Ott, 23. Gerard McIntyre Jr., 24. Paul McMahan
DNQ: TJ Stutts, Jessica Zemken, Brian Leppo, Ryan Taylor, Michael Ruttkamp, Darryn Mollenoyoux, Rick Lafferty, Ryan Bohlke, Troy Fraker, Hunter Mackison, Nicole Bower, Davey Sammons, Derek Sell, Curt Michael, Cory Haas, Ryan Smith, Jay Reichard, Sheldon Haudenschild