By Shawn Brouse for CHR
SELINSGROVE, PA – Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove started his year the best way possible Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway by claiming the track’s season opener for 358 sprints in his season debut.
The win was the fifth of Heimbach’s career at the historic oval, which ties him with Bill Albright, Doug Esh, Howie Locke and John Martin on the all-time win list.
At the wheel of the Creasy Signs No. 12, Creasy Heimbach Racing sprinter, Heimbach started the 20-lapper out of the 10th spot and went to work on the field behind leader Jason Shultz.
And when a mishap at the front led to contact between the leaders with two to go, Heimbach ran to the win on the restart, unheeded over the final mile of competition.
“The first thing it does is, it lets you realize, ‘I can win a race,’ Heimbach said of the victory.
“It makes everything easier, because it feels like you’re on track. We weren’t 100 percent where we need to be but we were close enough to put ourselves in a position to win,” the 27-year old commented of his fortune.
The pilot hopes his good run to start the year sets the tone for the season ahead.
“I hope it sets the stage for a really, really good year. I would be lying if I didn’t say I look for a really, really good year for us,” he admitted.
In victory lane, Heimbach credited the shock genius of Larry Haas and his new Mach 1 chassis for getting him to victory lane.
The win was number 56 overall for the CHR team since joining forces in 2002.
Heimbach will strap in next at the season opener for 358s at Selinsgrove Speedway on Saturday where he is the all-time win leader with 29 checkered flags.
The CHR No. 12 is sponsored in 2010 by: Aubrey Alexander Toyota, Beavertown Block Company, Goff Racing, Mach 1 Chassis, Jake’s Karts, Kleen Mist Car Wash, Creasy Signs, Heimbach’s Country Store and B & C Auto Parts.