From Trail-Way Speedway
Hanover, PA (04/23/10) –It’s been said race car drivers never retire the first time. Even if he’s “the Godfather.”
Dale Hammaker talked retirement after claiming the Lincoln Speedway track title last year.
But when 2010 arrived, the Hammaker’s Machine Shop/MAC Tools/Farnsworth #66 was in the pits.
And for the second time in-a-row, he found himself in victory lane at Trail-Way Speedway Friday night.
“Now I can retire!” quipped Hammaker in victory lane, “I NEVER win two in a row!”
“I could hear Brad (McClelland) and Jeff (Rohrbaugh) back there,” continued Hammaker, “They are so good. So are Billy (Dietrich) and several others. It’s gonna be downright tough by the end of the year here.”
Hammaker got the luck of the draw to start on the outside of the front row, won the drag race to the first turn on all three attempts to start the race, and led all 25-laps to claim the $1,200 top prize in the Insinger Fuels 358 Sprint Spring Championship.
Third-starting Brad McClelland and fourth-starting Jeff Rohrbaugh raced for the runner-up spot over the second half of the race. Rohrbaugh got under polesitter Chad Criswell for second on lap two, and McClelland drove around Criswell for third on a 12th-lap restart. Rohrbaugh nearly spun in turns three and four of lap 17, handing the runner-up spot to the B&D Truck Hoist #6.
McClelland and Rohbaugh ran second and third the rest of the way, with Criswell and seventh-starting Logan Schuchart completing the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Randy Whisler, Keith Prutzman, Billy Dietrich, Joe Trone, Jr., and Tim Wagaman.
Heats for the 26 “358” sprint cars on hand were won by Hammaker, Jessie Morrison, and Randy Davis, Jr. Mike Ressler won the consolation event.
Justin Bittle won his first-ever thundercar feature after finding himself the leader when Brian Walls went to the pits with a flat right rear tire on lap 13 of the 20-lap event.
Bittle held off Will Walls and Jamie Zentmyer, the only other two cars on the lead at the end. Brian Walls and Brad Shank crossed fourth and fifth one lap down.
Will Walls won the lone qualifier for the nine thundercars in attendance.
Joe Racine remained undefeated in the 12-lap limited stock feature, claiming his third win in as many races.
Daryl Hanson, Robert Nicklow, Kyle Rohrbaugh, and Robbie Carroll completed the top five.
Heat wins for the 25 limited stocks were won by Racine, Wayne Blevins, and Cory Weishaar. Shane Miller won the consolation event.
Tomorrow (4/24), the 600cc and 270cc Micro Sprints, All American Outlaws, Scramble Cars,
and Starlite 4 & 6 cylinder Ovals are on the schedule. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Next Friday (4/30), Trail-Way Speedway host the 358 Late Models for their second appearance of the season as well as the Thundercars, 1000cc Sidewinders and Limited Stocks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
Next Saturday (5/1), the 600cc and 270cc Micro Sprints, Excel Modifieds, Scramble Cars, Starlite 4 cyl Ovals and Strictly Stocks are on the schedule. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing beginning at
6:30 p.m.
For all the latest news and related information from Trail-Way Speedway, fans are reminded to visit the speedway website at www.trail-wayspeedway.com. The complete story and agate from each race night is posted shortly after the final checkered falls.
Trail-Way Speedway April 23, 2010
INSINGER FUELS 358 SPRINT SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Feature (25 Laps)
1. 66-Dale Hammaker; 2. 6-Brad McClelland; 3. 7V-Jeff Rohrbaugh; 4. 84C-Chad Chriswell; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart; 6. 64-Randy Whisler; 7. 28-Keith Prutzman; 8. 8-Billy Dietrich; 9. 99-Joe Trone, Jr.; 10. 1-Tim Wagaman; 11. 98B-Troy Becker; 12. 18J-Jessie Morrison; 13. 10W-Brian Bruckner; 14. 21-Scott Fisher; 15. 38-Mike Ressler; 16. 20-Trevor Little; 17. 33-Billy Heltzel III; 18. 98-Randy Davis, Jr.(DNF); 19. 27-Brian Suchy(DNF); 20. 59T-Tim Stallings(DNF); 21. 66B-Cory Brockman(DNF); 22. 12-Mike Bittinger(DNF); 23. 11D-Mike Duncan, Jr.(DNF); 24. 50-Chad Trout(DNF); 25. 15-Zack Reid(DNS). No Time.
Lap Leaders- Dale Hammaker (1-25).