From Williams Grove
Mechanicsburg, PA – Danny Dietrich tracked down and passed Fred Rahmer and then held off Brian Montieth to record the opening day 410 sprint car win at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
In 358 sprint action, Pat Cannon took the victory for the second year in a row in the opener for the division. Dietrich of Aspers started inside the second row in the 25-lap sprint car feature, just behind of polesitter Rahmer of Salfordville. Rahmer was able to lead the first eight circuits before Dietrich drove his No. 48 by Rahmer upon exiting the fourth corner using the inside lane.
Once in front, Dietrich began encountering and negotiating lapped traffic as eyes began turning to surging seventh starter Montieth of Phoenixville. Montieth made a two-car pass of Stevie Smith and Rick Lafferty on the 12th circuit to break into the top three and then disposed of Rahmer with 10 laps to go to set his sights on leader Dietrich.
It took until the final two laps for Montieth to finally track down Dietrich and it was in the final turns of the final lap that the man known as “The Edge” made his move to steal the win. Montieth drove his No. 21 deep into the fourth corner to slide up with the lead while exiting the turn. But not to be outdone, Dietrich backpedaled and turned the car to drive back underneath and reclaim the point as the pair came to the checkered flag with Montieth biting the outside wall in his struggle to hold control.
“I saw Montieth coming for the white flag down there in turn four,” Dietrich said. “I kinda’ figured what was coming.” “This kind of puts us ahead for the rest of the year in my mind, we have some confidence now,” the winner noted. It was his first opening day feature win at Williams Grove Speedway and fourth overall. Montieth was second followed by Rahmer, Smith and Lance Dewease
Heats went to Smith, Derek Sell, Lafferty and Dewease. Twin consolations for the 40-car field went to Brent Marks and Alan Krimes.
Cannon started fifth in the 20-lap 358 sprint main and came to third on the first lap before a restart bunched the field. He took second from Logan Wagner on the restart and then claimed the lead from Mark Smith with five away to take the checkers. It was Cannon’s 26th career win at the historic oval. Heats went to Rodney Westhafer, Dale Hammaker and Cannon.
Williams Grove Speedway will host the only appearance of the season by the super late models along with the Lawrence Chevrolet 410 sprint cars on March 30 at 7 pm. March 23, 2012
Feature Finishes:
410 sprint cars, 25 laps: 1. Danny Dietrich, 2. Brian Montieth, 3. Fred Rahmer, 4. Stevie Smith, 5. Lance Dewease, 6. Logan Schuchart, 7. Brian Leppo, 8. Rick Lafferty, 9. Danny Holtgraver, 10. Chad Layton, 11. Daryn Pittman, 12. Tim Shaffer, 13. Adam Wilt, 14. Mark Smith, 15. Brent Marks, 16. Dylan Cisney, 17. Doug Esh, 18. Alan Krimes, 19. Cory Haas, 20. Derek Sell, 21. Austin Reed, 22. Ryan Bohlke, 23. Curt Michael, 24. Steve Buckwalter
358 sprint cars, 30 laps: 1. Pat Cannon, 2. Mark Smith, 3. Logan Wagner, 4. Davie Franek, 5. Josh Beard, 6. Kevin Nouse, 7. Eric Tomecek, 8. Amy Ott, 9. Rodney Westhafer, 10. Jacob Allen, 11. Dale Hammaker, 12. Nate Hammaker, 13. Ted Thomas Jr., 14. Nathan Berwager, 15. Matt Mountz, 16. Adrian Shaffer, 17. Tim Berkheimer, 18. Brie Hershey, 19. Brian Garland, 20. Aaron Eichelberger, 21. Ryan Wilson