From Todd Fisher
Susquehanna, PA — (September 21, 2014) — Gettysburg’s Danny Dietrich won his first SSP 410 Sprint Carl feature race of the season at the Susquehanna Speedway Park on Sunday Night. Curt Michael of Ocean View, Delaware bested the field in the 358/360 Sprint Car Challenge race presented by www.shetronequipment.com and Newville Construction Services. Zach Overmiller and Mike Zelionis each took victories in the two 8-lap Sidewinder Sprint Car features.
In the 25-lap 410 Sprint Car feature event, Greg Hodnett took the early lead over Freddie Rahmer. Rahmer stayed close and within striking distance as the duo entered lapped traffic midway through the race. A caution on lap 13 closed up the field and gave Hodnett smooth waters in front of him. On the restart, Danny Dietrich moved around Rahmer to take the runner-up spot and set his sites on Hodnett. The pair swapped positions up front for three laps until Dietirch finally took command of the top spot on lap 19. Dietrich went on to claim the checkers over Hodnett and Rahmer. Lance Dewease finished fourth followed by Mark Smith in fifth. Heat race wins went to Rahmer, Hodnett and Aaron Ott. Dave Ely won the consolation race.
In the 20-lap 358/360 Sprint Car Challenge race, Mike Walter took the early lead over Robbie Stillwagon with Mark Smith following in third place. Midway through the race, Smith took the runner-up spot and set his sights on Walter. Meanwhile, Curt Michael moved into third, coming from a 7th place starting spot. On lap 13, the three car battle for the lead found Michael in the lead with Walter in second and Smith back to third. Michael set the pace and took the victory in the race. With three laps to go, Smith retook the runner-up spot to finish second when Walter slowed with mechanical issues. Stillwagon came across the line in third, followed by Kyle Reinhardt in fourth and Derrick Locke in fifth place. Heat victors were Smith, Stillwagon and Michael. The consolation win went to Ryan Wilson.
In the first of two 8-lap Sidewinder Sprint Car features, Brandon Yarlett took the early lead until lap 6 when Austin Quick scooted by taking over the top spot. At the checkers, it was Quick taking the win over Turk Tabb in second. Yarlett finished third, followed by Zach Overmiller and Rohan Beasley on fourth and fifth respectively. Following the race, the top three finishers failed to go to post-race technical inspections, giving the victory to Overmiller.
The second Sidewinder feature of the night, Mike Zelionis led from start-to-finish and took the victory over Austin Quick. Rohan Beasley finished in third, followed by Turk Tabb in fourth and Zach Overmiller rounding out the top five.
On Saturday night, September 27, racing returns on the “Big Track” with the 9th Annual Susquehanna Showdown that is highlighted with a 50-lap feature for the 358ci Late Models and a 25-lap Sportsman Modified race. The All-American Outlaws will also make their sole visit to the Newberrytown oval of the year. The Late Model race is presented by Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic. The Late Model winner will earn $2,000 for the victory.
The Late Models will qualify through heat races and last chance races. The top three in each heat will draw individually for their starting position in the 50-lap feature. The highest SSP point driver not qualifying through the heats or last chance races will be given a provisional 25th place starting spot. The Late Models will follow the general SSP Late Model spec rules found on the website with the exception that any 11” Hoosier tire is permitted. There will be a $100.00 entry fee for only the Late Model drivers which will include their pit pass for entry that night.
The open comp Sportsman Modified race will follow the generally accepted Sportsman Modified rules throughout local tracks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Sail panels are permitted and the minimum weight rule will be 2,450 lbs for cars with aluminum wheels and 2,375 lbs for cars with steel wheels. The 20-lap feature will pay $1,000 to the winner and $100 to start. There will be one more Sportsman Modified race held at SSP in 2014 at the Candy Bowl on Saturday, October 25.
On Saturday, gates will open for both the pit area at 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands at 4:00 p.m. with qualifying action beginning at 6:00 p.m. General Admission Grandstand ticket prices for Saturday night are Adults (ages 18-59) $15.00; Young Adults (ages 11-17) & Senior Adults (60 & Older) $13.00; Children (10 & under) are free. Pit pass prices are $25.00. The minimum age requirement to purchase a pit pass is 12 years of age with a copy of a birth certificate is required for all ages 12 to 14.
The raindate will be Sunday, September 28, if necessary.
The next Wednesday Night Test & Tune for any type of racecar will be on Wednesday, October 1. The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with practice sessions rotating for each class from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $12.00 per person for pit passes and a $20.00 fee for each racecar entering the pit area ($32.00 per car & driver combination). Each session will be 4-6 laps per session depending on car count. The grandstands are open free to the public. Each class will receive 4 to 5 rounds of 4/6 laps each or more if time permits. The fuel pumps from Miller’s Racing Parts will not be open. Anyone needing fuel should contact Miller’s Racing Parts directly at 717-766-0181. The main concession stand will be open throughout the night.
The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located off I-83 to exit 32, then 1.4 miles NW on SR382 to York Road, then 1.3 miles south. For more information, contact the speedway offices at (717) 292-1696 or visit online at sspracing.net. On raceday, use the track phone at (717) 938-9170 for up-to-date information at the “Big Track” and the “Outback Track.”
Susquehanna Speedway Park “Big Track” Race Results from Sunday, September 21, 2014
410 Sprint Cars Feature (25 laps): 1. Danny Dietrich; 2. Greg Hodnett; 3. Freddie Rahmer; 4. Lance Dewease; 5. Mark Smith; 6. Davey Sammons; 7. Kyle Moody; 8. Brandon Rahmer; 9. Tyler Ross; 10. Brent Marks; 11. Justin Barger; 12. Dave Ely; 13. Ryan Wilson; 14. Austin Hogue; 15. Billy Dietrich; 16. Brad Howard; 17. Rick Lafferty; 18. Wayne Dadetto; 19. Dustin Baney; 20. Daryl Stimeling; 21. Joseph Kata II; 22. Jim Shuster; 23. Mike Bittinger; 24. Aaon Ott; DNQ – Michael Thomas; Mark Zimmerman; David Quakenbush.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Hodnett (1-17); Dietrich (18-25).
HEAT RACE WINNERS: F. Rahmer; Hodnett and Ott.
CONSOLATION RACE WINNER: Ely.
358/360 Sprint Car Feature (20 laps): 1. Curt Michael; 2. Mark Smith; 3. Robbie Stillwagon; 4. Kyle Reinhardt; 5. Derek Locke; 6. Jordan Givler; 7. Amy Ott; 8. Cole Young; 9. John Braim; 10. Mike Walter II; 11. Glenndon Forsythe; 12. Cody Fletcher; 13. Scott Lutz; 14. Jason Cherry; 15. Michael Hamer; 16. Mike Waters; 17. Chris Frank; 18. Dane Lorene; 19. Kody Lehman; 20. Mallie Shuster; 21. John Smith; 22. Mike Bittinger; 23. Steve Storrie; 24. Ryan Wilson; DNQ – Brad Franks; Jeff Reis; Chris Arnold; Jake Eldreth; C.J. Quirk.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Waters (1-12); Michael (13-20).
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Stillwagon; Smith and Michael.
CONSOLATION RACE WINNER: Wilson.