From Selinsgrove Speedway
Selinsgrove. PA — (April 18, 2015) — Davie “No Panic” Franek of Wantage, N.J., scored a thrilling victory over TJ Stutts of Liverpool in Saturday night’s 25-lap 360 sprint car feature at Selinsgrove Speedway.
Franek and Stutts see-sawed for the lead for the last 10 laps of the race with Franek taking his first checkered flag of the season in the Franek Auto Sales No. 28F. The $2,000 victory was Franek’s ninth career at the track.
“I hope you fans enjoyed that!” said Franek in Victory Lane. “It was exciting from my seat!”
Second-place starter Davie Franek and polesitter Troy Betts dueled for the lead at the start of the sprint car feature. Franek edged out Betts for the lead at the completion of the first lap, when the caution flag waved for a double spin involving Larry Kelleher and Brad Franks in turn four.
On the restart, Franek maintained the lead with fifth-place starter TJ Stutts making a breathtaking move against the guardrail in turn four to drive by both Betts and fourth-place starter Jason Shultz for the second spot! On a lap five restart, 11th-place starter Mark Smith powered into the top five.
At the halfway point, Stutts closed in on Franek in what would turn into a suspenseful race for the lead and win. Slider after slider through the turns, Franek would reclaim the lead from Stutts. While Stutts put his car in front of Franek’s at different times on the track he was never scored as the leader of the race at the start-finish line.
Racing off turn four for the checkered flag, Franek held off Stutts’ last-ditch effort to steal the win. Franek was victorious by just .59 of a second over Stutts, Smith, Betts, and 10th-place starter Colby Womer.