Mobile Version: mobile.lewistownsentinel.com
RSS:
Lewistown Weather Forecast, PA
Member Login: Email: Password:
Search: Local News Classified EZToUse.com Web
Local News  Obituaries  Local Sports  Penn State  Local Classifieds  Jobs  Polls  Blogs
Local Sports

Hodnett wires Speedweek race

By CRAIG RUTHERFORD, Sentinel correspondent
POSTED: July 6, 2009

Article Photos


Advertisement

PORT ROYAL - Greg Hodnett was perfect during Saturday night's sprint car Speedweek feature at Port Royal Speedway.

The Thomasville resident led every lap while driving Jim and Sandy Kline's racer to the winner's circle. For Hodnett, it was his third win of the season at the Juniata County oval. Hodnett is now tied with Todd Shaffer for the most wins this season at the historic speed plant. Hodnett took another step toward locking up his second career Speedweek title. His first championship came in 2002.

Hodnett credited his team and mechanic Lee Stouffer for the win.

"Today is Lee Stouffer's birthday," Hodnett began. "To win for him on his birthday is special. We're all clicking right now. I want to thank my crew and Jim and Sandy (Kline) for giving me the chance to drive for them."

Hodnett also spoke about his championship hopes.

"We're in a good position right now. That doesn't mean we couldn't still lose it," he said. "Anything can happen if you wreck a car. All we can do is put ourselves in the position to win races and right now we're doing that. I'm glad someone else pulled the pill draw tonight. I usually pull a six or eight. It worked out for us."

Hodnett's statement was correct. After starting on the pole, Hodnett withstood one red flag period and a lap 24 caution for flat tires on Brian Leppo and Keith Kauffman's race cars. Leppo elected to stay in the pit area while Kauffman returned to action and finished 15th. The red flag came on lap one when B-Main winner Doug Dodson of Mechanicsburg demolished his car while flipping in turn one. Dodson, a National Guard Officer who recently returned from duty in Iraq, was not injured.

After both mishaps, the field was bunched on Hodnett's bumper. It didn't matter - Hodnett was never seriously challenged. Youngster Cody Darrah, of Red Lion, started fourth and ran second the entire race. Daryn Pittman, of Owassa, Okla., was third. Mike Wagner, of Harrisonville, finished fourth. Mike Erdley, of Elizabethville, was fifth. Sixth through tenth were Australian Garry Brazier, Chad Kemenah, Fred Rahmer, Mark Smith and Todd Shaffer. Rahmer, Kemenah and Shaffer won heat races.

Stevie Smith set fast time at 16.600 seconds, but later destroyed his racer after the steering broke in turn one. Smith flipped hard, after striking the outside fence. The Broken Arrow, Okla., driver was not injured but was eliminated from action for the night. The accident happened during the first heat race. Thirty cars were in the pit area.

Derick Garman returned to the winner's circle during pro stock action. Garman started sixth and grabbed the lead during lap three. Harold Ranck Jr. started second and led the first two laps before Garman took control. Jason Zook, driving the No. 76 car normally piloted by Dave Bowsman, finished second. Herm Renninger was third. Devin Frey and Keith Garman completed the top five. Heat races for the 17 car field were won by Terry Naugle and John Heane.

Action resumes July 11 when the York County Racing Club makes its annual visit. The sprint cars. late models, pro stocks and powder puff cars are in action. The evening is also Kids Night and includes big wheel, big foot and bicycle racing for the youngsters.

Kids activities start at 5 p.m. Racing gets under way at 7.

 
Share:
Facebook  MySpace  Digg  Stumble    Mixx  Fark  del.icio.us   LiveSpaces
 
Member Comments
View Comments: | Post a comment
No comments posted for this article.
You must first login before you can comment.
Existing Member Login
Not a Member?
Create a Member Account  
*Your email address:
*Password:
    Forgot Password?
  Remember my email address.
 
Local News  Obituaries  Local Sports  Penn State  Local Classifieds  Jobs  Polls  Blogs