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PORT ROYAL - You could feel the excitement Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway.

Bob Bennett of Lewisberry beat the top stars of Pennsylvania sprint car racing. Bennett started on the pole and led all 25 laps of the main event. While Bennett was controlling the race, Lewistown driver Daryl Stimeling did an outstanding job holding off Greg Hodnett and Lance DeWease to finish second. Hodnett slipped under Stimeling during the final lap before Stimeling regained control exiting turn four.

Hodnett settled for third with DeWease fourth. Cliff Brian completed the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Todd Shaffer, Dave Ely, Rick Lafferty, Michael Heckman and Mark Smith.

Cliff Brian ran second to Bennett during the first five laps before being passed by Stimeling. DeWease moved by Brian on lap seven and was passed by Hodnett during lap 17. The race was under yellow during lap 10 when Mark Bitner stopped on the front stretch. Bitner was out of action for the rest of the night.

Bennett held a commanding lead during most of the race. He was joined in the winner's circle by car owner John Mickle, his father, who had a lengthy career as a driver himself. Bennett expressed his feelings following the race.

"Following that caution I missed the first and second turns and I thought I gave it away. It was a little close those two times but I didn't know how close anybody else was behind me. I didn't see anybody so it was OK," he said.

Mickle continued by explaining his team's race plans this season.

"We've cut back a little bit this year. I got hurt last year, here. I broke my wrist and I had to sit out the rest of the season. We thought we'd be OK for this season but our business we're expanding and spending a lot of time getting it up and running and we're doing a building expansion so it's taken a ton of our time," he explained. "We've backed off a bit because when we rush to get to the track we find we're really not prepared. It's no way to come out here and compete."

Tim Fedder, of Millerstown, won the 20-lap late model feature. Fedder got the lead from pole sitter Todd Snook on lap six. Fedder with stood several cautions while recording the win. Fedder expressed relief with his racing frustration.

"This couldn't be any sweeter. We've been struggling so bad," he said. "These guys have worked so hard. They always said you get them ( wins) when you don't expect them and boy I didn't expect it tonight."

Fedder won by a nearly a straight away. Snook finished second with Jeff Johnson third. Bryan Sipe and Jere Wierman completed the top five. Mike Hess won the hard charger award, advancing 11 positions in the feature.

Mike Enders led every lap to win the super sportsman feature. Enders was trailed by Steve Wilbur, Aaron Eichelberger and Stan Wanner.

Young Mike Wagner II won the 20-lap 305 sprint car feature on his mother's birthday. Ellen Wagner was in tears as she joined he two sons and husband/driver Mike Sr. in the winner's circle.

It appeared brother Logan Wagner would finish second until a lapped car broke and slid into his racer on lap 19. Logan was eliminated from action. Randy Kaylor tried to slide under Mike Wagner entering turn one on the final lap but could not complete the pass. Mark Watkins finished third with Tyler Bear fourth. Roger Irvine was fifth.

The powder puff race was won by Jen Powell over Teresa Kepner.

Racing continues July 25 with late models, pro stocks, enduro cars, 305 sprint cars and super sportsman. Kids big wheel, big foot and bicycle racing will also be presented. Action starts at 7 p.m.