Article Photos

Fact Box

IF YOU GO

The two-day Tuscarora 50 event is Friday and Saturday at Port Royal.

Advertisement

PORT ROYAL - Mike Wagner was perfect Monday afternoon during the Labor Day Classic for sprint cars at Port Royal Speedway.

After 22 years of trying, the Harrisonville driver added his name to the holiday win list. Wagner was joined in post race festivities by his wife despite her suffering from a touch of the flu.

" We were really good here in the feature," Wagner said. "I never dreamed we would win it because we haven't been real good. The car had a lot of tilt in it (chassis set up) but it still went."

Wagner led all 25 laps after starting on the pole. Fred Rahmer started second and chased Wagner the entire race. Rahmer and the rest of the field had their opportunities, but couldn't capitalize on them.

The race was under yellow during lap three when Lance Dewease suffered a flat tire. Dewease rejoined action and raced from the rear of the field to finish eighth. Following the restart, Wagner opened a huge lead over the rest of the field. Near the midpoint, Rahmer closed the gap in lapped traffic but could not mount a serious challenge.

Wagner's lead was wiped out during lap 19 when Mark Smith stopped on the speedway with engine problems. Smith was finished for the day. Rahmer tried to slip under Wagner entering turn one during the restart. It didn't work and Wagner maintained control.

The race was stopped during lap 22 when Cody Darrah flipped coming out of turn four. Darrah's racer was out of action for the day. The Red Lion youngster was not injured. Upon restarting, Rahmer again tried to slide under Wagner entering turn one. Wagner was better off the corner and gained track advantage over Rahmer. The move clinched the win for Wagner.

Rahmer settled for second with 2008 Labor Day champ Todd Shaffer third. Daryn Pittman and Keith Kauffman completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were Brian Leppo, Greg Hodnett, Lance Dewease, Kevin Nouse and Mike Erdley. Heat races for the 23 car field were won by Rahmer and Hodnett.

The win was the second of the season for Wagner. His son, Mike Wagner III, also scored two wins in the 305 sprint car class this season. Wagner spoke about his family's racing season.

"It's been a great year, but I was getting low on money so this ($3,000 prize) will sure help out. It always helps to start on the front row, but we were pretty decent today," he said.

Wagner was presented his winning trophy by Howard Foss of Lewistown.

Start Scotty Haus on the pole of a daylight race at Port Royal Speedway and most people would have the check already made out to the Hamburg star. For 17 laps it looked as though Haus was on his way to win no. 7 of the season. Young Dylan Yoder of Selinsgrove ended those plans by upsetting Haus to earn his first career late model win.

Yoder is the son of late model star Jim Yoder. The elder driver took the day off and was helping his son in the pit area. The youngster made his parents proud while driving the Krenn Racing no. 32 to the winner's circle. Haus finished second with Devin Friese third. Tim Fedder and Tim Wilson rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Andy Haus, Friese, and Wagner. There were 27 cars.

"I never thought I'd be able to get back by him (Haus) after he got the lead," Yoder said. "His car is so tough off the top."

Tim Krape, of Bellefonte, scored his second win of the season during pro stock competition. Krape started on the pole and led every lap. John Heane chased Krape the entire way. Derrick Garman was third with Terry Naugle fourth. Jim Palm was fifth. Naugle and Garman won qualifiers. There were 17 cars.

The track will be back in action Friday when the Night Before the 50 for sprint cars will be presented. The top four finishers in Friday night's race will be locked into Saturday's Tuscarora 50. The pro stocks also are on the card, which starts at 7 p.m.