PORT ROYAL - Greg Hodnett of Thomasville returned to his winning ways at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night, claiming his sixth 410 sprint feature of the season at the track and 30th of his Port Royal career overall.
In the 20-lap late model main, Shermansdale's Mike Lupfer broke through for a victory after running strongly all season in his No. 06.
Kody Lehman of Enola claimed the 20-lap 305 sprint series victory.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by TIM SHUMAKER
Racing for the late model lead off turn two are feature winner Mike Lupfer (06) and Brett Schadel (22) at Port Royal Speedway Saturday.
During intermission, over $500 in change and cash was given away during a money scramble for youth ages 12 and under on the speedway frontstretch.
Hodnett started sixth in the 410 sprint main and was up to fourth on the first circuit as polesitter Sheldon Haudenschild of Wooster, Ohio, held sway over Dave Ely and Daryn Pittman.
Haudenschild set a torrid pace around the half-mile oval and entered lapped traffic on just the fifth circuit.
Hodnett meanwhile disposed of Pittman for third on the second lap before tussling with Ely until lap 10 when he sealed second.
From there, as Haudenschild negotiated traffic and teased the outside guardrail Hodnett began closing in rapidly on the teenager for the eventual win.
It was with 10 to go that Hodnett went out front before beginning to pull away however the only caution flag of the race unfurled with five to go, slowing his pace.
Eighth starter Tyler Walker lined up third for the restart behind Pittman but neither driver could compete with Hodnett over the final laps.
Pittman finished second followed by Walker, Haudenschild and Ryan Taylor.
Sixth through 10th went to Jessica Zemken, Blane Heimbach, Ely, Mike Wagner and Keith Kauffman. Heats for the 30-car field went to Ely, Zemken and Pittman with the consolation going to Dave Hahn.
Lupfer started second in the late model main but it was Herndon's Brett Schadel who took the lead at the start, looking for his second Port win of the year.
The races first caution flag came out with four laps down, slowing a race for the lead that Lupfer was staging with Schadel.
On the restart, Lupfer drove low and into the lead to take control, relegating Schadel to bridesmaid where he would finish.
The win was the third of Lupfer's career overall at Port Royal.
After starting 11th, defending track champion Scott Haus raced his way forward to battle with his son Andy Haus for third over the final half of the race.
Dad finally got the better of son with three laps left to take over third, where he would finish.
Andy Haus was fourth with Chad Hollenbeck fifth.
Terry Naugle battled with Scott Haus for several laps mid-race before ending up sixth followed by point leader Tim Wilson, Eric Zembower, Scott Flickinger and Bob Dunn. Heats for the 20 late models in action went to Lupfer and Hollenbeck.
Erin Statler led the first pair of laps in the 305 sprint feature before a fleet-running Kody Lehman charged inside and into the lead.
Once in front, Lehman was the class of the field on his way to a first ever 305 victory at the track.
Statler crossed the line in second but came up light in post-race inspection, bumping Ryan Lynn to second followed by Nathan Gramley, Mark Watkins and Tyler Bear.
Sixth through 10th went to Logan Wagner, Jason Bergstresser, George Riden, Randy Kaylor and Kyle Lloyd.
Heats for the 27-car field went to Tom Worrick, Steve Kennewell and Bear.
Mike Wagner II., took the consolation race.
The speedway is silent on June 30 before returning with a PA Speedweek race for 410 sprints on July 7 along with the late models.
