Kutztown’s Kunkle captures big win at the Clyde
Clyde Martin Speedway
NEWMANSTOWN » It may have been just their second race together, but Jarid Kunkle appeared to be right at home in the seat of Robert Shaffer’s 600cc Micro Sprint.
The college student from Kutztown blasted to his first victory of the season in Saturday night’s Hyper Racing 600 feature at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, passing Jim Radney in late race lapped traffic to earn the triumph. Joining Kunkle in Saturday’s winner’s circle were Mike Rutherford (Viper Chassis 270cc), Nick Skias (Sportsman), Kyler Heiney (125cc), and Mike Coen (250cc Four-Stroke).
It was a night that had to be seen to be believed, with incredibly competitive action in four of the five main events, starting with the Hyper Racing 600 headliner.
Radney started on the pole and set the early pace while Austin Quick and Kunkle traded vicious slide jobs for second place. The duel for the runner-up position went on for at least a dozen laps but that wasn’t the only highlight reel battle taking place on the progressively banked oval. Heath Hehnly, who started 17th, moved up to fight for a top five spot with Mike Rutherford. Kunkle finally cleared Quick for second on the 18th trip around the clay. He set sail after Radney, and caught the leader in less than two laps even though Radney had built a comfortable advantage during the middle stages of the event. Kunkle stalked Radney for three tours, then made his move when the leader hesitated a bit behind a lapped car. Kunkle shot into the top spot with three to go, and even a yellow flag with 22 complete could not derail his ride to victory. He checked out on the restart and was nearly two-seconds ahead of Radney when the checkered flag waved on lap 25.
“I am so glad that Robert asked me to drive his car,” smiled Kunkle in victory lane. “The thing is a rocket, and there’s so many fast cars here, but we had the best one tonight.”
Radney wound up second with Quick finishing third ahead of Kyle Spence and Hehnly.
Central Pa.
Brock Zeafrose, of Jonestown, had a great weekend as he won at both Williams Grove and Port Royal. At Williams Grove, he bested Wisconson invader Nill Balog. Up at Port Royal he was the winner over Greg Hodnett.
At Lincoln Speedway, Danny Dietrich beat Freddie Rahmer. It was Dietrich’s 40th win at Lincoln and his second of the year.
Last week the All Stars were in the area with shows at Williams Grove and Port Royal. Lance Dewease, driving for Donnie Kreitz out of Shillington, won both races, winning $10,000.