Sheppard scores 2nd straight Traffic Jam
For the second consecutive year Waterloo, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard claimed the win and the $7,000 top prize, during last Thursday night’s Big-Block Modified Super DIRTCar Series Traffic Jam presented by Pioneer Pole as NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series brought an exciting night of racing action to Grandview Speedway.
After drawing the pole, Sheppard launched from his first row starting spot with Unadilla, N.Y.’s Billy Decker following closely behind in the Page Trucking No. 91 machine. Sheppard set a rapid pace from the onset hitting lapped traffic by the fourth circuit before the first caution for Wind Gap’s Frank Cozze.
On the restart, Sheppard blasted back to the top spot, with Decker, Peter Britten and Ryan Godown in a three-wide battle for the second spot. As the field bunched up, the caution flag flew for Larry Wight, when his No. 99L machine stopped in turn 3 with a broken front end.
Sheppard bolted out of sight on the restart, while a five-car battle for the second spot ensued. Decker shot inside Britten, while Godown made it three-wide heading down the front stretch – followed quickly by Grandview Speedway all-time leading race winner, Craig VonDohren and Stewart Friesen.
A lap 9 caution for Jeff Strunk’s No. 126 machine slowed the field for the third time.
VonDohren shot into second on the restart while Friesen battled with Britten for the third position side-by-side for nearly 10 laps swapping the spot – and race grooves – almost half a dozen times.
The action slowed again on the 19th circuit for a tangle between 16-year-old Modified racer Max McLaughlin and Tommy Sheetz.
The top 5 remained unchanged on the restart, with Oley’s Duane Howard making his intentions known moving into the sixth position from a tenth place starting spot.
The final caution flag flew on lap 22 for Vernon, NJ’s Brett Hearn – who stopped in turn four with a left front flat tire.
Sheppard stayed dominant at the drop of the green, as multiple twocar battles followed behind, shuffling the field.
The Traffic Jam lived up to its name as Sheppard approached heavy lapped traffic on the 34th circuit. Tiptoeing around lapped cars Britten and Friesen closed on the leader with Britten challenging for the top spot as Sheppard struggled getting around lapped cars.
Sheppard held tight and picked up his second consecutive Traffic Jam victory, and the $7,000 winner’s share.
Peter Britten, of Queensland, Australia, finished in second; Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen in third; Oley’s Howard in fourth; and Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., finishing in fifth
Big-Block Modified Qualifying Heat races were won by Billy Decker, Stewart Friesen and Larry Wight.
Opening Round Wednesday, July 6
Game 1: Boyertown (1) bye Game 2: Shillington 4, West Lawn 3 Game 3: Daniel Boone 3, Exeter 0 Game 4: Norchester 21, Conrad Weiser 0
---Thursday, July 7 Losers’ Bracket
Game 5: West Lawn (4) bye Game 6: Exeter 11, Conrad Weiser 0
Winners’ Bracket
Game 7: Boyertown 10, Shillington 0 Game 8: Norchester 4, Daniel Boone 1
---Saturday, July 9 Losers’ Bracket
Game 9: Daniel Boone 2, West Lawn 1 Game 10: Exeter 6, Shillington 1
Winners’ Bracket
Game 11: Norchester 6, Boyertown 2
---Sunday, July 10 Championship Qualifier
Game 12: Boyertown 4, Daniel Boone 3 Game 13: Norchester 8, Exeter 2
---Monday, July 11 At West Lawn
Game 14: Norchester
(Seedings in parentheses) Thursday, July 7 Opening Round ---Friday, July 8 Losers’ Bracket Winners’ Bracket
5, Boyertown 4 Game 1: Perkiomen 2, Doylestown 1 Game 2: Hatfield 7, Nor Gwyn 0 Game 3: Quakertown 13, Pennridge 12 Game 4: Souderton 9, Plumstead 2 Game 5: Doylestown 4, Nor-Gwyn 0 Game 6: Plumstead 6, Pennridge 2 Game 7: Hatfield 11, Perkiomen 7
Muhlenburg Park’s Paul Kline – who holds two Saturday Night victories at Grandview Speedway – picked up the $1,200 win in the 25lap Sportsman race. Kline powered from the first place starting position with fellow front-row starter Brandon Grosso battling alongside.
The event slowed twice once on the initial restart and once just prior to the halfway point, but Kline remained dominant. It certainly wasn’t easy for the racer as Brandon Grosso – aboard the NitroFish No.32 machine – swapped groove multiple times trying to gain the top spot. Grosso would settle for second, Brian Hirthler finished in the third spot, Brad Arnold in fourth and Brian Papiez rounding out the top five finishers.
Sportsman Heat races were won by Brandon Grosso, Brian Hirthler, Chad Kohler and Brad Arnold.
The next NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event will be Tuesday, July 26 for the 2nd Annual Thunder Cup featuring the 410 Sprint Cars and the 358 Modifieds. Also, that evening the remaining 20-laps of the rain-postponed 410 Sprint Car event and a second 358 Modified feature. Big-Block Modifieds Heat 1 (8 Laps) – 1. Billy Decker 2. Mike Mahaney Duane Howard 4. Danny Johnson 5. Brett Hearn Heat 2 (8 Laps) – 1. Stewart Friesen 2. Matt Sheppard 3. Pete Britten 4. Tim Fuller 5. Billy Pauch Jr. Heat 3 (8 Laps) – 1. Larry Wight 2. Jimmy Phelps 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Ryan Godown 5. Keith Flach 19th Annual Traffic Jam (60 Laps) – 1. Matt Sheppard ($7,000) 2. Peter Britten 3. Stewart Friesen 4. Duane Howard 5. Billy Decker 6. Jimmy Phelps 7. Craig VonDohren 8. Mike Mahaney 9. Jimmy Horton 10. Ryan Watt 11. Tim Fuller 12. Anthony Perrego 13. Jeff Strunk 14. Danny Johnson 15. Ryan Godown 16. Brett Hearn 17. Mat Williamson 18. Keith Flach 19. Pat Ward 20. Rich Scagliotta 21. Max McLaughlin 22. Eldon Payne 23. Billy Pauch, Jr. 24. Tom Sheetz 25. John McClelland 26. Brett Kressley 27. Dominick Buffalino 28. Marcus Dinkins 29. Larry Wight 30. Frank Cozze Sportsman Heat 1 (8 Laps) – 1. Brandon Grosso 2. Paul Kline 3. Chris Jenkins 4. Craig Whitmoyer 5. Mike Lisowski Heat 2 (8 Laps) – 1. Brian Hirthler 2. Dylan Swinehart 3. Brian Papiez 4. Mike Koffel 5. Scott Davis Heat 3 (8 Laps) – 1. Chad Kohler 2. Derrick Smith 3. Ken Eckert, Jr. 4. Mark Kemmerer 5. Steve Searock Heat 4 (8 Laps) – 1. Brad Arnold 2. Ryan Beltz 3. Joe Funk 4. Jordan Henn 5. Rich Jones Consolation 1 (8 Laps) – 1. Jesse Landis 2. JR Fulper Consolation 2 (8 Laps) – 1. Ryan Lilick 2. Jim Houseworth Sportsman Feature (25 Laps) 1. Paul Kline 2. Brandon Grosso 3. Brian Hirthler 4. Brad Arnold 5. Brian Papiez 6. Craig Whitmoyer 7. Joe Funk 8. Jordan Henn 9. Derrick Smith 10. Chad Kohler 11. Mark Kemmerer 12. Jim Housworth 13. Mike Lisowski 14. Ken Eckert 15. Ryan Lilick 16. Chris Jenkins 17. Steve Searock 18. JR Fulper 19. Mike Koffel 20. Jesse Landis 21. Steve Davis 22. Dylan Swinehart 23. Rich Jones 24. Ryan Beltz Game 8: Souderton 8, Quakertown 0
---Saturday, July 9 At Quakertown Losers’ Bracket
Game 9: Quakertown 11, Doylestown 1 Game 10: Perkiomen 5, Plumstead 3
---Sunday, July 10 At Quakertown Winners’ Bracket
Game 11: Hatfield 6, Souderton 3
Championship Qualifier
Game 12: Quakertown 8, Hatfield 6 Game 13: Perkiomen 5, Souderton 1
---Monday, July 11 At Quakertown Championship Round
Game 14: Perkiomen 5, Quakertown 1 Game 15: Hatfield 10, Perkiomen 5
At Quakertown (Leagues and seedings in parentheses) Saturday’s Results Opening Round
Game 1: Norchester 4, Muhlenberg 2 Game 2: Oley Post 21, Northern Valley 1 Game 3: Nazareth 11, Hatfield 10 Game 4: Quakertown 6, Birches 1
---Today Losers’ Bracket
Game 5: Muhlenberg (Schuylkill/Berks 2) vs. Hatfield (Bux-Mont), 9:30 a.m. Game 6: Northern Valley (Lehigh Valley) vs. Birches (Norco 1), 9:30 a.n.
Winners’ Bracket
Game 7: Norchester (Berks) vs. Nazareth (Norco 2), 4 p.m. Game 8: Oley Post 217 (Schuylkill/Berks 1) vs. Quakertown (Host), 4 p.m.
---Monday, July 18 Losers’ Bracket
Game 9: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 12:30 p.m. Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, 2nd game
Winners’ Bracket
Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 7:30 p.m.
---Tuesday, July 19 Championship Qualifier
Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11, 3 p.m. Game 13: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11, 2nd game
---Wednesday, July 20 Championship Round
Game 14: Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 12:30 p.m. Game 15: If necessary, 30 minutes after Game 14
---NOTE 1: NOTE 2: BOYERTOWN:
3. 410 sprints, 25 laps: 1. Lance Dewease, 2. Stevie Smith, 3. Greg Hodnett, 4. Freddie Rahmer, 5. Danny Dietrich, 6. Alan Krimes, 7. Lucas Wolfe, 8. Doug Esh, 9. Cory Haas, 10. Aaron Ott, 11. Mark Smith, 12. Brock Zearfoss, 13. Brian Montieth, 14. Matt Campbell, 15. Austin Hogue, 16. Frankie Herr, 17. Joe Trenca, 18. Troy Fraker, 19. George Streaker Jr., 20. Anthony Macri, 21. Cody Fairchok, 22. Rodney Westhafer, 23. Jay Galloway 358 sprints, 20 laps: 1. 66 Doug Hammaker, 2. Eric Parker, 3. Matt Findlay, 4. Chandler Leiby, 5. Adrian Shaffer, 6. Rich Eichelberger, 7. Phil Walter, 8. Kevin Nouse, 9. Chad Trout, 10. David Holbrook, 11. Glenndon Forsythe, 12. Jordan Givler, 13. Chris Arnold, 14. Tyler Esh, 15. Troy Wagaman Jr., 16. Aaron Eichelberger, 17. Justin Whittall, 18. Brian Garland, 19. Chris Frank, 20. Brent Shearer, 21. Mark Strickler, 22. Dave Thrush, 23. Todd Reed, 24. Jared Esh
Chase Dietz outran the Dietrichs to pick up his first win of the year in his familyowned #2D in 25 laps of torrid 410 sprint car racing at Lincoln Speedway Saturday night. “I’m out of breath. Holy crap!” exclaimed Dietz after exiting the Haas Shocks/Godfrey Racing sprinter in victory lane, “We were okay. We weren’t the fastest, but the way the track was, we just had to be up there and wheel it.” Dietz finally drove around Dietrich exiting turn two in heavy lapped traffic of lap 21. The two were side-byside at the end of the lap, but Dietz didn’t take control until exiting turn two of lap 22. From there, he drove away to his second career Lincoln win, with Billy and 12th-starting Danny Dietrich crossing second and third. Completing the top five were Kendall and Tyler Ross. Sixth through tenth were Gerard McIntyre, Jr., Freddie Rahmer, points leader Alan Krimes, Brian Montieth, and
Pairings for Games 13 and 14 will not match previous opponents against each other unless absolutely necessary.
If three teams remain after Game 13, the winner of Game 11 automatically draws the bye into Game 15.
The district is seeking coaches for the following teams: Boys lacrosse head and assistant, softball head, middle school softball and boys soccer head, middle school girls soccer assistant, freshman boys and girls basketball head, middle school field hockey (two) and middle school cheerleading advisor. All resumes and cover letters should be sent to: Nick Palladino, Director of Athletics. dpalladino@boyertownasd.org (dpalladino@ boyertownasd.org) or Boyertown Athletic Office, 120 N. Monroe St., Boyertown, Pa., 19512. Sports notices must be mailed or hand-delivered (24 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, Pa. 19464), faxed (610-3230682) or e-mailed (sports@pottsmerc. com) to the sports department. No phone requests will be accepted. A contact name and phone number should be included with each notice. Specific publication dates cannot be guaranteed.
In the special 30-lap Summer Championship for super late models, an epic battle throughout saw Selinsgrove’s Dylan Yoder score the $3,000 payday for his second Port win of the season, in as many weeks. Andy Haus started on the pole of the 30lap super late model main and threatened to make the race a yawner during the early going, pulling away with the lead. However a number of cautions helped keep the field bunched and allowed the cream to rise to the top.
For the first nine laps Kyle Hardy chased leader Haus before succumbing to sixth starter Dylan Yoder for the spot. By lap 11 Yoder had run down Haus’ advantage and for the next 11 laps the pair ran virtually side by side for the lead with Haus using the top groove, forcing Yoder to work underneath. For many laps, Yoder raced just a lane lower than Haus around the slickening oval with Haus always having just enough horsepower to keep a nose out front. However as each lap clicked off, Yoder was able to get a little further around on Haus as the cushion kept working up the corners. And that’s when Yoder was able to finally get the job done with seven laps to go, pulling the trigger with a low side blast into the third corner that saw him beat Haus off of the fourth corner to take the lead at the stripe. Meanwhile, seventh starting veteran Gary Stuhler played the race slow and steady using his favored inside lane and during the final five circuits, Stuhler flexed his muscle, biting fast to get ahead of Haus for second. However Yoder was by then pulling away for the victory to take the win by 4.163 seconds. Haus held on for third followed by Kyle Hardy and Kenny Moreland. Sixth through 10th went to Coleby Frye, Billy Wampler, Nick Dickson, Trent Brenneman and Patrick Bryner.
Joey Hershey of Chambersburg The Keystone State Games baseball tournament will be held in York July 28-31. Players from Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties who will graduate in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 are eligible to try out for the Blue Mountain Region team. More information: Contact Peter Salerno at peterjsalerno@gmail.com. Register for private lessons and group instructional classes with Boyertown American Legion manager Rick Moatz and New York Mets Triple-A prospect Zach Lutz at the Rick Moatz Baseball and Softball Training Center by contacting info@rickmoatzbst.com or calling 610-763-4053. Rick Moatz 14U Fall Developmental Team is accepting registrations for private instruction. More information: Contact Moatz at www.rickmoatzbst. com or 610-763-4053. Register now for private or group sessions with Elite Baseball at 1100 Grosser Rd., Gilbertsville. Elite Baseball is also accepting registrations for the fall 14U developmental team. More information: Contact Josh at jhartline5@comcast.net or 484-363-0567. The Kingplex is open for individual lessons or group instruction. Its travel baseball team is seeking players ages 13-18. More information: Call 610-4890589, e-mail king1327@comcast.net or visit kingplex.com. Instructional sessions for area catchers 6-16 years of age are available by calling Joe Pachik (484-529-7348) and leaving a message. The third annual Hoff Hoops Camp sponsored by CrossoverHoopsInc. will be held August 15th-18th at the Hill School. For a week of skills,drills and competition, visit http://www. crossoverhoopsinc.com and register for session 2. $150 per camper boys and girls ages 8-16 or contact Coach Dan Hoff via email at monstarsaau@ gmail.com A camp for boys and girls entering Grades 2-9 will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily the week of July 25-28 at Owen J The Pottstown Penguins are looking to fill roster spots at the following levels: CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modifieds feature (25 laps): 1. Ryan Godown, 2. Craig VonDohren, 3. Duane Howard, 4. Jeff Strunk, 5. Ryan Grim, 6. Doug Manmiller, 7. Rick Laubach, 8. Ryan Watt, 9. Gary Hager, 10. Justin Grim, 11. Scott Albert, 12. Shawn Fitzpatrick, 13. Gary Wagner, 14. Kevin Beach Jr., 15. Jay Aten, 16. Jim Bobbitt. DNF- Bobby Trapper, Kent Reinert, Heath Metzger, Dale Hartz, Ron Haring, Brett Kressley, Paul Moyer, Ray Swinehart and Andy Burkhart. Heats winners: Godown, Wagner, Strunk. U. S.S. Achey sportsman feature (20 laps): 1. Brandon Grosso, 2. Ray Woodall Jr., 3. Mike Lisowski, 4. Kyle Gruber, 5. Shawn Light, 6. Skylar Sheriff, 7. Wayne Witmer, 8. Ray Woodall Sr., 9. Tim Fitzpatrick Sr, 10. Glenn Rowan, 11. Cale Ross, 12. Jeff Bubori, 13. Matt Clay, 14. Ed Mrochko. DNF: Chuck Fayash, Doug Hendricks, Alyssa Fogel. Heat winner: Lisowski , Light. Savage 61 roadrunners Crazy 8s Feature No. 1 (8 laps): 1. Jesse Krasnitsky, 2. Kris Ney, 3. Jim Kost, 4. Tim Fitzpatrick Jr., 5. Kody Sites, 6. Kyle Wingle, 7. Terry Kramer, 8. Tim Spesak, 9. Andrew Fayash III, 10. T.J .Fitzpatrick, 11. Steve Gromis, 12. Shawn Mulhall, 13. Devin Trexler, 14. Andrew Buchinski, 15. Nate Hill, 16. Jon Schlauch, 17. Dustin Wolfgang, 18. Dave Long Jr., 19. Chris Holland, 20. Dan Nagle, 21. Bruce Ditzler, 22. Alex Schoffstall. DNS: Chris Eckert. Feature No. 2 (8 laps): 1. Fayash III, 2.Wingle, 3. Trexler, 4. Gromis 5., Fitzpatrick Jr., 6. Kramer, 7. Sites, 8. Hill, 9. Fitzpatrick, 10. Kost, 11. Buchinski, 12. Wolfgang, 13. Mulhall, 14. Schlauch, 15. Ney, 16. Schoffstall, 17. Spesak, 18. Krasnitsky. Feature No. 3 (8 laps): 1. Fayash III, 2. Trexler, 3. Kost, 4. Fitzpatrick Jr., 5. Ditzler, 6. Ney, 7. Spesak, 8. Holland, 9. Gromis, 10. Schlauch, 11. Buchinski, 12. Hill, 13. Kramer, 14. Wingle, 15. Krasnitsky, 16. Mulhall, 17. Wolfgang, 18. Fitzpatrick, 19.Sites. Feature No. 4 (8 laps): 1. Ney, 2. Grimis, 3.Kost, 4.. Fayash, 5. Trexler, 6. Hill, 7. Fitzpatrick, 8. Schlauch, 9. Ditzler, 10. Spesak, 11. Mulhall. DNF: Buchinski, Kramer.
For the second time this season, the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA on the Kutztown Fairgrounds fell victim to rain on Wednesday, July 13.
The Tri-Track Challenge finale, scheduled for Wednesday night, will now be held next Wednesday, July 20. The Hyper Racing 600 Sprints will vie for a $1,000 first prize (with Gambler’s Fee) and the overall Tri-Track Championship. Tommy Kunsman holds a slim lead over Austin Bishop heading into the final event at the Berks County oval. Roberts High School. More information: Contact Kevin Kirby at kkirby@ ojrsd.com. The Hill School Girls Basketball Summer Camp, open to girls in Grades 1-9, will be held the week of Aug. 8-11. More information: E-mail coach Jen Weissbach at jweissbach@thehill.org. Coach Sharr’s Hoops Academy is scheduling training for middle and high-school age boys and girls. More information: Call Ed Sharr at 610-6594667. D.I.V.A. Squad travel basketball team is looking for high school girls in Grades 9-12. More information: Contact Adrienne Smith at 484-274-1017 or adriennesmith73@gmail.com. Pottstown High School will be the site of three meets during the 2016-17 school year: The 31st Harrier Invitational Shoot Out (high school division), 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; the 31st Harrier Invitational (boys and girls Grades 7-8), 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and the 22nd Trojan Invitational (Grades 6-8), Friday, Oct. 7. More information: Contact Lawrence Harvey at 610-3263583 or e-mail tnmguru@gmail.com. On-line registration for the Shoot Out at PennTrackXC.com. 380 Lacrosse is creating fitness classes for athletes and parents. More information: Contact Dani at 380Lacrosse@ gmail.com. Speed and agility workouts at 422 SportsPlex, 1400 Industrial Hwy., conducted by Rian ”Goo” Wallace, former Pottstown High and Temple University standout and member of Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2006 Super Bowl championship team. More information: Contact Wallace at 610-718-6536 or info@goalsoverobstacles. com. Midget 18 A (1997 and 1998); Midget goalie; Peewee A (2003 and 2004) one spot available; Mite (2007 and under); and accepting registration for the beginner-level Learn to Skate/Play program. More information: Contact Tim Moyer at tmoyer21@yahoo.com. American Icebird Youth Boys U16/U18 tournament team is looking for players at all positions. More information: E-mail icebirds@mail.com or call 757-952-2767. Daniel Boone Rod & Gun Club will host shoots at its 301 Dautrich Rd., Reading facility 7 a.m. each day on the following schedule: July 31, 30 target 3D shoot; Aug. 27 and 28, 40 target 3D shoot; and Sept. 11, annual Mopa 30 target 3D shoot. Meat tray novelty shoots at every event. More information: Call 610-779-2090. FC Montco Soccer Club has additional playing and training opportunities for current U14 and older males interested in working with Premier Level/College Soccer Coaches who haves proven track records of player development. More information: Visit http://www.fcmontco. com or go the website and e-mail the team manager or the coach. A summer camp for girls entering Grades 2-9 will be held Aug. 1-4 at Coventry Little League. More information: Contact either Kevin Kirby (kkirby@ojrsd.com) or Jen Beaver (jbeaver@ojrsd.com). EMS Eliminators Fastpitch Softball is having open tryouts for its 16U/18U girls travel team 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1, 3 and 7, at Alderfer Park, 416 Oak Drive, Harleysville. For registration, contact head coach Joe Ottaviano @ jottaviano721@ yahoo.com or call 610-772-7971. The All American tennis camp for boys and girls at Kutztown University will be run the weeks of July 17-21 and 24-28. More information: Call Ted Snyder at 610779-8048 or email tsnyder@ojrsd.com.