Slavin’s consistency earns him Lebanon Valley title
Talk about a nail-biter.
Last Saturday sportsman driver Whitey Slavin entered the last sportsman event of the season at Lebanon Valley Speedway with a one-point lead over his friend and fellow competitor Chris Curtis.
“It was nerve wracking,” said the 34-year-old Slavin. “Not only was there only a one-point lead, but there was two others that had a chance to win it also — Peter Carlotto and Rob Maxon.”
And the 20-lap feature event didn’t
start well for the West Sand Lake native. He started ninth in the field, but on his first trip around the speedway Slavin experienced some difficulty — later discovered to be a bent axle — but he was able to remain on the track.
“We ran 19 more laps and the car was fine,” Slavin recalled. “Chris was in front of me and got involved with a slower car that he was trying to pass (Curtis ended up with a flat tire). He pushed up into him coming out of four (turn four) and I ducked down underneath him and just tried to keep it straight from there.”
Even though Curtis’ misfortune was Slavin’s good fortune, he still had mixed emotions.
“We’ve helped each other out and we’ve always raced each other clean,” Slavin said. “There is a lot of respect there, and it was good to come out on top, but I also feel for him too. I’ve been on the other end also.”
Slavin came across the finish line in fourth place, good enough to get him his second consecutive sportsman point championship title at the Valley.
More impressive — Slavin’s team secured the title despite never having visited victory lane in 2018. That screams consistency.
“We had a great car all year — I think we got second on four occasions,” Slavin said. “When you run good you start in the back of the field, and we would just run out of laps so we didn’t get a win.”
He also overcame a bad ride in August. Slavin took such a hard hit that his car required both a front and rear clip and he also suffered a concussion. At that time, his comfortable point lead diminished and after regrouping he found himself five points down with two events remaining.
His come-from-behind championship this year was huge.
“I’m having a great time with all of this,” said Slavin, who just completed his 18th racing season. “I have a great group of family, friends, crew-members and sponsors, and I can’t thank them enough. I’m so happy for everyone that is part of this with us, especially Dad.”
Slavin comes from a racing family. His father, Win, has 15 modified victories in the record books at Howard Commander’s oval. Win Slavin is a man who is a friend to many.
“Unfortunately I never got to see him run, but I’ve heard a lot of great stories about him,” Slavin saod. “They say he was a gentleman on and off the track, and I just try to follow in his footsteps mainly.”
His brother Mark also ran a sportsman car in the mid-1980s.
“I think that is where I got the itch to run,” Slavin said. “I remember being heartbroken when he sold the car.”
“My dad is the captain of the whole team. He’s my biggest fan. I could finish 18th or 19th and he’ll still hug me and tell me I did my best.”
Veteran sighting
Modified veteran Pat Ward made an appearance at Fonda Speedway on Saturday night. Ward took the win in the modified feature event, his 23rd career win at the Track of Champions. His last win came back on Aug. 21, 2010.
They are the champions
Glen Ridge Motorsports Park celebrated its 2018 champions: Crate Modifieds — Dave Constantino; Limited Sportsman — Derrick Mcgrew, Jr.; Pro Stocks — Luke Horning; Street Stocks — Steve Cosselman; SOHC Mini Stocks — CJ Shepler; DOHC Mini Stocks — PJ Bleau; All-star Slingshots — Mike Hill and Jr. Slingshots — Garrett Poland.
▶ Robin Yasinsac-gillespie’s column appears every other Thursday during the racing season.