Edgar edges the field at Shellhammer’s opener
Brandon Edgar may have started deep in the field after a long winter off, but he had no cobwebs holding him back from the off season and quickly showed everyone that he is still the racer to beat Wednesday evening in the 270 Micro Feature event. The field was full of fierce competitors that put on a show of phenomenal racing action for the fans that kept everyone on the edge of their seats all night. The first heat saw both Rusty Crone and Matthew Frick reach incredible heights as their cars would launch into the air in separate flips. Both drivers were able to walk away, however, their nights were over, but they will be back again next week to challenge for the win. In Edgar’s heat race, the fans saw him starting last and only making his way up to 4th place on the new clay surface at Shellhammer’s Speedway, as if he was using this first bit of track time to figure out the best set up for his ride in order to have a strong run in the feature event. This finish would give him a 6th place starting spot in the feature, but in no time after the green flag flew, Edgar was on the bumper of early race leader Toby Blumenshine. Edgar would make the pass for the lead and begin to pull away from the field, Blumenshine would soon be challenged by Glenn Macomber for the runner up spot. Macomber would take over the position and was reeling in the leader, but ran out of time to complete the mission as the checker flag would wave, and Brandon Edgar would once again go straight to Victory Lane to celebrate the win. The top five finishers were Brandon Edgar, Glenn Macomber, Tim McClelland, Toby Blumenshine and Sam Borger. The heats were won by Toby Blumenshine and Patrick Kirn.
The 125 Micro Feature event had a great mix of competitors in it for their season opener. Cliff Brian Jr. and Marty Brian would bring the field to the green flag, and Cliff would jump out into the lead. The field was running a flawless race, when the race leader would become tangled up with a car he was trying to put a lap down. Being he had such a dominating lead over the field, Cliff would restart in the runner up spot, behind Marty and in no time, he was back out in front and once again working his way through the tail end of the field and putting several cars another lap down. Cliff would take home the win followed by Marty, Jas Hehnley, Jessica Moore and Dylan Barlip. Olivia Pellicciotti made her first return to racing since her hard crash last season and it was great to see her back out on track!
Jason Dunkelberger had also remembered the fastest way around the track after the winter off and was able to hold of the challengers in the Xcel Modified field Wednesday evening in both his heat and feature events. The other drivers tried their best and gave it all they had, but it just wasn’t enough. Sam Scicchitano would finish in the runner up spot in the feature event followed by Jared Peckham and Zane Roth. The Xcel drivers will be back in action Saturday evening to start their Saturday series for the 2018 season.
The Senior Slingshot division saw Mike Taylor take home the win followed by Kyle Smith, Gavin Danner, Jeff Kemp and Emily Flemming. The Junior Slingshot feature was won by Wyatt Taschler, Taylor Jacob was unable to start the event after having some problems in the heat.
Racing will resume Saturday April 14 when the regular season for the Karts, Xcel Modifieds, Quarter Midgets, Slingshots and Tractors will get to take to the track for their very first time in 2018. The drivers have been chomping at the bit to get out there and see what their machines are capable of doing since Mother Nature forced practice day to be canceled due to snow and rain. This year their is a new start time of 4PM for Saturday racing, but entry fees have remained the same and it is only $7 for fans ages 13 and over and under 12 are admitted free. The track has ample free parking for fans. (Wednesday: gates open / registration 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, hot laps at 7:00 pm) (Saturday: gates open / registration 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, hot laps at 4:00 pm) APRIL 11 - “wingless” Wednesday 270 and 125 Micros, Jr and Sr Slingshots, 600 Sportsman Modifieds
APRIL 14 - “season opener” Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets, Jr and Sr Slingshots, 600 Sportsman Modifieds, and PA Mini Pro Tractors
APRIL 18 - “wingless” Wednesday 270 and 125 Micros, Jr and Sr Slingshots, 600 Sportsman Modifieds
APRIL 21 - Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets, Jr and Sr Slingshots, 600 Sportsman Modifieds, and Quads
APRIL 22 - BURRIS MONEY SERIES Go-Karts
APRIL 25 - “wingless” Wednesday 270 and 125 Micros, Jr and Sr Slingshots, 600 Sportsman Modified “wingless” WEDNESDAY
JUNIOR SLINGSHOT: fastest feature lap: Wyatt Taschler, lap 14, 11.439, 39.339 mph. 1. WYATT TASCHLER. Jacob Taylor (DNS) “wingless” 125 MICRO SPRINT: fastest feature lap: Cliff Brian Jr, lap 19, 9.369, 48.029 mph. 1. CLIFF BRIAN JR. 2. Marty Brian. 3. Jas Hehnly. 4. Jessica Moore 5. Dylan Barlip 6. Olivia Pellicciotti. Zachary Young (DNS)
XCEL SPORTSMAN MODIFIED fastest feature lap: Jason Dunkelberger, lap 15, 9.353, 48.115096 mph. 1. JASON DUNKELBERGER 2. Sam Scicchitano. 3. Zane Roth. 4. Jared Peckham SENIOR SLINGSHOT fastest feature lap: Kyle Smith, lap 19, 10.051, 44.145 mph. 1. MIKE TAYLOR. 2. Kyle Smith. 3. Gavin Danner. 4. Jeff Kemp
5. Emily Fleming. 6, Mark Mohr. 7. Zachery Steffey. 8. James Mohr. 9. Tyler Ulsh.
10. Joey Vaccaro
“wingless” 270 MICRO SPRINT fastest feature lap: Brandon Edgar, lap 24, 9.064, 49.644 mph. 1. BRANDON EDGAR. 2. Glenn Macomber. 3. Tim McClelland. 4. Toby Blumenshine. 5. Sam Borger. 6. Adam Minzer Jr. 7. Mike Kalman. 8. Patrick Kirn. 9. Ronald Helmick. 10. Dustin Fitzcharles. Matthew Frick (DNS), Rusty Crone (DNS)