Dewease opens Speedweek with win at Lincoln
LINCOLN >> Lance Dewease was never really gone. But his performances in a limited number of appearances has amazed even the most doubting fans in 2016. Dewease started on the pole, followed outside front row starter Lucas Wolfe for the first eight laps, drove by the Zemco #1 in heavy lapped traffic on lap eight to take the lead for good in claiming the $7,000 top prize on what turned out to be opening night of the 26th Annual Pennsylvania Speedweek Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway.
“It’s fun to be back,” said Dewease after scoring his 39th career Lincoln win in 17th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial. “It’s been a long time since they’ve been here, and I haven’t raced here any this year.”
It was the first Kreitz car win at Lincoln in 10 years. Danny Dietrich found a burst of speed over the final laps to close within two car-lengths of Dewease at the finish, just .284 seconds behind the winner. Stevie Smith settled for third, with Greg Hodnett and Lucus Wolfe rounding out the top five. Dewease’s win in the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial gave him the early points lead in the Speedweek series (166), 15 points ahead of Danny Dietrich (151), followed by Hodnett (148), Stevie Smith (143), and Wolfe (135). Sixth through tenth were 13th-starting Brent Marks, hard charger Aaron Ott (who came from 19th), Brian Montieth, Alan Krimes, and Robbie Kendall.
PENNSYLVANIA SPEEDWEEK 17th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial
410 Sprint Feature Finish (30 Laps) – 1. 69K-Lance Dewease ($7,000); 2. 48-Danny Dietrich; 3. 51S- Stevie Smith; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett; 5. 1-Lucas Wolfe; 6. 19MBrent Marks; 7. 25-Aaron Ott; 8. 21-Brian Montieth; 9. 87-Alan Krimes; 10. 55KRobbie Kendall; 11. 15Adam Wilt; 12. 51-Freddie Rahmer; 13. 59-Jim Siegel; 14. 11C-Cory Haas; 15. 88-Brandon Rahmer; 16. 07Doug Esh; 17. 23-TJ Stutts; 18. 17W-Bryan Clauson; 19. 52-Austin Hogue; 20. 2DChase Dietz; 21. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss; 22. 16-Gerard McIntyre, Jr. (DNF); 23. 8-Billy Dietrich (DNF); DNS – 2WGlenndon Forsythe. No Time
GRANDVIEW >> Defending Grandview Speedway Modified point champion and current point leader Craig VonDohren damaged his primary car in his qualifying event forcing him to go to a back-up car in the consolation race. The multitime track champion was able to win the consolation and then started 22nd in the T.P. Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified All-American Racing Series 30-Lap feature sponsored by Bechtelsville Car Wash on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway. By the 14th lap he was in a three-way battle for first with Kenny Gilmore and Kyle Weiss. VonDohren overtook second on the 22nd lap to pressure Gilmore as the pair approached lap traffic. The lead changed with two laps left with VonDohren now in front and he went on to capture his third win of the season and Grandview career win number 98. He also received $250 from T.P. Trailers, Limerick and $150 worth of products from V.P. Racing Fuels for running their gas and carrying the proper decals.
Brad Arnold put a crate engine in the WEEU 830 AM Radio sponsored mount and won his first 25-lap Sportsman feature of the season and his second career win – the last one being July 11, 2015. He was also awarded an extra $100 from T.P. Trailers.
SELINGSGROVE >> The start was crucial according to winner Davie Franek, of Wantage, N. J., after the 360 Sprint Car feature was over. Franek marked his second straight win at the speedway as well as his second Firecracker 30 win in a row Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway. Franek went by Mark Smith in turn four on the first lap and never relinquished the race lead. A great battle for third between Larry Kelleher, Matt Campbell, and Derek Locke was interrupted by a yellow flag on lap 10. The field was brought back to Franek’s rear bumper and Mark Smith pulled even with Franek on the restart, but quickly settled back into second. Smith would stay there until the checkered flag. Locke worked by Kelleher for third. Eric Tomecek rounded out the top five finishers. Jason Schultz was sixth followed by the IBEW Local Union 1319 hard charger Nate Snyder. Matt Campbell took the top honors for the 358 engine competitors from Newville Family of Companies and Lelands.com. Campbell finished eighth with Michael Walter and Jim Shuster the top ten finishers.
Coleby Frye picked a good number to allow the 0 car to start at the front. His goal was to stay there for the full 25 laps in the second race of the Moon Shine Camo Route 35 Challenge Series.
Chad Hollenbeck finished in second with Andy Haus, Hamburg, rounding out the podium finishers.Bryan Bernheisel finished in fourth. Tim Wilson gained a bunch of spots at the end to finish in fifth. Danny Snyder, Steve Campbell, Coleby Frye, Dylan Yoder, and Mike Lupfer rounded out the top ten finisher
PENNSYLVANIA SPEED
WEEK >> The opening race of Speedweeks was rained out at Williams Grove on Friday evening. Race #2 moved to Lincoln where Lance Dewease drove to a $7,000 victory. Sunday’s race was at Path Valley under the promotion of Fred Rahmer with no results at press time. Drivers were off Monday and then Tuesday traveled to Grandview. Wednesday they go to Hagerstown, Md., and on Thursday to Port Royal Speedway. Friday evening will be the Mitch Smith Memorial with $10,000 to win. Saturday its back to Port Royal and then the series will conclude at Selingsgrove on Sunday.
POSTPONEMENTS >> Racing at Susquehanna on Thursday and Williams Grove on Friday were rained out.