3/31/2012
Hagerstown Speedway
WEAVER CLAIMS HAGERSTOWN OPENER FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Chilly, overcast skies and a heavy track for Hagerstown Speedway’s Favorite Driver Family Night opener didn’t deter two time defending Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic late model sportsman champion Pete Weaver of nearby Williamsport. Weaver came way the winner for the second consecutive year after taking the lead from Mike Walls on the 11th circuit and holding a 1.03 second advantage over him at the checkered.
“I’m usually not good on heavy tracks but tonight it was heavy and I was good,” Weaver said. “I’m not going to complain at all. Winning tonight means a lot. The first time I did was last year and I led the points all year. I hope this is a duplicate of last year.”
Cory Houck of McConnellsburg, PA received an extra $100 for receiving the most votes for Favorite Driver.
In the Ernie D’s pure stocks, Tony Catlett of Hedgesville, WV had Dave Stouffer Jr. all over him the entire distance and won by a length. Catlett was also voted the Favorite Driver. Greencastle, PA’s Kenny Thomas had Gary Proctor challenging heavily the first half of the D & D Hobby Stock feature until Thomas slowly edged away in the final laps to win by four lengths. Hagerstown’s Gary Breeden was the Favorite Driver. Kelsey and Shay Beaver received a $50 certificate from Barefoot Bernie’s Restaurant for being the “biggest” fans.
Weaver and Walls started from the front row, but Weaver was called for a jumped start and set back two rows as Walls pulled to the front before a multi-car incident in turn two brought out a red flag when Travis Beaver ended upside down.
Walls again got out front over Andy Fries and Rick Hulson until Wayne Walls Jr. pulled into second for three laps before Hulson took the runner up spot and Weaver was to third.
Weaver powered past Walls on a lap 10 restart with Chaz Walls moving to third.
C. Walls then took the runner up spot from M. Walls on lap 14 but suddenly slowed on the 17th lap as M. Walls retook second with W. Walls Jr. moving back into third for the restart.
Weaver had no issues in the final three circuits to claim the triumph over Mike and Wayne Walls Jr. Donnie Farlling and Cory Houck, both involved in the opening lap incident completed the top five. Fries, who pitted on lap four, came back to claim sixth with Terry Flaherty, Justin Weaver, Sammy Schaffer and Devin Frey rounding out the top ten. Fries, M. Walls and Weaver were heat winners.
Dave Stouffer Jr. took the early lead in the pure stocks from the outside while pole sitter Catlett was mounting his challenge and pulled ahead on the third lap. Stouffer again led the fifth lap but Catlett pulled ahead again and would lead at the flag stand while Stouffer would pull ahead on the back stretch or in the turns with Kenny Dillon also in the mix the final half of the race. Catlett held fast to claim the win in a one lap decision when defending champion Drew Fitzsimmons took a wild ride down the front stretch on the white flag. Stouffer Jr. was second with Dillon, Kevin Koontz and Brian Miller following. Rick Stouffer, Dave Stouffer Jr. and Catlett were heat winners.
From the outside pole, Thomas pulled to the front of the hobby stocks over Proctor as Lane Hessong trailed until passed by Mark Vegh. Proctor kept the pressure on Thomas all the way to the finish but settled for second with Vegh, Nathaniel Younker and Nick Dibella compeled the top five. Vegh and Hessong were heat winners.
The latest news, results, photos, schedule or rule changes can be on the speedway’s website. Follow the speedway on Twitter and Face Book. Also check the website for any changes in weather conditions that may delay or cancel the program or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.
HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY RESULTS
Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic Late Model Sportsman, 20 Laps, 27 entries (Lap Leaders Mike Walls 1-10, Pete Weaver, 11-20) 1.Pete Weaver, 2.Mike Walls, 3.Wayne Walls Jr., 4.Donnie Farlling, 5.Cory Houck, 6.Andy Fries, 7.Terry Flaherty, 8.Justin Weaver, 9.Sammy Schaeffer, 10.Devin Frey, 11.Rodney Walls, 12.Paul Cursey, 13.Courtney Shreiner, 14.Chaz Walls, 15.Scott Palmer, 16.Ronnie Dennis, 17.Dave Leidy, 18.Tyler Horst, 19.Kyle Lear, 20.Nick Pappas, 21.Jeff King, 22.Will Rowe, 23.Travis Beaver, DSQ-Rick Hulson , DNQ- Keith Walls, Elwood Sord, Kevin Palmer
Ernie D’s Pure Stocks, 15 Laps, 22 entries, (Lap Leaders – Dave Stouffer 1,2,5, Tony Catlett 3,4, 6-20) 1.Tony Catlett, 2.Dave Stouffer Jr. 3.Kenny Dillon, 4.Kevin Koontz, 5.Brian Miller, 6.Stev Lowery, 7.Wayne Hawbaker, 8.Kevin Boyer, 9.Danny Beaver, 10.Eddie McClellan, 11.Mike Kratovil, 12.Rick Stouffer, 13.Drew Fitzsimmons, 14.Billy Ecton, 15.Chris Ebersole, 16.Craig Kline, 17.Doug Bennett, 18.Keith Koontz, 19.Lloyd Kane, DNS-Charlie Pensinger, Kenny Day, Dustin Proctor
D&D Hobby Stocks - 15 laps, 14 entries, (Lap Leaders – (Kenny Thomas 1-15) 1.Kenny Thomas, 2.Gary Proctor, 3.Mark Vegh, 4.Nathaniel Younker, 5.Nick Dibella, 6.William Crook, 7.Matt Smith, 8.Dave Shatto, 9.Lane Hessong, 10.Tom Caravello, DSQ-Gary Breeden, Charles Stambaugh, DNS–Joe Rogers, Rick Turner
Article Credit: Bob Vores
Submitted By: Josh Fries