|
Mike Leone
CONNEAUT, Ohio (July 4) - The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series headed to Ron Nielson's Raceway 7 on Friday night, July 4 for the first of two stops at the Conneaut, Ohio oval. Race #4 of the 12-race series finally saw sunny skies grace race fans and competitors as another strong field of 33 competitors made the tow from all over western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and western New York.
If a driver ever deserved to a win a race, that man would be John Lacki in the "Fall Classic". Last September 7, John Lacki led the first 12 laps before a caution slowed action then the rains came. The race was one lap from being considered complete and under Raceway 7's rain check policy, one feature must be completed or rain checks are issued. Lacki and company made the long tow back on September 14 only to be rained out again.
It was announced the "Fall Classic" would be run on May 2 of this year as the "Spring Classic" to open up the 2008 season at Raceway 7, but once again rain took care of that night. Determined to get the show in, the "Fall Classic" was rescheduled to July 4 and finally nearly 10 months after coming one lap from winning the "Fall Classic", John Lacki stood in victory lane after the 25-lap "Freedom Classic" FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series feature.
Making his Touring Series debut, Dave Osterberg took the early lead over Roger French. Fourth starting Tom Snyder, Jr. passed Dennis Lunger for third on the opening lap then grabbed second from French on lap five with sixth starting Lacki trailing.
Following a caution with eight laps completed, Snyder took over the top spot from Osterberg. Lacki then chased Osterberg before finally getting by for runner-up on lap 13 with Lunger following. Dick Barton, who started seventh, made his way into contention taking third from Lunger on lap 20 one lap before Lunger lost the handle in turn three, looping his mount and erased Snyder's half-straightaway lead.
On the ensuing restart, Lacki used the double-file restart to his advantage taking the lead on lap 22 and would go on to lead the remaining laps holding for Snyder for the $1,200 win in his #7. Lacki became the fourth different Touring Series winner in as many races this season. His victory was the third of his career in Touring Series competition moving him into a tie with Barton atop the all-time win list.
Bump Hedman had a great run coming from 19th to finish third after passing Barton for the spot on lap 22. Barton was fourth over defending Touring Series champion Alan Dellinger, who started 10th. Completing the top 10 were Jay Watson, Justin Kann, Greg Oakes, Rusty Moore, and Andy Buckley. The 33 cars matched the season-high count at the opening event at McKean County Raceway. Heat winners were French, Lacki, Moore, and Dellinger, while Jon Law and Watson won the two B mains.
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #4 (25 laps $1,200 to-win): 1. JOHN LACKI (7) 2. Tom Snyder, Jr. (1F) 3. Bump Hedman (22) 4. Dick Barton (Nielson 28B) 5. Alan Dellinger (Williams 8) 6. Jay Watson (7x) 7. Justin Kann (Powell 100) 8. Greg Oakes (22) 9. Rusty Moore (17M) 10. Andy Buckley (Robinson 34R) 11. Dave Osterberg (43) 12. Max Blair (111) 13. Bob Diver (23) 14. Butch Lambert (27) 15. Jon Law (14) 16. Kevin Meadows (Welsch 49) 17. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 18. Dan Stives (41) 19. Dennis Lunger (17L) 20. Tom Copeland (98) 21. Roger French (-1) 22. Bob Kish (5) 23. Dereck Frank (16*) 24. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D) DNQ: Bob Dorman (19), Scott Jones (Stanke 44s), Alex Anderson (22x), Gary Miller, Jr. (1m), Jim Frank (14*), Bobby Whitling (7w), Todd Sweet (17), Chad Myers (01), Bert Blackson (82)
Lap leaders: Dave Osterberg (1-8), Tom Snyder, Jr. (9-21), John Lacki (22-25)
Heat winners: Roger French, John Lacki, Rusty Moore, Alan Dellinger
B main winners: Jon Law, Jay Watson
Car count: 33
|
