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Mike Leone
HARTFORD, Ohio (May 23) - The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series held event #2 of 17 at Sharon Speedway on Saturday night as it was uncharted territory for the second straight event. A Northeast Touring Series record 37 cars turned out with drivers from four different states filling the pit area at the 3/8-mile oval in Hartford, Ohio.
Over the winter months, Mike Pegher, Jr. and car owner Lynn Geisler decided to make a full-fledged effort at chasing all of the FASTRAK money in 2009. The 23-year-old former Stock Car standout is running three nights a week and the entire Touring Series slate for the first time. Heading into this weekend, Pegher was tied for the $10,000 National Weekly Series Championship and was atop the $5,000 Northeast Touring Series Championship after his season opening win last month at West Virginia's Tyler County Speedway.
On Saturday night, Pegher made it two-for-two by winning the 25-lap feature after hard battles first with Dan Angelicchio, then defending National Weekly Series and Northeast Touring Series champion Max Blair, and finally with veteran Super Late Model standout David Scott.
"I let David (Scott) by me, but I was able to get back by him there," explained the Wexford, Pa. $1,200 winner. "There was some contact, but that's part of racing. He would have done the same thing to me. He got me at Lernerville (Speedway), now we're even. I wish the season was over right now, but we have 15 more! I just hope it ends like this every night. I have to thank the crew because without them I wouldn't be able to do this."
Fresh off his Weekly Series win at Dog Hollow Speedway on Friday night, Dan Angelicchio raced into the lead, while Blair was able to slip under John Watson for second at the end of lap one. Pegher, who started fifth, moved to fourth on lap two before the event's first caution for a spin by FASTRAK rookie Garrett Mott.
When racing resumed, Angelicchio and Blair raced side-by-side with Blair taking charge of the event as he led lap four, while Pegher advanced to third past Watson. One lap later, Pegher got under Angelicchio for second.
All eyes were on 10th starting David Scott as he worked his way into contention making a great move on the inside racing off turn two and down the backstretch to get by both Steve Hollabaugh and Watson for fourth on lap eight.
The battle heated up for the lead as Pegher ran down Blair and was on his bumper on lap nine. The two made contact on lap 10, but Blair maintained the lead. On lap 13, Blair and Pegher once again ran side-by-side keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
On lap 15 after 11 straight green flag laps, Bryan Salisbury spun in front of the leaders. Pegher got into Blair as the two somehow missed the accident; however, the contact cut Blair's tire sending him to the pits for a fresh Goodyear Tire.
West Virginia's Gary Knollinger brought out the event's third caution with still 14 laps completed. When racing resumed, Scott was able to get past Angelicchio to grab second on lap 15. A caution for debris bunched the field up again. It was perfect timing for Scott, who now lined-up alongside Pegher. Scott got a great restart on the outside to lead lap 17.
Pegher wasn't about to surrender as he pulled even with Scott and the two raced side-by-side on laps 18 and 19. On lap 19 the duo made contact with Pegher getting by for the lead. Once back in front, Pegher pulled away by lap 21 and had a near half-straightaway lead when he took the checkered flag in the #1 Cochran/Pegher Custom Home Painting/Bryant Plumbing/Tri-State Hose/MonaVie/North Pittsburgh Heating & Cooling/Triple-S Auto-sponsored #1c.
The victory extended Pegher's Northeast Touring Series point lead heading into Monday at Mercer Raceway Park and now gives Pegher three for his career in Touring Series competition as he moves into a tie for second on the all-time win list with John Lacki.
Scott and Angelicchio turned into their best ever Touring Series efforts in second and third respectively. Bobby Powell was fourth over John Watson. Carl McKinney was the night's hard charger as he worked his way from his 21st starting spot to finish a respectable sixth. Bob Kish had a good run finishing seventh after starting 16th. Brian Booher advanced from the 20th starting spot to finish a strong eighth. Keeping with the trend, Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. came from 22nd to finish ninth. Ben Black completed the top 10.
Just one caution slowed action in the four heat races, which were won by Salisbury, Angelicchio, Watson, and Scott. McKinney and Schirnhofer won the two B mains. The 37 cars broke the previous Touring Series high of 34 set at Raceway 7 on July 25, 2008.
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #2 (25 laps $1,200 to-win):
1. MIKE PEGHER, JR. (Geisler 1c) 2. David Scott (Powell 100) 3. Dan Angelicchio (14) 4. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D) 5. John Watson (Ohio) (Horton 48) 6. Carl McKinney (6M) 7. Bob Kish (5) 8. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 9. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s) 10. Ben Black (27B) 11. Jim Frank (14*) 12. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 13. Joel Prosser (77) 14. Gary Knollinger (38K) 15. Bob Diver (23) 16. Gary Miller, Jr. (1M) 17. Shane Bambarger (68M) 18. Tyler Barris (32B) 19. Garrett Mott (43X) 20. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 21. Max Blair (111) 22. Jim Long (71) 23. Bryan Salisbury (26) 24. Bert Blackson (82) DNQ: Bud Watson (2), Bill Thomas (McDaniel 22), Derek Frank (16), Bob Dorman (19), Jay Watson (7x), Chris Schneider (55), Joe Martin (55), Tom Copeland (98), Jon Law (14), Dave Airgood, Jr. (42JR), Alex Anderson (22x), Jason Stanke (44), Josh Double (38).
Lap leaders: Angelicchio (1-3), Blair (4-14), Scott (17-18), Pegher (15-16, 19-25)
Heat winners: Bryan Salisbury, Jim Frank, John Watson, David Scott
B main winners: Carl McKinney, Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr.
Car count: 37
The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will be in action on Monday for the "Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic" at Mercer Raceway Park. The 25-lap feature will pay $1,200 to-win. FASTRAK will be first on the card. Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:15 and racing at 6 p.m.
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