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Eric Westendorf
SARVER, Penn. (June 11) - A capacity crowd was on hand for #1 Cochran Fan Appreciation Night as Fab Four Racing was complimented by an exhilarating fireworks display by Premier Pyrotechnics. Mike Johnson led wire-to-wire over a loaded field of veteran Late Model aces. Jack Sodeman Jr. won the Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprint feature by holding off a hard charging Danny Holtgraver. Dave Murdick won his second straight Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modified feature and Super Joe Kelley won his second straight Charapp Route 28 DIRTcar Sportsman feature.
Drivers from all divisions of Fab Four Racing walked into the stands with their helmets and collected over $6400 from the "Greatest Fans in the World" for Charlie Holben's recovery fund! Thank you all so very much!
After National Guard Heat Race competition came to a close with Dave Hess Jr., Jared Miley and Mike Johnson (DIRTcar Late Models); Danny Holtgraver, Rod George and Carl Bowser (Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprints); Kevin Bolland and Brian Swartzlander (Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds); Jim Fosnaught and Bob Egley (Charapp Route 28 DIRTcar Sportsman) all victorious, it was feature time as the folks from #1 Cochran Automotive looked on awaiting a thrilling fireworks display by Premier Pyrotechnics.
Being #1 Cochran Night, the DIRTcar Late Models, featuring longtime #1 Cochran Late Model driver Lynn Geisler, rolled onto the Action Track. For most of this season, and really the past two or three seasons, the Late Model field has been peppered with a bevy of "Generation Now" drivers; the young, up-and-comers like Gregg Satterlee, Matt Lux, Jared Miley, Alex Ferree and Dave Hess Jr. And while Miley, Ferree and Hess were in competition, Friday Night's feature was really more about the veteran Late Model Aces. Other than Budweiser Points Leader Dave Hess Jr., the rest of the top five was a veteran crew with decades of experience on their collective resumes.
Perhaps in a tune-up for the impending 4th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com, Mike Johnson, Davey Johnson, Ron Davies and John Flinner were on hand to show the younger guys that they can still get around the 4/10-mile speedplant and contend for checkered flag glory. But despite the lofty achievements of "The Juice" Davey Johnson, 1990 Track Champion Ron Davies and former Five-Time Track Champion John Flinner, it was Mike Johnson that dominated the 25-lap feature as his peers battled for position behind him.
Mike Johnson started on the pole, flanked by Doug Eck, and took the quick lead when the green flag was shown to the field. Dave Hess Jr. slid underneath Eck in turns three & four to take second. John Flinner took third as Ron Davies battled Dan Swartzlander (behind the wheel of a newer, former Chub Frank Rocket chassis) for fourth. Contact between Swartzlander and Davies resulted in a flat left rear and a yellow flag for Swartzlander. For most of the final 20 laps, the only battle was between Davies and Flinner for third. After a final caution on lap 14, the top six (Johnson, Hess, Flinner, Davies, Johnson and Miley) ran nose-to-tail to the checkered flag. For Mike Johnson it was his second career Lernerville Feature Win.
By crossing the finish line second, Hess increases his Budweiser Points lead to almost a full night's worth of points over sixth place finisher Jared Miley. In the closing laps, Davey Johnson (third) drove around both Ron Davies (fourth) and John Flinner (fifth). Behind Miley were Three-Time Defending Track Champion Alex Ferree, Brian Swartzlander, Lynn Geisler (in the #1 Cochran Late Model) and Kenny Schaltenbrand to round out the top ten.
Next Friday June 18 is Mid-Season Championship Night for all divisions of Fab Four Racing. The DIRTcar Lates and Ti22 Sprints will be racing for track provisionals in the 4th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com and the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XIX Twin 30s! Speaking of the 4th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com, the Crown Jewel event is less than two weeks away! Buy your Advance Three-Day Package for just $59 today and receive free pit pass upgrades for Thursday and Friday Nights. Log on to www.Lernerville.com and click the "Buy Tickets" icon or call the speedway office at (724) 353-1511.
Race Results
DIRTcar Late Models Feature (25 Laps)
(2J) Mike Johnson, Imperial
(44) Dave Hess Jr., Waterford
(1J) Davie Johnston, Greensburg
(71D) Ron Davies, Warren
(48) John Flinner, Zelienople
(H1) Jared Miley, South Park
(4) Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
(111) Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg
(1C) Lyn Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
(29) Ken Schaltenbrand, Sarver
(03) Doug Eck, Corry
(16*) Dereck Frank, Jamestown NY.
(88) Chuck Sarver, West Sunburry
(25Z) Mason Zeigler, Chalkhill
(72) Michael Norris, Sarver
(J4) John Garvin Jr., Sarver
(23) Tony Burke, Sarver
(15K) Ray Kroll Sr., Renfrew
(7X) Herman Bertolini, Creighton
(29K) Garrett Krummert, New Castle
(38R) Nick Reges, Butler
(3) Dan Swartzlander, Freeport
National Guard Heat Race Winners: Hess, Miley, M.Johnson
Ti22 Performance DIRTcar 410 Sprint Car Feature (25 Laps)
(23JR) Jack Sodeman Jr., N. Jackson OH.
(D4) Danny Holtgraver, Pittsburgh
(4) Rod George, Kittanning
(10) Carl Bowser, Sarver
(6F) Bob Felmlee, Seneca
(08) Dan Kuriger, Freedom
(2L) Ed Lynch Jr., Apollo
(23S) Russ Sansosti, Boardman OH.
(0) Andy McKisson, Strattanville
(24S) Brian Steinman, Lucinda
(33) Brent Matus, Wampum
(96) Lindsay Enscoe, Petrolia
(13) Brandon Matus, Wampum
(44) Pete Landram, Jeanette
(21) Jack Whitmore, Brookfield OH.
(19) Robbie Bartchy, Slickville
(70X) Mike Bertolini, Creighton
(51P) Jason Pisani, Pittsburgh
(9) Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning
(3B) Scott Bonnell, Fairview
National Guard Heat Race Winners: Holtgraver, George, Bowser
B-Main Winner: Jason Pisani
Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modified Feature (25 Laps)
(61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock
(777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton
(8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville
(83) Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg
(20D) Del Rougeux Jr., Frenchville
(37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk
(31) Jim Weller Jr., Hubbard OH.
(11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville
(45) Steve Feder, Butler
(28) Tom Winkle, Mars
(96) Mike Turner, Butler
(29E) Erik Martin, Evans City
(6) Carl Murdick, Butler
(88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler
(71B) Don Brown, Butler
(27R) Dave Reges, Butler
(74) Kevin Green, New Castle
National Guard Heat Race Winners: Bolland, Swartzlander
Charapp Route 28 DIRTcar Sportsman Feature (20 Laps)
(66) Joe Kelly, Mt. Pleasant
(20J) Jim Fosnaught, Bairdford
(54) Wayne Carbo, Saxonburg
(13X) Ryan Moyer, Portersville
(7) Eric Piotrowski, Cranberry Twp.
(25) Brett McDonald, Saxonburg
(30) Bob Egley, Kittanning
(2) A.J. Flick, Apollo
(3S) Paul Schreckengost, Creighton
(32) Mark Sanders, Lowellville OH.
(29B) Scott Byers, Butler
(21) Jeff Miller, Natrona Heights
(C33) Corey McPherson, Tarentum
(55L) Bob Lipinski, Pittsburgh
(19) Scott Bowman, Murrysville
(28Y) Terry Young, Butler
(24) Jim Bills, Portersville
(12) Shawn Thorn, Vandergrift
(78) John Watson, Apollo
DNS: (J19) Jason Fosnaught, Creighton
DNS: (55S) Dr. Bob Lipinski, Valencia
National Guard Heat Race Winners: Jim Fosnaught, Bob Egley
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