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Mike Leone
STRONGSTOWN, Penn. (August 6) - The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series made their first and only appearance of the 2010 season at Dog Hollow Speedway on Friday night for race #12 of 20 on the 2010 slate. Despite some scattered showers throughout the region, just one light shower fell shortly after the gates opened. A total of 28 cars from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia made the trip for the fifth ever Touring Series event held at Jim and Sharon Michny's oval.
Second year racer Joe Martin put on a dominating performance to capture his first career FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series victory and became the ninth different winner in 12 events to date in 2010! Martin won his first career race last August at Mercer Raceway Park in a weekly-sanctioned event and has added victories this season at Dog Hollow and as recently as last Saturday's $1,000 to-win event at Sharon Speedway. None though compare to Friday night's 25-lap $1,200 to-win victory.
"The cautions made us work for that one," stated the 25-year-old Ringgold, Pa. racer. "I kept hearing the 1c (Mike Pegher, Jr.) getting closer and closer. I knew where he and Max Blair started and they'd be coming to the front. Those guys keep you on your toes and they are tough anytime they are in the ballpark. I have to thank my girlfriend and everyone that helps out, and especially Mike Blose because without him I couldn't do it. We were struggling and he helped us with a different setup and it's paying off."
Interesting enough no one in Friday's field had ever won a Touring Series event at Dog Hollow and in fact 10 of the first 11 starters had never won a Touring Series race in their career so it was a good bet a new winner would emerge! Dan Karalagas was hoping to be that driver as he used the outside to take the lead away from pole-sitter Troy Shields on the opening lap with Mike Laughard in tow.
Laughard, who hasn't finished out of the top seven in the last five weeks at Dog Hollow including two wins and a runner-up, looked strong as he passed Shields for second on lap two. Martin, who started fifth, battled with Bryan Force in the first three laps for fourth before taking the positions on lap three. Martin's car was one of the few that were fast on the outside as he drove around Shields for third on lap seven and then used the top side to go around Laughard one lap later for second.
A caution for a spin by Bob Cossell IV put Martin alongside Karalagas for the restart with eight laps completed. When racing resumed, Martin again used the outside to power around Karalagas for the lead. Martin almost instantly quickly distanced himself from the field, while all eyes were on Mike Pegher, Jr. Fresh off his $5,000 Eldora Speedway National FASTRAK win, Pegher started deep in the field back in 15th and slowly made his way forward. Pegher made his presence known when he passed Dan Angelicchio for fourth on lap 10.
Ahead of Pegher, Laughard and Karalagas were battling hard side-by-side for second while Martin stretched his lead to a straightaway at the halfway point. The halfway point wasn't a pretty lap as four cautions slowed action.
When things got settled down, Martin again pulled away while the battle was on for second. Pegher slipped under Laughard on lap 15 to take third and began to pressure Karalagas. Pegher and Karalagas ran side-by-side on lap 17 with Pegher getting the nod as he used the bottom of turn three to make the second place pass stick.
Pegher had a couple restarts alongside Martin, but Martin was too strong as his Faster Chassis #55 was hooked to perfection. Martin took the checkered flag first in his STS Rental/Juart Bros. Exploration/Martin Farms/Neese Trucking/Freedline Auto Repair-sponsored mount and celebrated by doing donuts in victory lane. Martin became the 22nd different winner in 45 races all-time in the Northeast Touring Series!
Pegher's runner-up finish distanced himself a little more from the competition behind him in second place in the Touring Series points. Angelicchio had a solid run coming from eighth to finish third after getting by Laughard and Karalagas in the closing laps. Angelicchio, who has been so close to his first career Touring Series win, now has a second and a third place finish in his last two starts.
Point leader Max Blair fought an uphill battle all night. Blair drew a bad pill and started at the back of an all-star caliber heat race where he was able to transfer to the feature. Blair then started 18th in the feature and fought his way forward taking fourth place from Karalagas on lap four to maintain his stranglehold on the point chase. Laughard's first Touring Series start of the season resulted in a fine fifth place effort after getting by Karalagas on lap 22.
Mike Blose came from 12th to finish sixth with Andrew Satterlee, Josh Holtgraver, Butch Lambert (from 22nd), and Gary Knollinger rounding out the top 10. Heats went to Martin, Blose, and Karalagas, while Chris Angelicchio won the B main.
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #12 (25 laps, $1,200 to-win): 1. JOE MARTIN (55) 2. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c) 3. Dan Angelicchio (14) 4. Max Blair (111) 5. Mike Laughard (38L) 6. Mike Blose (5) 7. Andrew Satterlee (4) 8. Josh Holtgraver (00) 9. Butch Lambert (27) 10. Gary Knollinger (38K) 11. Bryan Force (31) 12. Dan Karalagas (G1) 13. Mike Hughes (79) 14. Ricky Meglaye (5) 15. Ken Herman (58) 16. Troy Shields (11) 17. Shawn Weaver (325x) 18. Joe Moyer (LeComte 53) 19. Chris Angelicchio (4) 20. Bob Cossell IV (50c) 21. Chris Force (68) 22. Quintin Wyandt (118) 23. Tim Snare, Jr. (99) 24. Bud Watson (2) DNQ: Nico Debecco (1F), Sam Eichelberger (27x), Matt Bassaro (MR72), Joe Zulinsky (58)-illegal.
Heat winners: Martin, Blose, Karalagas
B main winner: Chris Angelicchio
Lap leaders: Karalagas (1-8), Martin (9-25)
Car count: 28
The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will resume action on Saturday, August 7 at Hesston Speedway in Hesston, PA. Events #13 will pay $1,200 to-win.
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