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Hagerstown Speedway
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (August 14) - Roy Deese Jr. couldn't believe it. The defending late model champion from Laurel, Md. ended a winless drought dating to March 14, 2009 in Saturday night's non-stop 25-lap feature by leading the final two circuits. He became the tenth different winner this season while scoring his career 20th triumph by 1.68 seconds over race long leader Jerry Bard.
All of Saturday's winners have been winless since last season as Glenn Elliott of Sykesville, Md. posted the Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic late model sportsman victory while Berkley Springs, WV's Darrin Younker rid the gremlins to capture the non-stop Ernie D's pure stock win. Chris Ebersole of Big Cove Tannery, Pa. snatched the lead for the final four laps of the 30-lap Enduro Dash.
Deese ran down race long leader Bard who got a little too conservative when he caught rear traffic as Deese quickly landed on his bumper and swept under him to lead at the white flag.
"I can't believe it," Deese Jr. said. "After the checkered, I had to look at the score board three times to see if it was me up there. It's been a long time since I've done this. I have to thank Joey Pinkerton. He's put a lot of time in this thing, like I have, trying to make this car competitive. I think we finally hit on something tonight."
Jerry Bard pulled to the lead from the pole position as fifth starter, Al Shawver Jr. quickly moved into the runner up spot while Deese advanced to pass Marvin Winters and take over third on lap four.
Bard was having no problem out front and enjoying better than a two and a half second lead on lap ten while his career first win was 15 circuits away. He closed on rear traffic and got past the first car on the 14th and then another two laps later and still had a two second advantage on the 20th circuit. The next round he caught another rear marker while Shawver and Deese both were closing. Deese got past Shawver on the 22nd and swiftly was set to challenge Bard. He rounded the inside to take control of the final circuit and posted the long overdue win by 1.68 seconds over Bard.
"It's been a tough year, last year and this, just trying to get on our feet," Deese Jr. said. "Sometimes when you can't it figured out, it's hard to be fast."
Gary Stuhler got past Shawver Jr. for third with two laps to go while Mike Lupfer completed the top five. Winters was sixth followed by Jamie Lathroum, Frankie Plessinger, Rusty Sites and Alan Sagi. Bard and Winters won the heats.
Late Models, 25 laps, 19 entries, (Lap Leaders - Jerry Bard 1-23, Roy Deese Jr. 24-25) 1.Roy Deese Jr.; 2.Jerry Bard; 3.Gary Stuhler; 4.Al Shawver Jr; 5.Mike Lupfer; 6.Marvin Winters; 7.Jamie Lathroum; 8.Frankie Plessinger; 9.Rusty Sites; 10.Alan Sagi; 11.Andy Fries; 12.Tyler Hershey; 13.Brian Booze; 14.Steve Gibney; 15.James Myers; 16.Tim Murphy; 17.Larry Baker II; 18.Matt Murphy; 19.Kirk Baker
Elliott's night began with his rig breaking down enroute to the speedway and him missing warm-ups. He lined up fourth and moved to third while Rodney Walls led the late model sportsman followed by his cousin, Mike Walls. Elliott took over second on lap five and looked inside and outside to get past R. Walls. He finally got under to lead the 12th lap before the caution flag waved. Walls then got a good restart on lap 13 as contact between the two caused Walls to spin as Elliott remained at the helm. Elliott continued to lead the final circuits, building up a 1.279 second advantage over Pete Weaver, who took over the runner up spot with five laps to go.
"I wanted to win here this year," said Elliott, whose last win was September 5th. "I didn't think we were going to get it. It feels great."
Kyle Lear came from 13th to finish third and get the St. Thomas Towing/Checkered Flag Lube Center Hard Charger award while Mike Walls and Wayne Walls Jr. were next. Richard Walls, Terry Flaherty and Elliott were the heat winners.
Younker led the pure stocks from the pole while third starting Brian Miller was into second and worked at keeping his spot from Eddie McClellan. Younker maintained less than a second advantage as the extra five lap feature continued non-stop and the top five were running nearly bumper to bumper. Miller chased him all the way to the finish and only was .193 seconds back as Younker's win was his first since May 2nd of last year.
"I heard someone back there," Younker said. "I was a little on the loose side. I just wanted to be as conservative as I could. I might have had a little bit left."
Closely following were McClellan, Dave Stouffer Jr and Kevin Boyer to complete the top five. Randy Kline, McClellan and Younker were the heat winners.
Mark Vegh led the enduro from the pole with Larry Hurley in close pursuit while 11th starting Ebersole was into third by lap six. Kenny Thomas moved past Ebersole to make it a four car battle until a red flag stopped the action on lap 26. Ebersole was quick on the restart to take control and lead the final circuits for his second career win by nearly a half straightaway over Vegh. Hurley, "Krazy" Kenny Thomas and Kenny Thomas completed the front five.
Racing returns again on Saturday with the Small Car National Qualifier for the Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic Late Model Sportsman and Ernie D's Pure Stocks, plus 24th Annual Tommy Thompson Demo Derby. Check the speedway website for any changes in the weather at: www.hagerstownspeedway.com or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.
Hagerstown Speedway Results
Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic Late Model Sportsman, 20 Laps, 22 entries, (Lap Leaders - Rodney Walls 1-11, Glenn Elliott 12-20) 1.Glenn Elliott; 2.Pete Weaver; 3.Kyle Lear (St. Thomas Towing/Checkered Flag Lube Hard Charger); 4.Mike Walls; 5.Wayne Walls Sr.; 6.Coutney Shreiner; 7.Paul Cursey; 8.Robby Beall; 9.Chaz Walls; 10.Bruce Kane; 11.Ryan Walls; 12.Justin Weaver; 13.Fred Harden; 14.Chad Myers; 15.Scott Palmer; 16.Rodney Walls; 17.J. T. McLanigan; 18.Ronnie Dennis; 19.Ashley Barrett; 20.Richard Walls; 21.Terry Flaherty, DQ - Donnie Farlling
Ernie D's Pure Stocks, 20 laps, 20 entries (Lap Leaders - Darrin Younker 1-20): 1.Darrin Younker; 2.Brian Miller; 3.Eddie McClellan; 4.Dave Stouffer Jr.; 5.Kevin Boyer; 6.Steve Lowery (Turner Bowling Centers Hard Charger); 7.Randy Kline; 8.Drew Fitzsimmons; 9.Billy Ecton Jr.; 10.Bill Reitober; 11.Mike Warrenfeltz; 12.Kevin Koontz; 13.Wayne Hawbaker; 14.Kenny Dillon; 15.Charlie Pensinger; 16.Keith Koontz; 17.Mike Kratovil; 18.Eddie Catrell; 19.Danny Beavers; 20.Lin Sutphin
Enduro Dash, 30 Laps, 20 Entries, (Lap Leaders- Mark Vegh 1-26, Chris Ebersole 27-30) 1.Chris Ebersole; 2.Mark Vegh; 3.Larry Hurley; 4."Krazy" Kenny Thomas; 5.Kenny Thomas; 6.Brandon Churchey; 7.Eric Myers; 8.J. C. Butts; 9.Matt Smith; 10.Dave Shatto; 11.Bobby Moore; 12.Rodney Minor; 13.Russell Hutzell Jr.; 14.Danny Holmes; 15.Teresa Koogler; 16.Jeffrey Spaulding; 17.Robin Koogler; 18.Jim Smith; 19.Charles Stambaugh; 20.William Crook
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