|
Mike Leone
EAST SMETHPORT, Penn. (September 25) - The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series returned to McKean County Raceway on Friday night for the second and final time of the 2010 racing season and once again as part of the "Fall Classic". A big field of 44 cars from four states turned out on an unseasonably warm late September night with the temperature at 90 degrees for race #19 of 20 on the 2010 slate.
Steve Dixon out-dueled an early battle with Bryan Force then held off Max Blair in the closing laps for his second FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series victory in his past three starts. Dixon last won the inaugural Touring Series event at Woodhull Raceway in New York on August 21, which ironically came over over Blair. Dixon's 25-lap win was worth $1,200.
Dixon, who resides right up the road in Smethport, drew the pole position and led the first three laps. Dixon's lead was short-lived as Force grabbed the lead on lap four. Force looked primed for his first career Touring Series win trying to become the 13th different winner of the season as the laps ticked off.
Bud Watson, who has been a factor night in and night out since joining forces with John and Janet Powell three weeks ago, had a strong run going. Watson started fifth and took over third from Gary Knollinger on lap eight. Watson looked like he was going to turn in another top five, but spun on lap 19. Max Blair, who started 22nd, worked his way forward and inherited fifth following Watson's spin. Blair then passed Knollinger for fourth one lap later.
Force meanwhile had maintained the top spot until lap 20 when the northern standout Dixon regained the lead. Blair continued his way to the front taking third from Josh Holtgraver on lap 20 and then got around Force one lap later for second. Blair mounted a strong challenge to overtake Dixon getting alongside the leader, but Dixon was able to barley hold on for the victory in his CRS Fitzsimmons Consulting/TSL-sponsored #50. Dixon, who had finishes of third, third, and fourth in his prior three races at McKean, earned his first career FASTRAK win at the McKean County oval.
Blair's runner-up clinched his second Northeast Touring Series Championship in the past three seasons and he also recently won his second National Weekly Series Championship. Back on July 29, Force recorded his career best Touring Series finish with a sixth at Sharon and he blew that away with the third Friday night, which also propelled him into the top 10 in points. Jim Frank came from 10th to finish fourth. Kyle Lukon, who finished third and second in his past two Touring Series starts at Tri-City, recorded his third straight top five finish after racing to the front from the 23rd starting spot.
Knollinger dropped to sixth at the finish, but was able to move into third in points past Butch Lambert, who came up just shy of making the feature. After an early race accident, John Lacki came back through the field to finish seventh. Holtgraver was eighth as Damian Bidwell and Mike Blose rounded out the top 10.
Frank, Newt Tackett, Lacki, Watson, and Holtgraver shared in the five heat race wins. The B mains were won by Blair and Ron Slavic, who was subbing for car owner Ricky Meglaye. Slavic would later finish 15th in the feature in his first ever FASTRAK start.
The 44-car field was the second highest of the season behind the record high 53 on the opening night at Tyler County Speedway and included newcomers Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr., Les Lyon, A.J. Kingsley, Robbie Marhefka, Garrett Stephen, and Bert Cleer. The first show at McKean drew 42 cars.
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #19 (25 laps, $1,200 to-win): 1. STEVE DIXON (50) 2. Max Blair (111) 3. Bryan Force (31) 4. Jim Frank (14*) 5. Kyle Lukon (1) 6. Gary Knollinger (38K) 7. John Lacki (7L) 8. Josh Holtgraver (00) 9. Damian Bidwell (17) 10. Mike Blose (5) 11. Tim Schram (1s) 12. Matt Cobb (75) 13. Rick Strickler (Lake 48) 14. Jamie Brown (135) 15. Ron Slavic (Meglaye 5) 16. Bud Watson (Powell 100) 17. Newt Tackett (68) 18. Adam Sixt (6T) 19. Andrew Wylie (84) 20. John Volpe (Bidwell B1D) 21. Bob Dorman (19) 22. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s) 23. Robbie Blair (W11) 24. John Haggerty (49).
Non-Qualifiers Bonus Event (8 laps, $125 to-win): 1. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c) 2. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 3. Joe Martin (55) 4. Andrew Satterlee (2) 5. Bobby Cossell IV (50c) 6. Garrett Stephen (79) 7. Ed Carley (Baker 74) 8. Bert Cleer 9. Butch Lambert (27)-DNS 10. Rich Gardner (Law 21)-DNS 11. Robbie Marhefka (99FM)-DNS 12. Marshall Shunk (99)-DNS 13. Dan Karalagas (G1)-DNS 14. Bob Kish (5)-DNS 15. Ike Fanton (Kratts 41)-DNS 16. Bob Craig (62)-DNS 17. Garrett Mott (43x)-DNS 18. Les Lyon (45)-DNS DNQ: A.J. Kingsley (3), Jason Genco (29J).
Heat winners: Frank, Tackett, Lacki, Watson, Holtgraver
B main winners: Slavic, Max Blair
Lap leaders: Dixon (1-3), Force (4-19), Dixon (20-25)
Car count: 44
The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will conclude its fourth season on Friday, October 8 at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex for a $1,200 to-win event, but up first will be Night 1 of the FASTRAK Grand Nationals for the Northeast Region this Saturday night, October 2 at 6 p.m. The rain date is Sunday. Night 2 of the FASTRAK Grand Nationals for the Northeast Region will be on Saturday, October 9 at Roaring Knob.
|
