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Hagerstown Speedway
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (April 9) - Following two wins last season including the season ending Octoberfest, Gary Stuhler came right back for the first time in 2011 in a brand new Rocket chassis late model and with a brand new team to claim victory on Saturday evening at Hagerstown. In a six car inverted field, the Greencastle Pa. veteran led all the way from the pole to post his career 129th victory by 1.75 seconds over Nick Dickson in a final four lap run to the checkered.
Running only one race previously at Hagerstown late last season, Kenny Moreland of Waldorf, Md. made it look easy as he also led all the way from the pole with a six car invert for his career first Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic late model sportsman win at the facility, holding off Steve Axtell Jr. by a mere .44 seconds. Kenny Dillon, Hanover, Pa. also got the number one spot for the Ernie D's pure stock feature to later record his career 23rd win by only three feet.
Stuhler took the green over Keith Jackson while third starter Dickson took the runner up spot away on lap four. Stuhler continued to maintain a second advantage lap on Dickson lap after lap as fifth starter Roy Deese Jr. moved past Jackson on the tenth circuit and closed in as did Jim Bernheisel who took over the fourth spot on lap 13.
Stuhler was into the rear of the field on lap 17 as the first of two cautions then came out on lap 19 when seventh runner Duane Harbaugh had problems and retired. Two circuits later seventh runner Brent Smith became involved with a lapped car to send both off on the hook.
Stuhler easily stretched out his lead in the final circuits with Deese holding to third over Bernheisel while Greg Satterlee came from 13th to finish fifth. Jackson was followed by Alan Sagi, Kyle Lear, Frankie Plessinger and Tyler Hershey to complete the top ten. Heats went to Bernheisel, Deese Jr. and Marvin Winters.
"Everybody put a whole team effort in this deal," Stuhler said. "All these guys have worked their tails off and there have been a lot of long nights. They've been up every night this week pretty late, Saturday's and Sunday's. It was just a good night. We got a good starting spot and everything worked out for us."
Moreland quickly put his car into the first turn before Scott Palmer and began stretching his lead lap after lap while eighth starter Axtell Jr. was putting on a driving exhibition around the top of the turns and heading towards the front. He passed Palmer on lap 12 prior to the first caution being displayed as Moreland lost a 5.4 second lead.
Moreland took off under green while Andy Fries moved to third but the next caution on lap 17 was for him after coasting to a stop. Again, Moreland was off and running but Axtell didn't make the final circuits easy as they came from the final turn bumper to bumper.
"Every caution that came was one too many," Moreland said. "I was looking at the scoreboard and I was on the wheel, keeping it straight the best I could. I have two wins at home (Potomac) and now wanted to go out and get some wins someplace else. Hagerstown is definitely the place to be. A lot of good guys have won here, it means a lot."
Third went to the previous week's winner, Pete Weaver, who was the Checkered Flag Lube/St. Thomas Towing hard charger after coming from 12th. He was followed by Trevor Feathers and Glenn Elliott. Wayne Walls Jr., Donnie Farlling, Palmer, Tom Wagner and Mike Walls were next. Heats went to Feathers, Weaver and Walls Jr.
Dillon surged to the front but third starting Dave Stouffer Jr. was on his bumper and pestering him from the first lap while previous week's winner Steve Lowery was up from the 12th spot by the third lap. Dillon held onto his racer several times following contact on the backstretch but went on to claim the win by three feet over Stouffer and Lowery. Charlie Pensinger and Wayne Hawbaker were next.
"I hate starting on the pole as everyone expects you to win but it's just great to be here this early in the year," Dillon said. "This is my favorite type of track to race on. When it's tacky, I'm good."
Hagerstown Speedway returns next Saturday, April 16th, with a regular three division show plus will also include the hobby stock cruisers for their second appearance. Warm ups begin at 7:00 p.m.
The latest news, results, photos, schedule or rule changes can be on the speedway's website: www.hagerstownspeedway.com. Also check the website for any changes in weather conditions that may delay or cancel the program or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.
Hagerstown Speedway Results
Late Models, 25 laps, 22 entries, (Lap Leaders - Gary Stuhler 1-25) 1. Gary Stuhler; 2. Nick Dickson; 3. Roy Deese Jr.; 4. Jim Bernheisel; 5. Greg Satterlee; 6. Keith Jackson; 7. Alan Sagi; 8. Kyle Lear; 9. Frankie Plessinger; 10. Tyler Hershey; 11. James Myers; 12. Tim Murphy; 13. Tom Decker; 14. Lindsay Barton; 15. Marvin Winters; 16. Brent Smith; 17.Matt Murphy; 18. Ashley Barrett; 19. Duane Harbaugh; 20. Rick Hulson; DNS - Jerry Bard, Larry Baker
Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Late Model Sportsman, 20 Laps, 23 entries (Lap Leaders - Kenny Moreland 1-20) 1. Kenny Moreland; 2.Steve Axtell Jr.; 3.Pete Weaver (Checkered Flag Lube/St. Thomas Towing Hard Charger); 4.Trevor Feathers; 5.Glenn Elliott; 6.Wayne Walls Jr.; 7.Donnie Farlling; 8.Scott Palmer; 9.Tom Wagner; 10.Mike Walls; 11.Justin Weaver; 12.Chaz Walls; 13.Courtney Shreiner; 14.Rodney Walls; 15.Paul Cursey; 16.Chad Myers; 17.Andy Fries; 18.Cody Lear; 19.Matt Howsare; 20.John Baker; 21.Terry Flaherty; 22.Elwood Sord, DNS - Richard Walls
Ernie D's Pure Stocks, 15 laps, 13 entries (Lap Leaders - Kenny Dillon 1-15) 1. Kenny Dillon; 2.Dave Stouffer Jr.; 3.Steve Lowery; 4.Drew Fitzsimmons; 5.Charlie Pensinger; 6.Wayne Hawbaker; 7.Lin Sutphin Jr.; 8.Bill Ecton; 9.Darrin Younker; 10.Eddie McClellan; 11.Billy Ecton Jr.; 12.Charles Shearer, DNS - Kevin Koontz
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