Jennerstown, PA (June 11, 2016): Life as a race track promoter can be stressful. Often times, as we have already seen this season, difficult decisions must be made based on weather forecasts. The first two races of the 2016 season were cancelled at Jennerstown Speedway Complex; followed by two weeks of complete racing programs despite ominous weather in the region. On Saturday, rains interrupted the racing action at the Somerset County speedway during the latter stages of the Street Stock feature. After about 90 minutes to dry the racing surface, racing resumed with the running of the 4-cylinder feature. That event was cut short when the lights went out around three quarters of the race track. The decision was made to cancelled the remainder of the program due to the time it would have taken to get the lights working again. The owners and staff appreciate the loyal fans who waited out the rain delay and all who ventured out to the track regardless of the forecast. Credited with victories for First Responders Night presented by Somerset Trust Company were: Lauren Butler (Riggs Industries Street Stocks) and Casey Fleegle (Somerset Trust Company Fast ‘N Furious 4’s).
The Riggs Industries Street Stocks were the first feature of the evening. Steve Long from Rockwood led the field to the green for their 25-lap event. Outside polesitter Mel Wilt took the early lead with Dustin Gursky and defending champion Anthony Aiello in tow. From his 9th starting position, Shawn Beam worked his way into the Top 5 by Lap 3 with a pass on Jerod Brougher. That opened the door for Andrew Kostelnik and last week’s winner Lauren Butler to move past Brougher as well. On Lap 5, Beam, who won the season opener, worked under Gursky to claim the 2nd spot. Two laps later, Beam took the lead from Wilt with Aiello moving into the runner-up position as he got by Wilt as well. Wilt would soon fall victim to Kostelnik and Butler. On Lap 11, Kostelnik and Butler both shuffled Aiello back to 4th Place just before a spin by Gursky brought out the yellow flag. Butler would quickly work her way to the outside of Kostelnik on the restart to move into 2nd and set her sights on Beam. On the exit of Turn 2 on Lap 17, Butler began to power to the outside of Beam. The side-by-side battle culminated with Butler edging Beam at the line to officially lead the lap. As the leaders worked their way through Turns 1 and 2 on the last lap, Gursky spun off of Turn 4 to bring out the caution. A downpour forced the field to return to the pits before the last two laps could be completed. Once the rains subsided and the track was dry, the Street Stock race was declared as official with Butler claiming her second win in a row. Beam, Kostelnik, Aiello and Aaron Van Fleet were scored 2nd through 5th. Aiello and Butler won their heat races.
With many employees and customers of Somerset Trust Company on hand, the Fast ‘N Furious 4’s, sponsored by Somerset Trust Company, took to the track for their 15-lap main event after track drying efforts were completed. 25 teams signed in for the evening. Steve Settle, who had experienced bad luck the first two weeks of the season, started on the pole and led the first five laps. Frieden’s Casey Fleegle started the feature in 7th, but was in the runner-up spot by Lap 3. Fleegle worked under Settle on the exit of Turn 4 on Lap 5 to beat Settle back to the line. A caution on Lap 6 bunched the field. Paul Koffler III, winner of last week’s race, started the race from the 12th position and was running 4th by Lap 7. One lap later, the Connellsville driver passed Mike Shaulis to move up to 3rd Place. Koffler powered by Settle on the exit of Turn 2 on Lap 9 and completed the pass by the time the duo exited Turn 4. Shortly thereafter, the yellow flag waved again; resulting in a double-file restart since the race was past the halfway mark. Twice the restarts were waved off when the front pair of Fleegle and Koffler were not pacing at the same rate. A warning was given for the first instance. When it occurred again, officials moved Fleegle and Koffler back a row per speedway rules. At this point, Koffler went pitside. This moved Settle back to the inside of the front row. However, Fleegle quickly edged by Settle once the race was back underway. Fleegle was pacing the field with eleven laps completed when suddenly many of the lights surrounding the track went out. After assessing the situation, officials determined that it would take too long to get the lights operational again. This after many loyal fans remained despite the two-hour rain delay. Fleegle was awarded the victory. Settle had to settle for 2nd. Brent Bickerstaff, Shaulis and Joe Peifer rounded out the Top 5. Heat race wins went to Cindy Rhodes, Koffler and Settle.
Earlier in the evening, Barry Awtey and Jeremiah Kuntz won their respective heat races in the Martella’s Pharmacy Late Models. Adam Kostelnik took the checkers in the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified heat while Dale Kimberly won the lone Chargers heat race. The features for those divisions will be made up at a later date.
Saturday Night Thunder returns this Saturday, June 18th, with their five-division program. It will be Pittsburgh Circle Track Night. Admission is only $10, $8 for senior citizens and free for children 12 and under. Spectator gates open at 4PM.
STREET STOCKS
Finish Driver
- Lauren Butler
- Shawn Beam
- Andrew Kostelnik
- Anthony Aiello
- Aaron Van Fleet
- Jerod Brougher
- Steve Singo
- Mel Wilt
- Zac Todaro
- Dustin Gursky
- Steve Long
- Mark Houser
- Jason Holder
FAST ‘N FURIOUS 4’s
Finish Driver
- Casey Fleegle
- Steve Settle
- Brent Bickerstaff
- Mike Shaulis
- Joe Peifer
- Joe Laposky
- Cindy Rhodes
- Larry Deeter
- Angie Kimberly
- Larry Dunmyer
- Aaron Karasack
- Brian Noel
- Joshua Grubbs
- Craig Hill
- Kristin Lakin
- Paul Koffler, Jr.
- Jeremy Grubbs
- Eugene Zerfoss
- Paul Koffler III
- Evan Nibert
- Dustin Nutter
- Jeremy Miller
- Chris Ament
- Dale Grubbs, Jr.
- Richard Maglet