Camargo, IL (7-19-09) – By Kelly Brown – Public Relations Director – The name Daryn Pittman is synonymous with winged sprint car racing, so it is surprising that with all the victories and accolades he has acquired, that a O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions victory was not on that list, but Pittman changed that fact tonight as he won his first All Star race at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pennsylvania. In a season that has seen Pittman finish second twice, the driver of the 17 car was on point tonight taking the lead early in the event and driving away from the field.

At the drop of the Green Flag pole sitter Cole Duncan took the lead initially with Pittman in his tire tracks. It would not take long for Pittman to start pursing the 22 car as he began sizing him up. On Lap 4 Pittman had Duncan in his clutches and slid around him to take the lead, just before the first caution flag of the night flew. 

On Lap 5 the yellow would come out for an incident involving Ed Lynch Jr. and Tim Shaffer. The two were battling side-by-side for position in the top-10 when the two touched wheels. This would send the two spinning, but both would rejoin the field at the tail. Almost simultaneously, Matthew Reed in the v92 sprint spun and came to a stop with a flat tire, but due to other problems with the car, he was unable to continue on. 

When the Green Flag flew again Pittman drove away from Duncan and left him in the clutches of Greg Wilson, who was able to get past him using the outside line. Just as Pittman was beginning to encounter lapped traffic the Red Flag came out on Lap 11. Coming out of the second turn the 92 of Daron Clayton made contact with the 6f of Bob Felmlee. The result sent Clayton airborne, but luckily the car landed on all four tires. This would end Clayton’s night, but Felmlee was able to continue on with minor damage. 

Throughout the rest of the event Pittman was in command. He was able to endure a few charges by second place running Greg Wilson, but was able to work lapped traffic skillfully retaining the lead. In the closing laps Dale Blaney would make charge, trying to get past Wilson for second. It seemed every time Blaney would catch Wilson that Wilson would close the door.  

With the Checkered Flag in Pittman’s sights, he out muscled Wilson to the finish line with Wilson and Blaney in tow. Fourth place Danny Smith turned in quite a performance tonight, after starting fifteenth he was able to make his way to the front before the end of the race. Rounding out the top-5 tonight was pole sitter Duncan.