CAMARGO, IL (7-16-13) Brian Liskai- With just a handful of races left for the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions Eastern Region championship battle, the points race is very close.
The UNOH All Stars will visit a pair of Empire State tracks Wednesday and Thursday with stops at Fulton Speedway in Fulton, N.Y. and Fonda Speedway in Fonda, N.Y.
Fayetteville, Pa. driver Lance Dewease, who picked up the UNOH All Star Eastern Region’s $20,000 championship in 2011, leads the regional points over Dale Blaney by just seven markers. Blaney, a three time series champion, currently leads the UNOH All Star National and Ohio Region points. Blaney has three series wins in 2013 and now has 96 career All Star wins, just two away from Kenny Jacobs for the series’ all-time win lead.
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania’s Tim Shaffer, who has won the last four straight UNOH All Star championships, is third in the Eastern Region points while sitting second in the national and Ohio region points. Shaffer, who has 51 career UNOH All Star wins, has been held winless in series competition in 2013. He recently wrapped up the 2013 Ohio Sprint Speedweek championship.
Danny Dietrich, who scored a UNOH win at Williams Grove Speedway on June 14, is fourth in the Eastern Region points with Logan Schuchart completing the top five.
In the UNOH All Star national points, behind Blaney and Shaffer is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Danny Holtgraver, who recently scored his second All Star win of 2013 earlier this month at Mercer Raceway Park, is third in the national points with Cap Henry rounding out the top five.
The racing on the Fulton Speedway “High Banks” will be as hot as the July weather as three time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will strap into a sprint car to take on the UNOH All Stars. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kasey Kahne was serve as the race’s Grand Marshall and both he and Stewart will sign autographs (a lottery determined the number of fans eligible for autographs). Both will participate in a question and answer session during intermission.
For more information about Fulton Speedway go to www.fultonspeedway.com or call 315-593-6531.
When the UNOH All Stars visit Fonda Speedway Thursday, it will continue a string of highly competitive races at the speedway. Last year Shaffer scored his fourth series win of 2012 at Fonda holding off David Gravel, Tony Stewart, Daryn Pittman and Jessica Zemken.
Stewart is expected to compete with the UNOH All Stars at Fonda on Thursday.
For more information go to www.fondaspeedway.net
Holtgraver holds off Henry for 2nd All Star win of 2013, stays undefeated at Mercer
MERCER, PA (7-6-13) By Brian Liskai – Danny Holtgraver probably wishes the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions raced at Mercer Raceway Park a lot more. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native held off a very motivated Cap Henry to score his second series win of 2013 Saturday night.
Holtgraver has won every time he has competed at Mercer this season – 4 wins. He has 7 total victories in 2013 including the pair of UNOH All Star victories. The last time Holtgraver competed at Mercer he won both the 360 sprint feature and 410 sprint event. The victory is the fifth career UNOH All Star win for the former Lernerville track champion.
Cautions near the end of the race were a big benefit to Holtgraver, who at one point had lost the lead to Henry, who finished second to Holtgraver earlier this year at Mercer.
“We were good in traffic. Cap got around me at one point, but then got hung up and I got back around and the caution came out. Ohio Speedweek turned our season around. We had consistently good finishes…that’s what we needed, some consistency. Brian (Kemenah), Chris (Bowe), my dad and all the guys have been working hard and this is pretty awesome. I have a lot of confidence now as we get into the big races next couple of weeks,” said Holtgraver beside his Rob Hunter/Bryan Grove owned machine.
“We are starting to really gel at the right time of the year. We are communicating very well and I feel really good in the car,” added Holtgraver of his Berlin Natural Bakery/Canton Erectors/J&J Auto Racing/Kistler Engines/VRP Shocks/DKW Transport/Classic Ink backed #45.
While most drivers would be happy with a runner-up finish, Henry felt disappointed that he couldn’t give his crew a win. It was announced this week that Henry’s team was scaling back due to finances and would run the rest of the Ohio Region races for the UNOH All Stars but would miss the Western Region competition.
“Danny was a lot better in clean air. I thought if we could stay in traffic I had a shot but the cautions killed us. I wanted that win so bad for my guys, A.J. (Havens) and Barmen (Andrew). The three of us have been together for a couple of years and they are my best friends…they are family. A.J. is sticking with me for the remaining races we run and is going to help other teams and Barman is going to help Caleb Helms. That was something that was in the back of my mind all night,” said Henry beside his FK Rod Ends/K&N Filters/Champion Oil/Simpson Race Products/Keizer Wheels backed #54.
“I can’t thank my guys enough. They have worked their butts off for me and did more with fewer resources than anyone out here and for less pay. I couldn’t ask for a better crew,” added Henry.
Four time UNOH All Star champion Tim Shaffer came into the event after claiming the 2013 Ohio Sprint Speedweek title with consistent top 10 finishes and came home third. Shaffer, who is second in the series national and Ohio Region points behind Dale Blaney, is winless in All Star competition in 2013.
Before the green would fly for the 30-lap feature, Adam Kekich would have problems forcing him to the tail. When the green reappeared pole-sitter Holtgraver would bolt into the lead with fourth starting Henry quickly moving into second while outside front row starter Rod George fell to third. The leaders would quickly get into lapped traffic and Holtgraver and Henry had the huge crowd on their feet as they sliced and diced for the lead.
Henry would capture the lead at one point, but got trapped behind a lapped car and Holtgraver vaulted back to the point. The action ground to a halt on lap 12 when Cole Duncan got upside down – he was uninjured. On the restart Holtgraver lead Henry, fifth starter Shaffer, George, and Carl Bowser. During the red Jac Haudenschild would retire to the pits with mechanical woes.
On the restart Blaney, who started 11th after having to transfer to the feature via the B-main, moved into the fifth position. With a clear track, Holtgraver was able to pull away slightly from Henry. But, as soon as Holtgraver found traffic again Henry closed. But, with 8 laps to go Sheldon Haudenschild stopped on the back stretch, handing Holtgraver a clear track once again.
The restart running order was Holtgraver, Henry, Shaffer, George, Blaney, Bowser, Jack Sodeman Jr., Andy Priester, current Mercer point leader Eric Williams and Andrew Palker. Holtgraver would fly to the checkers over Henry, Shaffer, George and Blaney.
The UNOH All Stars now head to the Empire State for a couple of Eastern Region events. They will travel to Fulton Speedway in Fulton, N.Y. on July 17 and to Fonda Speedway in Fonda, N.Y. on July 18. Then the series head to the traditional Thunder Through the Plains for six events beginning July 20 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin followed by Husets Speedway July 21 in Brandon, S.D. Then it’s to Hibbing Raceway in Hibbing, Minn. on July 23 followed by Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minn. on July 27 and Buffalo River Race Park in Lyndon, Minn. on July 28 before wrapping up the Great Plains Region races back at Husets Speedway on Aug. 11.
Blaney cashes in for Fremont Speedweek finale, Larson, Stewart thrill crowd with charge
FREMONT, Ohio (Saturday, June 29, 2013) By Brian Liskai– Who would have thought going into the final night of the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek Dale Blaney – a three time series and four time speedweek champion – wouldn’t have won a feature event during the six nights of racing? But Blaney remained confident…he knew speedweek was wrapping up at Fremont Speedway, where the “Low Rider” scored a $10,000 All Star win last month.
Blaney took the lead from Tim Shaffer at the half-way point of the 50-lap feature Saturday and held off a charging Kyle Larson to take home another $10,000 on Ludwig Propane Night. The win, the third UNOH All Star victory of the season for Blaney, is his 96th career with the series, just two shy of tying Kenny Jacobs for the all-time win lead. Blaney has more UNOH All Star wins at Fremont Speedway – 13 – than any other driver and now has 18 total wins at “The Track That Action Built.”
And while Blaney took home the big money, it was Larson and Shane Stewart who had the huge crowd on their feet. The pair started in row 11 – the 21st and 22nd starting spots and stormed to the front. Larson pressured Blaney the final seven laps as they raced through traffic. But “The Low Rider” held true to his name, not budging off the bottom groove to take the victory.
“On the red (on lap 32) I knew they (Stewart and Larson) were fourth and fifth and I knew there weren’t many lapped cars in there. To me those two guys are two of the best in the country no matter where you go. Shane’s been running so good this year and has been a threat every night. And Larson…I’ve watched him run a little bit…that guy is as talented a race car driver as I’ve ever seen in anything. It’s a good thing they didn’t start 10th and 11th,” said Blaney in the Engine Pro Victory Lane beside his Ti22 Performance/GF1 Chassis backed #2.
“It really wasn’t that demanding of a track. You just had to hit your marks. Every now and then the more conservative I got, especially down here (turns 1 and 2) I’d bounce through the holes and I knew they were coming and I was just trying to plug the holes,” added Blaney. “George (Fisher, crew chief) and all the guys are awesome. They make my job easy. I love Fremont…love the place, love the fans and to put on a great race like this is pretty cool.”
For Larson it was another runner-up finish for the month of June.
“We were really good. Once I got into second I was being too cautious. I could have tried to get to his inside once there in three but I figured I’d wait a little bit because I was getting off two better. But we got into heavier traffic and I wasn’t able to get that shot again,” said Larson beside his Abreu Vineyards/Butlerbuilt Seats/Stadelhoffer Construction backed #1k.
“To charge from 21st to second isn’t bad at all. Thanks to my crew, Dave Abreu, Rico Abreu, Jean and Brian Butler…everyone who helps on this 1k car. It’s always fun to come and race in Ohio. I love Ohio…I always do pretty well in Ohio. The fans are great. Maybe I’ll be able to run this race again next year. I was third last year and second this year…only one more way to go,” added Larson.
For Stewart, the charge to the front was fun, especially after flipping while leading the previous night at Limaland.
“I wouldn’t have bet a million dollars starting 22nd that I’d be standing up here. I felt like I had a good enough car to win the race last night and of course total driver error and destroyed the race car. My guys busted their butts all day long in the rain to put this other car back together. I can’t thank them enough. I was actually thinking after last night they would tell me they were going home. Kudos to Rich Farmer and the guys that work here at Fremont. They worked really hard. I saw the picture on Twitter at 6 a.m. and the sun was coming up and Rich was out here working. The rain Gods were on his side today and thank God Mother Nature stayed away. It’s been a heck of a week with the rain,” said Stewart beside his Tim Norman/Joe Gaerte owned machine.
“I had a lot of fun. This was a really good track and it’s good to see all the fans here and I’m happy would could put on a really good show for them,” added Stewart beside his Gaerte Engines/XYZ Machining/All Star Performance backed #3G. “I can’t thank all the people associated with the 3G enough for all the hard work they do for me.”
Meanwhile Shaffer’s fourth place finish would earn him the 2013 Ohio Sprint Speedweek Championship. The Aliquippa, Pennsylvania driver also captured the speedweek title in 2011.
Speedweek had five different winners over six nights of racing – Chris Andrews, Jac Haudenschild (2 wins), Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart and Blaney. Two shows were rained out.
“I just missed it a little bit tonight. I was a little too tight. It was standing up and the rougher it got the worse we were. This year just seems like one of those years where it’s hard to get a win. We’ll keep plugging away at it,” said Shaffer of his Aaron Call/Janet Holbrook owned #83.
“Hats off to my team. They did a great job all week and we had consistently good finishes. I just feel like I’m letting them down a little. We have been in position and just didn’t capitalize this week,” added Shaffer of his Kistler Engines/J&J Auto Racing/VRP Shocks backed machine.
Brandy Bacon and Shaffer would bring the field to the green for the 50-lap feature with Shaffer grabbing the point over Bacon, Justin Henderson, Danny Smith, Blaney, Byron Reed and Danny Holtgraver. A Travis Philo spin on lap three would halt the action with the running order Shaffer, Bacon, Henderson, Blaney and Smith.
When the green reappeared, Shaffer would pull away from Bacon as Henderson and Blaney were locked in a good battle for third. Shaffer would race into lapped traffic by the ninth circuit and Bacon would close. Just as the front two began to battle as they weaved through traffic, Brock Martin would bring out the caution.
Shaffer and Bacon would lead Blaney, Henderson, Reed and Holtgraver back to the green. Just seven laps later the leaders again raced into lapped traffic and Blaney began pressuring Bacon for second. Meanwhile Stewart and Larson had worked their way from 21st and 22nd starting spots to eighth and ninth. Blaney would grab second on lap 18 and used lapped cars to pull even with Shaffer on lap 22. Shaffer and Blaney battled over the next three laps before Blaney used a lapped car as a pick to pass Shaffer for the lead on lap 25.
At the halfway point the running order was Blaney, Shaffer, Bacon, Reed, Stewart and Larson. The caution would fly for a Jac Haudenschild 360 spin on lap 26 and on the restart both Stewart and Larson drove by Reed. Just as the leaders approached very heavy lapped traffic on lap 32, Holtgraver would stop exiting turn two. The field would then be stopped for refueling.
On the restart Blaney would pull away from Shaffer who was battling with Bacon while Stewart and Larson were prepared to pounce. Larson would drive around Stewart on lap 34 and would take third from Bacon on lap 38. As Blaney and Shaffer raced into lapped traffic again with seven laps to go, Larson blasted around Shaffer into second. With five laps to go Larson had caught Blaney and attempted several passes but just couldn’t get under Blaney for the lead.
Larson would give it one last try on the final lap, but Blaney held his bottom groove and drove to the win. Larson, Stewart, Shaffer and Bacon would round out the top five.
Fremont Speedway - 6/29/2013 Ludwig Propane Night
All Star Circuit of Champions (43 Cars) [#]-Starting Position
Jac Haudenschild rim-rides Limaland for 2nd Ohio Speedweek victory
LIMA, Ohio - (6-28-13) By Brian Liskai- There’s just something about high banked race tracks with a cushion inches off the wall that brings out the best in Jac Haudenschild.
The Wooster, Ohio driver took over the lead on lap six after the previous two front runners – Shane Stewart and Jac’s son, Sheldon – crashed, and drove away the remaining 33 laps for his second win of the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek. For Jac, who won Saturday at Eldora Speedway which also featured a slick groove inches from the outside wall, it was his 25th career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory. The win was Haudenschild’s second career All Star win at Limaland which has now hosted the series 28 times since 1983.
“The car felt good and the track was definitely the way I like it…slick and to the wall. My mechanic Bonsai had the car really good tonight. Tom Leidig…I just want to thank him for putting me in a car this year. It’s nice to have a good ride,” said Haudenschild beside his Auto Electric backed #59. “It really is nice to be in Ohio racing during speedweek. I love racing around here….it’s where I started. It’s great to win at Limaland.”
For Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Danny Holtgraver second place continues his hot streak during speedweek of top 10 runs and puts him in contention to claim the Ohio Speedweek championship. It all will come down to Saturday’s $10,000-to-win finale at Fremont as Holtgraver and Tim Shaffer are within a handful of points of one another.
“I had a little bit of trouble getting through traffic…I got caught up behind one. This place is like a mini-Eldora and Jac’s best at Eldora so why not be good here. It was a fun race. I just wish I could have gotten closer at the end. The car was awesome. I have to thank my guys, Brian, Chris, Rob, my dad, Rob Hunter and Bryan Grove…a lot of awesome people who have given me a great opportunity and I’m having a good time here,” said Holtgraver beside his Canton Erectors/Berlin Natural Bakery./DKW Transport/Classic Ink backed #45.
After having to change a tire and go to the tail just 7 laps into the race, four time UNOH All Star champion Tim Shaffer charged to a third place finish.
“I think the tire went flat right off the bat. It was laying on the right rear hard. I was telling Cody (Jacobs, crew chief) on that yellow ‘I think my tire is low.’ And then when that red came out I asked that guy and he said it was really low. I didn’t know what to do…either we try to stay out or go get it fixed. It worked out great. I’m really proud of my guys, the whole CH Motorsports team. We’re banging on the door and getting closer and closer to getting a win. We’ll keep working harder,” said Shaffer beside his Aaron Call/Janet Holbrook owned machine with sponsorship from J&J Auto Racing, Kistler Engines/VRP Shocks and Champion Oil.
“Tomorrow is another race and we have to do our homework tomorrow. Everything seems to change. It’s about getting the car really awesome. Fremont has been good to me and it’s always fun to race there so hopefully we can come out of there with our first All Star win this season,” added Shaffer who inches closer to Dale Blaney for the UNOH All Star national and Ohio region point lead.
Sheldon Haudenschild and Shane Stewart would bring the field to the green for the 40-lap feature with Stewart bolting into the lead with Sheldon Haudenschild, Jac Haudenschild, Holtgraver, Danny Smith, Dale Blaney and Randy Hannagan in tow. Just three laps into the race Stewart would jump the cushion in turn one and flip, handing the lead to Sheldon.
Sheldon would lead on the restart over Jac, as Holtgraver and Blaney battled hard for third with Hannagan, Byron Reed, Smith and Cole Duncan staying close. As they came out of turn four on lap five, Sheldon would jump the cushion, flipping his mount. That handed the lead to Jac with Holtgraver, Blaney, Hannagan, Reed and Duncan in tow. On the restart, D.J. Foos would crash in turn. A lap later a multi-car pile-up involving Greg Wilson, Caleb Helms, Bryan Sebetto and Dallas Hewitt would necessitate a fuel stop during which time Shaffer went pit side to change the flat right rear tire.
The restart order was Jac Haudenschild, Holtgraver, Blaney, Hannagan, Reed, Smith, Duncan, Dean Jacobs, Brandon Martin and Cap Henry. With a clear track on the restart, Haudenschild rocketed away while Holtgraver battled with Blaney for second and behind them Hannagan and Reed were locked in a tremendous duel for fourth.
The race would go non-stop the remaining distance.
Haudenschild would move into lapped traffic on lap 15 and began picking them off one at a time as Holtgraver got a little hung up and couldn’t gain ground. At the half-way point, Haudenschild encountered heavy lapped traffic that was racing side by side in front of him. Holtgraver closed quickly with Blaney, Reed and Hannagan also making up ground. Once clear of the traffic with 15 laps remaining, Haudenschild pulled away.
Meanwhile Shaffer, who had restarted on lap 7 in the 17th position, had worked his way up to fifth by lap 30. With five to go Haudenschild had a comfortable lead over Holtgraver with Blaney, Hannagan and Shaffer giving chase. Shaffer would move into fourth with just three laps remaining and took third as they raced to the white flag.
Haudenschild would rim-ride to the checkered over Holtgraver, Shaffer, Blaney and Hannagan.
FREMONT, Ohio - (Thursday, June 27, 2013) A thunderstorm hit Fremont Speedway following qualifications Thursday for the 31st Ohio Sprint Speedweek event. And just as track crews were getting the speedway ready for heat race action, another rain shower hit, causing officials to cancel the racing on DB3 Imaging Night featuring the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars.
After four straight nights of Speedweek produced some great racing, Tuesday's show at Sharon Speedway and now Thursday's event at Fremont have been lost to rain. Speedweek is set to resume at Limaland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio Friday and wrap up with a $10,000 to win affair at Fremont Saturday.
Race fans can use their ticket stubs from Thursday - with the upgrade in price - for Saturday's event at Fremont or can use them during any of the next three shows at Fremont with a refund in the ticket price.
For more information go to www.fremontohspeedway.com
Stewart shakes jet lag, dominates Wayne County Speedweek
ORRVILLE, Ohio - (6-28-13) By Brian LiskaiThe zip code for Orrville, Ohio is 44667. Someone needs to tell Shane Stewart because Monday night he was in a completely different area.
The Bixby, Oklahoma resident dominated the fourth night of the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek at the NAPA Wayne County Speedway, leading all 30 laps uncontested as he powered to his eighth career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory.
Stewart flew into Ohio Sunday from Seattle, Washington where he had been competing all weekend. He admitted after his third place run that night he suffered from a little jet lag and wasn't at the top of his game. Well the competition better be ready if Monday night's performance is any indication.
Stewart, driving the Tim Norman and Joe Gaerte owned #3G, started outside the front row and when the green flew, he was gone. At times he had a five second lead over the field. The only race stoppage occurred with four laps to go and Stewart had a couple of lapped cars separating him and second place Tim Shaffer. When the green flew, Stewart was gone. In fact, the only scare he had in the race was an incident in lapped traffic when he got very close to the fourth turn guardrail, but he rocked away unscathed.
"I guess I got rid of the jet lag," joked Stewart. "I can't believe how incredible this car was. Tim and Cindy and Joe give me a fantastic race car and all the guys bust their tails for me."
"This Cool chassis and the Gaerte Engine...it was unbelievable. I didn't know how fast I was. You can usually judge by the lapped cars but when I got to them I didn't know how far ahead I was and I was a little cautious and they were fast. The high side was awesome for us but it was tricky," added Stewart beside his XYZ Machining/Red Line Oil/All Star Peformance backed machine.
Shaffer, who has won the last four consecutive UNOH All Star championships, has been shut out of victory lane this season with the series. But, as of late, his Janet Holbrook/Aaron Call owned machine has been getting better and better with consistent top five finishes. He knew with lapped cars between himself and Stewart he didn't have a chance at the win, but was happy with the runner-up finish.
"This team is coming together Cody Jacobs, James Chambers and Jim Roby and all the guys are working hard and we're starting to get the results. We keep knocking at the door for a win and pretty soon we're going to kick the door open. We're gelling at a great time of the year," said Shaffer beside his VRP Shocks/Kistler Engines/Champion Oil/ J&J Auto Racing/FK Rod Ends backed #83.
Also starting starting to rack up consistent top five finishes was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan's Danny Holtgraver. He was locked in a race-long battle with Shaffer, Andrew Palker, Rob Chaney and at the end Greg Wilson before nailing down the third place finish.
"That was a lot of fun. Brian Kemenah, Christopher Bowe, my dad...all the guys who work on this thing...I can't thank them enough. Rob Hunter and Bryan Grove give us EVERYTHING we need and we're going to keep trying to get them wins and an All Star championship," said Holtgraver beside his Canton Erectors/Berlin Natural Bakery/Classic Ink/DKW Transport/J&J Auto Racing #45.
Byron Reed and Stewart would bring the field of 24 to the green for the 30-lap feature with Stewart using the track's high side to gain the advantage. Reed would be locked in a battle for second with 2012 Wayne County Speedway champion Andrew Palker with Shaffer and Holtgraver in tow. As Stewart pulled away, Palker would take second on lap three with Holtgraver moving into third and Shaffer up to fourth by lap six.
Stewart would catch the back of the field by lap 10 and methodically picked them off one at a time as Holtgraver pressured Palker for second, taking the spot on lap 13. Shaffer would also get around Palker on lap 16 and closed on Holtgraver as Stewart sliced his way through the field uncontested. After a spirited battle, Shaffer would take second on lap 19 as Rob Chaney grabbed fifth. Stewart continued to hold a large lead as Shaffer pulled away in second while Holtgraver was now locked in a tremendous battle for third with Palker and Chaney.
With five laps to go 10th starter Greg Wilson began to come on just before Caleb Helms flipped out of the ball park in turn one on lap 26 - he was uninjured. On the restart Stewart had a pair of lapped cars between himself and Shaffer who had three lapped machines over third place Holtgraver. When the green reappeared, all eyes were on Kyle Larson, who won the speedweek event at Wayne County in 2012. Larson, who had started 21st, had worked his way through the field and executed a daring move on the restart to move into sixth.
Stewart would fly to the checkers with Shaffer, Holtgraver, Wilson and Palker rounding out the top five.
Wayne County Speedway - 6/24/2013 UNOH Night
All Star Circuit of Champions (43 Cars) [#]-Starting Position
Sweet muscles to Waynesfield All Star Speedweek win
WAYNESFIELD, Ohio (6-23-12) By Brian Liskai– Brad Sweet isn’t a big guy. But, he has a big racing heart and a strong desire to win and that propelled him to victory Sunday night at Waynesfield Raceway Park for night #3 of the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Ohio Logistics.
On a physically demanding, lightening fast, high banked one-third mile track, Sweet was faced with constant traffic while having to hold off a charging Kyle Larson. A brief rain shower right before the final heat race was completed left a very fast track. When the checkered flew for the 40-lap feature, Sweet had lapped up to the sixth place car!
It marked the third career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory for the Grass Valley, California native. He is also two for two at Waynesfield, having won in 2009 during the Ohio Speedweek event at “The Field.”
“Those cautions came at good times…I needed a breather there. I work out and I’m in pretty good shape but this place is grueling and with guys like Kyle Larson and Shane Stewart chasing you you know have to be on the wheel every lap,” said Sweet beside his Kasey Kahne Racing/Ollie’s Bargain Outlet/ASE/Great Clips/Sage Fruit backed #49.
“My guys gave me a great car. We were able to get out front and get through lapped traffic pretty good. I knew I was setting a pretty good pace but like I said with Kyle and Shane you just never know so I drove every lap like it was a qualifying lap. It worked out for us. It’s pretty cool to come back here and defend our win here last time….I’m really starting to like this place,” added Sweet, also thanking Factory Kahne Shocks and Speedway Engines. “It’s our last race for the week so it’s great to end it with a win.”
For Larson, he too felt the affects of the race’s quick pace. The Elk Grove, California resident had to not only battle lapped traffic but a broken race car as he tried to hunt Sweet down. Larson, who made his first appearance of Ohio Speedweek to much success last year – winning the first two races he entered – caught Sweet several times in traffic but could not execute the pass.
“We were really good. I thought we had a better car than Brad. He got through traffic good and I was chasing in there and we were getting through it just about as good as each other and then Sheldon (Haudenschild) fell off the backstretch there and came back on and I thought he was going to run the top so I ran down in the bottom and ran right into the side of him and bent our wheel and knocked the jacobs-ladder off. It was a hand full after that. I was bouncing around a lot and just tough to drive. But we still finished second,” said Larson beside his Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhoffer Construction/Butlerbuilt Seats backed #1k. “I have to thank Steve Suchey and all the guys on the car…Dave Abreu and all the sponsors. I want to thank the fans for sticking around all day…this is pretty cool.”
Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart had competed in a sprint car race in the Northwest and had to catch a flight to Ohio to compete Sunday. Even with a little jet lag, Stewart battled with Danny Holtgraver throughout the feature before coming home third.
“It’s a busy race track. It’s fast and it feels fast. I told the guys after the dash you kind of just lean your head against the head rest and gas it. This was just driver error on my part. When we got to traffic I felt like I had a decent enough car to stay with Brad and I left off a little bit and it got on the right front and drove me straight off the track. I wasn’t ready for it. We were lucky to come back and salvage a podium finish,” said Stewart beside his Gaerte Engines/XYZ Machining /Red Line Oil/All Star Performance backed #3g.
“I flew in from Seattle today to be here and I’m pretty spun out. I don’t know what time zone I’m on or where I’m at,” joked Stewart. “I have to thank Gaerte Engines and Tim and Cindy and Joe and all the guys that help us on this car and the Cool Chassis. It’s just one of those tracks where once we got going it was momentum, momentum…that was the key. Hopefully we can pick up some wins this week.”
Sweet and Stewart would bring the field to the green for the 40-lap feature, but before they could get a lap in, fourth starter Dale Blaney, who came into the event leading the UNOH All Stars’ national and Ohio region points along with the Ohio Speedweek points, took a hard tumble in turn four. Blaney was unhurt.
When the green came out for the second time, Sweet bolted into the lead over Stewart, Holtgraver, Larson, Tim Shaffer and Cap Henry. Sweet set a blistering pace, catching the rear of the field by lap five as Larson moved into third and took second on lap seven. The caution flew on lap 10 when Cap Henry spun. On the restart Sweet had a lapped car separating him from Larson with a couple more lapped cars till third place running Holtgraver.
On the restart Sweet rocketed away with Larson trying to keep pace while Holtgraver and Stewart continued their battle for third with Shaffer right on their rear bumper. Again it only took a handful of laps before the leaders were in lapped traffic and Larson quickly closed on Sweet. The pair battled hard, dicing through lapped cars until the 26th circuit when Larson made contact with Haudenschild, allowing Sweet to pull away.
However, the caution would fly on lap 28 when Justin Henderson coasted to a stop. Again on the restart Sweet would have a lapped car between himself and Larson with another lapped machine separating Larson from Holtgraver and Stewart. With 12 laps to go there were only eight cars left on the lead lap!
When the green flew once again, Sweet used the clear track to pull away as Larson was battling a beat up race car. Meanwhile Holtgraver and Stewart continued their fantastic battle for third while Shaffer was locked in a tussle with 12th starter Byron Reed for fifth. The final caution would fly with just three laps remaining for debris. This time Sweet had a pair of lapped cars separating him and Larson.
On the restart Sweet pulled away from Larson as Stewart got round Holtgraver for third. That is how they finished with Holtgraver and Reed rounding out the top five.
Waynesfield Raceway Park - 6/23/2013 UNOH Night
All Star Circuit of Champions (45 Cars) [#]-Starting Position
Jac Haudenschild's knowledge of Eldora takes him to Ohio Speedweek victory
ROSSBURG, Ohio (6-22-13) By Brian Liskai - A well-known sprint car driver once said he learned more about how to drive Eldora Speedway from following Jac Haudenschild for 10 laps then he had learned in all his races at the track combined. When Eldora is slick and the racing groove is inches off the wall...no one can drive the famous oval better than "The Wild Child."
He proved it Saturday for Night #2 of the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek. The Wooster, Ohio driver blasted around Tim Shaffer on lap seven and made daring moves in lapped traffic late in the race to score his 24th career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory. It was the eighth series win of Haudenschild's career at the half-mile track.
"We have had an up and down year. Last night we had some motor issues. But I knew when the track got slick like this I'd be okay. My crew chief Bonzai and I have been together off and on for a lot of years and he knows what I like here. I have to thank my owner Tom Leidig is from Florida and he has given us a great opportunity to race...I can't thank him enough," said Haudenschild beside his Rick's Auto Body/Southern Pacific Farms/Auto Electric backed #59. "I knew Shaffer (Tim) was back there on those restarts and I couldn't give him an inch."
Four time All Star Champion Tim Shaffer would begin to reel in Haudenschild as they approached lapped traffic, but a caution would seem to always fly.
"I had the best seat in the house to watch Jac Haudenschild run around the wall at Eldora....he is awesome here. It was old school here tonight to run that hard against the wall. My guys are working hard and we are getting better and better every night out. One of these days I'm going to win an All Star race here," said Shaffer beside his Aaron Call/Janet Holbrook owned, Kistler Engines, J&J Auto Racing, VRP Shocks, Champion Oil backed #83.
It had been five years since the UNOH All Stars visited Eldora for Ohio Sprint Speedweek. A big crowed and 35 sprint cars came to the historic speedway Saturday for the 132nd appearance of the UNOH All Stars at Eldora - which has hosted the series more than any other track. There have been 41 different winners in UNOH All Star competition at Eldora, and Haudenschild's eight series wins now has him third on the track's all-time win list for the series. It was Haudenschild's first UNOH All Star win at Eldora since 2006.
Shaffer and Brad Sweet would bring the field to the green with Shaffer gaining the advantage as fourth starting Haudenschild shot into second with Sweet third followed by Dave Blaney, Danny Holtgraver and Cap Henry. Blaney would take third the second circuit. With six laps in, Shaffer had already caught the back of the pack and Haudenschild closed quickly. On lap seven Haudenschild executed the patented "Eldora Slider" in turns three and four to take the lead.
Sweet and Blaney would battled hard for third as Haudenschild and Shaffer pulled away. Behind the top four there was a great battle among Holtgraver, Randy Hannagan (in the Ed Neumiester #11n), Brandon Wimmer and Dale Blaney, who lost a tire in his heat and had to transfer through the B-main. Sheldon Haudenschild would coast to a stop on lap 11 for the first caution with the running order Jac Haudenschild, Shaffer, Sweet, Dave Blaney, Hannagan, Wimmer, Holtgraver and Dale Blaney. When the green flew, Haudenschild pulled away from Shaffer as Sweet and Dave Blaney battled for third. At the half-way point, Haudenschild held a 7 car length advantage over Shaffer as Sweet ran comfortably in third with Hannagan, Wimmer and Dale Blaney in pursuit.
Wimmer's run would end with a flat tire on lap 17. On the restart Dale Blaney dove low and advanced to fourth and would grab third a lap later. Haudenschild and Shaffer had pulled away and with five laps to go Shaffer was closing as they prepared to enter lapped traffic. Shaffer was closing rapidly and was about ready to pounce with three laps to go when Haudenschild showed why they call him "The Wild Child." Haudenschild blasted into turn three and split two lapped cars at full speed and slid up to the wall and pulled away for the win.
Shaffer, Sweet, Dale Blaney and Hannagan would round out the top five.
Event: OHIO SPRINT SPEEDWEEK Date: June 22, 2013 Starting position in [] All Star Sprint
Chris Andrews opens Ohio Speedweek with first career UNOH All Star Win
ATTICA, Ohio – There’s just something about Attica Raceway Park and Ohio Sprint Speedweek that brings out the best in racers.
Last year it was Danny Holtgraver who scored his first career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions win at Attica to open speedweek. This year, Sandusky, Ohio’s Chris Andrews earned the biggest win of his career, holding off three time UNOH All Star champion Dale Blaney to score his first ever series win to begin the 31st Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek.
Andrews, the 2009 Attica champion, has struggled somewhat this year, but with four laps to go, he kept his composure on a restart and went on to score his four career win at Attica.
“It felt like I drove to California and back that’s how long that race felt like. Especially that last lap…I just wanted to get that over with,” said Andrews beside his Burmeister Racing/K&N Filters/Lucas Oil/Schiets Motorsports/Kistler Racing Products/Adkins Sanitation backed machine.
“The car was good and the track wasn’t looking too good earlier today but they really did a good job smoothing it out and making it racy. Hats off to my guys…we haven’t been running too well this season. Paul Kistler has given us awesome motors and Mikey (Sommers) spinning the wrenches and Sonny and Sharon Burmeister…I can’t thank them enough for the ride,” added Andrews.
“I knew I was in his (Blaney’s) territory and as long as I stayed there I knew I minimized my chances of him passing me. Dale’s the best on the bottom and I was just trying to hit my marks,” concluded Andrews in the Engine Pro Victory Lane.
For Blaney, he was catching Andrews in the middle of the race, but just couldn’t get there as cautions interrupted his momentum. Then he was locked in a great battle with Tim Shaffer at the end of the race for second.
“In open traffic he (Andrews) was a little better than we were. I felt I was as good and getting better there in the middle of the race. I felt like I was maybe gaining a little bit on him. But, he ran a good race and never made a mistake. I was hoping to get to traffic and never did. It was all I could do to hang on to second. I know Shaffer was there and it was a good race,” said Blaney beside his Ti22 Performance/GF1 Chassis #2.
Caleb Griffith would come on strong at the end of the race to score a third place finish.
“I really have to give it to my crew. We timed in sixth which is really good for us and then the driver went out and laid an egg in the heat race so we had to come back from adversity all night. Had to come out of the B and blew a brake line in the B…it was just a thrash. To come from where we were to run third is a great night for us,” said Griffith beside his Al Davis Carpet/McDonald’s Restaurant/Young’s Batter Mix/Crown Battery #40DD.
D.J. Foos and Andrews would bring the field to the green for the 40 lap feature, but it was defending track champion Craig Mintz who shot into the lead from his fourth starting spot. Mintz began to pull away slightly as Andrews, Foos, Blaney, Shaffer and Stuart Williams gave chase.
Brad Sweet would coast to a stop on lap four to bring out the yellow flag and when the green flew again Blaney snuck under Foos for third. Foos would spin in turn four on lap six and on the ensuing restart, Andrews drove to Mintz’ outside to challenge with Blaney, Shaffer, Williams and Rob Chaney in tow.
Just as Mintz was set to hit heavy lapped traffic on lap 13, something broke in the front of his car and he stopped exiting turn four, handing the lead to Andrews. A lap and a caution for Brad Bowman who suffered a flat tire. The restart running order was Andrews, Blaney, Shaffer, Brand Martin (up from 15th), Chaney, Greg Wilson, Williams and Griffith.
Cap Henry would spin on lap 17 with the running order Andrews, Blaney, Shaffer, Martin, Chaney and Wilson. The running order stayed that way until Caleb Helms spun on lap 24. On the ensuing restart Bryan Sebetto smacked the fourth turn fence, bringing out another caution which led to a red flag fuel stop. The restart running order was Andrews, Blaney, Shaffer, Martin, Wilson and Griffith. Wilson and Griffith would get around Martin on lap 28.
Sheldon Haudenschild would spin on lap 29 just as Blaney and Shaffer were inching closer to Andrews. On the restart Andrews would pull away slightly while Blaney and Shaffer battled hard for second while Griffith moved into fourth as Martin drove back by Wilson for fifth. Someone clipped one of the infield tires on lap 36, necessitating another caution.
That gave Blaney and Shaffer one last shot at Andrews. On the restart Andrews stuck to his bottom grove as Brandon Martin executed a bonsai move and nearly took out Shaffer and Griffith. Griffith moved into third with Martin, Dean Jacobs and Shaffer regrouping.
Andrews would hit his marks perfectly the last four laps to take the win. Blaney, Griffith, Martin and Jacobs would round out the top five.
The UNOH College of Applied Technologies' High Performance Department's reputation for producing highly-educated graduates means your diploma or associate degree will give you a distinct advantage in a competitive workplace.The University of Northwestern Ohio invented the high performance/motorsports program in 1992 and has been training students with the latest technology available in the industry since.
All Star Sprint Series
The All Stars are one of the premier sprint car sanctioning bodies in the USA. It is owned by an Illinois businessman, and now in their 30th year of operation, the All Stars take pride in their reputation of providing highly competitive, fair, exciting racing for outlaw sprint cars with many different winners in a year. About 400 drivers participate in All Star races yearly in front of an average of 5,000 spectators per event. Currently 40+ races are scheduled in numerous states, such as Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Kansas.
Ohio Sprint Speedweek
Ohio Sprint Speedweek proves to be one of the most competitive weeks in racing during the 2010 All Star season. Tough battles happened in the 2010 Ohio Sprint Speedweek season, as it included nine straight nights of racing action in the buckeye state, it challenged the best of the best, but young David Gravel- DDR Motorsports was crowned the 2010 champion.
LIMA
Ohio - (Thursday, June 27, 2013) A thunderstorm hit Fremont Speedway following qualifications Thursday for the 31st Ohio Sprint Speedweek event. And just as track crews were getting the speedway ready for heat race action, another rain shower hit, causing officials to cancel the racing on DB3 Imaging Night featuring the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars.
The All Stars are one of the premier sprint car sanctioning bodies in the USA. It is owned by an Illinois businessman, and now in their 30th year of operation, the All Stars take pride in their reputation of providing highly competitive, fair, exciting racing for outlaw sprint cars with many different winners in a year. About 400 drivers participate in All Star races yearly in front of an average of 5,000 spectators per event. Currently 40+ races are scheduled in numerous states, such as Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Kansas. 
Ohio Sprint Speedweek proves to be one of the most competitive weeks in racing during the 2010 All Star season. Tough battles happened in the 2010 Ohio Sprint Speedweek season, as it included nine straight nights of racing action in the buckeye state, it challenged the best of the best, but young David Gravel- DDR Motorsports was crowned the 2010 champion.