Shaffer Claims Pure Stock Showdown At Hilltop

Subject: Shaffer Claims Pure Stock Showdown At Hilltop Thu May 29, 2008 5:57 pm

Shaffer Claims Pure Stock Showdown At Hilltop

It was a nice and cool Friday evening as Hilltop Speedway’s racing program picked up where they left off after a rain out two weeks ago. With the late model heats in the books, the remainder of the five-star racing divisions was ready to do battle on the 1/3 mile oval for a great night of racing action on the hill, with the hosting of the $500-To-Win Pure Stock Showdown.

In the American Payroll Advance Pure Stock feature, Fred Snyder and Steve Shaffer brought the field to the green flag. Snyder quickly breaks away from the field and into the lead, as Shaffer and Darrell Mayer are locked in a side-by-side battle for the second position as Brandon Gardner and Kevin Sharier were working their way thru the pack. Before long, Sharier was hot on the tail of Mayer, challenging him for third position. Back up front, race leader Snyder and Steve Shaffer were in a tight battle for the lead, racing side by side as the laps with the laps winding down. With one lap to go, it’s a three wide race for the win as Shaffer, Mayer and Snyder gave it all they had on the final lap of the $500-to-Win feature event. As the checkered cloth waved it in air, it was Steve Shaffer winning his first feature event of the 2008 season at Hilltop Speedway. Heat race wins went to Steve Shaffer and Frank Orti.

Feature :Steve Shaffer,Brandon Gardner, Willie Coblentz, Shawn Wasson, Kevin Sharier, Jeff Fasemaire, Bo Yarnell, Fred Snyder, Darrell Mayer, Bob Chilcoat, Brian Giauque, Taylor Shortt, Kenny Daughriety, Don Hinkens Raymond Hinxon, Hank Wilson, Denny Shear Steve Wolford, Naaman Heiss, Josh Farmer

Fans saw some great racing action in the Eddlebutes Garage Super Late Models as pole sitter Justin Chance, alongside defending points champion George Lee, set the pace for 20-lap main event. Lee quickly jumped into the lead in his #21, Cowen Truckline sponsored late model machine. By lap three there was a heated battle for fourth between Dave Hornikel and Chet Alxendar as Doug Drown, in his Wooster Glass sponsored #12, was charging up thru the pack, positioning himself in the 5 th running spot after starting 10 th in the field. By the halfway point, Lee was still in command but the competition was closing in on him as a battle for second was shaping up between Bond Chance and Drown. By lap 15, it was a fierce battle to the lead between George Lee, Doug Drown and last week’s feature winner Rick Bond. Drown was finally able to get the edge on the competition by powering his way into the lead during the final laps of the race. Drown maintained his lead and went on to claim his first win of the 2008 season ahead of Rick Bond and George Lee. Rounding out the top five was Dave Hornikel and Justin Chance.

Feature: Doug Drown, Rick Bond, George Lee Dave Hornikel, Justin Chance, Jeff Esbenshade Chet Alexander, DJ Cline, Jay Helton, Keith Tish Norm Aronhalt, Rick Armstrong, Chester Elliott Rocky Owens, Shane McCloughlm, Hirman Bachmann

In the Dutch Country Store Modifieds division, Mitch Lam and last week’s feature winner Blaine Aber set the pace for the start of an action-packed feature event. At the drop of the green, it was Aber jumping into the lead ahead of Lam with Kyle Brown and Larry Kugel in hot pursuit. Looking back thru the pack, heavy hitters Matt Aber, Mark Gardiner, Barry Jacobs, and Brandon Morrow were slicin and dicin their way thru the field, having set their eyes on the top spot. A caution came out on lap 8 for race leader Blaine Aber, who night ended early with a flat rear tire. That gave the lead to Larry Kugel, but not without the challenge of Kyle Brown, driving his #41 machine. The two veteran drivers were in a nose-to-tail battle for the lead for several laps till Mark Gardiner, in his #12m modified, managed to slide into second spot in turn one, putting Brown back to third. A determined and strong running Kugel developed a comfortable lead over Gardiner and Brown. On the final lap, it was Larry Kugel in the top spot, claiming his first victory of the year. In the runner up spot was Mark Gardiner, followed by Kyle Brown, Matt Aber and Barry Jacobs. Heat winners were Mitch Lam, Blaine Aber, Barry Jacobs and Larry Kugel. Consi wins went to Norm Aronholt and Rob Stambaugh.

Larry Kugel, Mark Gardiner, Kyle Brown, Matt Aber, Barry Jacobs, Mitch Lam, Norm Aronhalt Rob Stambaugh, Brandon Marrow, Jess Hartman Josh Marrow, Jesse Wardell, Bruce Miller, Kris McCombs, Sam Lovejoy, Rick Mardis, Blaine Aber

As the Holmes Tire Mini Stocks got their feature race underway, pole sitter Josh Hershberger, driving his #66J machine, took the early lead over Tom Ogel. Josh was able to hold onto his strong lead till two-time winner Jeramy Hudson powered his way thru the field to challenge Hershberger for the top spot. At the midway point, it was Hershberger still in command but it wasn’t long till Hudson overtook him in turn three to take control of the race. The smooth and sleek driving style of Josh Robinson landed him in second spot behind Hudson with Hershberger running in third. It was caution-free, smooth-paced feature race as Jeramy Hudson claimed his third victory of the year, driving his Holmes Tire sponsored #19 mini stock to another win. Josh Robinson finished in second spot ahead of Josh Hershberger, Mike Snyder and Ernest Fortune. Heat wins went to Josh Hershberger, Tom Ogel and Chase Alexander while James Dermer won the consi race.

Feature: Jeramy Hudson, Josh Robinson, Josh Hershberger, Mike Snyder, Ernest Fortune, Tyler Neel, Dusty Lint, Blaine Markey, Brian Wolford, James Dermer, Mitch Reichard, Zack Foss, Jim Hudson, Tom Ogel, Allen Summers Jason Thiel, Chase Alexander, Rodney Lint

Troyers Trial Bologna Sponsored Trucks ran a quick and smooth, flag to flag feature race. Dave Giauque and Brandon Craver brought the field to the starting line. Giauque jumped into the lead at the drop of the green and led the field for several laps before being overcome by last week’s feature winner Brandon Craver. In hot pursuit behind the front runners were Jesse Combs and Tom Garlick, both looking for their first feature win of the year. Side by Side and wheel to wheel racing action could be seen throughout the entire race as all drivers competed for position. With the white flag in the air, Brandon Craver had a straightaway lead of the rest of the field and cruised to his third consecutive win ahead of Jesse Combs, Dave Giauque, Tom Garlick and Jerry Gardner. Dave Giauque won the 1 st heat and Brandon Craver claimed the win in the second heat.

Feature: Brandon Craver, Jesse Combs, Dave Giauque, Tom Garlick, Jerry Gardne, Bill Kutz, Ben Brannon, Dave Caske, Jeff Wilbur, Ron Tipton

Next Friday Night, May 30 th, the Lucas Oil $7,000-To Win Super Late Models series will be competing at Hilltop Speedway; along with the Modifieds. Plan on being at Hilltop Speedway for this super event. Gates open at 5:00 pm, qualifying at 6:30 pm. and racing will get underway at 8:00 pm. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.hilltopspeedway.net .