SPRINTFREAK'S TRAVELS 4-12-99
Welcome to the first edition of SPRINTFREAK'S
TRAVELS, a column for the sprintcar "nut"!
Each week I will recount my previous week's
sprintcar adventures plus give results,
opinions and views, ask for you opinions on
issues and polls, and preview upcoming
events. So take your time and enjoy
SPRINTFREAK'S TRAVELS!
Let's start off this week with the results
from this weekend's action! Starting with the
World of Outlaws in Georgia.
1) Mark Kinser 5m
2) Tyler Walker 35
3) Steve Kinser 11
4) Stevie Smith 19
5) Johnny Herrera 1bk
The Outlaws only had 25 cars in the pits for
this make up event from a couple of weeks ago
with Mark Kinser completing the sweep of the
Dixie Nationals. Steve Kinser held onto his
point lead by finishing a strong thrid while
Johnny Herrera continues his strong early
season run with a another top five finish.
The All-Stars were at the famed high banks of
Eldora Speedway with none other than Ohio's
own "Wild child" taking home the victory in a
rain delayed event.
1) Jac Haudenschild 22
2) Dean Jacobs 8
3) Butch Schroeder 17
4) Danny Smith 92
5) Kenny Jacobs 92J
Jac Haudenschild won another a-main at the
World's fastest half-mile Saturday night by
passing race leader Dean Jacobs on lap 15
then surviving a 50 minute rain delay on lap
16 to hold on for the victory.
Some notes
from Eldora, Kevin Huntley was injured in a
violent crash in turn one. Kevin was taken to
a near by hospital for neck and back pain and
as of this moment I have not recieved any
word on his condition. Lets hope it was
nothing too serious. On a lighter note,
rookie Kasey Kahne made his first start with
the All- stars and looked smooth and fast for
his first time at the high banks of Eldora.
Look out for this kid, he's gonna be a good
one once he gets some experience under his
belt. 25 cars were in the pits for this one.
In Central Pa. it was Cris Eash picking up
his first win of the season at Lincoln and
Lance Dewease notching the win at Port Royal.
Lincoln results.
1) Cris Eash 17e
2) Fred Rahmer 77
3) Steve Siegel 59
4) Greg Hodnett 12
5) Kenny Adams 88a
With another stellar field of 30 cars,
Lincoln Speedway put on another fantastic
show Saturday night. Cris Eash held off the
advances of both the G-man, Kevin Gobrecht,
and Fast Freddie Rahmer to win at Lincoln for
the first time this year. Cris said that he
now thinks Lincoln offers the best
competition of any Central Pa. track and that
includes Williams Grove, who by the way
rained out this weekend. Cris had famed
engine builder and crew chief Davey Brown Sr.
turning the wrenches at Lincoln and it made
the difference! Cris has been close all year
and it is nice to see him get one. Notes from
Lincoln: Kevin Gobrecht was once again in
contention for the win, when he lost his
brakes and spun out. Lincoln is a track where
brakes are absolutely a must!
Port Royal results.
1) Lance DeWease 461
2) Todd Shaffer 88
3) Keith Kauffman 7
4) Mike Wagner 55
5) Todd Hestor 7m
Once again it was the Lance and Todd show but
this time with a twist. Young Len Thompson
led the first 2/3 or so of the feature event
before Lance got by in Lapped traffic. Len
ended up sixth. I do believe that DeWease,
Shaffer, and Kauffman will end up winning
every show at the Port this year. With not a
whole lot of competition to stop them this
could be the story week in and week out. The
Port had 21 sprinters on hand.
K-C got in another feature event on Saturday
night with Mark Keegan coming home
victorious.
1) Mark Keegan 92
2) Chad Kemenah 15
3) Jim Neir 00
4) Nick Nabor 6
5) John Wisbon 16
Mark Keegan will be tough to beat on the Ohio
scene this season. Mark has teamed up with
the Steinbrick #92 that Chad Kemenah had so
much success with a couple of seasons ago.
Look for Keegan, Kemenah, and Rodney Duncan
to battle at both Attica and K-C all season
long! K-C had 25 cars in the pits.
Mercer Raceway Park opened up their season in
Western Pa. on Saturday night with Dr. John
Crawford's CIII bringing Jimmy Hawley home to
victory over 24 competitors.
1) Jimmy Hawley CIII
2) Tommy Burns 7c
3) Rob Chaney 57
4) Jamie Smith 5
5) Bob Felmlee 6
Jimmy Hawley said at the end of last season
that if this team of Dr. John Crawford's
stuck together for '99 they would be tough to
beat and by winning two right out of the box
I'd say he was right! Look for Hawley to be
strong were ever he runs this year.
On a much lighter note, I would like to discuss the drivers I feel will be the ones to watch in '99. Starting off with the driver I feel might end up in an Outlaw or All-Star ride by the end of the season, Kevin the G-man Gobrecht. Kevin has been on top of his game early in '99 with six wins already including an All-Star win in Florida and the Early Bird Championship $10,000 to win race at Williams Grove. Kevin has always been known as a hard charger, but now he is starting to become known as a racer! The G-man is now with the Zemco racing team as a teamate to Billy Pauch and is running a semi part-time schedule with team plans to hit as many big shows as possible. Watch for Kevin to be offered a full-time Outlaw or All- star ride before the end of the season.
The next driver I would keep my eye on is Jimmy Hawley of Western Pa. Jimmy drives for Dr. John Crawford on the Western Pa. circuit and might be the best driver in the country that nobody outside of Western Pa. has heard of. Jimmy won 16 races last year and has an All-star win to his credit from a couple of years back. Hawley has never really gotten the opportunity to go out on the road and show his talent, but after this season he just might get that chance. Jimmy has already started the year off two for two with a-main victories at Lernerville and Mercer. If they have the season I think they'll have, the Crawford CIII will probably win about 20-25 races, and might sneak an All-star or Outlaw win in there as well!
Also keep a close watch on Jonathan Stevens from Ohio. Stevens is only 16 years old and has a ton of talent. He may be a year or two away from reaching his potential, but I think he will pick up a couple of wins this year and impress a lot of people.
