Carlisle’s Carl Billet, SSP’s all-time winningest driver, picked up his first SSP feature win of 2009 at the Susquehanna Speedway Park on Saturday Night, July 18, becoming the 12th different winner in as many races for the Late Model division. In other side-by-side racing action, Doug Bennett of Chambersburg won his third Street Stock feature of the season by claiming the 20-lap feature. Windsor’s Sam Rial was awarded the victory in the Xtreme Stock feature as Lemoyne’s Matt Sowers won the XSC Rookie Rumble race. Fred Krickbaum claimed the PENNMAR Vintage Cars feature event. The Speedway Auto Sales Mini Van feature was won by Daryl Sipe of York Haven. A large group of kid’s were able to scramble for more than $300 in coins on the fronstretch, compliments of the Members 1st Federal Credit Union.
The 20-lap Late Model feature event saw Alex Updegraff grabbing the lead from the pole position to lead the first five circuits. For the second consecutive event, Travis McClelland wrestled away the lead on the sixth lap until Carl Billet drove past him on the outside on lap 12. Billet pulled out to a ten car length lead at the end to claim his 49th career SSP victory and extending his streak of winning a feature event in each of the last 18 consecutive seasons. Once again for the second race in a row, McClelland settled for the runner-up spot with Gary Potts finishing in third. Randy Christine Jr. drove a very ill-handling car to fourth place, followed by Justin Ehrhart in fifth. Updegraff and Bllet won the heat race qualifiers.
Rookie driver Brett Pickel jumped out to the early lead of the 20-lap Street Stock feature event. Pickel drove a steady line to lead the first five circuits until Randy Zechman took command on lap 6. Zechman lead the tight pack of cars behind him until he relinquished the top spot to Jim Palm Jr. The wild scramble for the lead continued with Zechman looking to take back over and Doug Bennett trying every line possible to advance. At the end, Doug Bennett was finally able to take the lead and the checked for his third win of the season. Palm come home in second, followed by Zechman, Garrett Shover and George Eash. Bennett and Palm took the heat race checkers.
The always exciting Xtreme Stock Car feature found Patrick McClane grabbing the lead on lap one and holding on to the top spot over the first 6 laps. Sam Rial moved past McClane on lap 7 with Travis Horan and Tommy Slanker close behind. Slanker took narrowly took the top spot on lap 12 and held onto the top spot at the end of the race by a slight margin over Rial. However, following post-race technical inspection, Slanker was disqualified, awarding the victory to Rial. Travis Horan finished second, followed by Dave Kamp, Lance Danmyer and Jason Failor. Rial and Slanker claimed the heat races.
Racing action continues at the SSP Outback Track on Friday night, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. featuring quarter midget, kart and Speedcar racing action. This will be the fourth race of the Summer Shoot-Out Series.
Susquehanna Speedway Park Race Results:
Late Models Feature (20 laps): 1. Carl Graves; 2. Travis McClelland; 3. Gary Potts; 4. Randy Christine Jr.; 5. Justin Ehrhart; 6. Steve Billet; 7. Kyle Saylor; 8. Jake Jones; 9. Charles Potts; 10. Alex Updegraff; 11. Carl Graves; 12. Daryl Henry; 13. John Moser Jr.; 14. Smoke Christine; 15. Jeff Geake; 16. Chase Billet; 17. Greg Emlet; 18. Mike Zeigler Jr.; 19. Denny Willey.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Updegraff (1-5); McClellland (6-11); Carl Billet (12-20).
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Carl Billet and Updegraff.
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