Dave Ely Picks Up Win In ARDC Midget 20-Lap Feature At Susquehanna Speedway
Show your support.
Buzz this article up.
Newberrytown, PA
Jul 04, 2007
The second annual Eichelberger’s U-Pull It Super Show at the Susquehanna Speedway Park on Tuesday, July 3 lived up to the pre-race hype as Dave Ely came from an eighteenth place starting position to pick up the win in the ARDC Midget 20-lap feature. Jimmy Brookens won the 15-lap 600cc Micro Sprint feature with a late race pass of A. J. Bast. Ronnie Dunstan came from midpack to add to his career win total in the Legends Cars main event. Kendra Knaub continued her winning ways in the Women on Wheels (W. O.W. ) Stock Car feature.
In the 20-lap ARDC Midget feature event, the feature event was slowed early when Jeff Schell flipped wildly in turn one. When racing resumed, Greg Robinson and P. J. Gargiulo battled for the lead. Eric Heydenreich joined the battle on the second circuit after moving up five positions from an eighth place starting spot. Heydenreich took the lead on the fourth lap but could not shake the pack of contenders behind him. As the pack continued to battle for the lead around the top of the track, Andy Martin methodically moved into contention on the bottom of the track.
On lap 12, Martin took the lead from Heydenreich and the two engaged in race that saw them run a few laps run side-by-side. Eventually Heydenreich got the lead back, but by this time, Dave Ely was stalking both Heydenreich and Martin after coming from a eighteenth starting spot. Heydenreich moved to the low side as Ely passed him around the top on lap 19 and held on for the win. Eric Heydenreich and Andy Martin finished second and third respectively. P.J. Garguilo and Ray Bull rounded out the top five.
With a field of sixty-one 600cc Sprint Cars entered, the field was whittled down through heats and consolation races to 27 starters for the 15-lap feature event. A.J. Bast jumped out to the early lead from the front row. Bast held a commanding lead through the majority of the race as a few cautions flew during the first 13 laps. On the restart after the 13th lap caution, Jimmy Brookens, who started eighth, took the lead from Bast to pick up the win. Bast settled for second. Aaron Spahr finished third, followed by Ben Murphy and Jimmy Callahan.
The Super Show was part of the newly formed PA 600cc Sprint Car Speedweeks with races also at Hill Valley Speedway (July 1 - $5,000 to win), Path Valley Speedway (July 2 - $1,000 to win), Linda’s Speedway (July 6 - $1,000 to win) and LANCO Speedway (July 7 - $10,000 to win). Entries from competitors all over the United States competed. The states other than Pennsylvania represented included California, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. Brad Cox from Gunnedah, North Western NSW Australia has also competition and made the feature as the first alternate.
The 20-lap Legends Cars feature event began with local racing veteran Smokey Snelbaker jumping out to the early lead from the front row. On the next circuit, Jeff Condran moved from an eighth place starting position to the lead. Condran continued to lead as SSP point leader, Ronnie Dunstan picked his way through the field and overtook Condran just after the midway point of the race. Dunstan went on to pick up the win over Rodney Kistler who also cam from midpack to finish second. Geremy Shaeffer came home third with Condran falling back to fourth at the end. Tim Henry rounded out the top five.
Kendra Knaub picked up her third win of the season win the 15-lap Women on Wheels Stock Car feature. Knaub took the lead on the fourteenth lap from Karen Hawthorne who eventually finished fourth. Nancy From finished second behind Knaub. Beth Buhrman finished third and Kim Flannagan finished fifth.
Racing returns to SSP on Saturday, July 7, with the 7-7-7 Summer Fun Championships featuring the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars, Legends Cars and Mini Vans. On this night of luck, the top three finishers in each feature event will receive three lottery tickets to increase their chances of winning more money.
Angel Hunt of Wellsvile took the ride of her life as she was last week’s winner for the Superior Home Race Car Ride-Along with Ray Broderick. She received a few laps in the passenger seat of Ray’s Xtreme Stock Car. Every week one ticket will be drawn from the adult general admission tickets to win a ride for the week after. This week’s winner for the ride-along on Saturday, July 7 is Dave Kenn from Duncannon.
