Blaney Cruises: “It’s definitely a good way to start the week, but it just gets tougher every night”
The 25th Annual UNOH Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by RacingJunk.com kicked off at Attica Raceway Park in front of a huge crowd who filled the stands in anticipation of the biggest week of All Star 410 sprint car racing of the summer. There were 54 cars from across the United States and as far away as Australia, but it was the Ohio native Dale Blaney who was parked on the horse track at the end of the night with a trophy and a check for $5000.
The Lockbourne, Ohio driver took the lead from Brock Mayes on lap 15 and never looked back to record his 56th career All Star victory, to move him into a tie for third with Jack Hewitt on the all-time win list. It was Blaney’s second All Star win of 2007 at Attica and 9th overall 410 sprint victory at “Ohio’s Finest Racing” venue. Blaney, the 1995 and 1996 All Star champion, has won the Ohio Sprint Speedweek title in 1995, 2003, 2004 and 2006.
“We got a good pill draw and laid down a good qualifying lap (fast time of the 54 that qualified) and that gets you out of the blocks in good shape. And anytime you get behind the wheel of George Fisher’s machine, it’s a great ride, ” said Blaney beside his Berlin Natural Bakery sponsored #2. “It’s definitely a good way to start the week, but it just gets tougher every night. “
Brock Mayes grabbed the early lead in the 40-lap Aarons Sales & Service/Pepsi feature, with Craig Mintz applying heavy pressure early on showing Mayes his nose several times. Mintz would actually slide in front of Mayes to lead lap 3 before Mayes would get back around for the top spot. Mayes and Mintz would begin to pull away somewhat as Brian Ellenberger, Blaney, Brandon Martin, and Rob Chaney fiercely battled behind them.
The first of only two yellow flags would fly for a stalled Greg Wilson on lap 8 with the running order Mayes, Mintz, Blaney, Ellenberger, Martin and Chaney. Mayes and Mintz would continue to battle for the lead as Blaney rode in their tire tracks. By lap 11, that trio battled side by side, with Blaney sliding by Mintz on lap 14 and then under Mayes for the lad a lap later.
Blaney would encounter lapped traffic at the half-way mark, but it didn’t slow him down. The battle behind him was heating up between Mayes, Mintz, Chaney, Martin, and Ellenberger. Chaney would grab the third spot on lap 22 and would fly around the outside of Mayes on lap 29 for second and would try to hunt down Blaney. Martin would move into third on lap 32. The final caution would come out on lap 37 for Lee Jacobs with two flat rear tires. Blaney had a couple of lapped machines between himself and Chaney. With an open track ahead, Blaney would cruise to the victory. Chaney would grab second, with Attica native Brandon Martin getting the third spot. Rounding out the top five were Byron Reed and crowd favorite Kenny Jacobs who started 11th.
“It seems I’m always finishing behind that red #2. He had that clean track and that makes all the difference. It’s a good way to start off this long week. I couldn’t be prouder to drive this race car for Randy and Lisa Hammer and Rob Hunter and this entire crew, ” said Chaney beside his Hammer Pallets/Berlin Natural Bakery backed #24h.
The finish for Martin was just what the doctor ordered. “My confidence was down a little after last night (at KC Raceway). But the guys have been working hard on this in the shop and we’ve been making steady progress every time out, ” said Martin beside his R&S Diversified, Martin Excavating backed #11. “This is great to end up on the horse track at my home track in front of this huge crowd. “
Heat Races were won by Shane Stewart, Dustin Daggett, Jesse Hockett, and Dean Jacobs. Dale Blaney was the Huggins Cams Fast Qualifier of the evening – just a few ticks off the track record.
The Outerwears C-main was won by Caleb Griffith and Central PA standout Lance Dewease won the UNOH B-main event.
The All Stars travel to Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH on Monday June 25^th for night #2 of Ohio Sprint Speedweek. There will be no internet broadcast from this event.
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