8.13.22 Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway Results
By Kasey Kreider
Saturday night provided an opportunity to remember two former Lanco board members who had left a lasting imprint on the speedway. One was Gary Miller, a long-time car owner across multiple divisions of competition at the Clyde. The ever-recognizable Gold Rush Trailer Sales sponsored No. 82 had competed the past several years in 270 competition with some impressive drivers, and was in the midst of its first season with new pilot Bradley Brown when Gary passed away in May. The other was Donna Geib, one of Gary’s former drivers who had competed and won driving that very same car. Although she was a few years removed from the driver’s seat, Donna continued to have an impact at the track and to those she came in contact with until her passing in December. Much more than just assets to a speedway or a club, they were great people with great souls and big hearts, and their presences are still deeply missed.
So on this night would be the Donna Geib and Gary Miller Memorial, with Gold Rush Trailer Sales serving as the presenting sponsor of the event. Five drivers would have the opportunity to pick up victories on the special night, but there was only one opportunity for the Gold Rush Racing Team to end the night in the winner’s circle.
And that made what happened next so fitting.
Young driver Bennett Skelton would share the front row for the night’s first feature with the multi-time champion in Mike Rutherford joining him for the start of the 270 main event. The Gold Rush No. 82 with Bradley Brown at the wheel would go off from third, but didn’t stay there long.
As the field came up to speed and into turn 1, Skelton and Rutherford both opted to go to the top side of the speedway, leaving Brown to go to the bottom. Normally, the top side would give enough momentum to at least match any move made on the bottom coming off the corner. But on the first flying feature lap of the night, the top didn’t have nearly the grip it needed to make it advantageous over the bottom lane. By the time the front runners exited turn 2, Brown was all clear, and put the No. 82 in the wind for the opening laps of the race.
Skelton, unfortunately, fell back a bit in the early going, and a little bit of contact between himself and Jason Swavely racing off the corner sent his machine for a spin on the frontstretch, bringing out the first caution with three laps completed. Skelton then was a victim of circumstance on the restart, as he spun around in a stackup on the backstretch and brought out the yellow once again.
The restarts gave Rutherford a chance to make up for the first lap misjudgement and take the lead back. And although that wouldn’t happen right away, Rutherford would begin to work his way into the picture as a long green-flag run accelerated the race. The gap that Brown had opened up on the restart slowly closed back down as the race sprinted toward the closing laps. Brown was stuck in lapped traffic, and Rutherford seemed to have an opportunity to pounce.
But the 19-lap green flag run ended when another of the championship contenders had an issue in lapped traffic. Nick Skias, who was battling for third during the run with brother Mike Skias and Swavely, got together with Jack Redcay and brought out the yellow with three laps left. The incident ended Skias’ race and served as a blow toward his hopes for back-to-back championships. But it was just what the doctor ordered for Brown.
Brown pulled away again on this restart, and seemed to be home free. But one final caution on the last lap threw a wrench into any premature celebrations, as Brown would have to sweat out one more restart prior to a meaningful win. On the last restart, Rutherford and Swavely got to battling, and that was all Brown needed to seal the victory.
An emotional victory for Brown and the entire Miller and Geib families came in wire-to-wire fashion following the impressive first-lap pass. And in addition to the win, Brown took over the points lead with four races left, now holding a 13-point advantage over Clyde Martin Memorial winner Mike Skias at the top of the standings. Skias came home in fourth, while finishing in front of him were Swavely and Rutherford, as Swavely took the runner-up spot away on the final lap. Completing the top five was Jonah Meck, who had one of his best results despite starting the evening off by going upside down in warmups.
Heat races were won by Nick Skias and Swavely.
The Skeet Craft Collision Sportsmans were up next, with Robert Shanaman rolling off from the pole. As Shanaman took the lead on the start, many eyes were on the mid-pack, as championship battlers Bret Cronrath and Corey Schmuck, Jr. tried to work their way up from their usual back-of-the-handicap starting places. The two made contact at one point while racing down the backstretch and struggled to move up initially before beginning to pick off cars one at a time in front of them.
But as that happened, the lead was also changing hands, as Michael Spadafora took the top spot away on a restart, eventually bringing Courtney Kupp with him into second. On a restart with 11 laps to go, Kupp then made her move to the front, and looked to try and become Lanco’s newest first-time winner by holding off Schmuck, Jr., who had made his way to second and was closing in.
An issue for Spadafora brought out the yellow and set up a double-file restart with six laps remaining. On the restart, Kupp bobbled ever so slightly, giving Schmuck, Jr. a run off the corner. But as Kupp got a little loose, the two made contact. Although they were able to keep things straight, some of the drivers further back were not as fortunate, as they got together and caused another caution to fly.
Unfortunately for Kupp, the contact appeared to cause an issue with her pipe, forcing her to pull in and out of the running just six laps shy of a potential win. The race was now in Schmuck, Jr.’s hands, and holding off Cronrath, who had climbed to second, was imperative toward keeping his championship hopes alive and well. A few cautions made things interesting at the end, but Schmuck, Jr. nailed each restart, and left no doubt while taking win number five of the season.
The win came in the first race out for a new car, and perhaps that was the good luck charm as Schmuck, Jr. went back to victory lane and cut 13 points off of Cronrath’s points lead in the process. Cronrath came home second with Anthony Yerger picking up another third-place result. Toby Blumenshine came from last to fourth at the finish, and Max Fasnacht rounded out the top five.
The heat races were won by Schmuck, Jr. and Spadafora.
Cecelia Perrotti brought the Hyper Racing Winged 600s to the green flag for their feature event. While Perrotti led the way on the lower portion of the speedway, Holden Eckman went right to work ripping the lip, as he got past Christian Bruno on the opening lap and then squeezed outside of Perrotti off of turn 2 to make the pass on the second circuit.
Quickly after, point leader Jason Swavely moved into second, and the battle that would take place over the next dozen laps was set, as Eckman, who was looking for his first 600 win ever, was trying to hold off Swavely, looking for his fourth 600 victory just at Lanco in 2022 alone.
As was the case in Eckman’s other close calls with victory this year, lapped traffic would be crucial. Swavely began to close a little bit as Eckman caught the tail of the field. With ten to go, Swavely was coming, and Eckman made a mistake, breaking the car just a little bit too sideways trying to set up the lapped car and going around, nearly collecting Swavely as he just slid by up top. The elusive win would have to wait another week.
But now the battle was on between two familiar foes, as Swavely and Bruno went at it for the win. It was a similar story as Swavely’s battle with Eckman, this time with the Fleetwood, PA driver being in the opposite position. As Swavely caught the tail of the lead lap with a few laps remaining, Bruno began to close the four-to-five car length lead that Swavely had built. With two laps to go, disaster nearly struck for both drivers, as they both narrowly missed a three-car pileup in turn 1 that involved the pole sitter Perrotti, Will Urkuski, and Taylor Troxel. The restart gave Bruno his best opportunity to make a move happen, but he just couldn’t quite get close enough to make a move after Swavely’s initial breakaway.
Swavely’s fourth win of the year further extended his points lead, now putting it at 41 markers over third-place finisher Bradley Brown. Bruno hung on for second in the finishing order between those two, with Nick Skias and Cody West rounding out the top five.
The heat races were won by West and Brown.
Jason Swavely survived some close calls and a late challenge from Christian Bruno to score the victory in the Hyper Racing Winged 600s. (Photo Courtesy of Keegan Simmons Photos)
Chance Thomas led the 125/4 Strokes to green for their feature. However, as had been the case for the prior three features, the pole sitter wouldn’t stay at the front long, as Chris Dolan charged through the field from fifth with some aggressive moves to take over the top spot before putting lap 2 onto the board.
The ever consistent Matt Fernsler made his way into second, but the driver catching a lot of the interest was the one behind him, John Maurer, who had moved into the top five running the high line on the speedway. As Fernsler and Mike Coen battled for second and made slight contact, the door opened for Maurer to swoop past those two and into second. However, second was as far as Maurer could go, as he then began to fall back to the rest of the field throughout the second half of the race.
Although many of Dolan’s four prior victories in 2022 had come in nail-biting fashion, this wouldn’t be one of them. Dolan got to the front early and never looked back, turning in a thoroughly dominant performance for his class-leading fifth win of the season, and third in a row. In the meantime, Fernsler tried to keep the pressure on Billy Logeman in the championship fight, as he got back around Maurer to finish second. Logeman was also able to work his way past, and rounded out the podium in third, giving him a 103-point lead. Finishing fourth was Chase Layser, and Michael Hoffmaster completed the top five.
Heat races were won by Dolan and Fernsler.
The final race of the night belonged to the Hyper Racing Wingless 600s, and James Fries and Mason Beinhower shared the front row for the night’s final feature, both eager to score their first victory. Beinhower had looked quick all night and went right to work on the start, pulling a slider in turn 1 on Fries and making it stick to take the lead.
Fries would have a new challenger to battle for second in the form of NASCAR XFINITY Series star Sheldon Creed, who was racing his micro in Pennsylvania on a rare off week for NASCAR’s second-tier division. The 13-year old driver held his own, trading sliders with Creed before the Alpine, CA native took second away for good. Creed then set his sights on Beinhower, and a caution on lap 10 set the stage for an epic duel that was to come.
Beinhower pulled away by a few car lengths on the restart, keeping his fast No. 21 out in the wind. But after a few laps is when Creed began to make some time, as both cars ripped the top just inches from the guardrail. Creed caught Beinhower out of turn 4 and, actually, got too good of a run, as he got into Beinhower and turned both cars sideways. Creed was able to make the bigger save, but lost more time in the process, and had to start over.
Creed reeled Beinhower back in though, and it wasn’t long before the two went back to trading sliders. Creed parked his car in the middle of the corner each time, but Beinhower was able to cut under and answer each attempt. He then was able to squeeze by Creed at the top of turns 1 and 2 and pull away by a few more car lengths, leaving Creed one more shot to run him down.
Creed was faster again over the last few laps, and just about got within striking distance. In the final corner, Creed sent his No. 74 to the inside, but couldn’t commit fully without wiping both cars out, giving Beinhower the room he needed to power past on the top and take the checkers first.
Beinhower held off the former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Stadium Super Trucks champion for his first win at Lanco, doing so by turning in a performance wise beyond his years. Creed would have to settle for second in his first appearance at the Newmanstown oval, while point leader Bradley Brown turned in a quiet but solid night to complete the podium and move one step closer toward clinching a championship of his own. Fries ended his strong night with a fourth-place finish, and Christian Bruno brought home the top five.
The heat races were won by Beinhower and Creed.
This Saturday, August 20th will be the Mike Trout Memorial at the Clyde. This points-paying event for all five weekly divisions will provide an increased purse throughout the field in addition to bonus prize and lap money. Thanks to the Trout family and friends, the feature events for all five classes will pay $1,044 to win in tribute to former Lanco competitor Mike Trout, who passed away this past offseason and whose car number was 44. In addition, one of the five divisions will pay an extra $1,044 to the winner, giving them the opportunity to walk out with at least $2,088. Gates will open at 4:30 with warmups and racing set to begin at 6:00. With this very special event coming to the Clyde this Saturday, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to come out and LIVE the excitement that is Lanco!
Results:
270 A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 82-Bradley Brown[3]; 2. 92-Jason Swavely[10]; 3. 27O-Mike Rutherford[2]; 4. 8S-Mike Skias[6]; 5. 48-Jonah Meck[7]; 6. 4-Dylan Pence[12]; 7. 5A-Anthony Yerger[5]; 8. 34-Christi Sweigart[8]; 9. 21D-Dave Williams[14]; 10. 31-Tyler Martin[16]; 11. 91-Jack Redcay[11]; 12. 23K-Courtney Kupp[4]; 13. 3S-Nick Skias[9]; 14. 95-Bennett Skelton[1]; 15. 11-Mike Uhrich[13]; 16. 26-Corey Schmuck Jr[15]; 17. 17-Andrew Hendricks[17]
Skeet Craft Collision Sportsman A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 26-Corey Schmuck Jr[11]; 2. 5-Bret Cronrath[10]; 3. 5A-Anthony Yerger[12]; 4. 21-Toby Blumenshine[19]; 5. 20-Max Fasnacht[9]; 6. 15-Robert Shannaman[1]; 7. 31-Tyler Martin[5]; 8. 22-Clinton Hauser[6]; 9. 53S-Shannon Slaughter[14]; 10. 3S-Masen Stapleton[16]; 11. 21D-Dave Williams[13]; 12. 11S-Drew Swinehart[2]; 13. 19-Wes Fasnacht[15]; 14. 9W-Lisa Warren[17]; 15. 53-Jared St John[4]; 16. 28-Kyle Lindsey[20]; 17. 23K-Courtney Kupp[7]; 18. 77-Michael Kreiser[8]; 19. 11-Dustin Geib[18]; 20. 8-Michael Spadafora[3]
Hyper Racing Winged 600 A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 14-Jason Swavely[6]; 2. 5-Christian Bruno[2]; 3. 23-Bradley Brown[7]; 4. 7-Nick Skias[5]; 5. 117-Cody West[8]; 6. 11H-Holden Eckman[3]; 7. 60O-Michael Rutherford[9]; 8. 11Z-Zachary Light[10]; 9. 87C-Cecelia Perrotti[1]; 10. 1-Will Urkuski[14]; 11. 24T-Taylor Troxel[11]; 12. 15J-Joshua Bortz[12]; 13. 94-Hayden Wise[13]; 14. 71-Brian Kramer[4]; 15. 15P-Christopher Panczner[15]
125/4 Stroke A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 7D-Chris Dolan[5]; 2. 19-Matt Fernsler[8]; 3. 76B-Billy Logeman[9]; 4. 7L-Chase Layser[4]; 5. 32-Michael Hoffmaster[15]; 6. 76-Justin Harrington[7]; 7. 82-John Maurer[10]; 8. 26C-Michael Coen[6]; 9. 17-Masen Stapleton[20]; 10. 78C-Toby Blumenshine[21]; 11. 15-Alyssa Holmes[17]; 12. 14-Seth Gregory[16]; 13. 6X-Chance Thomas[1]; 14. 81-Dylan Holmes[22]; 15. 44-Riley Simmons[3]; 16. 73-Andrew Rothermel[2]; 17. 13-Shane Davis[11]; 18. 16-Dan Lane Jr[12]; 19. 9M-Noah Martin[13]; 20. 67-Cooper Schoenly[18]; 21. 15H-Don Hess[14]; 22. (DNS) 112-Dylan Yeingst
Hyper Racing Wingless 600 A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 21-Mason Beinhower[2]; 2. 74-Sheldon Creed[4]; 3. 23-Bradley Brown[6]; 4. 1F-James Fries[1]; 5. 1-Christian Bruno[10]; 6. 25X-Dan Lane Jr[3]; 7. 97-Billy Logeman[5]; 8. 2SX-Garyt Smith[9]; 9. 94-Hayden Wise[8]; 10. 15D-Matthew Donley[7]; 11. 96-Zach Jurcik[11]; 12. 25-Kenneth Beinhower III[12]; 13. 73-Andrew Rothermel[13]
Points (4 Races Remaining):
270 Point Standings (Top 5):
1. 82-Bradley Brown[848]; 2. 8S-Mike Skias[-13]; 3. 3S-Nick Skias[-63]; 4. 34-Christi Sweigart[-95]; 5. 26-Corey Schmuck Jr[-97]
Skeet Craft Collision Sportsman Point Standings (Top 5):
1. 5-Bret Cronrath[1,113]; 2. 26-Corey Schmuck Jr[-98]; 3. 20-Max Fasnacht[-190]; 4. 53S-Shannon Slaughter[-228]; 5. 21D-Dave Williams[-252]
Hyper Racing Winged 600 Point Standings (Top 5):
1. 14-Jason Swavely[917]; 2. 23-Bradley Brown[-41]; 3. 11H-Holden Eckman[-105]; 4. 5-Christian Bruno[-221]; 5. 7-Nick Skias[-223]
125/4 Stroke Point Standings (Top 5):
1. 76B-Billy Logeman[1,211]; 2. 19-Matt Fernsler[-103]; 3. 76-Justin Harrington[-174]; 4. 7D-Chris Dolan[-190]; 5. 32-Michael Hoffmaster[-265]
Hyper Racing Wingless 600 Point Standings (Top 5):
1. 23-Bradley Brown[1,005]; 2. 1F-James Fries[-328]; 3. 1-Christian Bruno[-398]; 4. 16-Marty Brian[-448]; 5. 03-Ryan Groff[-475]