8.9.19 Pennsylvania Sprint Series Results
By: Frank Buhrman and Stephanie Stevens Dodson
Doug Dodson of Middletown, a PA Sprint Series’ “rookie-in-name-only” driver, collected his first career victory with the series Friday night in the 25-lap feature at Path Valley Speedway Park.
Dodson, a rookie in PASS but an experienced Super Sportsman racer with considerable time in other sprint car divisions as well, started on the pole and held off repeated challenges from Drew Ritchey and Ryan Lynn to claim the win in his PowerMist Racing Fuel/Crockett Log Homes/Fastener Specialties #20.
Ritchey (Everett; R&N Tire/LaSalle’s Racing Engines/Bedford Valley Petroleum #880) won a race-long battle with Lynn for the runner-up spot after having won the last two PASS races at Path Valley. Lynn (Hollidaysburg; Ken Imler’s Machine Shop/Lingenfelter’s Awnings/GBC Landscaping/Campbell’s Property #26), the only driver in the field whose PASS career extends back to the series’ birth 20 years ago, came home third, ahead of Christian Rumsey (Middletown, N.Y.; Moreno Rumsey Seal Coating/Joe Algairin Paving/Behrent’s Performance Warehouse #1R) and defending series champion Zach Newlin (Millerstown; Smith Concrete & Construction/Heather Sims Realtor/Newport VFW #11Z).
Completing the Top 10 were John Walp (Wapwallopen; GMS Piling Products/La Napoli II Pizza/Dotzel Trucking#5), Jonathan Jones (Irvona; JJ’s Speed Shop/B&R Self Storage/Bungo’s Tires & Service #12J), Devin Adams (Lebanon; Fredericksburg Eagle Hotel/Adams Auto Sales/Garden Spot Auto Auction #99A), Tom Carberry (Hopewell, N.J.; RAS Processing Equpment #1) and Dave Grube (York Haven; Spearhead Rentals/MAN Contracting/Chiropractic Athletic #3D).
An outstanding field of 25 RaceSaver sprinters was on hand for the track’s “Night of Power” program.
Dodson jumped into the lead from his pole position start, with outside front row starter Jake Frye (Lewisberry; Shope’s Landscape Maintenance/McCarthy Tire & Auto/RS Mechanical Services #56) contesting his spot, but before the race could establish a rhythm, it had to endure four cautions, the first on lap 2 for a five-car pileup on turns 3 & 4, which sidelined heat race winners Keith Prutzman (Hamburg; Buck Rubs Gentlemen’s Club/McKeansburg Bar and Restaurant #28) and Larry McVay (Bordentown, N.J.; #83), as well as “Nitro Nick” Sweigart (Myerstown; A.H. Moye/Ditchcreek Utility Services/C&L Siding & Decks #8). Scott Ellerman (Landisburg; Gary’s Professional Floor Maintenance/American Legion/Farmer’s Choice Tire #8D) and Grube also were involved but were able to continue.
Three laps and one caution later, Frye spun in Turn 2 while defending his runner-up position from Ritchey, and on the restart, Mike Alleman (Port Royal; Susie’s Hen House/Track Side Tavern #46) rolled over in Turn 3. Kurt Knepper (Chambersburg; Laye’s Automotive/Beaver’s Auto Body; Shultz Racing Engines/Mach 1 Chassis #13), who had gotten sideways to start the incident, was able to continue.
The next 20 laps ran green, though, with Dodson holding off Ritchey, then Lynn, and finally Ritchey again, after the Everett driver had retaken the runner-up spot on lap 21.
None of the action behind Dodson fazed the rookie-but-veteran, and at the checkered flag, he had nearly a full second lead over Ritchey. The win enhanced Dodson’s points positions: third in PASS points and third in the national RaceSaver/IMCA rookie point standings.
Results from Path Valley Speedway Friday, August 9, 2019
HEAT 1 – 1. 83-Larry McVay; 2. 8D-Scott Ellerman; 3. 8-Nick Sweigart; 4. 00S-Randy Sterling; 5. 1-Tom Carberry; 6. 3D-Dave Grube; 7. 44K-Russell Hammaker; 8. 6X-Brad Mellott; 9. 31-Donnie Hendershot
HEAT 2 – 1. 880-Drew Ritchey; 2. 20-Doug Dodson; 3. 26-Ryan Lynn; 4. 11Z-Zach Newlin; 5. 69-Eric Mathiot; 6. 5-John Walp; 7. 17K-Kyle Keen; 8. 46-Mike Alleman.
HEAT 3 – 1. 28- Keith Prutzman; 2. 99A-Devin Adams; 3. 1R-Christian Rumsey; 4. 56-Jake Frye; 5. Q2-Johnny Yanek; 6. 12J-Jonathan Jones; 7. 13-Kurt Knepper; DNS 7-Jim Kennedy.
FEATURE – 1. 20-Doug Dodson; 2. 880-Drew Ritchey; 3. 26-Ryan Lynn; 4. 1R-Christian Rumsey; 5. 11Z-Zach Newlin; 6. 5-John Walp; 7. 12J-Jonathan Jones; 8. 99A-Devin Adams; 9. 1-Tom Carberry; 10. 3D-Dave Grube; 11. 44K-Russell Hammaker; 12. 8D-Scott Ellerman; 13. Q2-Johnny Yanek; 14. 6X-Brad Mellott; 15. 56-Jake Frye; 16. 69-Eric Mathiot; 17. 31-Donnie Hendershot; 18. 00S-Randy Sterling (DNF); 19. 13-Kurt Knepper (DNF); 20. 17K-Kyle Keen (DNF); 21. 46-Mike Alleman (DNF); 22. Jim Kennedy (DNF); 23. 83-Larry McVay (DNF); 24. 8-Nick Sweigart (DNF); 25. 28-Keith Prutzman (DNF).