9.5.20 Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway Results

Night number one of the Bud’s Spring Service Labor Day Shootout saw Lanco’s four regular divisions taking to the Newmanstown high banks, and the 270’s would lead off the running order. As the fireworks exploded overhead, Pete Skias and Mike Rutherford would lead the field to the green. On the break, Skias would lead but a twin flip would slow the action after one lap was in the books. An aborted restart due to a spinning Bradley Brown in turn four would cause a single-file restart. Pete Skias would lead the first green flag run, as the top handful of cars would line up single file. Nate Gibble’s stopped car in turn four brought out the third caution on lap six. The bottom proved to be the quick way around early on. As the second green flag run developed, the leaders battled in lapped traffic. Mike Rutherford threw every trick in his expansive book at Pete Skias, getting around for the lead with ten laps to go. The powerplant would start to go away on Skias car, allowing Lee Reinhardt to come around two laps later for the runner-up spot. Alex Swift’s machine stopped to the outside of turn four with just a handful of laps remaining, ending another strong run for that car. Pete Skias would also see his night end under the fourth caution flag. After removing several additional stopped cars, the field would double up for the restart with six laps remaining. Rutherford and Reinhart would lead the field to green, followed by Jason Swavely and Pat Bealer. Rutherford made a very solid restart, opening up a two car length lead. The gap would never close, and Rutherford claimed the first win of the weekend.

30 laps would be in store for the Hyper Racing 600’s, with Zach Bealer and TJ Greve pacing the field. A very stout field of cars would see the first start waved off after Austin Bishop came to a stop exiting turn four. Brent Shearer would also see his race end with a flat left rear tire. Three distinct grooves developed early, with Bealer leading. Brent Ely came to a stop outside of turn two with five laps on the scoreboard, bringing out the races second caution flag. Greve would throw haymaker’s at Bealer at both ends of the racetrack, bringing Jason Swavely into the battle for the lead as well. Mike Rutherford made a very uncharacteristic unforced error in turn two, clipping an infield tire and spinning with 22 laps to go. The ensuing restart saw a huge pileup involving several cars, with two turning over in the incident. Bealer was able to fend off the early challenges from Greve on the restart. A missed slider in the east end of the raceway saw Greve get into the outside wall, losing second position to Heath Hehnly. Jarid Kunkle also was able to get around Greve before another caution slowed the action for the fifth time. Bealer would control the start cleanly. The younger Bealer in the field would have to fend off the challenges of eight-time track champion Hehnly, but the sixth caution for a spinning Nick Groff would lead to a single-file restart. A furious final five laps saw Bealer, Hehnly, and Swavely duel for the top spots. Greve would join the party late, but nobody could touch the dominant car of Bealer. Calling it one of his biggest moments ever in the sport, Zach Bealer would claim the win over Hehnly, Swavely, and Greve.

The 125/4 Stroke division would appear next from the pit area. Cliff Brian Jr and Justin Harrington would see the green flag first, but a quick caution in turn two would lead the field to a restart. Cliff Jr and younger brother Marty would sandwich Harrington as the field got its first green flags lap on the board. Yellow number two came on lap one, with a two car tangle in turn four. Dominic Foster would be able to refire and continue; but the night was over for Jesse Nocera. Ron Crossley and Will Watson would also fall out under the yellow flag. Marty would slip past Harrington on the restart, but the driver of the 76 came back around Marty one lap later. A half spin and stop for Chase Layser would bring the caution out for the third time. The restart was clean but intense, with the aggression leading to an eight car pileup in turn two. A long green flag run would ensure after the restart, leading to the front runners negotiating lapped traffic. A final duel would ensue as Brian Jr was unable to clear lapped traffic quickly. On the final circuit, in the final corner, the stopped car of Brandan Shearer would lead to a caution flag. The one lap battle for the twin checkered flags was all Cliff Brian Jr, and he took home the victory over Justin Harrington and Marty Brian.

Bret Cronrath and Austin Graby would lead the field. The cleanest start of the night went seven laps into the race, before Corey Schmuck Jr spun in turn two. Anthony Yerger was charging through the field before the yellow, and would restart inside the top five. A three car tangle in turn four brought out the second yellow on the ensuing restart. Jesse Maurer and Yerger would battle for sixth, as the top five would get single file. Ryan Heckman’s spin would bring the field under yellow. On the restart, several cars tangled in turn four bringing out the fourth caution of the race. Cronrath was untouched to this point in the feature, making the best use of the preferred inside line to open up a consistent gap to second place running Jason Swavely. A second long green flag run saw Cronrath hold his lead, and efficiently manage the gap to lapped traffic. Alex Swift was able to catch Swavely for second, but the pass wasn’t there to be made in the final laps. Cronrath would be the second straight flag-to-flag winner of the night, followed home by Swavely and Swift.

Coming up this weekend is Mongoose Chassis presenting First Responders Night along with the annual Veterans and Military celebration. As always, fans under 13 are free; and adult tickets are only ten dollars. With just three weeks remaining in the season, there is never a better time to live the excitement that is Lanco!