8.17.19 Pennsylvania Sprint Series Results
By: Frank Buhrman and Stephanie Stevens Dodson
In a classic veteran-versus-rookie duel, 2018 PA Sprint Series Champion “Zach Daddy” Newlin held off the challenge of PASS/IMCA newcomer Garrett Bard to win the 25-lap feature Saturday at Path Valley Speedway Park.
After a nearly race-long battle, Newlin and Bard spent the last five laps of the feature racing side-by-side for the lead while trying to pass a slower car. Bard actually was scored as leading two of the final five laps, but Newlin, from Millerstown, was able to use a lapped vehicle to his advantage on the final lap and grab the win in the Smith Concrete & Construction/Heather Sims Realtor/Newport VFW #11Z.
Bard, the Wells Tannery driver who only began his PASS career last month, came home a close second in the CG Racing Engines/Lias Tire #95.
Newlin had grabbed the early lead from his front-row starting position, and after a three-car crash in turns 1 and 2 on the first lap, had pulled out to a large lead, only to have Bard hunt him down. Twice, Bard caught up with Newlin in traffic, but cautions on laps 7 and 13 enabled Newlin to sprint out front again. But with the final 12 laps going green, the two ended up in a torrid battle for the lead as they weaved their way through lapped traffic, finishing the race with a side-by-side battle, and in the end, the veteran prevailed for this fourth PASS win of the season (first at Path Valley).
Ryan Lynn (Hollidaysburg; Ken Imler’s Machine Shop/Lingenfelter’s Awnings/GBC Landscaping/Campbell’s Property #26) came from 10th starting position to finish third, followed by Kassidy Kreitz (Sinking Spring; Rock-It Pizza & Subs/Maxim Chassis/Schannauer Plumbing & Heating #69K)) and Jake Frye (Lewisberry; Shope’s Landscape Maintenance/McCarthy Tire & Auto/RS Mechanical Services #56).
Rounding out the Top 10 were Scott Lutz (Jonestown; Fredericksburg Eagle Hotel/Speedway Mart & Car Wash/Adams Auto Sales #33), “Cowboy” Jim Kennedy (Everett; Buzzy’s Auto #7), Dom Melair (Warrington; Glen Del Labradors #55), “Nitro Nick” Sweigart (Myerstown; A.H. Moyer/Ditchcreek Utility Services/C&L Siding & Decks) and Larry McVay (Bordentown, N.J.; #83).
Heat race wins for the 22-car field went to Newlin, Kreitz and Lutz. Jeffrey Weaver (Lock Haven; Weaver Radiator & Auto Repair #52) was the hard charger, moving from 22nd starting position to 13th at the checkers.
The evenings racing at Path Valley was part of the Fourth Annual Roy and Margaret McGee Memorial, honoring the speedway’s founders. Contingency awards included a $100 bonus for the winner and $35 for fourth place in each heat, plus $50 for fourth in the feature.
On hand for the Victory Lane ceremonies were members of the McGee family: Von McGee, Gary McGee, Judy McGee Timmons, plus Candace Parson, who was the first ever Miss Path Valley back in 1988.
Results from Path Valley Speedway Park, August 17, 2019
HEAT 1 – 1. 11Z-Zach Newlin; 2. 56-Jake Frye; 3. 80-Dave Wickham; 4. 26-Ryan Lynn; 5. 92-Dylan Proctor; 6. 83-Larry McVay; 7. 5-John Walp; 8. 17K-Kyle Keen.
HEAT 2 – 1. 69K-Kassidy Kreitz; 2. 31-Donnie Hendershot; 3. 95-Garrett Bard; 4. 20-Doug Dodson; 5. 23-Nathan Gramley; 6. 97-Kenny Heffner; 7. 8-Nick Sweigart.
HEAT 3 – 1. 33-Scott Lutz; 2. 55-Dom Melair; 3. 7-Jim Kennedy; 4. 21-Rob Felix; 5. Q2-Johnny Yanek; 6. 880-Drew Ritchey (DNF); 7. 52-Jeffrey Weaver (DNF).
FEATURE – 1. 11Z-Zach Newlin; 2. 95-Garrett Bard; 3. 26-Ryan Lynn; 4. 69K-Kassidy Kreitz; 5. 56-Jake Frye; 6. 33-Scott Lutz; 7. 7-Jim Kennedy; 8. 55-Dom Melair; 9. 8-Nick Sweigard; 10. 83-Larry McVay; 11. 21-Rob Felix; 12. 97-Kenny Heffner; 13. 52-Jeffrey Weaver; 14. 5-John Walp; 15. 880-Drew Ritchey; 16. 20-Doug Dodson; 17. 23-Nathan Gramley; 18. 92-Dylan Proctor; 19. Q2-Johnny Yanek; 20. 31-Donnie Hendershot/ 21. 17K-Kyle Keen; 22. 80-Dave Wickham (DNF)