FORTNA AND LUPFER MAKE FOR TWO MORE NEW FACES IN HOOTER'S SUSQUEHANNA WINNER'S CIRCLE
Newberrytown, PA: Randy Fortna and Mike Lupfer became the eighth different winner in eight events thus far this season at Susquehanna Speedway. Fortna of Jonestown, PA won his tenth career win at the speedway, but his first of the year on Hooter's of York Night.
For Mike Lupfer of Sherman Dale, PA it was his first career win at the York County oval and he enjoyed every minute of being greeted by the Hooter's girls in victory lane. "That was fun," said Lupfer on his wire-to wire, non-stop, 30-lap win. " I didn't know where anybody was, so I just went flat out and hoped no one caught me. It was fast."
Fast was exactly what Randy Fortna has been having problems with. "The track has been fast and we weren't finding the right combination," explained Fortna. "We went back to the basics and it worked. My car owner, Jim Lange, and crew have been scratching our heads over which way to go, but tonight it all paid off. This will make everyone happy."
The modified feature started off with four early cautions in the first ten laps including one red flag on lap 4 when Jamie Mills got sideways on the front stretch causing a nine-car crunch. Jason Andrews took the lead from his outside pole position until Danny Erb wrestled it from him on lap 4.
Todd Burley ran door-to-door with Erb looking to take the lead on the outside while Fortna moved in behind them making a three-car battle for the lead. Burley finally got by a reluctant Erb as did Fortna a few laps later. Burley led from laps 6 thru 9 as Fortna eventually caught him on lap10.
Fortna was pretty much in control after that, although Burley mounted some challenge on a couple of late race restarts. Points leader Jeff Strunk moved into the picture as well, but never got by Burley. Strunk went on to finish third and record his fourth consecutive top five finish.
A late charge from Kyle Strickler moved him past Larry Solomon for fourth, as Solomon had to race Kevin Hirthler for fifth. These three plus Erb provided most of the action swapping positions and occasionally closing in on Strunk as well. Strickler recorded his fourth straight top ten followed by Solomon, Hirthler, a solid run for Erb, Al Shawver, Randy Stoudt, and Tom Umbenhauer rounded out the top ten.
No other way to describe it other than Mike Lupfer blew away the competition. Only an early challenge from Jeff Leiphart saw anyone close to Lupfer. Leiphart looking to become the all time late model career win leader at the speedway will have to wait another week as mechanical woes sidelined him on lap 22 while running second.
Last week's winner, Billy Wampler inherited second and ran strong to the finish for the second consecutive week. Rusty Sites bagged another third with Jere Weirman and Scott Lupfer rounding out the top five. Points leader Mike Christopher from Ellendale, Delaware came home eighth for his fourth straight top ten finish.
The 30-lap enduro was another excellent show by that division. A non-stop affair that saw opening day winner Matt Frye and Darrin Williams battle for the lead late in the race. Colt Himmelheber brought them around for first circuit until Tom Slanker led for six laps. That is when Williams, who started tenth took the top spot. Slanker stayed with Williams until Frye moved from his 14th starting spot into second on lap 19, and began chased Williams. Frye almost passed Williams a few times, but Darrin gathered himself and drove on to victory.
The PennMar Vintage Club was on hand to provide their exhibition race. The number 06 became a popular number in victory lane as both the late models and the vintage stocks posted wins with that number. Bryan Brooks was the driver for the PennMar club.
Modified heats were won by Fortna, Brian Johnson, and Andrews. Ryan Beltz and Bob Ebersole captured the consolations for the 38 entries. Late Model heats were won by Mike Lupfer and Jeff Leiphart.
The Modifieds and the Super Late Models are on tap next week in a pair of Twin 20's each. Gates open at 5:00 pm for the Auger Manufacturing Specialist Four 20's and racing begins at 7:45 pm. 4-Cylinder Stocks and a 30-lap Enduro are also slated.
Check out the website for information at www.susquehannaspeedway.com
Summary:
PennMar Vintage Club (12 Laps): 1- Bryan Brooks; 2- Harry McConnell; 3- Larry Felty; 4- Pete Cobb; 5- Bill Schaffer
Enduro (30 Laps); 1- Darrin Williams; 2- Matt Frye; 3- Anthony Toumas; 4- Herm Renninger; 5- Karl Windish; 6- Greg Miller; 7- Ricky Hippensteel; 8- Charles Pensinger; 9- Steve Clemens; 10- Kevin Armstrong
Top 13 - Super Late Models
Pos. Driver Car #
1 Mike Lupfer 06
2 Billy Wampler 1W
3 Rusty Sites V1
4 Jere Weirman 65
5 Scott Lupfer 77
6 Butch Campion 21
7 Harold Beinhower 33
8 Mike Christopher 66
9 Scott Sipe 88
10 Kirk Ryan 5K
11 Jeff Leiphart 8
12 Bob Spahr 86
13 Gene Wrightstone 10
DNS Rodney Turner 69
Top 24 - 358 Modifieds
Pos. Driver Car #
1 Randy Fortna 4$
2 Todd Burley 5
3 Jeff Strunk W9
4 Kyle Strickler 16
5 Larry Solomon 517
6 Kevin Hirthler 117
7 Danny Erb 44
8 Al Shawver 15
9 Randy Stoudt R10
10 Tom Umbenhauer 88
11 Scott Albert 10
12 Todd Bashore 4
13 John Tschudy 2
14 Jason Andrews 21
15 Jeff Ebersole 72
16 Darrell Rhine 2
17 Don Keefer 99K
18 Jamie Mills 1W
19 Rick Laubach 16
20 Brian Johnson 30
21 Ray Swinehart 33
22 Tom Miller 24M
23 Bob Ebersole 27
24 Ryan Beltz 221