FRIESE AND HOFFMAN EARN OCTOBERFEST GUARANTEE STARTING SPOTS AT HAGERSTOWN

Devin Friese of Chambersburg, PA held off Jeremy Miller the final 13 laps to win the 30-lap late model Octoberfest Qualifier and Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, PA turned back Brett Hearn for the win in the 30-lap Octoberfest Qualifier for the big block modifieds at the Hagerstown Speedway Sunday afternoon.In addition to the guaranteed starting spots for the fall spectacular, both drivers earned $2,000 for their flag-to-flag victories.

After three attempts to get the late model feature in the record books, a single file start was used successfully as Devin Friese outgunned Larry Baer into the first turn for the lead. John Mason took over the second spot on the third lap with Jeremy Miller, Baer and Rick Eckert in pursuit. Eckert moved into fourth on the seventh lap and a lap later passed Miller for third. On lap 11, Eckert made a move to the outside of Mason for second, but contact was made as both cars came to a stop in the second turn to bring out the caution turning second over to Miller. Friese set the pace on the restart as Miller began to looking for the best way around the leader. Miller was able to pull along Friese several times on the outside going into the turns at both ends of the track, but Friese was able to pull back in front down the straight aways and nipped Miller by one car length for his second career win at Hagerstown .

"We struggled a lot last year, so it feels good to get this win," said Friese. "We just held our line, we really weren't that good. Jeremy (Miller) is a good friend and he raced me clean and I thank him for that."

Andy Anderson, who started 16th, finished third and Kirk Ryan passed Gary Stuhler for fourth with one lap remaining after going to the rear of the field after being involved in one of the first lap cautions. Donnie Farling, who started 17th, was sixth with Dan Stone, Tim Wilson and David Pettyjohn next across the line. Mason returned from his 11th lap tangle with Eckert to round out the top ten. Heat winners for the 33 late models were Paul Crowl, Jason Covert, Eckert and Ryan. Dave Rice Jr. won the consolation.

The modified feature required two attempts to get the 30-lap feature underway with Keith Hoffman grabbing the lead going into the first turn from Mike Colston. Brett Hearn, who started eighth, moved into third by the second lap and bolted into the runner-up spot the next time around. For the next 25 laps, Hearn tried everything he could to get around Hoffman. Hearn pulled even with the leader several times, but Hoffman stayed in the fastest groove leaving Hearn little room to make a pass. Hearn pulled even coming off the fourth turn on the final lap, but came up one car length short as Hoffman scored his first career win at Hagerstown.

"I can't believe I finally won here at Hagerstown," said Hoffman. "It is nice to get a win under our belt so early in the season. I have been real close several times here before, so it is great to finally get the win. It is definitely nice to have that guarantee spot for the Octoberfest350."

Kenny Brightbill followed Hoffman and Hearn in third with Colsten and Matt Shepherd completing the top five. Eighteenth starting Ricky Elliott was sixth with Kyle Strickland coming from 22nd for seventh. Bucki Kell and A.J. Romano were next with Frank Cozze bouncing back from a first lap pile-up to finish out the top ten. Kevin Bolland, Colsten, Jamie Mills and Hoffman were the heat winners for the 38 modifieds and Vic Coffey and Stricklen won the consolations.

Next Sunday, the late models will be joined by the Hoosier Tires late model sportsman and Ernie's Salvage Yard pure stocks in the Grand Opening. Race time is 1:30 P.M. with gates opening at 11 AM. Admission is only $9.00.

30-LAP LATE MODEL FEATURE OCTOBERFEST QUALIFIER: 33 Cars (Lap Leaders: Friese, 1-30)

1. Devin Friese; 2. Jeremy Miller; 3. Andy Anderson; 4. Kirk Ryan; 5. Gary Stuhler; 6. Donnie Farling; 7. Dan Stone; 8. Tim Wilson; 9. David Pettyjohn; 10. John Mason; 11. Chad McClelland; 12. Scott Cross; 13. Larry Baer; 14. Brad Ritter; 15. Mike Lupfer; 16. Josh Richards; 17. Matt Parks; 18. Dave Rice Jr.; 19. Rick Eckert; 20. Paul Crowl; 21. Brent Smith; 22. Jason Covert; 23. Al Shawver, Jr. 24. Daryl Hills. DNQ: Randall Paxton; Rick Whaley; Mark Byram; Billy Wampler; Jerry Fifield; Drew Koteles. DNS: Bobby Stokes; Frankie Plessinger; Ray Davis Jr.

30-LAP BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE OCTOBERFEST QUALIFIER: 38 Cars (Lap Leaders: Hoffman, 1-30)

1. Keith Hoffman; 2. Brett Hearn; 3. Kenny Brightbill; 4. Mike Colsten; 5. Matt Shepherd; 6. Rick Elliott; 7. Kyle Strickler; 8. Bucki Kell; 9. A.J. Romano; 10. Frank Cozze; 11. Alan Johnson; 12. Vic Coffey; 13. G. R. Smith; 14. J. R. Heffner; 15. Jimmy Chester; 16. Del Rougeux; 17. Larry Kratz; 18. Kevin Bolland; 19. Kevin Hirtler; 20. Butch Tittle; 21. Jamie Mills; 22. Jeff Strunk; 23. Richie Pratt Jr.; 24. Jared Shultz; 25. Colin Jackson; 26. Norman Short. DNQ: Dwayne Howard; Gary Risch Jr.; Rick Laubach; Richard Scaglotta; Beal Wilkins; Sparky White; Gary Gallerie Jr.; Don Hollowell; Jason Hamilton; Amanda Spotts; Ray Swinehart; Shawn Reimert.