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Eash takes Super Late Opener at Hidden Valley



By Terry Whetstone
Public Relations
CLEARFIELD, PA (6/6/20)- Billy Eash of Johnstown picked up the Super Late Model feature Saturday night as Hidden Valley Speedway was finally able to kick off the 2020 season.
Other season opening winners include:Rich Wicker of Mahaffey in the Semi Late Models, Kyle Fink of Strattonville in the Small Block Modifieds, Andrew Gordon of Brookville in the Street Stocks, Brad Benton of Duncansville in the Pure Stocks and Joe Huber of Worthville in the Little’s Auto Sales Four Cylinders.
Billy Eash of Bump Hedman led the Super Late Models to the green flag with Hedman leading out the gate, but before the first lap was completed, it was Eash who would lead at the line. Doug Eck then took the lead on lap two and he sat through a slew of cautions on lap three slowed the event several times. Eck continued to lead before Eash was able to take control of the field and hold off Ryan Scott and Damian Bidwell through the end of the feature. At the finish, it was Eash, Scott, Bidwell, Eck and Kenny Shaffer. Heat race wins went to Eash, Hedman and Eck.
The Semi Late Feature saw Jarid Ivory and Rich Wicker leading the field at the start, with Wicker taking the lead and holding off several challengers, including Tom Decker, Ivory and Gabe Shaffer before he copped the win. The official top five was Wicker, Shaffer, Ivory, Gary Little and Adam Nixon. Heat wins were taken by Ivory, Wicker and Nixon.
The return of the Small Block Modifieds saw 10 cars sign in, with many more still being built. Todd English beat Kyle Fink off the line to take the lead at the drop of Brian Biancuzzios green flag, with Fink on his bumper. Fink was throwing everything at English, but he was unable to take the lead, then on lap 12 the final caution waved. On the restart Fink was able to dive under English and take the lead, and Fink didn’t relinquish the lead as he went on to get the victory. English, Brandon Ritchey, Jordan Ehrenberg and Chas Wolbert completed the top five. English and Fink split heat wins.
Zack Gustafson beat Cragan Brady off the line at the start of the Street Stock feature, and set the pace early on. Gustafson was unable to hold off Andrew Gordon for more than four laps, as he took the lead on lap five. As Gordon lead, Gustafson and Jim “Animal” Bloom hounded him the rest of the way, but it was Gordon taking the opening night win. Gustafson held Bloom off for second, Brandon Connor was fourth behind Bloom with Gary Fisher fifth. Brady, Gustafson and Gordon won the heat races.
Brad Benton outran Andrew Wallace at the start of the Pure Stock feature and led wire to wire. As he was setting the pace, “Stuntman” Mike Benton ran second early on, then Ron Benton took second before Shawn Hadden moved into the runner up spot. The drivers settled their battles at the scheckered with Brad Benton winning over Hadden, Makinna Pearce, Justin Centra and M. Benton. Heat wins went to Brand Benton and Wallace.
The Four Cylinders packed the pits, 35 strong, with Joe Huber and Jeff Huber leading the field to the start. As the green waved, Jeff Huber darted into the lead and opened up a huge lead. Somehow Jeff Huber fell through the field with unknown problems, so second was the battle that would end up being for the win, as Joe Huber and Shawn Hadden jockeyed for position. At the finish it was Joe Huber winning over Hadden, Eric Lizier, Larry Conklin and Chris Dodson. Heat wins went to Joe Huber, Jeff Huber and Hadden. The B-mains were won by Gary Brown and Phil Levering.
PIT NOTES: 113 teams squeezed into the pits, including: 18 Super Late Models, 19 Semi Late Models, 10 Small Block Modifieds, 18 Street Stocks, 13 Pure Stocks and 35 Four Cylinders...The Hyde Fire Co. 50/50 saw the winner walk away with $2,864...Rusty Martin was uninjured after his Four Cylinder burst into flames during the B-main...Join us for a regular six division show this week. Watch the Facebook page and website for an updated schedule since racing has returned following the pandemic.
SUMMARY:
Super Late Models: 1. Billy Eash, Johnstown; 2. Ryan Scott, 3. Damian Bidwell, 4. Doug Eck, 5. Kenny Shaffer, 6. Dave Lyon, 7. Luke Hoffner, 8. John Wayne Weaver, 9. Chris Farrell, 10. Curtis Teats, 11. Bump Hedman, 12. Josh Whetstone, 13. Tom Decker III, 14. Jason Dodson, 15. Nathan Brady, 16. Neil Wilson, 17. Dan Smeal, 18. Dave Brouse Jr.
Semi Late Models: 1. Rich Wicker, Mahaffey; 2. Gabe Shaffer, 3. Jarid Ivory, 4. Gary Little, 5. Adam Nixon, 6. Paul Ivory, 7. Caleb Whiteford, 8. Levi Ardery, 9. Eric Lucas, 10. Mike Blazer.
Small Block Modifieds: 1. Kyle Fink, Strattonville, 2. Todd English, 3. Brandon Ritchey, 4. Jordan Ehrenberg, 5. Chas Wolbert, 6. Josh Henry, 7. Erik Bowser.
Street Stocks: 1. Andrew Gordon, Brookville, 2. Zach Gustafson, 3. Jim Bloom, 4. Brandon Connor, 5. Gary Fisher, 6. Cragan Brady, 7. Rich Howell, 8. Duke Davidson, 9. Ray Reynolds, 10. Josh Bumbarger.
Pure Stocks: 1. Brad Benton, Duncansville, 2. Shawn hadden, 3. Makinna Pearce, 4. Justin Centra, 5. Mike Benton, 6. Casey Wolfe, 7. Bill Mumaw, 8. Justin Watt, 9. Ron Benton, 10. Joe Kephart.
Four Cylinders: 1. Joe Huber, Worthville 2. Shawn Hadden, 3. Eric Luzier, 4. Larry Conklin, 5. Chris Dodson, 6. Brain Moyer, 7. Robert Pyle, 8. Dave Lowe, 9. Greg Kiehl.