Tag: Chad Kemenah

Steve Kinser Notches Win 574 At Rolling Wheels Raceway

[media-credit name=”Dan Kapuscinski/Rolling Wheels Raceway Park” align=”alignright” width=”198″][/media-credit]Cold and damp. Those are the best descriptions for Rolling Wheels Raceway Saturday night. But cold has never been a deterrent for the Outlaws or their fans. Cold or not when the gates opened at 5PM New York time the crowds began to pour in. With hot laps on the track and not many empty seats seen there was still a line of traffic to get onto the raceway’s grounds. The grandstands were packed. The track was packed and the drivers were rested and ready after almost a week off. It was time to race. And nothing would warm the crowd and the drivers like the mighty wings of the Outlaws on the track.

The evening saw a 28 car field for the 5/8 mile semi banked dirt clay oval track in Elbridge, N.Y.. Qualifying draw would spread the touring Outlaws throughout the order with Sammy Swindell going out last. The track record of 15.952 seconds was set 8 years ago by Craig Dollansky. Though the field would get no where near that record tonight, it was still a very fast field with Quick Time going to Daryn Pittman with a lap of 17.027 seconds or 132.143 mph. Dollansky would time 2nd and Schatz would time 3rd. Allowing Dollansky to pick up a point on Schatz in the very beginning of the night. The remainder of the top 5 were Joey Saldana and local driver Shawn Donath.

The first heat of the night would set the tone for the evening. A fast paced no holds barred 8 lap shootout that saw a return of The King, Steve Kinser to the Dash. The race would be won by Kerry Madsen, with Kinser coming home second, Saldana third, Quick Time holder Daryn Pittman in 4th and Justin Barger in 5th and an old friend from the Canada Glenn Styres rounding out the transferring cars. Not making the cut would be last years rookie of the year Cody Darrah. Darrah who had a uncharacteristically bad evening would struggle all evening.

The second heat would see ASCOC Champion, David Gravel take the checkers over Lucas Wolfe, Shawn Donath, Sammy Swindell, Craig Dollansky and Bill Rose. Sammy Swindell would literally hold class for the young drivers in the field when he climbed from 8th to 4th in a single lap. Although Swindell could advance no further, he gave notice that a poor qualifying lap was not going to hold the Big Game Tree Stands number 1 back. He served notice in a very convincing manner that he was there to win, and starting from the back only meant he would have to work a little harder at it.

The third heat would qualify the final 6 into the A Main. Chad Kemenah, Kraig Kinser, Donny Schatz, Paul McMahan, Jessica Zemken, and Jamie Collard would all advance into the feature. Kemenah, Kinser and Schatz would advance to the Dash.

The Dash was a hard fought battle between the top 4 cars. But it offered a glimpse of what was to come later in the evening with the A Main. The dash was won by Chad Kemenah with Steve Kinser coming home second, Donny Schatz third and Kerry Madsen 4th. There was a bit of foreboding there when Dollansky crossed the stripe in 7th after having Magneto trouble in both the dash and his heat race. Was Dollansky snake bit? Only time would tell.

The Last Chance Showdown would transfer the final 6 cars into the A Main. Looking at the line up one would be tempted to pick Cody Darrah from the outside front row as a sure thing. But making that choice would have been a mistake. Long time modified champ Frank Cozze was starting on the pole. Cozze had won his first Sprint Car race earlier in the year in upstate New York. Frank was determined to make a run for his second tonight. Cozze jumped out into the lead on lap one and never looked backed winning the last chance showdown by a 1.8 second margin over Cody Darrah, Bobby Breen, Joe Smith, Daniel Mazy and Mike Stelter.

The field for the A Main was set and even with the deep chill in the air the anticipation was palpable. Steve Kinser had the most wins of any driver at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park having won 11 out of 34 races could he send the monkey on his back, packing back to the zoo and win number 12? Donny Schatz was lurking back in the third spot, Schatz had been on a terror for 12 weeks, would he take win number 12 on the season? Madsen had run hard all night and was showing the same kind of patience and skills that had made him a contender and winner all season, would he make it number 6 on the year? And far from least sitting back in 21st starting spot was the crafty veteran and 4 time champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell had already shown he could move up very quickly through a field would he find a way to the front tonight?

The 25 lap feature was a hard fought and determined race. Chad Kemenah lead 16 laps and at one time had pulled away from 2nd place Steve Kinser by almost 3 seconds. But then came the traffic, and no one works traffic better than the King of the Outlaws and on lap 17 Steve Kinser took the lead and worked the traffic like a maestro conducting the 5th symphony of Beethoven. Where ever he found them he passed them pulling out to a straight a way lead on Kemenah and Schatz in less than a lap. His teammate Donny Schatz wasn’t done yet and he split lapped traffic on the bottom to take second from Kemenah with 4 laps to go. But the King was long gone. Schatz could close but he was too far back to catch Steve Kinser. Afterward, Schatz would be asked if he had had more time could he have caught him? Schatz replied, “No way he was hooked up. We finished 2nd. We came to win but we finished 2nd.” Chad Kemenah would come home 3rd. And in post race comments said that he had no regrets. Oh and that crafty veteran Sammy Swindell he would be the Hard Charger of the race climbing from 21st to 8th.

There was not a single position that was not hard fought for on the track in the A Main. Every driver, every team ran hard and showed the skills and guts that it takes to take on the might wings of the Outlaws. The winner on the night? Well Steve Kinser took home the trophy and the check and he notched win number 574 for his career. But the real winners were the fans in the stands and at home following with help from Johnny Gibson and the WoO team. The World of Outlaws raced hard. They raced wide open. They took chances. They didn’t points race not even Schatz and Dollansky points raced. They raced for the checkers. They reminded us what the real point of the sport is. To cross the line first. If you cross the line first enough times you come home with the most points at the end and you take home the big prize. But you do that with the grace, courage, skills and determination of a champion.

Oh yeah the points race. Donny Schatz increased his point lead over Craig Dollansky by 9 points going into the final 4 races of the year. That means he has a 168 point lead over Dollansky. Is it insurmountable? No. But Schatz would have to miss at least 2 features for Dollansky to get the championship if Dollansky won both of them. Mathematically it’s possible but it is not very probable. Still however, things happen fast and stranger things have happened. So we go into the next race saying Schatz is close to sealing the championship but he doesn’t have it yet. Will Dollansky find a way? Will Schatz stumble and fall? Will lady luck remain true to her chosen champion thus far Schatz? Or will she jump ship and give Dollansky a hand up to the deck? We have 4 more races to find out.

Qualifying Results: 1) Daryn Pittman 17.027 132.143 mph, 2) Craig Dollansky, 3) Donny Schatz, 4) Joey Saldana 5) Shawn Donnath, 6) Paul McMahan 7) Steve Kinser 8) David Gravel 9) Chad Kemenah 10) Kerry Madsen 11) Lucas Wolfe 12) Kraig Kinser 13) Glenn Styres 14) Bill Rose 15) Jessica Zemken 16) Justin Barger 17) Frank Cozze 18) Jamie Collard 19) Cody Darrah 20) Bobby Breen 21) Michael Parent 22) Danny Franek 23) Sammy Swindell 24) John Smith 25) Mike Stetler 26) Dick Spadaro 27) Daniel Mazy 28) April Wilson.

First Heat Race Results: 1) Kerry Madsen 2) Steve Kinser 3) Joey Saldana 4) Daryn Pittman 5) Justin Barger 6) Glenn Styres 7) Cody Darrah 8) Davey Franek 9) Mike Stelter 10) April Wilson

Second Heat Race Results: 1) David Gravel 2) Lucas Wolfe 3) Shawn Donath 4) Sammy Swindell 5) Craig Dollansky 6) Bill Rose 7) Frank Cozze 8) Bobby Breen 9) Dick Spadaro

Third Heat Race Results: 1) Chad Kemenah 2) Kraig Kinser 3) Donny Schatz 4) Paul McMahan 5) Jessica Zemken 6) Jamie Collard 7) John Smith 8) Daniel Mazy 9) Michael Parent

Dash Results: 1) Chad Kemenah 2) Steve Kinser 3) Donny Schatz 4) Kerry Madsen 5) David Gravel 6) Joey Saldana 7) Craig Dollansky 8) Lucas Wolfe 9) Daryn PIttman 10) Kraig Kinser

Last Chance Showdown Results: 1) Frank Cozze, 2) Cody Darrah, 3) Bobby Breen, 4) John Smith, 5) Daniel Mazy, 6) Mike Stelter 7) Dick Spadaro 8) April Wilson 9) Davey Franek 10) Michael Parent (DNS)

A Main: 1) Steve Kinser 2) Donny Schatz 3) Chad Kemenah 4) Kerry Madsen 5) David Gravel 6) Joey Saldana 7) Craig Dollansky 8) Sammy Swindell (Hard Charger) 9) Paul McMahan 10) Daryn Pittman 11) Lucas Wolfe 12) Justin Barger 13) Shawn Donath 14) Bill Rose 15) Kraig Kinser 16) Cody Darrah 17) Glenn Styres 18) Jessica Zemeken 19) Frank Cozze 20) Jamie Collard 21) Bobby Breen 22) Joe Smith 23) Mike Stelter 24) Daniel Mazy.

KSE Hard Charger Award: Sammy Swindell from 21st to 8th.

October 7, 2012

Stewart Rules at Ohsweken!

[media-credit name=”Bill Oldroyd” align=”alignright” width=”265″][/media-credit]The day started out rainy and cloudy at Ohsweken Speedway, but the closer race time got the clearer the skies became. Until at the close of the draw for qualifying positions, the skies were clear and the temperature was in the 70’s and the chances of rain had disappeared. There was a promise in the air. An excitement among those who had waited a whole year for these two days. The man who had won his first World of Outlaws race a year ago was back in town. He had come from the back to win the A Main in 360 Sprint Car competition on Monday night. What would tonight hold? Would he take another Outlaw victory and start his path towards another record setting end of the year again? Only the night would tell.

The qualifying process at the high-banked, 3/8-mile oval brought anticipation. With the cooler temperatures the engines would make more horsepower. More horsepower translates to more speed. But could they use that speed on the 3/8 mile track. The track record of 12.047 seconds was established by Kraig Kinser on July 30, 2010, and early hot lap speeds were way off of that pace. Qualifying speeds would continue to drop as the track became slower as the night progressed. Quick Time was set by Kraig Kinser with a lap of 13.511 seconds or 99.92 mph. Second fast time would go to Tony Stewart who turned a lap of 13.874 seconds or 97.40 mph with a broken top wing panel. As qualifying progressed times slowed leaving some notable names to the back of the inversion. Names like Sammy Swindell, Joey Saldana, and Cody Darrah.

The heat races were very quick and event free, with the cream rising to the top of the barrell. Heat number one would see Cody Darrah lead all 8 laps to defeat Bill Rose, Lucas Wolfe, Kraig Kinser and track owner Glen Styres. Darrah and Rose would transfer to the Dash as would Kraig Kinser based on his Quick Time of the evening.

The second heat race would be a hard core affair with some of the staunchest racing of the pre main show. Sunday’s winner Donny Schatz would come home ahead of Joey Saldana, James McFadden, Tony Stewart and Chris Steele. Schatz, Saldana and Stewart would advance to the dash. Stewart filling the remaining time spot.

The third heat would see a dominating performance by Sammy Swindell as he held off Chad Kemenah, Kerry Madsen, Dustin Daggett, Michael Parent. Swindell and Kemenah would advance to the Dash.

The final heat would see first surprise of the evening. Jessica Zemken held off a hard charging Craig Dollansky for the victory. Dollansky would hold off a strong side by side challenge from 20 time World of Outlaw Champion Steve Kinser and Tom Huppenen would hold off Shane Ross for the final A Main transfer spot. Zemken and Dollansky would finish out the Dash field.

The Last Chance Showdown saw a field of local competitors putting on a whale of a show for the final four A Main positions. The race was won by Jamie Collard with Travis Cunningham, Keith Dempster and Dain Naida following him to the A Main.

The Dash was a taste of what was to come. The inversion of 4 was drawn putting Bill Rose on the pole and to his outside Craig Dollansky. Neither driver would lead a single lap as third place starter Tony Stewart would take the lead out of 2 and never look back. Stewart would lead all 8 laps of the dash to take the pole holding off Craig Dollansky and Donny Schatz.

The big show was set to go. The 30 laps $10,000 to win A Main came out of the gate like the thoroughbreds that were running it. Tony Stewart would take the lead into one and set sail. Dollansky would close to within a car length in traffic but Stewart would pull away. Stewart ran the thin cushion in 3 and 4. and the middle of the track in 1 and 2. On lap 5 Stewart would have a close call with a lap car and have to jump on the binders nearly hitting it from behind. Dollansky closed right on his rear bumper but Stewart pulled him down the front stretch and again stretched his lead to over a second. All the 2 while with Donny Schatz was challenging for the 2nd spot. In Schatz’s mirror was team mate Steve Kinser who would go three wide for third with Kraig Kinser and Schatz with The King of the Outlaws coming out on the top. When the white flag waved Stewart was safely a half a second in front of Craig Dollansky but Steve Kinser was right there to challenge for 2nd. When the checkers waved and the dust settled it would be Dollansky coming home in second place with Steve Kinser, Kraig Kinser and Donny Schatz the top 5.

This was Stewart’s 3rd sprint car win in as many races and his second of the week. It was also the second year in a row that Stewart had claimed the World of Outlaws race at Ohsweken. His victory last year he credited for propelling him to his 3rd Sprint Cup Championship. If that is the case his competition in the asphalt series best be putting on their big boy pants cause Smoke is coming.

Today, was full of difficulties for the World of Outlaws staff. The broadcast equipment wouldn’t broadcast so the fans were without the voice of one of the best broadcasters in the business Johnny Gibson. They worked tirelessly to get the broadcast going in time for the A Main. It showed a lot. It showed a lot about the staff of the Outlaws and their commitment to the people that they entertain and call fans and friends. It said a lot about their dedication to the sport and the jobs they do. But what spoke the loudest was the silence. Without the voice of Johnny Gibson and just the timing and scoring loop the competition was just numbers. It became black and white and a life very different than what the public is use to. It became obvious that the old saying of you don’t know what you have until it’s gone is true. And without Johnny Gibson the Outlaws were missing a star competitor. A man who races every lap from the booth just like drivers do in the cars. A man whose dedication to the sport and the drivers is second to none. A man’s whose talents and gifts light up all of our lives every race.

It was not much different than the way a young man started a long time ago in Indiana. Not much money but a whole lot of talent and desire. He worked his way into people’s hearts he gained their respect and he took their breath away. That young man went on to accomplish big things, an Indy car championship, 3 Nascar Championships, USAC Silver crown championships. But as one sits at the dirt track having watched him work his magic and display his skills, it becomes painfully obvious that the world of dirt didn’t know what it had until it was gone. Thankfully, Tony Stewart will always call the dirt home, and so far he has continued to find ways to come back and visit.

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Qualifying Results: 1) Kraig Kinser, 13.511 Seconds 2)Tony Stewart, 3) Dustin Daggett, 4) Steve Kinser, 5) Lucas Wolfe, 6) James McFadden, 7) Kerry Madsen, 8) Craig Dollansky, 9) Bill Rose, 10) Donny Schatz. 11) Chad Kemenah, 12) Tom Huppenen, 13) Cody Darrah, 14) JoeyVSaldana, 15) Sammy Swindell, 16) Jessica Zemken,17) Glenn Styres, 18) Jamie Collard, 19) Kyle Patrick, 20) Shane Ross.21) Travis Cunningham, 22) Keith Dempster, 23) Mitch Brown, 24) Dain Naida, 25) Mikey Kruchka, 26) Chris Steele, 27) Michael Parent, 28) Dave Dykstra, 29) Jamie Turner, 30) Havard Daniels. 31) Stevin Goldner, 32) Chris Durand, 33) Stan Zanchin.

First Heat Results: ‎1. Cody Darrah, 2. Bill Rose, 3. Lucas Wolfe, 4. Kraig Kinser, 5. Glenn Styres, 6. Travis Cunningham, 7. Jamie Turner, 8. Mike Kruchka, 9. Stan Zanchin

Second Heat Results: ‎1. Donny Schatz, 2. Joey Saldana, 3. James McFadden, 4. Tony Stewart, 5. Chris Steele, 6. Jamie Collard, 7. Keith Dempster, 8. Harvard Daniels

Third Heat Results: ‎1. Sammy Swindell, 2. Chad Kemenah, 3. Kerry Madsen, 4. Dustin Daggett, 5. Michael Parent, 6. Mitch Brown, 7. Kyle Patrick, 8. Stevin Goldner

Fourth Heat Results: ‎1. Jessica Zemken, 2. Craig Dollansky, 3. Steve Kinser, 4. Tom Huppenen, 5. Shane Ross, 6. Dania Naida, 7. Chris Durand, 8. Dave Dykstra

Last Chance Showdown Results: ‎1. Jamie Collard, 2. Travis Cunningham, 3. Keith Dempster, 4. Dain Naida, 5. Mitch Brown, 6. Jamie Turner, 7. Kyle Patrick, 8. Havard Daniels, 9. Stan Zanchin, 10. Mikey Kruchka, 11. Dave Dykstra, 12. Stevin Goldner, 13. Chris Durand

Dash Results: ‎1. Tony Stewart, 2. Craig Dollansky, 3. Donny Schatz, 4. Kraig Kinser, 5. Cody Darrah, 6. Bill Rose, 7. Chad Kemenah, 8. Sammy Swindell, 9. Jessica Zemken, 10. Joey Saldana

A Main Results: ‎1. Tony Stewart 2. Craig Dollansky 3. Steve Kinser 4. Kraig Kinser 5. Donny Schatz 6. Cody Darrah 7. Chad Kemenah 8. Sammy Swindell 9. Kerry Madsen 10. Michael Parent (Hard Charger) 11. Lucas Wolfe 12. Jessica Zemken 13. Tom Happenen 14. Dustin Daggett 15. Chris Steele 16. Jamie Collard 17. Travis Cunningham 18. Shane Ross 19. Joey Saldana 20. James McFadden 21. Glenn Styres 22. Keith Dempster 23. Bill Rose 24. Dain Naida

World of Outlaws Point Standings.

Pos.	Driver	Total	Diff	Wins	Top 5’s	Top 10’s	QT
1	Craig Dollansky	6205	0	6	23	33	8
2	Steve Kinser	6191	-14	3	21	34	0
3	Sammy Swindell	6154	-51	8	19	31	7
4	Donny Schatz	6150	-55	4	17	36	0
5	Joey Saldana	6130	-75	5	16	32	6
6	Kraig Kinser	6059	-146	4	17	32	5
7	Cody Darrah	5771	-434	1	13	22	2
8	Kerry Madsen	5733	-472	3	8	23	1
9	Chad Kemenah	5685	-520	2	8	22	2
10	Lucas Wolfe	5396	-809	0	5	15	1
11	Bill Rose	4920	-1285	0	0	8	0
12	Jason Sides	4006	-2199	0	11	18	0
13	Daryn Pittman	2462	-3743	0	6	13	1
14	Danny Lasoski	2356	-3849	1	5	8	0
15	David Gravel	2310	-3895	0	7	9	4
16	Tim Kaeding	2301	-3904	3	5	10	0
17	Paul McMahan	2221	-3984	1	2	3	0
18	Jac Haudenschild	2054	-4151	0	1	2	0
19	Austen Wheatley	1818	-4387	0	0	2	0
20	Brad Sweet	1779	-4426	1	5	8	1

August 1, 2012

Posse 1, Outlaws 0: Dietrich Claims The Gettysburg Clash

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The Pennsylvanian collects his first career World of Outlaws victory at Lincoln

ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. — May 10, 2012 — The flash bulbs kept popping, the confetti kept falling and the celebration kept intensifying.

It wasn’t a normal Victory Lane. Then again, Danny Dietrich isn’t a normal winner and the World of Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse rivalry isn’t a normal matchup.

Dietrich, a native Pennsylvanian whose 24^th birthday is a week and a half away, picked up his first career World of Outlaws victory on Thursday in The Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway.

“Words can’t express,” a beaming Dietrich said. “I’m ready to go drink a few beers.”

Dietrich was dominant in the first World of Outlaws event at the semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval since 1998. After starting seventh, he was up to fourth place within the first three laps. Following a caution on lap four for Alan Krimes, who spun in turn one, Dietrich took little time finding the lead.

He passed Danny Lasoski for third on the backstretch of lap four and then blew by polesitter Lance Dewease for the runner-up position on the ensuing lap. Dietrich edged Sam Hafetertepe Jr. for the lead as the duo cross the finish line on lap six and quickly checked out.

“When he drove around us on the outside I knew that there was nobody going to beat him tonight,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “That’s the most dominant car that’s been out here in a long time.”

Dietrich had to survive four cautions, including the final three for drivers who had trouble while running in the top 10. Lasoski slowed dramatically on the backstretch on lap 18 and Adam Wilt hit the wall in turn two on lap 24. The final caution came on the restart for fifth-running Doug Esh, who came to a stop in turn two after colliding with another driver.

Despite double-file restarts, Dietrich rocketed to the lead every time and never faced a stiff challenge once he found the top spot.

“All about knowing the track and getting the setup right,” he said. “I felt like we hit it perfect from the drop of the green and hopefully we can do that the rest of the weekend.

“This is pretty much a normal Saturday night for us. We’ve been fast. We just had to clear up a few issues. Luckily we put it all together tonight.”

It was the third win of the season for Dietrich, which comes as no surprise to Dewease.

“Danny deserves to win,” he said after finishing second. “He’s been the best race car in Central PA all year and definitely the best race car here all year.

“He started seventh so he must have been pretty good to get up through there that quick. I’m sure he got to the top before a lot of people did, but he can run anywhere at this race track.”

Hafertepe Jr. was third with Cory Haas charging from 17^th to finish fourth. Lucas Wolfe, who hails from nearby Mechanicsburg, was the top World of Outlaws driver as he placed fifth.

Kevin Nouse earned the KSE Hard Charger Award after maneuvering from 23^rd to sixth. Donny Schatz finished seventh and is the new World of Outlaws points leader. It marks the sixth consecutive race the top spot has changed.

Fred Rahmer drove from 22^nd to eighth, Daryn Pittman finished ninth and Gerard McIntyre rounded out the top 10.

Sammy Swindell, who entered the event with the World of Outlaws points lead, set quick time with a lap of 14.501 seconds. Wolfe, Chad Kemenah, McIntyre and Esh each claimed a heat race, with Bill Stine winning the C Main and Brad McClelland the Last Chance Showdown.

The World of Outlaws face the Posse at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg on Friday and Saturday.

“We’re strong,” Dietrich said of the Posse. “I think we’re always fast when the Outlaws come to town. Hopefully we can keep it up.”

The Gettysburg Clash Notebook

CONTINGENCY WINNERS – Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): Brian Montieth; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Cory Haas; Armor All (case of product): Cory Haas; STP ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; UNOH ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Alan Krimes; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Gerard McIntyre; JE Pistons (set of rings): Alan Krimes; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Cody Darrah; Wix Filters ($50 cash): Stevie Smith; Superflow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad McClelland; JE Pistons (set of rings): Craig Dollansky; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Kraig Kinser; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Brad McClelland.

WINNERS – Sammy Swindell – 4 (Eldora Speedway on May 5, Knoxville Raceway on April 28, Missouri State Fair Speedway on April 20 and Merced Speedway on March 30); Donny Schatz – 3 (Farmer City Raceway on April 25, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Craig Dollansky – 2 (Tri-State Speedway on April 21 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Tim Kaeding – 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); Joey Saldana – 2 (Paducah International Raceway on April 13 and Perris Auto Speedway on March 10); Danny Dietrich – 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 10); Chad Kemenah – 1 (Eldora Speedway on May 4); Danny Lasoski – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18).

TIME TRIALS – Sammy Swindell was the fastest qualifier around the 3/8-mile oval with a time of 14.501 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Donny Schatz (4 points), Adam Wilt (3), Daryn Pittman (2) and Jac Haudenschild (1).

The Gettysburg Clash Statistical Report; Lincoln Speedway; Abbottstown, Pa.; May 10, 2012

A-Main – (30 Laps) – 1. 48-Danny Dietrich [7] [$6,000]; 2. 30C-Lance Dewease [1] [$3,500]; 3. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr [2] [$2,000]; 4. 11C-Cory Haas [17] [$1,800]; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [5] [$1,500]; 6. 14-Kevin Nouse [23] [$1,400]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [6] [$1,350]; 8. 51-Fred Rahmer [22] [$1,300]; 9. 27-Daryn Pittman [12] [$1,250]; 10. 85-Gerard McIntyre [10] [$1,200]; 11. 87-Alan Krimes [26] [$400]; 12. 4-Cody Darrah [27] [$300]; 13. 19-Stevie Smith [19] [$700]; 14. 11-Steve Kinser [20] [$650]; 15. 63-Chad Kemenah [9] [$600]; 16. 21-Brian Montieth [24] [$550]; 17. 6B-Brad McClelland [16] [$500]; 18. 1-Sammy Swindell [11] [$500]; 19. 9-Joey Saldana [21] [$500]; 20. 5-Jac Haudenschild [13] [$500]; 21. 69-Tim Glatfelter [18] [$500]; 22. 7-Craig Dollansky [15] [$500]; 23. 30-Doug Esh [8] [$500]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25] [$]; 25. 15A-Adam Wilt [4] [$500]; 26. 98-Danny Lasoski [3] [$500]; 27. 19M-Brent Marks [14] [$500]; 28. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr. [28] [$]. Lap Leaders: Sam Hafertepe Jr. 1-5, Danny Dietrich 6-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 14-Kevin Nouse [+17].

Qualifying – 1. 1-Sammy Swindell, 14.501; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.765; 3. 15A-Adam Wilt, 14.828; 4. 27-Daryn Pittman, 14.856; 5. 5-Jac Haudenschild, 14.908; 6. 98-Danny Lasoski, 14.911; 7. 19M-Brent Marks, 14.913; 8. 7-Craig Dollansky, 14.930; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 14.954; 10. 6B-Brad McClelland, 14.959; 11. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 15.061; 12. 30C-Lance Dewease, 15.069; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich, 15.078; 14. 63-Chad Kemenah, 15.080; 15. 85-Gerard McIntyre, 15.092; 16. 30-Doug Esh, 15.109; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.115; 18. 11C-Cory Haas, 15.138; 19. 69-Tim Glatfelter, 15.150; 20. 29-Kerry Madsen, 15.152; 21. 19-Stevie Smith, 15.160; 22. 11-Steve Kinser, 15.163; 23. 9-Joey Saldana, 15.173; 24. 51-Fred Rahmer, 15.186; 25. 92-Niki Young, 15.206; 26. 13-Paul McMahan, 15.217; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.254; 28. 4-Cody Darrah, 15.316; 29. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr., 15.348; 30. 77-Aaron Ott, 15.350; 31. 14-Kevin Nouse, 15.377; 32. 87-Alan Krimes, 15.386; 33. 21-Brian Montieth, 15.450; 34. 2-Ryan Bohlke, 15.485; 35. 71X-Bill Stine, 15.486; 36. 3B-Randy Baughman, 15.501; 37. 59-Jim Siegel, 15.535; 38. 54-Cap Henry, 15.565; 39. 65-Johnny Mackison, 15.640; 40. 5T-Glenndon Forsythe, 15.666; 41. 95-Hunter Mackison, 15.673; 42. 70-Sam Schlosberg, 15.750; 43. 20S-Derek Sell, 15.796; 44. 6-Bill Rose, 15.838; 45. 23-Todd Zinn, 16.282.

Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [1]; 3. 5-Jac Haudenschild [3]; 4. 19-Stevie Smith [6]; 5. 21-Brian Montieth [9]; 6. 1-Sammy Swindell [4]; 7. 92-Niki Young [7]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 9. 59-Jim Siegel [10]; 10. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr. [8]; 11. 95-Hunter Mackison [11]; 12. 23-Todd Zinn [12].

Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 63-Chad Kemenah [1]; 2. 98-Danny Lasoski [3]; 3. 11C-Cory Haas [5]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 5. 11-Steve Kinser [6]; 6. 77-Aaron Ott [8]; 7. 2-Ryan Bohlke [9]; 8. 54-Cap Henry [10]; 9. 6B-Brad McClelland [2]; 10. 70-Sam Schlosberg [11]; 11. 13-Paul McMahan [7].

Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 85-Gerard McIntyre [1]; 2. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr [2]; 3. 19M-Brent Marks [3]; 4. 15A-Adam Wilt [4]; 5. 9-Joey Saldana [6]; 6. 69-Tim Glatfelter [5]; 7. 14-Kevin Nouse [8]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 9. 71X-Bill Stine [9]; 10. 65-Johnny Mackison [10]; 11. 20S-Derek Sell [11].

Heat 4 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 30-Doug Esh [1]; 2. 30C-Lance Dewease [2]; 3. 7-Craig Dollansky [3]; 4. 27-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 51-Fred Rahmer [6]; 6. 4-Cody Darrah [7]; 7. 87-Alan Krimes [8]; 8. 29-Kerry Madsen [5]; 9. 3B-Randy Baughman [9]; 10. 6-Bill Rose [11]; 11. 5T-Glenndon Forsythe [10].

Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 30C-Lance Dewease [1]; 2. 1Z-Sam Hafertepe Jr [2]; 3. 98-Danny Lasoski [4]; 4. 15A-Adam Wilt [5]; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [3]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [6]; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich [7]; 8. 30-Doug Esh [10]; 9. 63-Chad Kemenah [8]; 10. 85-Gerard McIntyre [9].

C-Main – (10 Laps – Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) – 1. 71X-Bill Stine [1] [-]; 2. 65-Johnny Mackison [4] [-]; 3. 59-Jim Siegel [3] [$150]; 4. 70-Sam Schlosberg [7] [$125]; 5. 5T-Glenndon Forsythe [5] [$125]; 6. 3B-Randy Baughman [2] [$100]; 7. 95-Hunter Mackison [6] [$100]; 8. 23-Todd Zinn [9] [$100]; 9. 6-Bill Rose [8] [$100]; 10. 54-Cap Henry [10] [$100]; 11. 20S-Derek Sell [11] [$100].

B-Main – (12 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 6B-Brad McClelland [2] [-]; 2. 69-Tim Glatfelter [4] [-]; 3. 1-Sammy Swindell [1] [-]; 4. 14-Kevin Nouse [12] [-]; 5. 4-Cody Darrah [9] [$200]; 6. 87-Alan Krimes [13] [$180]; 7. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr. [10] [$175]; 8. 71X-Bill Stine [15] [$160]; 9. 65-Johnny Mackison [16] [$150]; 10. 29-Kerry Madsen [5] [$150]; 11. 13-Paul McMahan [7] [$150]; 12. 2-Ryan Bohlke [14] [$150]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8] [$150]; 14. 92-Niki Young [6] [$150]; 15. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] [$150]; 16. 77-Aaron Ott [11] [$150].

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings

Pos.	Driver	Total	Diff	Wins	T5s	T10s	QT
1	Donny Schatz	2223	0	3	7	14	0
2	Sammy Swindell	2213	-10	4	9	12	3
3	Joey Saldana	2166	-57	2	7	12	2
4	Steve Kinser	2152	-71	0	6	11	0
5	Kraig Kinser	2100	-123	0	4	11	2
6	Craig Dollansky	2069	-154	2	6	8	1
7	Cody Darrah	1986	-237	0	3	5	0
8	Chad Kemenah	1976	-247	1	2	6	2
9	Jason Sides	1974	-249	0	5	9	0
10	Lucas Wolfe	1914	-309	0	1	4	0

May 11, 2012

Simple Physics spoils Talladega

[media-credit name=”Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]For a long time I have said of Talladega and Daytona that they are multi-million dollar junk yards. This year was no different but this time it could all be laid at NASCAR’s feet.

In Daytona, in an effort to break up the tandem draft, NASCAR altered the grill opening and the radiator capacity and put a pressure valve in the cooling system of the cars. The purpose was to keep the cars from pushing one another for laps at a time. They lowered the rear bumper cover. They decreased the size of the spoiler. End result they broke up tandem drafting successfully and sent the teams back to pack racing.

No I have no problem with pack racing. It was certainly more exciting than surrey racing. But NASCAR did not take into consideration the change of seasons and climates.Talladega in the spring is much warmer temperature wise than Daytona in February. When they made no changes for the 90 degree ambient temperature in Alabama, they created a race situation that was hardly a race. A very sarcastic Tony Stewart said post race, “The racing was awesome,” Stewart said. “It’s fun to be able to race and have to watch the (overheating) gauges at the same time. It just adds that much more. Being able to make yourself run on the apron and everything to try to get clean air, it makes it fun.”

Teams spent most of the day monitoring water pressure and temperature gauges and trying to hold together engines that were overheating kind of like a boiling tea kettle. Basically the overheating situations made it impossible for the cars to race. At one point in the race Jeff Gordon said ‘My (water) pressure is way high. The temperatures are not flashing but I gotta get out of here.” How exactly do you get out of a pack that has 40 cars in it without wrecking 10 of them and yourself?

The temperatures affected the ability for teams to fuel the cars. Alcohol is lighter than the petroleum fuel and is much more temperature sensitive. When you add the humidity at Talladega you created a vapor lock type situation where the teams couldn’t get the car full of fuel. With no venting in the can or the system it makes impossible to force the air out of the system and replace it with fuel. Think about the finger on the end of the straw trick. If you heat the straw it doesn’t work as well. It’s more difficult to get fluid into the straw. Now I understand that DW is of the opinion that the fuel was vaporizing from the cars but that is simply not true.

What is true is that more and more NASCAR shows that its cost containment measures are merely a control of competition measure. The COT itself is more expensive to build. The new EFI system is much more expensive to build, monitor and maintain. And then to decrease the cooling capability of the car on an engine that now uses Ethanol which burns hotter than petroleum fuel you are asking to blow up and destroy very very expensive and highly specialized engines.

NASCAR needs to once again examine its mandates for teams on the Super Speedways. To force drivers to watch gauges and pressures in packs moving 190 mph is asking for disaster. To put them in packs, which they should, but take away the ability to keep the million dollar engines from blowing up because no air can get to the engine and the engine is trying to cool itself on 2 gallons of water is poor judgment at the very best. It creates situations that even the skills of the best stock car drivers in the world can’t maneuver out of.

Speaking of maneuvering, huge display of car control by Dale Earnhardt Jr in getting through the first wreck of the day by slicing and dicing his way through the carnage, it was just another example of the talent that is often overlooked behind the wheel of the 88.

Another point of contention this weekend occurred at the checkered flag in the Nationwide race. It was yet another blatant example of double standards in NASCAR. Sam Hornish, Jr. suffered a flat right front tire coming out of four and with the limited control that brings got into Danica Patrick who got into the wall. Patrick retaliated after the checkered flag going into one on the cool down lap and spun the car of Hornish into the wall.

NASCAR turned a blind eye to situation, even though when compared to video tape of the Busch/Hornaday incident in Texas they appear to be very similar. Busch as you will recall had been placed on probation for similar incidents and was then sat out for the remainder of the Texas weekend. Patrick however, was not even called to the trailer.

Let me just say that the touch me not attitude and the tantrums that are synonymous with Danica’s reputation are a result of sanctioning bodies not holding her to the same standards as every other driver on the track. It was those tantrums that made Indy Car breathe a sigh of relief when she left for NASCAR on a full time basis.

If you are going to climb in and race with the boys you have to expect to be treated exactly like one of them. Because when you climb in that car you are no longer male or female. You are a driver period. I was very disappointed that NASCAR didn’t at least issue a warning about the behavior. Especially in light of the fact that she once again crawls in a Cup Car at Darlington. To let this slide says it’s ok for her to continue this behavior. It is not ok for Kyle Busch or Kevin Harvick or Carl Edwards or Denny Hamlin but it is ok for Danica. Honestly folks that simply doesn’t fly. It does however add another color to the WWE palate that NASCAR has begun to resemble.

Congratulations to this weeks winners. Kyle Larson and Tracy Hines in USAC competition, Chad Kemenah and Sammy Swindell in World of Outlaws competition, Brandon McReynolds in ARCA competition, Joey Logano on his NNS win and Brad Keselowski on his Sprint Cup Series win.

Thoughts and prayers continue for Eric McClure and his family as he continues to recover after a very frightening crash during the NNS race on Saturday.

That said, to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.

May 7, 2012
Swindell Walks The Dog for Victory Number 4

[media-credit name=”World of Outlaws” align=”alignright” width=”224″][/media-credit]

The Goodyear Outlaw Thunder returned to Eldora last night for it’s final night. It’s final night would prove much calmer than it’s first. And would see Sammy Swindell take the checkered flag for the 4th time this season.

After qualifying seventh quickest, Swindell drove from third to second in both his heat race and the dash. He then rocketed to the lead at the start of the feature, which went caution free for 24 laps before Jason Sides’ flat left rear tire brought out a yellow flag.

“The way the car was rolling through there I knew that if somebody was faster, they’d have to be just really awesome because this thing was almost on rails,” Swindell said. “It was just stuck down so hard I could just drive around there like I’m driving down the freeway.”

The caution eliminated nearly a straightaway lead for Swindell, who took little time in reestablishing a sizeable advantage. However, Kraig Kinser sustained a flat left rear tire with two laps remaining to bring out the final caution of the race.

Joey Saldana, who ran second for most of the race, began to slow a couple of laps before the caution because of an engine issue. Swindell chose the outside lane on the double-file restart and Saldana’s car was slow to take off, bogging the inside lane on the start and dropping him to sixth by turn one.

Swindell sailed to the win as Dale Blaney used the late cautions to pick up a pair of positions.

“We were probably going to run fourth until those last couple of yellows,” he said after finishing second. “They kind of helped us out. Sometimes yellows can help or hurt, and tonight they helped a little bit.

“(Swindell) was awful good all night long. He drove away from us early. He was definitely a better car than us and it would have took a little bit of problem from him for us to get up to him. I just wasn’t good enough from the center off to get a run on guys to slide them.”

Craig Dollansky also capitalized on the two cautions to drive from sixth to third in the final five laps.

“My car got good as the race wore on,” he said. “Late in the race was when my car felt the best.

“Any time you can come out with a top three with this group of teams here, it’s a pretty good night.”

David Gravel, who set fast time for the second night in a row, finished fourth and Daryn Pittman drove from 11^th to round out the top five.

Schatz overcame an early issue of his own and rebounded in the feature. After advancing from eighth to third in the Last Chance Showdown to earn a transfer, Schatz started the main event in 24^th. He restarted 14^th on the caution with six laps remaining and then restarted ninth on the green-white-checker.

Schatz finished sixth and he earned the KSE Hard Charger Award for a series-best third time this season.

Saldana placed seventh, Steve Kinser was eighth, Greg Wilson ended ninth and Friday night winner Chad Kemenah rallied from 22^nd to conclude the top 10.

Paul McMahan won a heat race and the dash, and Trey Starks, Steve Kinser and Jac Haudenschild earned heat wins. Tony Stewart claimed the Last Chance Showdown.

Swindell and Schatz have exchanged the points lead 8 times in 15 events making it the most hotly contested championship battle in World of Outlaws History.

May 7, 2012
Eldora Hosts Goodyear Outlaw Thunder

[media-credit name=”Photo Courtesy of Tear Off Haven Fotos” align=”alignright” width=”245″][/media-credit]The World of Outlaws returned for the first time this year to the historic and storied Eldora Speedway. Eldora’s legend and myth are so intertwined with her reality that they can never be truly separated. Her reputation has been gained over the years and has been formed by the perspective of the men who have raced on her surface. She has created champions. She has broken hopeful younsters. She has played host to royalty, millionaires, champions and legends, yet her heart will always belong to those that fill her seats every week.

Eldora’s trophy is as sought after as the man who calls her his own and has since 2004. Tony Stewart added new catch fencing and a digital scoreboard. A weather alert system to benefit the community and visitors to the track. A smaller track for quarter midgets and an ecologically benficial track preservation system to grow the tracks dirt surface stronger. He brought the diamond of the past that helped form his beloved roots of dirt racing, into the present. Now he has began the journey that will solidify her influence long into the future of the sport.

Tonight was nothing different for Eldora. She was tough and unforgiving. A total of 10 cautions would slow the normally lightening fast Outlaws with multiple car wrecks and wild rolls leaving drivers safe but shaken and cars piles of brutalized rubble. There were freak happenings that left the casual and die hard fan alike shaking their heads in wonder and a showing of skills that illustrated why they call it “The Greatest Show on Dirt”.

The night began with a feeling of excitement in the air. Track owner Tony Stewart had announced on Thursday that he would be altering his schedule at Talladega in order to run both nights of the Goodyear Outlaw Thunder at Eldora. When the gates opened the red white and blue Office Depot number 14 was indeed in the pits and its driver was indeed at the track. Stewart who skipped the final practice at Talladega to be present and compete, showed that he was not only a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel of a race vehicle, but he also understood the importance of the role of track owner and promoter.

Qualifying was an omen of things to come with David Gravel being the fastest in qualifying with a lap of 13.228 seconds, which was only three-thousandths quicker than Chad Kemenah. Steve Kinser (13.277 seconds), Daryn Pittman (13.288) and Jac Haudenschild (13.291) completed the top five. The top 20 drivers were separated by less than three-tenths of a second.

The heat races were quick. The first heat was won by Dale Blaney (older brother of Dave Blaney) and transferred Jac Haudenschild, Trey Starks, David Gravel and Tony Stewart to the A Main. The second heat was won by Craig Dollansky and transferred Joey Saldana, Donny Schatz, Jason Sides and Chad Kemenah to the A. The third heat was won by Kerry Madsen and transferred Steve Kinser, ‎Stevie Smith, Cody Darrah and Cap Henry to the A. The final heat would be won by Sammy Swindell and transferred Tim Shaffer, Daryn Pittman, Greg Wilson and Danny Holtgraver to the A main.

The Dash inversion was a 4. Putting Jac Haudenshild on the front row next to Steve Kinser. The fast qualifier would start on the outside 2^nd row. Haudenschild would dominate the dash to take the pole with 20 time Outlaw Champion, Steve Kinser coming home second. With the top 5 rows set it was time for the B Main.

The B Main started 13 cars and transferred 4 to the A. Kraig Kinser would start on the pole and would win the race handily followed by Paul McMahan, Randy Hannagan, Bryan Sebetto. Note of interest here – Sheldon Haudenschild the son of Jac Haudenschild was running in the top 10 of the B Main when an engine expired taking him out of competition. The younger Haudenschild was giving a strong accounting of the education he had received from his father.

The A Main saw cautions for debris that launched from the track surface breaking out one of the front stretch lights and showering the track with glass, exploding tires, Sammy Swindell, a multi car wreck that took out the top 5. The leader, Jac Haudenschild, pit for fuel which is not allowed in the Outlaws except under open red conditions. The leader, Dale Blaney, pit for a flat tire that he changed outside the work area and thus was not allowed to return to the track.

There was 3 wide racing and side by side racing throughout the field from the drop of the green. There was not a single position that was not hotly contested on the track by some of the best drivers in the world. Steve Kinser who would have a tire go down would return to finish 3^rd. Sammy Swindell would return to the track to finish 6^th. Power slides through every corner. Wheel to wheel down the front and back stretches as this field of magicians fought for Eldora’s crown and a $10,000 purse.

When the checkered flag dropped it was Chad Kemenah who went home the winner. A very emotional Kemenah said in Victory Lane,

“We got lucky there, you don’t want to win like that, but we’ve given some away so I’m not complaining. A win is a win and they pay the same.

“When you’re this close to home it makes it that much better. It’s only an hour and a half to home, so this is kinda like home to me.”

“The last time I won, my wife fired me. I see her down there and it looks alright. I don’t think I am getting fired this time” said Kemenah.

The top ten finishers were Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, Cody Darrah, Daryn Pittman, Sammy Swindell, Tony Stewart, Joey Saldana, Kraig Kinser, and Cap Henry. The top 9 cars were the only cars remaining on the lead lap.

Donny Schatz would drive from 12th to 2nd and finish the night with a 1 point lead over Sammy Swindell in the Outlaw Points. “There were a lot of things going on and I’m glad we weren’t in it,” Schatz said. “We had a so-so car; it wasn’t the greatest. We were just kinda riding around and trying to be cautious and stay out of trouble.”

The Outlaws will return to Eldora for night 2 of the Goodyear Outlaw Thunder tomorrow night with racing beginning at 730 EST.

Eldora seemed to sigh as the dust cleared away as though she had revisited the echoes of her past and added the echoes of tonight to them. Tonight she smiled on a young man who took home only his second victory but what a victory it was. Chad Kemenah would never forget the beautiful lady in Ohio who bolstered his confidence for one night. And she would never forget him. Her records would forever show that on this hot humid night in May Chad Kemenah won at Eldora.

May 5, 2012

Tag: Chad Kemenah

Steve Kinser Notches Win 574 At Rolling Wheels Raceway

Stewart Rules at Ohsweken!

Posse 1, Outlaws 0: Dietrich Claims The Gettysburg Clash

Simple Physics spoils Talladega

Swindell Walks The Dog for Victory Number 4

Eldora Hosts Goodyear Outlaw Thunder