Port Royal race report 2002-09-07

Dewease scores third career Tuscarora 50 victory.

PORT ROYAL, PA - Now, Lance Dewease is in some good company.

Only four drivers in the 35 year history of the Tuscarora 50 can say they've won the prestigious extra-distance race three times.

Well, make it five.

Dewease's victory Saturday night was his third-career checkered flag in the season's most prestigious race at the Juniata County half-mile oval. He joins Todd Shaffer, Fred Rahmer, the late Mitch Smith and Lynn Paxton.

The victory was a fifth for car owner, Al Hamilton, in the 25-mile event.

The first 25 laps of the feature went non-stop as Sean Michael led followed by Fred Rahmer and Todd Hestor, until lap 10 when Rahmer tried low in turn 4 to get under Michael.

Rahmer couldn't pull off the pass, but Michael went high on the next lap in turn 2 giving Rahmer the edge for the pass and the lead as Dewease moved into third. The cars went in that order until lap 20 when Dewease used a lap car to go high around Michaels to take 2nd.

The feature was halted for 8 minutes to refuel their cars. Greg Hodnett changed tires and would restart on the rear of the field.

On the 27th lap a yellow came out for Brook Weibley whose front axle broke as he collected Josh Wells. On the restart Dewease went low under Rahmer on the front stretch to take the top spot.

Tim Kuhn stopped right before exiting to the pits on lap 39 bringing out the yellow. Todd Hestor who was running 4th came up with a left front flat tire and Cliff Brian who had a right rear flat tire on the same lap.

Chris Knopp and Dustin Hoffman got together in turn 3 the next restart try. On the third try to restart the race 5 cars got together in turn 1 with Len Thompson flipping high and hard with Mark Smith, Alan Cole, Mike Erdley and Rick Lafferty involved bringing out the red.

Dewease's victory came ahead of Rahmer, Michael, Kreitz and Kauffman. Hodnett came home sixth while Chad Layton, Hestor, Alan Cole and Doug Esh completed the top 10.

Smith, Michael, Hestor and Rahmer won Sprint Heats. Kevin Frey won the consolation race.

The slow and tortuous 15-lap Pro Stock feature race went to Jim Palm who led from start to finish. Palm topped Gary Beward, Todd Snook, Dave Leahy and Matt Parks.

Pro Stock heats were won by Beward and John Heane.

Todd Shaffer was presented the money collect Friday night, Todd said, "I want to thank everyone, especially the fans, not just my fans, but all fans who sent cards, called and showed their concern. "I need to get fixed up and I will be back racing."

-prs-