Selinsgrove Speedway race report 2002-05-11

Layton makes it back to back wins in Selinsgrove Sprints, Adams wins second career in late models, Heintzleman fourth in pro stocks

SELINSGROVE, PA -- Harrisburg's Chad Layton made it two in a row in sprints on Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway on an evening sponsored by Apex Homes of Middleburg. For the 12-time 2001 winner and defending speedway champion, the victory served as notice for the rest of the pit area that Layton has returned to winning form and he is ready to record another track title.

In victory lane however, the winner played coy about his intentions. "It's a little too early to worry about another title," said Layton from the winner's circle. "We'll just take it a race at a time and I said it before and I'll say it again, I have the best crew and car I could possibly have." "This surface is awesome, I want to thank the guy who does the track because this is just great," exclaimed the winner.

The initial start of the 25-lap sprint car feature was called back when Todd Reed connected with TJ Stutts in the second turn, bringing out the yellow. At the end of the first lap, it was outside front row starter Tim Higgins of Reading leading the pack over Mifflinburg's John Miller.

With Higgins out in front, third starter Brian Powell of Columbus, NJ, moved into second on the third lap and began chasing the leader. Powell had honed in on Higgins and had just shown his nose to the 31 when the red flag appeared on the eighth circuit for a seven car tangle in turns one and two. Prior to the stoppage, while the race waged on at the front, an intense battle had developed between 12th starter Chad Layton and eighth starter Stutts. The pair swapped the sixth spot several times before the red and when action resumed, Stutts held the spot.

The battle between Stutts and Layton continued on the restart with Stutts moving into fourth with 15 to go. The halfway point found a reversal of fortunes however as Layton had maneuvered into third, behind Higgins and Powell.

The star of the show then tracked down Powell for second and Higgins for the lead to take over at the front with eight to go and check out on the field. Running the inside groove, Layton took the 14th oval win of his career by over a half lap, which equated to a 9.75-second margin.

Second went to Higgins followed by Powell, Nate Snyder of Halifax and Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove.

Sixth through tenth went to Stutts of Liverpool, Babe Mader of New Cumberland, Justin Zimmerman of Salem, Jim Nace of Thompsontown and Jamie Schwartz of Hegins.

Sprint car heats for the 33 entries were won by Tim Higgins, Jamie Schwartz, Justin Zimmerman and Chad Layton.

Brian Buckwalter won the consolation event.

A six-car pileup on the backstretch halted the start of the 20-lap late model feature before polesitter Dave Shulski of Shamokin drove into the lead over Sunbury's Dave Reed. The race quickly became a three-car battle involving Sunbury's Tony Adams as well.

Adams moved into third on the third circuit and soon the front trio was training around the half-mile. Adams was able to get by Reed for second on the eighth lap and he then drove low on Shulski in turn four to take control at the halfway point.

Sponsored by Sunbury Motors, Adams then proceeded to drive away from the field for the win aboard his 88. The victory was only the second of his career at the oval.

Shulski rode home second followed by Reed, Dale Kerstetter of Liverpool and Jeff Smith of Blain.

Late model heats were picked up by Dave Shulski and Jeff Rine.

Troxelville's Ralph "Peanut" Heintzelman Jr. took the lead on lap six of the 12 circuit pro stock feature. Hentzelman's run to the front and eventual win was far from easy however as he had to fend off the three abreast challenges at time from both Gerald Kratzer and Kyle Bachman.

Heintzelman snared the lead from Steve Byers but actually lost the lead to Bachman on the eighth lap only to have a red remand him control. Peanut was up to the challenge on the restart, slamming the door on Kratzer and Bachman to preserve his victory.

Bachman eventually got second followed by Kratzer, Matt Drum and Dave Brouse Sr.

Billy McNeal won the 10-lap nightcap roadrunner feature, his third of the season.

Selinsgrove Speedway returns to racing action on May 18 with Auto Locator Night. The four-division program of sprint cars, late models, pro stocks and roadrunners gets underway at 7 p.m. and features free Auto Locator pens for the first 1,000 fans passing through the gates, which open at 5 p.m. Courtesy of the Mount Joy based new and used automotive shopping catalog, an extra $425 will be on the line for the sprint car winner as well as increases for the late model and pro stock winners.

In speedway news, it has been announced that the June 15 program at Selinsgrove will be highlighted by the Dave's Lawn Care Sprint Car Dash for Cash. June 15 will also be the second of three scheduled camera and autograph nights and the program carries sponsorship from Penn Lyon Homes of Selinsgrove.

Sponsor of Nate Snyder's No. 56 sprint car, Dave's Lawn Care of Halifax will post $500 to the winner of a five-lap dash on June 15. Contestants for the high-dollar, small-distance event will include the first and second place finishers from each of the nights sprint car heats.

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