Williams Grove PA Speedweek 98-07-03

Mechanicsburg, PA (July 3, 1998) - Todd Shaffer became the fourth winner in as many races in the Keystone Pretzels Pennsylvania Speedweek series. "Three times I've been runner-up in this thing," Shaffer said. " Kreitz started coming there at the end and I thought, not again. I blocked a little and picked the right places. I wouldn't have held him off for many more laps." As winner of the 30 lap Mitch Smith Memorial Shaffer took home $10,000.

Shaffer started on the pole but outside polesitter, Don Kreitz got the jump at the start to lead the first lap. On the second lap, Kreitz dove low and Shaffer went to the rim in turn one. Shaffer took the lead in turn two and ran away from the pack.

Kreitz, Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease and Kevin Gobrecht battled for second while Shaffer extended his lead.

Just as Shaffer started to battle with lapped cars, Mike Wagner spun in turn two bringing out the caution. Eight laps were in the books and the top eight cars lined up nose to tail for the restart. Shaffer at the point followed by Kreitz, Rahmer, Dewease, Shepard, Gobrecht, Tim Shaffer, and Dave Ely.

Shaffer enjoyed a comfortable lead over Kreitz until lap twenty when he entered heavy traffic. Within three laps, Shaffer and Kreitz were joined by Rahmer and Gobrecht in a four way battle for the lead.

With 24 laps complete, Fred Rahmer had his left front tire go flat sending him to the pits for a replacement. Rahmer rejoined the field at the rear but was still able to finish seventh.

On the restart, Shaffer and Kreitz raced for the lead with Shaffer riding the rim and Kreitz looking low. Kreitz was able to pull alongside and race side by side but Shaffer held off his challenge to take the win.

Fan favorite, Billy Pauch was in attendance at the Grove tonight. Pauch has been sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury suffered at Williams Grove during a World of Outlaws race. Pauch hopes to get in a modified next week at Bridgeport to get back in shape before attempting a return to the sprint cars. "I'll come back calf roping instead of bull riding" Pauch said when asked about his return.

Mitch Smith Memorial Race Results:

Time Trials (top ten) 1. Jeff Shepard-17.524, 2. Tim Shaffer-17.653, 3. Fred Rahmer-17.669, 4. Lance Dewease-17.669, 5. Don Kreitz Jr.-17.963, 6. Todd Shaffer-18.025, 7. Kevin Gobrecht-18.054, 8. Dave Calaman-18.164, 9. Mike Wagner-18.198, 10. Dave Ely-18.227

Heat One Results (10 laps/5 qualify): 1. 69-Don Kreitz, 2. 4j-Jeff Shepard, 3. 10-Len Thompson, 4. 55-Mike Wagner, 5. 10n-Dave Haight, 6. 87-George Suprick, 7. X-Bobby Weaver, 8. 55s-Bill Sims, 9. 2s-Burt Shoop Time: 3:04.61

Heat Two Results (10 laps/5 qualify): 1. 12-Tim Shaffer, 2. 88-Todd Shaffer, 3. 32w-Brook Weibley, 4. 77e-Dave Ely, 5. 8-Dan Dietrich, 6. 77t-Jess Thomas, 7. 2$-Tim Kuhn, 8. 25-Todd Gracey, 9. 3x-Tom Howe Time: 3:06.13

Heat Three Results (10 laps/5 qualify): 1. 77-Fred Rahmer, 2. 92-Kevin Gobrecht, 3. 53-Shawn Keen, 4. 16-Bill Brian, 5. 7m-Barry Camp, 6. 1/2-Von McGee, 7. 3-Bob Bennett, 8. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr., 9. 12w-Troy Fraker Time: 3:09.34

Heat Race Four Results (10 laps/5 qualify): 1. 17e-Cris Eash, 2. 461-Lance Dewease, 3. 07-Jeff Rohrbaugh, 4. 1-Dave Calaman, 5. 75w-Randy Wolfe, 6. 33-Mike Walter, 7. 32g Randy Glover, 8. 117-Mike Erdley DNS

B-Main Results (10 laps/4 qualify): 1. Mackison, 2. Suprick, 3. Thomas, 4. Kuhn, 5. Weaver, 6. Sims, 7. McGee, 8. Bennett, 9. Shoop, 10. Glover, 11. Walter DNF, 12. Howe DNF, Fraker DNS

Feature Results: 1. Todd Shaffer, 2. Kreitz, 3. Gobrecht, 4. Dewease, 5. Tim Shaffer, 6. Shepard, 7. Rahmer, 8. Ely, 9. Eash, 10. Rohrbaugh, 11. Calaman, 12. Keen, 13. Weibley, 14. Thomas, 15. Thompson, 16. Wagner, 17. Haight, 18. Suprick, 19. Brian, 20. Kuhn, 21. Wolfe, 22. Mackison Jr., 23. Dietrich, 24. Camp

David Reininger - Motorsport News International