Super Matt Conquers the High Banks’ Special 100 Lap Shootout
Saturday June 6, 2009
By: Rodney Rescott
Just after crossing the Columbia County line heading west on NYS Route 20 there is a bend in the road that when rounded, reveals the legendary high banks at Lebanon Valley Speedway. And this past Saturday was a special Saturday night program as the cars and stars of the Super DirtCar Series invaded the Valley of Speed for a 100 lap spectacular.
Able Tractor and Greylock Federal Credit Union ordered spectacular weather with clear skies and temperatures in the 80’s, for this rare 100 lap event on top of the regular Saturday night schedule of events. 40 teams packed into infield to try and get one of the coveted 30 spot starting grid while the fans swormed the stands to get the best seat in the house for the hot racing action about to unfold.
Keith Flach set fast time of all qualifiers and had to redraw with the top 3 finishers in each of the 4 heats. Flach had to settle for starting 12th, as Super Matt Sheppard drew starting spot #1 with Brian Berger drawing #2.
Sheppard #9S brought the field to the green flag and jumped out into the lead over Berger by the exit of turn 2. The loaded field featured several past extra distance winners at the Valley of Speed. Billy Decker started back in 22nd, Danny Johnson was 21st, Andy Bachetti started 8th, Kenny Tremont Jr 6th, and Brett Hearn 5th, to set the stage for a long 100 lap battle.
Once the field shook out and settled into racing the track known to be unforgiving with the smallest of mistakes. By lap 10 Sheppard was still in control with Berger still in tow. Steve Hough and Brett Hearn were battling for 3rd, while Stratton was rolling in 5th.
Hearn found the high groove to his liking and began a steady charge to the front. By lap 20 the #20 made his way into the runner up spot. By lap 30 the Valley of Speed began to take it’s toll on the invades as well as the Valley regulars. Kenny Tremont was the first of the starters to go pitside with mechanical issues while Alan Johnson also retired early.
Danny Johnson was next to retire as Sheppard was still controlling the top spot by the 40th lap. Quietly coming through the field was the #34B of And Bachetti as he cracked the top 5. The first caution flew on lap 44 for the #34H of Steve Hough as he made hard contact with the turn 4 wall causing terminal damage to his front suspension.
Hearn now had his opportunity to try and make a run at Sheppard, but as the green flew, the #9S charged back out front and in control. After a handful of laps, he pulled a comfortable lead on Hearn and settled back into his groove.
By lap 65 Bachetti began to pressure Hearn for 2nd as he found a faster lane on the bottom and completed the pass by lap 67. With just 30 lap remaining, Bachetti has his work cut out to hunt down the #9S and make a charge for the top spot.
The battle for the top spot was in full swing but the caution flew again on lap 79 for Billy Decker, as an exploded right rear tire sidelined the #91. Once the field gather back together, Bachetti had one shot at Sheppard as the green flew again.
Under big pressure from the #34B, Sheppard dialed in more brake to adjust to the changed track conditions and began to charge away from Bachetti. And that was all the #34B had as Matt Sheppard put on the cruise control and powered home to his first long distance affair at the Valley of Speed.
At the line behind the #9S was Bachetti, followed by Hearn, Brian Berger settled for 4th while Mark Flach Jr worked his way into a 5th place finish.
If that wasn’t enough, there was even more racing earlier in the evening. First up on the docket was the 20 lap Pro Stock feature event. On the front row was the #04 of Tom Harkins and the #78 of Paul LaRochelle. At the start the #243 slowed with motor issues and was forced pitside.
LaRochelle took control of the race early with the #88 of Tim Sayers in tow. The caution flew on lap 6 for the #8 of Jay Corbin suffered a flat tire. A few more caution ensued until lap 9 when contact between the #88 and the #35 of Rick Dempsey sent the two spinning into the infield on the front stretch. On the next restart, the #24 of Robbie Speed charged from 2nd into the lead from LaRochelle.
By lap 10, Don Carlson jumped into 2nd, with Corbin charging back to 3rd by lap 10. Lap 14 feature contact with the #25 of Chad Jeseo and the #12S of Matt Shadic. After a brief red flag to over turn Jeseo’s flipped car, racing was under way.
Both Carlson and Corbin tried in vein to unseat Speed, as the checkered flags flew with the #24 snagging the win. Carlson and Corbin were followed by Steve Hankle, and Jay Casey completed the top 5. Frankie Twing captured the Limited pro Stock class win.
The final feature event on the schedule was the 20 lap Sportsman shoot out. Kevin Petrucci and Brian Sandstedt took the field down the front shute for the start. Petrucci took the lead early, but the #12 of Sandstedt charged past by lap 3. But the lead was short lived as Neil Stratton charged by Sandstedt on the high side, and took control of the field.
That was all Stratton needed as he charged out to a commanding lead and never looked back. Sandstedt had to settle for 2nd, while Danny Sanchez jumped to 3rd, Frank Harper 4th, and Kyle Hoffman was 5th.
After a brief rest, the Valley is right back into action this coming Saturday with Keybank and Curtis Hill Modular Homes presenting the card of events that include the return of the Benjamin Moore Paints 358 Super Series. All classes will be in action as the gates open at 5pm.
With June upon us, there is a few great events coming that you need to add to your schedule. June 20 is Kids Nights at the Valley of Speed, with the fan favorite Kiddie Rides available with their favorite drivers. Then it’s right back on the high banks on Tuesday June 23rd for the annual extravaganza named the Eve of Destruction! School Bus Races, Trailer Races, Pure Stock Feature, and much, much more!
For more information, the full schedule, and to get your tickets, visit our website at www.lebanonValley.com, and click on “Speedway”.
Saturday June 6, 2009 - Abele Tractor & Greylock Federal Credit Union Super Dirt Series Modified Results (100 Laps) - 1) Matt Sheppard, 2) Andy Bachetti, 3) Brett Hearn, 4) Brian Berger, 5) Mark Flach Jr, 6) Donnie Corellis, 7) Jimmy Phelps, 8) Guy Sheldon, 9) Dale Planck, 10) Mike Storms, 11) Keith Flach, 12) Justin Haers, 13) Eddie Marshall, 14) Donnie Ackner, 15) Kory Sandstedt, 16) Gary Tompkins, 17) Billy Dunn, 18) Billy Decker, 19) Mike King, 20) Larry Wight, 21) Ryan Phelps, 22) Jeff Brownell Jr, 23) Hector Stratton, 24) Paul Gilardi, 25) Tim Hindley, 26) Steve Hough, 27) Ryan Larkin, 28) Danny Johnson, 29) Alan Johnson, 30) Kenny Tremont Jr, DNS) Tommy Sheetz, DNS) Rich Scagliotta, DNS) Tom Faxon, DNS) Wayne Jelley, DNS) Tim Kerr, DNS) Chris Bradbury, DNS) Skippy Fox, DNS) John Ruchel, DNS) Rich Salisbury, DNS) J. C. Flach, DNS) Matt Quinn, DNS) Kyle Sheldon
Sportsman Results (20 Laps) - 1) Neil Stratton, 2) Brian Sandstedt, 3) Danny Sanchez, 4) Frank Harper, 5) Kyle Hoffman, 6) Kolby Schroder, 7) Kevin Petrucci, 8) Kale Groff, 9) Kyle Armstrong, 10) Kim Herrick, 11) Chad Pierce, 12) Clint Roehrs, 13) Alan Houghtaling, 14) Brandon Piastka, 15) Brett Haas, 16) R. J. Daley, 17) Chris Lynch, 18) Wayne Keyes, 19) Josh Gaylord 20) Jeff Kelly, 21) Duane Quenneville, 22) Paul Knox
Pro Stock Results (20 Laps) - 1) Robbie Speed, 2) Don Carlson, 3) Jay Corbin, 4) Steve Hankle, 5) Jay Casey, 6) Paul LaRochelle, 7) Jason Casey, 8) Matt Shadic, 9) Jeff Kelmel, 10) Brian Keough, 11) John Santolin, 12) Tim Sayers, 13) Nick Hilt, 14) Kevin Arnold, 15) Victor Hopkins, 16) Mark MacDonald, 17) Tom Harkins, 18) Chad Jeseo, 19) Jon Routhier, 20) Rick Dempsey, 21) Frankie Twing (Ltd) 13th, 22) Cord Becker (Ltd) 14th, 23) Paul Engwer (Ltd) 20th, DNS) Jay Casey
Limited Pro Stock Results (20 Laps) - 1) Frankie Twing, 2) Cord Becker, 3) Paul Engwer
Pure Stock #1 Results (8 Laps) - 1) Mark Webb, 2) Chad Arsenault, 3) Harold Tarantino, 4) Lenny Fields, 5) Dave Fachini, 6) John Miller, 7) Bob Camilli, 8) Sean Mandel, 9) Kevin Winters, 10) Matt Parker, 11) Leo Herring, 12) Chris Gero, 13) Scott Adams, DNS) Jeff Wilbur
Pure Stock #2 Results (8 Laps) - 1) James Hatch, 2) John Felarecki, 3) Jeff Douglass, 4) Todd Pelkey, 5) Joe Walcott, 6) Brian Vandenburgh, 7) Ed Hubbard, 8) Dave Houser, 9) Joe Chenail, 10) Jason Meltz, 11) John Quigley, 12) Tim Niles, DQ) Kirk Stanaway DQ) Johnny Lane
Pure Stock #3 Results (8 Laps) - 1) Al Relyea, 2) Phil Wood, 3) Jeff Kreutiziger, 4) Lou Ganczar, 5) Pete Wiegand, 6) Ray Hall Jr, 7) Ed Hatch, 8) Bob Palmer, 9) Chris Streeter, 10) Ray Hall Sr, 11) Rob Partridge Jr, 12) John Devine, 13) Lynn Wesley, 14) Lloyd Tomlin, 15) Doug Olds
For more information, the 2009 schedule, tickets, and links to what's on tap for 2009, visit our website at www.LebanonValley.com, and click on “Speedway”, or call the Speedway Offices during regular business hours at (518) 794-9606 or (518) 794-9965.
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