LAST LAP HEROICS EARN HEARN A WIN AT LEBANON VALLEY

May 22, 2004

WEST LEBANON, NY-Brett Hearn left the fans speechless after the 30-lap modified feature at Lebanon Valley on Saturday night. His performance in the Gable Motorsports-Budweiser #1 will have the fans talking for years to come. He went from third to first in the final turn of the last lap to claim his second victory of the season. Second-generation driver, Jeff Watson won the 20-lap sportsman feature; it was his second career victory. Rob Yetman took home his third win of the year in the 20-lap pro stock main. Ronnie Jacobsen won the rookie pro stock race for the second time this season. The pure stock winners were Ryan Coon, Mike Eichstedt, Pete Defiglio and Pete Wiegand. A special thanks goes out to St. Lawrence Cement for sponsoring the night's activities.

Matt Quinn and Andy Bachetti led the field down for the start of the 30-lap modified feature. These two drivers have not had a very good start to the 2004 campaign, thus the front row starting positions. You could tell that these two drivers were extremely eager to get to victory lane. The story line through much of the race was the battle that Bachetti and Quinn waged side by side. The front two cars set a torrid pace and were ahead of the third place car by a full straightaway by lap ten. The first caution flag of the race did not come out until lap 14 as Hector Stratton suffered a right rear flat tire. Stratton the winner two weeks ago wrecked his primary car during the qualifying events and had to borrow Ron Dwyer's back-up car for the feature. Unfortunately Dwyer' generosity did not buy him good karma because on the restart he got tagged and hit the outside wall in turn four very hard. The halfway point saw Quinn still on top with Bachetti second, John Hewitt third, Paul Gilardi fourth and Mike King fifth. King's top five run came to an end two laps later as he got tagged from behind and hit the turn four wall also.

Hearn had worked his way up from his 14th place starting position to be third by lap 18. J.R. Heffner was leading the overall point standings coming into this event and was looking to expand his lead. He moved into fourth behind Hearn on lap 19. With no caution flags to assist him Hearn started to slowly reel in the top two cars. He caught the lead duo on lap 22 and the stage was set for one of the best finishes in the history of the speedway. As the field took the white flag for the final lap Hearn made a move on Bachetti for second. They went side by side down the backstretch with Hearn underneath Bachetti. Hearn made the pass going into turn three and was now second. Quinn bobbled briefly going into turn four and Hearn pounced at the chance. Hearn out-motored Quinn coming off turn four and walked away with the surprise victory. "Even I am surprised to be here' Hearn said in victory lane afterwards. "I didn't think with being third on the final lap that I would be able to pull off a victory."

Two of the young guns in the sportsman division, Jeff Watson and Ryan Larkin led the field to the start of the 20-lap sportsman feature. Larkin held the early advantage but the caution flew immediately on lap one. K.C. Goewey was sent hard into the turn one wall and was done for the night. On the restart Watson was able to get the top spot. Art Collins was looking to make his sponsor proud on their night and moved in second on lap seven. At the halfway point Bobby Knipe had worked his way up to third.

The second half of the race looked to be shaping up just like the modified feature as three cars were getting ready to wage war for the victory. Knipe grabbed the second spot from Collins on lap 17. He tried to run Watson down and got close enough to touch his rear bumper in lapped traffic, but Watson hung on for the win. Collins came across the stripe in third, Larkin fourth and Ed Harkins rounded out the top five.

Jay Casey held the top spot for the first ten laps of the 20-lap pro stock feature. Danny Sanchez was running second but got a little anxious going into turn three and he and the leader went spinning around. Robbie Speed's bad luck continued as he was caught up in the incident as well. Buddy Hencke made a little contact with the spinning cars on the way by but inherited the lead with Paul LaRochelle and Rob Yetman in tow. Sanchez's night ended the very next lap in a plume of smoke. Yetman made his bid for the lead on lap 12 and pulled away. Hencke dropped from the race on lap 14. Yetman was very strong as he Beer Belly Bob #7 took its third win of the season. LaRochelle finished in the runner-up position. Bill Lobdell had a vicious wreck in his qualifier earlier in the evening. The crew worked feverishly to repair the damage so he could start the main event. He started dead last in the race and finished third. Jim Langenback was fourth and Jay Corbin rounded out the top five.

The Memorial Day Weekend will see two great nights of racing on the high banks. On Saturday night there will be Twin 20's for the modifieds as well as all the regular divisions. Race time is 6:00. Then on Memorial Day CARQUEST presents The World of Outlaws sprint cars. The "Mean 15" roll into the high banks to challenge on of the fastest half-miles in the country. Some of the Pennsylvania Posse will be on hand to see if the can give the Outlaws a run for their money. Heat races start at 7:00 with time trials taking place before then. For more information about the speedway check us out online at www.lebanonvalley.com or call the speedway at (518) 794-9606 for more information.