Decker Survives to Take Mr. DIRT Title and Big Payday - LVS 8/27/09
Decker Outlasts the Rest for $17,500 and Mr. DIRT Track Title Frank Harper and Robbie Speed Bag Wins Thursday August 27th, 2009 By: Rodney Rescott West Lebanon, NY: Lebanon Valley Speedway had a picture perfect night set for the biggest regular season Super DIRTCar Series event! 42 cars tried to make the field, but only 1 got the money, and the title of Mr. DIRT Track USA. The field was whittled down to a 32 car starting grid. The Budweiser Beer and Hoosier Tire front row of Brett Hearn and Jimmy Phelps brought the field to the green flag. Brett Hearn’s #20 took control of the field early, and began to set sail on a comfortable lead. Caution flew on lap 10 for the #39 of Ryan Larkin slowing on the front stretch. Hearn took control again on the next restart with Phelps’ #98H in tow. Billy Decker settled into 3rd by lap 14 on the Kokosa Oil Inc lap counter. Eddie Marshall moved his #98 into 4th by lap 15. Caution flew again fro the #42 Guy Sheldon slowing on the back stretch. Restart on lap #24 had Hearn still out front of Phelps, Donnie Corellis, and Billy Decker. Corellis faded a bit over the next 2 dozen laps as the field finally settled into a rhythm and settled into the 5th spot. But Hearn’s night came to a sudden end as the right rear axle broke on the #20 on lap 55. Phelps inherited the lead and continued out front running a solid, steady line. Phelps began getting pressure from the #91 of Decker and the two checked out on the rest of the field. After dodging lap traffic and defending the lead, Phelps looked to have everything under control. Until lap 96 when something in the rear gears let go, and the 98H slowed, handing over the lead to the unexpected Decker. The final 4 circuits Decker went unchallenged and went on to earn his 3rd Mr. DIRT Track USA title and the $17,500 payday that came along with it! Eddie Marshall survived to finish 2nd, Matt Sheppard was 3rd, followed by Donnie Corellis and Jeff Brownell Jr to round out the top 5. The Budweiser and Hoosier Tire night of racing action also saw the Sportsman division take to the high banks for a caution filled event that saw the #12 of Brian Sandstedt take a violent wreck into the outside turn 2 wall, taking out a section of billboards after making heavy contact with the #16 of Kyle Hoffman. Then on the subsequent restart, the #77 of Brandon Piastka went out of the park in turn 4 after contact with another car on the restart. After a 12 minute red flag, racing resumed with exciting wheel to wheel action for 20 laps. After a few more cautions, the field finally strung out and the battle was on with the #55 of Brett Haas and the #25 of Frank Harper. The battle continued for several laps until Harper charged by on the inside in turn 3, and took over the top spot, and never looked back. At the checkers, Frank Harper scores his second win of 2009, followed by Neil Stratton, Kolby Schroeder, Brett Haas, and Kyle Armstrong. A 20 lap full fender shoot out was on tap as well as the pro Stocks took to the high banks. On the point was the #17 of Nick Hilt as the green flew. Caution on lap 4 as the #35 lost traction and spun in front of the field collecting the #7 of Rob Yetman. Hilt was still out front as the caution flew again on lap 8 for the #35 again for a blown tire and the slowing car #81 of Gary Ashley. On the restart, the door to door shootout really began as a 5 to 6 car gaggle battled up front for the next 10 laps. At several points throughout the race, the lead pack of 5 cars consisting of Hilt, Robbie Speed, Mike Middleton, Jay Corbin, and Jason Casey were bumper to bumper, and even 3 wide for a few laps in a row without contact! The exciting racing continued, even as the #24 of Robbie Speed finally cleared the #17 of Hilt by lap 18, and checked out. At the checkers, the battle continued for every inch as Speed took the checker. Hilt at to settle for 2nd, followed by Mike Middleton, Jay Corbin, and Jason Casey. Everybody turns and burns and comes right back to the Valley of Speed on Saturday August 29th for the regular Saturday Night program presented by Pepsi. The Modified King of the Track Series returns for the 3rd leg, also the 4 cylinders will be returning. Vintage Modifieds will be on tap displaying and racing vintage race cars for decades past. In addition, a special Canaan Auto Supply $800 to win Pro Stock Clash! For more information, points in all divisions, and the schedule for the remaining 3 events, go to our website at www.LebanonValley.com and click on “Speedway”. Thursday August 27, 2009 - BUDWEISER Beer & Hoosier Tire Present Mr. Dirt Track USA Modified Super Dirt Series $17,500 to Win Results (100 Laps) (Modified King of the Track Race #2) - 1) Billy Decker, 2) Eddie Marshall, 3) Matt Shephard, 4) Donnie Corellis, 5) Jeff Brownell Jr, 6) Mark Flach Jr, 7) Jerry Higbie, 8) Andy Bachetti, 9) Justin Haers, 10) Kory Sandstedt, 11) Keith Flach, 12) J. C. Flach, 13) J.R. Heffner, 14) Larry Wight, 15) Paul Gilardi, 16) Jimmy Phelps, 17) Rich Ricci Jr, 18) Brian Berger, 19) Brett Hearn, 20) Rich Robach, 21) Dale Planck, 22) Jeff Trombley, 23) Alan Johnson, 24) Kyle Sheldon, 25) Ryan Phelps, 26) Gary Tompkins, 27) Danny Johnson, 28) Kenny Tremont Jr, 29) Ryan Larkin, 30) Mike Storms, 31) Guy Sheldon, 32) Billy Dunn, DNS) Mike King, DNS) Matt Quinn, DNS) Hector Stratton, DNS) Donnie Ackner, DNS) Lorne Browe, DNS) Skippy Fox, DNS) Kale Groff, DNS) Chuck McKee, DNS) Jimmy Horton, DNS) Michelle Chinoine, DNS) Rich Scagliotta Sportsman Results (20 Laps) - 1) Frank Harper, 2) Neil Stratton, 3) Kolby Schroder, 4) Brett Haas, 5) Kyle Armstrong, 6) Kale Groff, 7) Danny Sanchez, 8) Chad Pierce, 9) Kim Herrick, 10) Scott Duso, 11) Kevin Petrucci, 12) Anthony Montessi, 13) Jeff Brown, 14) R. J. Daley, 15) Lisa Schoonmaker, 16) Kyle Hoffman, 17) Dylan Gibson, 18) Alan Houghtaling, 19) Chris Lynch, 20) Brian Sandstedt, 21) Brandon Piastka, DNS) Olden Dwyer, DNS) Walter Cook, DNS) Jeff Kelly, DNS) Alex Bell Pro Stock Results (20 Laps) - 1) Robbie Speed, 2) Nick Hilt, 3) Mike Middleton, 4) Jay Corbin, 5) Jason Casey, 6) Jay Casey, 7) Paul LaRochelle, 8) Kevin Arnold, 9) Buddy Hencke, 10) Victor Hopkins, 11) Chris Crews, 12) Johnny Rivers, 13) Danny Burl, 14) Brian Keough, 15) John Santolin, 16) Allen Tarantino, 17) Tim Sayers, 18) Henry Warner, 19) Rick Dempsey, 20) Jeff Kelmel, 21) Rob Yetman, 22) Mike Dutka, 23) Chuck Towslee (Ltd) 10th, 24) Paul Engwer (Ltd) 20th, 25) Gary Ashley (Ltd) 21st, 26) Joe Mennite Limited Pro Stock Results (20 Laps) - 1) Chuck Towslee, 2) Paul Engwer, 3) Gary Ashley 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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