ARCA Trucks: In Baer Field ARCA Trucks, Hulings Hauls
13 July 1999
by Don RadebaughFort Wayne, IN, - The new touring ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series pulled into Baer Field Speedway in Fort Wayne, Indiana Saturday night for its first-ever appearance on the semi-banked mile paved oval where 17 year-old Aaron Hulings continued to wow the crowd, this time by becoming the only three-time winner of the new series in only his sixth attempt.
The Rockford, Michigan driver, aboard his father Brads HRP Motorsports Ford Ranger, overhauled Jeff Speakmans Pennzoil Natl Auto Lube-Esslinger Ford on the 21st circuit of the 50 lap main event and led the duration for the right to go to victory lane before the capacity crowd on hand. The young, steady wheelsman methodically worked his way from the eighth starting position, erased Speakmans one-time half-lap lead and crossed the final stripe a half-straightaway ahead of second place finisher Bill Withers in the Withers Foreign Auto-Mannings USA Ford. Robbin Slaughter, aboard the Carmens Vacuum-Ed & Co. Ford, finished third ahead of Troy Marciniaks Chevy S-10 and Johnny Withams Appco-Fab Shop Ford to complete the top five. "We were really getting loose towards the end," said Hulings afterwards. "The left rear tire actually went down in the inspection line right after race so I dont think we could have lasted much longer. I want to thank my dad who makes this possible for me, and HRP Motorsports. This ARCA Truck Series is really something, and to be winning here makes it even better."
Tully Esterline, in the Spangler Candy Chevy, led the first lap from his outside front row starting position before Speakman took control on the second circuit. Speakman then stretched his advantage to a half-lap before Hulings had raced his way into second with Withers, Slaughter, Jack Weethee and David Clay in tow. From there it didnt take long for the eventual winner to chase down Speakman and make the winning pass. The caution flag flew on lap 26 when John Toth, Weethee and Clay locked horns off the fourth turn ending the night for all three while Speakmans strong run ended on lap 30 after his throttle linkage broke. Esterline hung on for sixth over Kendra Lake, Gregg Vasko, Bobby Marvin and Dave Reeb to finish out the top ten. Clay established a new one-lap track record for the trucks with a time of 18.760 seconds to win the Hoosier Tire Pole award and Hulings won the Cloyes Gear Halfway Leader honors as well as the Ed & Company Hard Charger award for advancing the most positions.
Last Fridays ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series race at Kil-Kare Speedway was rained out after only two heats were completed and has been rescheduled for Friday, July 16. Beyond that, the ARCA trucks will next appear at Springport Speedway in Springport, Michigan on July 24.
CURRENT POINTS: Aaron Hulings 1615, Bill Withers 1445, Jack Weethee 1430, David Clay 1405, Johnny Witham 1385, Robbin Slaughter 1370, Gregg Vasko 1300, Tully Esterline 1295, Troy Marciniak 1290, Bobby Marvin 1260.
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