FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 30, 2011
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SPENCE TAKES THE CASH IN HAGERSTOWN’S STEEL BLOCK BANDIT GREG KERR MEMORIAL

by Bob Vores
HAGERSTOWN, MD. -- It wasn’t easy but JT Spence made it look that way Saturday night at Hagerstown Speedway when he dominated the Steel Block Bandit Greg Kerr Memorial event aboard the Doug Timmons owned late model sportsman. Spence, of Winchester, VA set second quick time for the evening, won his heat and then pocketed $200 after winning the dash for the top six heat winners. He then led all the way from the pole in the 30-lap Memorial event to win by 2.47 seconds over Kyle Lear and made it a total payday of $4,300.

“Doug and them build one hell of a piece. They have the knowledge and equipment, I just had the privilege of driving it,” Spence said. “We wanted to win this race. Doug quarter midget raced with Greg and I knew Tanner and them pretty good so we wanted to see if we could win. I’ve know Tanner for a couple years now. He’s helped on my car. You couldn’t find a nicer family. Greg used to come to the shop and shoot the breeze about racing. This means a lot to win this one.”

Krazy Kenny Thomas of Keedysville, MD was victorious in the hobby stock cruiser division after taking control of the feature with five laps remaining and winning by a length over Kenny Thomas.

Spence surged forward on the start to beat defending series champion Walker Arthur off the second turn while Lear pulled ahead of Rick Singleton and Andy Fries to take third on the third circuit.

After a fourth lap yellow, Rick Hulson, who earlier set fast time, slowed with mechanical problems to retire on the seventh circuit as three cars got together in turn one trying to avoid his slowing racer but were able to continue for the restart.

A 12th lap caution for a spin in turn four had Spence still continue to pull ahead of Arthur by more than a second until the 17th circuit, when fourth quick timer Andy Fries retired with mechanical problems.

Spence was even stronger following the final restart and pulled away more than two seconds by the 22nd circuit and approached the rear of the field. Lear kept the pressure on Arthur and took the runner up spot on the white flag lap as Spence was into the rear cars and then stretched the distance on the final lap to 2.47 seconds and a lapped car back to Lear and Arthur.

“When you start on the pole and lead all the way, you have everything to lose,” Spence said. “I lost my brakes there with about five laps to go and that one lapped car about put me in the infield. I was going into three and four with my foot to the floor on the brake and on the gas at the same time trying to get it to turn.”

Tyler Armstrong came from ninth to get past 12th starting Bo Feathers for fourth with five circuits to go while Feathers ended fifth. D.J.Troutman was sixth with Rick Singleton, Al Shawver Jr. from 14th, Kenny Moreland and 18th starter Mike Walls completing the top ten.

At 52 entries, the field was the largest ever assembled for a Steel Block Bandit event as Rick Hulson’s 19.090 second trip around the half mile was quick time of the evening. Heat wins went to Walker Arthur, Spence, Lear, Andy Fries, Rick Singleton and Booper Bare. Sean Merkel and Matt Parks scored the B Mains

Gary Proctor led the first circuit for the hobby stock cruisers while Mark Vegh sped past on the second lap and Thomas passed Proctor and then began looking at the options to get past Vegh. Thomas got past but Vegh came back to pull ahead and made contact with Thomas off the second turn just as a caution came out. Vegh’s tire went flat under yellow as Thomas took over for the restart while Kenny Thomas was on his bumper for the restart and along with Proctor, gave it their best over the final laps. Krazy Kenny Thomas prevailed by a length at the checkered as Danny Holmes and Larry Hurley followed Proctor to complete the top five.

There will be no racing this Saturday, May 7 but the Hagerstown Firefighter’s Bonanza Extravaganza will take place at the speedway. Racing action returns on Saturday, May 14th with a regular three division show of late models, late model sportsman and pure stocks plus will also include the hobby stock cruisers.

The latest news, results, photos, schedule or rule changes can be on the speedway’s website: www.hagerstownspeedway.com. Also check the website for any changes in weather conditions that may delay or cancel the program or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.

Hagerstown Speedway Results

Steel Block Bandit Late Model Racing Series, Greg Kerr Memorial: 52 Entries, (Lap Leader -- JT Spence 1-30); 1.JT Spence; 2.Kyle Lear; 3.Walker Arthur; 4.Tyler Armstrong; 5.Bo Feathers; 6.D.J. Troutman; 7.Rick Singleton; 8.A. Shawver Jr.; 9.Kenny Moreland; 10.Mike Walls; 11.Cody Lear; 12.Steve Long; 13.Scott Palmer; 14.Kyle Merkel; 15.Donnie Farllng; 16.Matt Parks; 17.Bruce Kane; 18.Corey Weaver; 19.Paul Cursey; 20.Andy Fries; 21.Pete Weaver; 22.Joe Leavell; 23.Rick Hulson; 24.Sean Merkel, 25.Booper Bare (DNS) , DNQ – Duane Harbaugh, Matt Cosner, Cam Zeigler, Tim Fedder, Travis Beaver, Wes Bonebrake, Davis Lipscombe, Billy Beachler, Courtney Shreiner, Rance Garlock, Ryan Christoff, Kelly Putz, Kristian Looney, Tyler Horst, Bryan Bernheisel, Justin Weaver, John Groome, Ben Bowie, Steve Bailor, Chaz Walls, Derick Quade, Tanner Kerr, Matt Howsare, Marvin Winters, DNS – Don Woodruff, Trevor Feathers, DSQ – Grant Adams

Hobby Stock Cruisers -- 18 Entries (Lap Leaders -- Gary Proctor, 1, Mark Vegh, 2-9, Krazy Kenny Thomas, 10-15)—1.Krazy Kenny Thomas; 2.Kenny Thomas; 3.Gary Proctor; 4.Danny Holmes; 5.Larry Hurley; 6.Nathaniel Younker; 7.Matt Smith, 8.David Shatto; 9.William Crook; 10.Nick Dibella; 11.Mark Vegh; 12.Andy Mowen; 13.Lane Hessong; 14.Tom Coravello; DNS – Joe Rodgers; DSQ – Charles Stambaugh, Terry Barnes