Winchester Speedway
May 19, 2012
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Jackson nabs first victory of the season in Spring Championship at Winchester Speedway

by Doug Watson
WINCHESTER, VA- Odenton Md.’s Keith Jackson drove to his first victory of the season in the 35-lap late model “spring championship’’ last Saturday night at the Winchester speedway. With his win, Jackson became the sixth different late model winner at the track this season, in the six races run in 2012.

Defending track champion DJ Myers and Trever Feathers brought the field down to the initial green flag of the event. Feathers darted into the early race lead with third-starting Keith Jackson in pursuit. Jackson then slid by Feathers to grab the race lead on the third-lap. As Jackson lead, eighth-starting Ronnie DeHaven Jr. was on the move. DeHaven reached second by lap-twenty two and set his sights on Jackson. DeHaven would get close on more than one occasion, but could not make the pass and would settle for runner-up honors for the second week in a row.

“How about theses Rocket cars!” A jubilant Jackson stated in Winchester’s victory lane. “Those MasterSbilt car have been kicking our butts up here this season, and tonight we proved these Rocket’s can still get around this place pretty good.” Jackson was quick to praise his car owner for the hard-fought win. “Jack (Bland) and all the guy’s worked real hard over the winter getting this car ready.” Said Jackson. “They put a new front-clip on it and Jack does all the motors himself, so I’m real proud to get a big win for them here tonight.” CS Fitzgerald scored his best run of the season taking third, Myers held on for fourth and Kenny Pettyjohn completed the top-five. Setting fast-time in time trials over the 28-car field was Gary Stuhler with a one-lap time of 15.163. Heats went to Fitzgerald, Myers and Trever Feathers.

Brad Ritter drove to his second feature win of the season in the 20-lap limited late model headliner. Justin Weaver grabbed the early race lead before Ritter, who started fourth, snared the top-spot for good on the fifth-lap. Ritter then drove off to the win over runner-up Jonathon DeHaven. Andy Anderson came from twelfth to finish third, Weaver settled for fourth and Bruce Kane completed the top-five. Heats for the 25 cars on hand went to Ritter, DeHaven and Weaver.

Mike Corbin, the defending Winchester pure stock champion, became the fifth different winner of the season with his triumph in the division’s 15-lap feature. Michael Carter lead the first six-laps of the race before sixth-starting Corbin made, what would be, the eventual pass for the win on lap-seven. Carter came on strong late in the race but would have to settle for second. Brian Luttrell posted a solid third, Donnie Kenney was fourth and last weeks winner Mike Franklin was fifth. Heats for the 17 cars entered went to Corbin and David Kaiser.

In the nightcap 15-lap u-car main Travis Carroll rolled to his second win of the season. In the six races run for the class in 2012, Carroll has posted two wins and four runner-up performances. Carroll Started fourth and would go on to lead every lap of the race to post the win over former u-car champion Josh Wilkins. Tom Paddock was third, Brenda Alexander fourth and Scott Nalevanko rounded out the top-five. Heats for the 34-cars pitside went to Carroll, Paddock and Kevin Pollard.

Steve Buckwalter became the first repeat winner of the season with his victory in the 25-lap ARDC midget feature. Ryan Smith was second, Brendan Bright was third, Dave Shirk fourth and Friday Potomac winner Trevor Kobylarz filled the front-five. 24-cars entered the event.

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Late Model feature finish
1. Keith Jackson 2. Ronnie DeHaven Jr. 3. CS Fitzgerald 4. DJ Myers 5. Kenny Pettyjohn 6. Gary Stuhler 7. Nick Dickson 8. Roy Deese Jr. 9. Dan Stone 10. Kyle Hardy 11. Mark Pettyjohn 12. Bo Feathers 13. Frankie Plessinger 14. Marvin Winters 15. Scott LeBarron 16. Brad Omps 17. Tony Crim 18. Justin Kann 19. Jason Miller 20. Scott Richwine 21. Trever Feathers 22. Brian Tavenner 23. Tom Myers 24. Alan Sagi 25. Gerald Davis 26. Andy Anderson 27. Duane Harbaugh 28. Tyler Hershey

Limited Late Model feature finish
1. Brad Ritter 2. Jonathon DeHaven 3. Andy Anderson 4. Justin Weaver 5. Bruce Kane 6. Pete Weaver 7. Tanner Kerr 8. Mike Walls 9. Kris Holliday 10. Justin Shriver 11. Daniel Snead 12. James Lichliter 13. Jacob Burdette 14. Kevin Deremer 15. Kris Eaton 16. Keith Walls 17. Sam Jenkins 18. Bubby Tharp Jr. 19. Jimmy Richards 20. Tom Chaffins 21. Dallas Richards 22. Neil Alexander 23. Rodney Walls 24. Brian Buckler 25. Don Woodruff

Pure stock feature finish
1. Mike Corbin 2. Michael Carter 3. Brian Luttrell 4. Donnie Kenney 5. Mike Franklin 6. Buddy Wilson 7. Mike Grady Jr. 8. Mike Warrenfeltz 9. Dave Alley 10. Wayne Hawbaker 11. Craig Parrill 12. Dickie Tharp 13. Brandon Churchy 14. Brian Swiger 15. David Kaiser 16. Eddie McClellan 17. Greg Breeden

U-car feature finish
1. Travis Carroll 2. Josh Wilkins 3. Tom Paddock 4. Brenda Alexander 5. Scott Nalevanko 6. Steve Fadeley 7. Robert Perry 8. Kevin Oates 9. Robert Wilson 10. Cody Sweeney 11. Gene Wilson 12. Justin Katz 13. Allen Jones 14. Steve Katz 15. Jeff Oster 16. Rusty Poston 17. Randy Wilkins 18. Reese Alley 19. Ronnie Bolstridge 20. Michael Pfaff 21. Alan Dice 22. Ricky Feltner 23. Chase Schneider 24. David Funk Jr. 25. Jason Wilkins 26. Chris Kline 27. TJ Collins 28. Kim Breeden 29. Jeff Wilkins 30. Robbie Moore 31. Kevin Pollard 32. Joey Strosnider 33. Kevin Welsh 34. Richard Locke

ARDC midgets (top-10)
1. Steve Buckwalter 2. Ryan Smith 3. Brenden Bright 4. Dave Shirk 5. Trevor Kobylarz 6. Brett Arndt 7. Steve Craig 8. Steve Dervicki 9. Joe Butera 10. Parker Evans