Hagerstown Speedway
July 14, 2012
________________________________________

NININGER MEMORIAL TO KENNY MORELAND, OVERALL SHOOTOUT TITLE TO JAMIE LATHROUM

Hagerstown, Md. – Kenny Moreland became the seventh different winner at Hagerstown Speedway Saturday when he posted his career first late model victory in the 5th Annual Red Nininger Memorial and Hagerstown/Winchester Shootout 35-lap event.

“Anytime you can win a race that represents someone that meant so much to the sport, it’s awesome,’ Moreland said. “I never really knew him, I’m sure dad did. I’m sure he was a real good guy. I’m proud to win a race that represents him. It means a lot.”

The second generation chauffer from Waldorf, MD overtook Steve Axtell Jr, on the 22nd lap and hammered around the top of the turns to later post the win by 1.708 seconds over Axtell.

“I can’t believe it, this is awesome,” Moreland said. “I think I’m dreaming, a win here like this with the competition tonight!”

Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, MD was the overall point champion of the Shootout Series and Nininger Memorial. Tied with Dan Stone into the final event, Stone failed to make the show as Lathroum received an additional $1,000 posted by Glenn Nininger of Nininger’s Tire and Auto.

“This means a lot,” Lathroum said. “I appreciate Nininger for putting up the extra money to get all the good cars and competition. The first two races went smooth. This weekend, we worked our butts off to get two top fives but it all worked out in the end.”

The top two from each qualifying heat redrew for starting positions as Axtell and Moreland pulled the one – two with Axtell out gunning Moreland on the start. Jerry Bard grabbed third with three time event winner Jason Covert into fourth on lap three after passing Ronnie DeHaven Jr. 

Covert picked off Moreland on the 12th lap and set sights on Axtell who was holding a one plus second advantage and rounding the top. Suddenly Covert’s night ended abruptly with mechanical problems when he stopped atop turn four on the 19th lap.

On the restart, Moreland didn’t give Axtell any slack and quickly sped past to lead him to the flag stand on the 22nd lap while behind them, Gregg Satterlee, Winchester’s winner the night before, was to fourth after starting 20th. Satterlee pressured DeHaven until taking third on the 25th lap.

A 26th lap caution when Brian Tavenner stopped in turn four reset the field for the final circuits as Moreland set sail while rounding the top with Axtell having Satterlee to contend with while behind him, Austin Hubbard, who pitted for a right rear tire on the third lap had returned from the rear and was past DeHaven for fourth.

Moreland easily went all the way to the checkered by 1.708 seconds to the good with Axtell, Satterlee, Hubbard and DeHaven completing the front five.  Lathroum whose team earlier changed out the complete rear axle and he qualified from the B to start 21st, finished sixth with Jeremy Miller, Steve Long, Gary Stuhler, who came from 24th, and Kenny Pettyjohn to complete the top ten. 

Heats went to Tavenner, DeHaven Jr, Bard and Moreland while Lathroum and Duane Harbaugh were the B main winners. NHRA funny car driver Cruz Pedregon was having some fun competing as a team driver with DeHaven, but had some mechanical issues with his racer.

Steve Lowery of Chambersburg, PA patiently battled his way to the finish, leading the final two laps of the Ernie D’s pure stocks to score his first of the season and become the ninth different winner

Darrin Younker pulled from the outside pole to lead Dave Stouffer Jr in the non-stop pure stock feature as Stouffer’s challenges paid off and he took over on lap seven. Keith Koontz, Tony Catlett and Lowery joined in to make it a close two by two race at the front as Lowery finally slipped into second on the 13th and then got past Stouffer before the white flag. Stouffer didn’t give up easily and only trailed by a half car length at the checkered. Koontz was a close third with Catlett and Brian Miller completing the top five. Lowery, Kenny Dillon and Chris Ebersole were the heat winners.

The latest news, results, photos, schedule or rule changes can be on the speedway’s website:  www.hagerstownspeedway.com. Follow the speedway on Twitter and Facebook. 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

5th Annual Red Nininger Memorial, Hagerstown/ Winchester Shootout, 35 Laps, 38 Entries, ( Lap Leaders Steve Axtell Jr. 1-21, Kenny Moreland 22-35 ):  1.Kenny Moreland, 2.Steve Axtell Jr., 3.Greg Satterlee, 4.Austin Hubbard, 5.Ronnie DeHaven Jr., 6.Jamie Lathroum, 7.Jeremy Miller, 8.Steve Long, 9.Gary Stuhler, 10.Kenny Pettyjohn, 11.Jerry Bard, 12.Frankie Plessinger, 13.Pancho Lawler, 14.Brain Tavenner, 15.Alan Sagi, 16.Brian Booze, 17.Jason Covert, 18.Glenn Elliott, 19.Nick Dickson, 20.Marvin Winters, 21.Al Shawver Jr., 22.Roy Deese Jr., 23.Paul Crowl, 24.Duane Harbaugh, DNQ – Ashley Barrett, Darryl Hills, Kyle Lear, Dan Stone, Barry Biller, Ryan Hackett, Tommy Armel, Matt Murphy, Justin Kann, Charlie Hageage, Larry Baker III, DNS - Cruz Pedregon, Scott LeBarron, Keith Jackson 

Ernie D’s Pure Stocks, 15 Laps, 23  Entries, (Lap Leaders Darrin Younker 1-8, Dave Stouffer Jr. 9-13, Steve Lowery 14-15):  1.Steve Lowery, 2.Dave Stouffer Jr., 3.Keith Koontz, 4.Tony Catlett, 5.Brian Miller, 6.Kevin Boyer, 7.Kevin Koontz, 8.Crhis Ebersole, 9.Bruce Leibowitz, 10.Darrin Younker, 11.Denny Durboraw ( Ecton and Son Repair and Service Hard Charger), 12.Kenny Dillon, 13.Brian Swiger, 14.Drew Fitzsimmons, 15.Wayne Hawbaker, 16.Tim Drawbaugh,  17.Brandon Churchey, 18.Kenny Day, 19.Dave Boring, 20.Brian Cornett, 21.Rick Stouffer, 22.Danny Beavers, DNS- Charlie Pensinger