Susquehanna Speedway Park
April 6, 2013
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Knaub Victorious at SSP’s Opening Night on Saturday

NEWBERRYTOWN, PA (April 6) – The Susquehanna Speedway Park opened up on Saturday night for the 10th season under the ownership of Todd and Rhonda Fisher with four exciting divisions.  Dover’s Gene Knaub visited the SSP victory lane on the big track after claiming the 25-lap Late Model feature on opening night.  Hanover’s Mike Walls took the win by leading every lap of the Street Stock 20 lapper.  Frankie Herr of Carlisle took the win in the 25-lap Super Sportsman tour race.  
 
Before the National Anthem at the beginning of the night a special tribute to the late Carl Billet took place with more than 10 Late Model drivers brought their cars to the frontstretch to say a few words about Carl.  As a special announcement the management at SSP has renamed the Late Model Championship to “The Billet Cup” in honor of the late-Billet.  A spectacular trophy will be constructed with every past, present and future Late Model Champion’s name engraved on it.  The trophy will be on display throughout the year at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, PA.  It will be on hand at the season point finale at SSP on September 14 and also at the season ending Awards Gala.  Billet’s name will appear on the trophy seven times, the most of any other Late Model champion at SSP.
 
Randy Christine Jr. started on the pole position and grabbed the early lead over Larry Baer.  On the fifth circuit, Gene Knaub came from fifth and moved into the runner-spot behind Christine.  On the tenth lap, Knaub scooted by Christine on the bottom side coming out of turn two to take the top spot.  From there, Knaub never looked back to claim his first SSP Late Model season opener win.  Knaub won an Xtreme Stock Car feature in 2006 on opening day as well.  Christine kept Knaub within his sights for the remainder of the race and finished solidly in second.  Randy Stoudt started sixth and finished in third.  Baer and Chase Billet rounded out the top five.  The JR’s Paving Hard Charger award went to Brad Shank who started 20th and moved up five spots to finish 15th.  Baer, Justin Ehrhart and Christine Jr. were the heat race winners.  Matt Murphy won the consolation race.
 
Mike Walls grabbed the early lead of the 20-lap Street Stock feature and never looked in the rear view mirror to claim the victory.  Gary Potts challenged Walls early but retired from the race on lap 13.  Nick Bloom finished solidly in the runner-up spot with Randy Zechman and Jasen Geesaman finishing third and fourth respectively.  Chris Derr rounded out the top five.  Mike Walls, Derr and McNeal were heat race victors.
 
Mike Enders and Frankie Herr started on the front row of the 25-lap Super Sportsman feature with Enders taking the early lead.  Herr took the lead around the top side on the fourth circuit.  Enders did not go away as he briefly led lap 7.  Herr again led the next 8 laps until Enders took the top spot back over for more laps on lap 17 and 18.  Herr regained the leader spot on lap 19 and never relinquished it again to take the win.  Enders finished second.  Rich Eichelberger started 12th and finished close behind in third.  Chad Criswell and Carmen Perigo rounded out the top five.   Enders, Chris Meleason, Duane Smith and Perigo won their respective heat races.  Doug Dodson won the consolation race.
 
In the caution free 20-lap Classic Car feature, Joe Snodgrass wired the field to win the race.  Matt Wallace finished in second, followed by Steve Cantwell edging out Charlie Summers for third. Pete Neal finished fifth.  Wallace and Snodgrass were heat race winners.
 
Racing action returns to the Big Track at SSP on Saturday night, April 13 on York County racing Club Night with the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Road Warriors/Mini Vans and PA Sprint Series.  Then the 410 Super Sprint Cars return to SSP on Sunday April 14 along with the 358 Sprint Cars in the 4th Annual Sprint Car Spring Classic.
 
Susquehanna Speedway Park Race Results from Saturday, April 6, 2013

Late Models Feature (25 laps): 1. Gene Knaub; 2. Randy Christine Jr.; 3. Randy Stoudt; 4. Larry Baer; 5. Chase Billet; 6. Justin Ehrhart; 7. Wes Alleman; 8. Tim Murphy; 9. Grant Adams; 10. Steve Billet; 11. Chris Knopp; 12. Billy Wampler; 13. Travis Mease; 14. John Moser Jr.; 15. Brad Shank; 16. Ron Coleman; 17. Matt Adams; 18. Matt Murphy; 19. Jake Moser; 20. Eddie Drury; 21. J.R. Rodriguez; 22. Steve Weikel; 23. Jake Jones; 24. Dan Zechman; DNQ – Nathan Ottersmeyer; Carl Leech; Kyle Martin; Denny Willey.  
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Christine Jr. (1-9); Knaub (10-25).
JR’s PAVING HARD CHARGER: Brad Shank (+5 positions: 20th start / 15th finish)
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Baer, Ehrhart and Christine Jr.
CONSOLATION WINNER: Matt Murphy.
 
Street Stocks Feature (20 laps): 1. Mike Walls; 2. Nick Bloom; 3. Randy Zechman; 4. Jasen Geesaman; 5. Chris Derr; 6. Don Zechman; 7. Jim Rost Sr.; 8. Bob Scott; 9. Jaynee Zeigler; 10. Pat McNeal; 11. Eddie Richards; 12. Jim Palm Jr.; 13. Kevin Heckman; 14. Dalton Frye; 15. Brandin Ort; 16. Gary Potts; 17. Bob Gutshall; 18. Bruce McClane; 19. Scott Thunberg; 20. Jeff Haag; 21. Josh Bloom; 22. Patrick McClane.    
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Walls (1-20).  
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Mike Walls, Derr and McNeal.
 
Super Sportsman Feature (25 laps):  1. Frankie Herr; 2. Mike Enders; 3. Rich Eichelberger; 4. Chad Criswell; 5. Carmen Perigo; 6. Chris Meleason; 7. Russ Mitten; 8. Scott Geesey; 9. Duane Smith; 10. Steve Fannasy; 11. Rick Barr; 12. Jay Fannasy; 13. Tom Wychoff; 14. Eric Eckert; 15. Eric Walker; 16. Dave Socks; 17. Paul Miller; 18. Cody Fairchok; 19. Dave Berkheimer; 20. Doug Dodson; 21. Scott Dellinger; 22. Kenny Edkin; 23. Gregg Foster; 24. Bobby Hockenberry; DNQ – Jeff Leisey; Geoff Gill; John Wolfe; Steve Wilbur; Stan Wanner; Brent Rumberger; Todd Leonard; Lanny Hake; Jake Miller; Mallie Shuster; Scott Grace.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Enders (1-3, 7, 17-18); Herr (4-6, 8-16, 19-25).  
HEAT RACE WINNER: Enders, Meleason, Smith and Perigo.
CONSOLATION WINNER: Dodson.
 
Classic Cars Feature (20 laps):  1. Joe Snodgrass; 2. Matt Wallace; 3. Steve Cantwell; 4. Charlie Summers; 5. Pete Neal; 6. Ron Grove; 7. Neal Reamer; 8. Dan Little; 9. Roland Brown; 10. Vincent Crocker.    
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Snodgrass (1-20).  
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Wallace and Snodgrass.