Cruz Kepner Earns First Career Victory at Clinton County
MILL HALL, PA – Cruz Kepner of Kramer topped a field of 30 RaceSaver Sprint cars to earn his first career victory on Friday night. “We came here tonight to prepare for the upcoming Nittany 40 in a few weeks,” said an excited Kepner in victory lane. “It’s great to go home tonight as the winner over a solid field of sprint cars.” Other winners of the night sponsored by Murray Ford of Lock Haven included AJ Stroup in the Pro Stocks, Ross Perchak in the 270s, Timmy Bittner of Beech Creek in the 600s, and Blake Snyder of Hughesville in the Four Cylinders
Larry McVay of Bordentown, NJ and Josh Beamer of Picture Rocks led the full field of 24 sprint cars to the green flag. Beamer raced side by side with McVay into the first turn, as the duo exited turn one Beamer had a slight advantage. Fourth place starter, Dylan Proctor of Lock Haven was running a close third and took over the second position by the completion of lap number two with Austin Greenland in third, McVay in fourth and Kepner, who started eighth running in the top five.
The first caution of the night waved on lap number eight, when Dakota Schweikart slowed coming out of turn number four. Following the restart, Beamer held off the challenges of Proctor as Greenland and Kepner battled for third and fourth. On lap number fourteen, the leaders began to work their way through lapped traffic. Beamer was able to navigate the traffic, but also knew that Proctor, Kepner, Greenland and McVay were closing in.
On lap number sixteen, Kepner made the pass for the runner up position. For the next few laps, the leaders raced through lapped traffic with Kepner keeping pace with Beamer. As they entered the turn in lapped traffic, Beamer committed to the low side, while Kepner held the top line. As the leaders came to the line to complete lap number eighteen, Kepner was the new race leader. On the next circuit, the caution waved for Dominic Melair who stopped on the back stretch. The restart had Kepner leading Beamer, Proctor, Garrett Bard, and McVey. For the final six laps, Kepner maintained the lead. On lap number 21, the leaders entered lapped traffic once again. Beamer tried to use the lap traffic to his advantage, hoping for a mistake from Kepner. Kepner kept the intense pace to secure his first career win in sprint car competition. Beamer was second, Garrett Bard rallied from twelfth to finish third, Proctor was fourth, and McVay completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were Dale Schweikart, Greenland, Dustin Prettyleaf, Matt Tebbs and Scott Lutz. Heats were won by Jared Zionkowski, Bard and Reed Thompson. The Consolation event was won by Ryan Lynn.
The opening lap of the 270 Micro Sprint Summer Championship saw Mac Wert lead the first circuit. By the completion of lap number two, Jeffrey Weaver charged to the front with Sean Stolz, Hayden Walizer, Mac Wert and Ross Perchak in the top five. Perchak moved into third on lap number three and took the second spot on lap number four. For the next several laps, the top three were in contention for the win. On lap number eight, Perchak made a challenge for the lead and took the position away from Weaver on lap number nine, in the meantime Stolz was also looking to advance, but got a little bit sideways coming out of turn four. He regained control of the car but lost several positions as a result. With five laps to go, Perchak led Weaver, Denny Rinehimer, Skeetz Hockenbrock and Wert, while Stoltz rebounded back to sixth. On that same lap, the red flag came out when Rich Damore flipped his car in turn number three. Following the restart, Stoltz was able to capitalize and raced his way into the top three. As the checkered flag waved, Perchak claimed the win over Weaver, Stoltz, Rinehimer and Hockenbrock. Sixth through tenth were Wert, Shaun Musser, Logan Hammaker, Levi Brungard and Walizer. Heat races were won by Perchak and Stoltz
Robert Tressler of Lock Haven and AJ Stroup lead the field to the green flag for the Pro Stock feature event. Stroup led the first two laps before Tressler took the position away. By the completion of lap number five, Tessler led Stroup, AY Schilling, Noah Jensen and Corey Long. At the race’s midway point Tressler continued to hold off the challenges by Stroup as the leaders entered lapped traffic.
Jensen took over the second position on lap number 10 and Long shuffled Tressler back to fourth by advancing into the third position as Jason Smith moved into the top five. Stroup continued to lead the final laps of the race to earn the victory over Jensen, Long, Tressler and Smith. Sixth through tenth were Gary Mellott, AY Schilling, Brandon Moser, Rooster Peters, and Kris Orwig Sr. Heats were won by Long and Stroup.
Timmy Bittner of Beech Creek used his front row starting spot to take the lead on lap one of the 600 Micro Sprint feature event. Third place starter Jeffrey Weaver moved into second while Stone Keller ran in third. The event’s only caution came out on lap number nine when Dan Tripoli slowed on the back stretch. Bittner executed a flawless restart to hold off the challenge of Weaver. Bittner cruised to the victory over Weaver, Keller, Derek Swartz, and Josh Beamer. Jeffrey Weaver won the heat race.
In the Four Cylinder Division, Joey and Nick Snook brought the field to the green flag. Joe won the battle to lead the first lap. The caution flag came out for fourth place starter Chloe Smith. While under the caution, front row starter Nick Snook and eight place starter Maddox Smith went into the pits. ON the following lap the caution flag waved again for Josh Stringfellow. While under yellow, fifth place starter Skylar Witchley went to the pit area and Sith place starter Cody Stover stopped on the track. Once back to racing action, Snook would continue to set the place and would lead the first five laps of the race. By the completion of lap number six, Blake Snyder made a pass for the lead, with Dillan Craft moving into the runner up position one lap later. The leaders soon encountered lapped traffic. Snyder would continue to lead to edge out Dillan Craft, Joey Snook, Cody Stove and Jimmy Moyer. Sixth through tenth were Coty Maines, Dustin Miller, Hunter Flook, Andrew Rickets, and Bryan Hackenberg. Heats were won by Moyer, Snook, and Maddox Smith.
The Clinton County Speedway returns this Friday with another 5 division show featuring the RaceSaver Sprints, Pro Stocks, 270 Micro Sprints, 600 Micro Sprints and the Four Cylinders. It will be the final points races of the season presented by RC Bowman Inc. Gates Open at 5PM, Hot laps at 7PM and Racing at 7:30. For more speedway information visit www.ClintonCountySpeedway.com
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RACESAVER SPRINTS: 1. Kruz Kepner 2. Josh Beamer 3. Garrett Bard 4. Dylan Proctor 5. Larry McVay 6. Dale Schweikart 7. Austin Greenland 8. Dustin Prettyleaf 9. Matt Tebbs 10. Scott Lutz 11. Jared Zionkowski 12. Jarrett Cavalet 13. Mike Melair 14. Tylor Cochran 15. Chris Kreider 16. Ronnie Rough 17. Corey Brungard 18. Reed Thompson 19. Josh Fox 20. Steven Kennewell Jr. 21. Ryann Lynn 22. Dominic Melair 23. Dakota Schweikart 24. Dave Guss Jr. DNS: Frank Rusnock, Owen Dimm, Andrew Boyer Josh Spicer, Jeffrey Weaver, Hayden Walizer.
PRO STOCKS: 1. AJ Stroup 2. Noah Jensen 3. Cory Long 4. Robert Tressler 5. Jason Smith 6. Gary Mellott 7. AY Schilling 8. Brandon Moser 9. Rooster Peters 10. Kris Orwig Sr. 11. Noah Kissinger 12. Rich Fye 13. Todd Geyer DNS Johnny Bouse
270 MICROS: 1. Ross Perchak 2. Jeffrey Weaver 3. Sean Stoltz 4. Denny Rinehimer 5. Skeetz Hockenbrock 6. Mac Wert 7. Shaun Musser 8. Logan Hammaker 9. Levi Brungard 10. Haden Walizer 11. Buddy Kramer 12. Cory Stabley 13. Mathew Dixson 14. Rich Damore 15. Dan Wertman 16. Ryan Bower 17. Frank Gentile 18. Timmy Bittner 19. Brad Snyder
600 MICROS: 1. Timmy Bittner 2. Jeffrey Weaver 3. Stone Keller 4. Derek Swartz 5. Josh Beamer 6. Jeff Gyuina 7. Dustin Roberts 8. Dan Tripoli
4 CYLINDERS: 1. Blake Snyder 2. Dillan Craft 3. Joey Snook 4. Cody Stover 5. Jimmy Moyer 6. Coty Maines 7. Dustin Miller 8. Hunter Flook 9. Andrew Rickets 10. Bryan Hackenberg 11. John Baney 12. Tim Tenteck 13. Zach Rill 14. Chelsea Harris 15. Tim Muthler 16. Troy Bennett 17. Zack Kline 18. Donald Wynn 19. Katelynn Semetelli 20. Skyler Witchley 21. Jon Stringfellow 22. Nick Snook 23. Chloe Smith 24 Maddox Smith 25. Damon Hand DNS Joshua Thompson