Memorable Night for Tylor Cochran at Clinton County Speedway
Mill Hall, PA – The Clinton County Speedway opened the 2022 race season on Friday night at the 3/8th mile oval. Tylor Cochran of Williamsport claimed the opening RaceSaver Sprint Car feature event, securing his second career victory at the speedway.
While excited for the victory, the memorable moment came when Cochran got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Emily and she said “yes.”
The night produced great racing in front of a large crowd. Other winners included Brandon Moser of Millerstown in the Pro Stocks, Jeffrey Weaver of Lock Haven in the 270 Micro Sprints, Johnny Smith of Scranton in the 600 Micro Sprints and Dylan Craft of Muncy Valley in the Four Cylinder division.
Matt Tebbs of Cogan Station and Dakota Schweikart led the field of 22 RaceSaver Sprint cars to the green flag. Schweikart led the first lap with defending track champion Garrett Bard of Wells Tannery running second followed by Tebbs, Dale Schweikart and Tylor Cochran. The leaders began to encounter lapped traffic by the completion of lap number six. While in lapped traffic, Bard was able to challenge Schweikart, but couldn’t make the pass for the lead. Once past the lapped cars and in clean air, Schweikart was able to but four cars-lengths between him and Bard. On lap number eleven, Mariah Romig and Levi Brungard tangled coming out of turn number two. Brungard’s car rolled onto its side bringing out the red flag.
Following the restart, Schweikart continued to lead with Bard, Cochran, Tebbs and Josh Beamer in the top five. On lap number 19, Bard made a pass for the lead as the top two entered turn one. Schweikart battled back and the two cars touched, causing Schweikart to do a 360 in front of the field. Schweikart was able to keep going but lost several positions as a result. As Bard headed down the back straight, he pulled to the inside of turn three to bring out the caution, due to his steering breaking from the contact with Schweikart.
Cochran inherited the lead with six laps remaining as Tebbs, Beamer, Jeffrey Weaver and Scott Lutz were now running in the top five. The event’s final caution occurred on lap number 22, when Wyatt Walizer slowed, Cochran brought the field back to green for the final laps and held off Tebbs, Beamer Weaver and Lutz. Sixth through tenth were Dakota Schweikart, Ryan Kissinger, Austin Greenland, Corey Brungard and Dale Schweikart. Heat races were won by Tebbs, Bard and Dale Schweikart. “The track was great tonight,” said Cochran. “We ran a used tire with four or five races on it and were still able to park it in victory lane. Schweikart and Bard were definitely the fastest cars here tonight, but we are thankful for the win.”
Cochran made the victory even more memorable, as he then approached his girlfriend, dropped down to one knee and proposed with an eruption of cheers from the large crowd of fans as she said yes!
Lock Haven’s Jeffrey Weaver started on the pole position for the 270 Micro Sprint Feature. Weaver took command of the field and led every lap of the 15-lap feature. Cody Siegel of Berwick started on the outside of the front row and tried on several occasions to challenge Weaver. A series of cautions occurred in the opening laps and the red flag came out on one of the restarts, as Steven Fernburg Jr. rolled his car over in turn number four. On a lap five restart, Weaver led Siegel, Shawn McAndrew, Brayden Spencer and Timmy Bittner. McAndrew’s car seemed fast all evening but had mechanical issues on lap number eleven while contending in the third position. Timmy Bittner moved into the third spot with Shaun Musser and Levi Brungard in the top five. Weaver held off Siegel for the win, Bittner finished third, Brungard took the fourth spot and Musser finished in the top five. Sixth through tenth were Mitchell Holden, Lucas Hess, Doug Reinard, Mac Wert, and Evan Dickey. Heat races were won by Spencer, Seigel, and Hess.
Noah Jensen of Nescopeck and Brandon Moser brought the field of Pro Stocks to the green flag. Moser jumped into the lead, with third place starter Cory Long running in second. By lap number four, Gary Mellot moved into the runner up position, Jensen was a close third, Long and Robert Tressler were also in contention. By lap number ten, Tressler took the runner up position from Mellott, who two laps later came to a stop on the front stretch to bring out the caution. For the restart, Moser had Tressler, Jensen, AY Schilling and John Bouse on his back bumper. Moser held off the challenges and cruised to this first win of the season. Sixth through tenth were Noah Kissinger, Tommy Dawson, Corey Long, Rich Fye, and Jason Butler. Heat races were won by Moser and AY Schilling.
Johnny Smith of Scranton started on the pole position for the 600 Micro Sprint feature event. Smith led the first several laps with Mason Peters running in second. Trevor Teats took the runner up position from Peters by the completion of lap number four. The event’s first caution came out when Peters and Weaver both slowed on the speedway while running in the top five. For the restart, Smith maintained the lead, while Cody Hauck took second from Teats, while Sierra Hauck and Nick Wood ran in the top five. Timmy Bittner moved into the top five on lap number 14. Sierra Hauck made a last lap pass to secure the third spot. Smith claimed the win, Cody Hauck was second, Sierra Hauck was third, Teats finished fourth and Bittner was fifth. Six through ten were: Mike Swisher, Nick Wood, Mitchell Holden, Peters, and Weaver. Heat races were won by Weaver and Peters.
A full field of Four Cylinders were started with Cody Maines and Dylan Craft on the front row. Third place starter Shawn Wise lea the first lap. On lap number two, several cars were involved in a front stretch incident. Wise was passed by Craft on lap number four while Blake Snyder, Joey Snook and Andrew Ricketts rounded out the top five. Snyder moved into second on lap number eight. Two laps later Wise took his car back into the pit area. With two laps remaining Craft’s lead was diminishing as Snyder, Snook, Scott Englert and Ricketts were working their way through lapped traffic. When the checkered flag waved, Craft was the victor over Snyder, Snook, Ricketts and Englert. Sixth through tenth were Keith Haagen, Coty Maines, Dillan Hoover, Brett Shirk and Michael Barret. Heat races were won by Snook, Tyler Stahl, Chloe Smith, and Larry Beachel, Jr. The B-Main was won by Keith Haagen.
The Clinton County Speedway returns this Friday night with a four division show, featuring the Limited Late Models plus the Pro Stocks, 270 Micro Sprints, and the Four Cylinders. Gates open at 5PMand racing begins at 7PM. For the latest information about upcoming events, visit the speedway’s website www.clintoncountyspeedway.com or follow the speedway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram..
RaceSaver Sprint Cars: 1. Tylor Cochran 2. Matt Tebbs 3. Josh Beamer4. Jeffrey Weaver 5. Scott Lutz 6. Dakota Schweikart 7 Ryan Kissinger 8. Austin Greenland 9. Corey Brungard 10. Dale Schweikart 11. Dustin Prettyleaf 12. Dave Guss Jr. 13. Wyatt Walizer 14. Kyle Knopp 15. Garret Bard 16. Timmy Bittner 17. Jarrett Cavalet 18. Erick Knopp 19. Mariah Romig 20. Levi Brungard 21. Johnny Smith 22. Eric Mathiot
Pro Stocks: 1. Brandon Moser 2. Robert Tressler 3. Noah Jensen 4. AY Schilling 5. Johnny Bouse 6. Noah Kissinger 7. Tommy Dawson 8.Cory Long 9. Rich Fye 10. Jason Butler 11. Mike Wright 12. Gary Mellott 13. Logan Hile 14. Todd Geyer DNS Marc Bitler, Kris Orwig Sr.
270 Micro Sprints: 1. Jeffrey Weaver 2. Cody Siegel 3. Timmy Bittner 4. Levi Brungard 5. Shaun Musser 6. Mitchell Holden 7. Luke Hess 8.Doug Reinard 9. Mac Wert 10. Evan Dickey 11.Cory Stabley 12. Lee Daugherty 13. Mathew Dixson 14. Sean McAndrew 15. Brayden Spencer 16. Steve Fernburg Jr. 17. Tom Quiggle 18. Hunter Zimmerman 19. Rich Damore DNS Logan Hammaker, Larry Dickey, Matt Dixon
600 Micro Sprints: 1. Johnny Smith, 2. Cody Hauck 3. Sierra Hauck4. Trevor Teats 5. Timmy Bittner 6. Mike Swisher 7. Nick Wood 8. Mitchell Holden 9. Mason Peters 10. Jeffrey Weaver 11. JT Ferry DNS Josh Beamer
Four Cylinders: 1. Dylan Craft 2. Blake Snyder 3. Joey Snook 4.Andrew Rickets 5. Scott Englert 6. Keith Haagen 7. Coty Maines 8. Dillan Hoover9. Brett Shirk 10. Michael Barret 11. Bryon Hackenberg 12. Brian Haagen 13.Jacob Rodola 14. Larry Beachel Jr. 15. Shawn Wise 16. Zack Kline 17. Paul Long18. Tyler Stahl 19. Chloe Smith 20. Aden Harris 21. Donald Wynn 22. Anthony Potter23. Kylie Mitch DNS Chelsea Harris, Robert Dorman, Cody Reamer, Hunter Flook, Summer Beachel, Tim Teneyck, Hannah Johnson, Brook Potter, John Bower.
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