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Late Race Pass Propels Olmstead to First CRSA Win |
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| posted by Admin
on 07/23/09 |
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VERNON, N.Y. – Mason Olmstead stole the show Wednesday night at the Utica-Rome Speedway. The young driver from Sauquoit, N.Y., passed Mike Stelter in the final turn of the 25-lap event to score his first career Capital Region Sprint Agency feature win.
“This is amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Olmstead. “Coming in here tonight and winning feels good. I’m speechless.”
Matt Tanner and Billy Jaycox Jr. brought the 22 car field to the green flag. Tanner led the first five laps of the event with Mike Stelter in tow.
On the sixth circuit, Stelter snuck to the inside of Tanner in turns one and two to secure the race lead with the caution coming out moments later for John Cunningham as he spun off the top of the speedway in turn four.
Action resumed with Stelter keeping the race lead while Tanner attempted to get back by for the top position. Stelter held off his challenges.
Stelter found his way into lapped traffic on lap 14 while Olmstead worked his way into the runner-up position and began trying to chase down the leader.
As Stelter battled slower traffic, Olmstead moved in looking to get by. On lap 21, Olmstead pulled alongside Stelter for the lead but he couldn’t make the pass on the outside of turns one and two.
Olmstead remained patient and stayed with Stelter waiting to make his move until the final lap.
The pair raced into turn three with Stelter taking the bottom lane while Olmstead moved to the middle of the speedway. As they exited turn four, Olmstead drove by on the outside for his first career win.
“I thought I screwed up a couple laps before that trying to go to the outside,” said Olmstead. “Then I had to do something on the last lap and the last corner. I went to the outside again and I guess it work.”
Stelter, of Ontario, N.Y., finished in second. It was the second time this season that Stelter has lost a Sprint Car event in the final lap at Utica-Rome Speedway in turn three and four. He lost an Empire Super Sprint event earlier in the season.
“Turns three and four on the last lap just doesn’t like me here at Utica-Rome (Speedway),” said Stelter. “That is two in a row I’ve lost. My throttle was sticking there at the end and I couldn’t get into the corner real smooth because I had to be on the brakes. That last lap I just missed my line by half a groove and he (Olmstead) showed me the nose and I could get back by him.”
Chad King, of Caroga, N.Y., came from the 13th starting position to complete the top three. Late in event he was gaining on top two by working the bottom of the speedway.
“The bottom was really working for me,” stated King. “I held it down there as long as I could and it really paid off for us tonight.”
Tanner, who led the early portions of the race, came home in fourth while J.R. Hulburt, of Otego, N.Y., crossed the line in fifth after starting 12th.
Be sure to check out the drivers of the Capital Region Sprint Agency at our next race at the Orange County Fair Speedway on Saturday August 1. For more information regarding the Capital Region Sprint Agency be sure to check out their website at www.crsasprintcars.com.
The Capital Region Sprint Agency would like to thank our 2009 series sponsors: Pancho’s Racing Products, Triple X Racecars, Peak Racing Equipment, D&D Auto Supply and Checkers Out Speedway.
CRSA PIT FACTS: Mike Kiser made his first appearance of the season but he did not make it out of hot-laps. He flipped in turn two. He was uninjured in the event….Series point leader, Jeff VanSteenburg broke his front end on lap eight sending him to the infield….Mike Stelter broke a rear shock on his No. 6K in the late stages of the race….24 cars entered into competition….
RACE RESULTS (7/22/09)
UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY CRSA A-MAIN (25-laps): Mason Olmstead, Mike Stelter, Chad King, Matt Tanner, J.R Hurlburt, Jeremy Quick, Dylan Swiernik, Matt Demitraszek, Chuck Alessi, Billy Jaycox, Phil Peworchik Jr., Tyler Rice, Warren Alexson, John Matrafalio, Anthony Brennan, Mark Zemick, Craig Rochelle, John Cunningham, Jeff VanSteenburg, Bruce Evans, Billy VanInwegen, John Flach, DNS - Mike Kiser, Brett Jaycox.
HEAT WINNERS (8-laps): Tanner, Demitraszek, VanSteenburg
PANCHOS BONUS: Hurlburt, Brennan
MAGSARUS HARD CHARGER: Chad King +10
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