It has been a tale of two halves for sportsman driver Shawn Light.
Plagued by mechanical issues in the first half of the season, Light has come on strong in the second half as he held off Wayne Witmer in a fierce battle on Friday night at Big Diamond Speedway to claim the 20-lap U.S.S. Achey sportsman feature.
Other winners on Friday night were Andy Fayash III (Savage 61 roadrunners); Elvin Brennan III (No Sweat Service Group street stocks); Mike Garris, Sr., Ronnie Peck, (vintage cars) and Aaron Bowes (600 modifieds) also winners on Friday night
This Friday, the track will present Twin 20s for the CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modifieds along with the return of the ever popular American Racing Driver Club midgets along with the roadrunners and an Enduro Dash 60.
On Friday, the gates open at 5:30 on Friday with warmups at 7:45 and racing at 8:15. General admission is $25 while kids 12-and-under and active military with a valid ID are free.
Started third in the 20-lap sportsman feature, Light took the lead on lap 3 but it was short lived as Wayne Witmer got by him for the lead a lap later, a spot Witmer held until lap 7.
Light would retake the lead as he passed Witmer on the top side of Turn 1 and would clear him as they raced off of Turn 2 for the lead at the start of lap 7.
“The track was good and the high humidity help hold the moisture in the track and there could have been three lanes of racing tonight but there was definitely a high and low groove for racing,” Light said.
The race was plagued by a number of cations and on each restart, Light choose the outside lane.
“That lane was working for me,” he said of his lane choice.
The final caution came out on lap 15 and Light was able to hold off Witmer on the restart as the race went non-stop to the finish.
“We have things turned around as we are still learning this car and we now have an idea of what to do,” Light said. “That’s our third win in the six races we have finished. I think we’re doing pretty good.”
Witmer held on for second with Mike Lisowski, Ray Woodall Jr., and points leader Brandon Grosso, rounding out the top five.
Sixth through 10th were Doug Hendricks, Daryl Dissinger, Skylar Sheriff, Kyle Gruber, and T.J. Lily. Heats for the sportsman were won by Sheriff and Woodall, Jr.
The fifth win of the year in the roadrunner division for Fayash III almost didn’t happen
Fayash sprained his ankle around lunchtime on Friday and he wasn’t sure if he was going to race.
“I couldn't put weight on it until I iced it for a few hours,” Fayash said. “Luckily in the car I'm on top of the wheel enough that most of my throttle input requires straightening my leg rather than angling my foot, so driving wasn't too bad.”
Fayash, who started ninth, avoided a couple of early race incidents and then began to track down race leader Devin Trexler.
Fayash tried high and low to pass Trexler as the laps were winding down but his break came with two laps to go.
Fayash got a run on Trexler in Turn 2 and he used the high side to slip by him in Turn 4 to go on and score the win.
“Devin was running really well and he’s tough to pass,” Fayash said.
Trexler finished second with Steve Gromis, Jim Kost, and Terry Kramer rounding out the top five.
Sixth through 10th were Shon Elk, Dave Long Jr., Kyle Wingle, Dan Nagle and Tim Fitzpatrick Jr.
Heats for the roadrunners were won by Kris Ney and Devin Trexler.
Brennan III made it back-to-back wins in the 20-lap roadrunner feature, but it didn’t come easy for the former track champion.
Brennan was locked in a tight battle with Bobby Kupp for several laps as the two race side-by-side on the restarts. Brennan would take the lead for good on lap 13.
“It was an awesome night of racing and I have to give Jake and the track guys a big thumbs up for the great racing surface they gave us despite how warm it was and the high humidity,” Brennan said. “Bobby had a me a little concerned as I kept seeing his fender a time or two under me in Turns 1 and 2 but I had just enough to get the win.”
Kupp held on for second with Chris Derr, Eric Tripp and Kyle Saylor rounding out the top five.
Sixth through 10th were Leroy Long, Chris Heller, Mike Radocha, Rich Bossinger and Tyler Stump. Heats for the street stocks were won by Chris Derr and Kyle Saylor.
Arron Bowes won the 20-lap 600 modified feature over Rich Hitzler and Nathan Brinker. Heats for the 600s were won by Josh Bewley, Billy Koch and Bowes.
Mike Garris, Sr., won the Blast From The Past Vintage stock car feature while Ronnie Peck took the lead with two laps to go to win the modified feature.
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