Racing at Dells Raceway Park got even more exciting Saturday night with the addition of the Assembly Products Challenge. “I wanted to add some excitement to qualifying,” President of Assembly Products, Ed Schell said, “the drivers are pushing themselves to qualify for the dash now.” The top six late models in qualifying become eligible for the 10 lap fast dash and the Challenge. Assembly Products increased the purse for the fast dash for the next four weeks. In addition, they have challenged the drivers with a $1,000 bonus if one person can win the dash four weeks in a row.
Qualifying was tight, as drivers pushed to be in the top six and make the dash. Only 0.234 sec separated fast qualifier Davey Pennel (14.354 seconds) and sixth qualifier Cardell Potter (14.555 seconds). With a full field invert in the dash Potter would start the race from the pole position, while Pennel would have to race his way to the front. Pennel moved through the group quickly but ran out of laps in the end, and Cardell Potter won the fast dash. Schell was pleased with the results saying “There was a buzz in the pits and in the stands, the challenge has made the dash relevant again.”
In the feature event of the night, fast qualifier Davey Pennel would start deep in the pack. Proving that his car was the fastest on track Saturday night, Pennel worked his way through the field to challenge front-runner Mike Ehde for the top position. Pennel and Ehde battled it out for the last 12 laps of the feature, but Ehde was able to hang on to his front spot and cruise into Victory Lane. Larry Schotten and Ed Jackson won their heat races.
For the second week in a row, Brian Warner had fast qualifying time in the Sportsman division with a time of 15.672 seconds. Starting second Rick Coppernoll quickly moved into the lead and fended off pressure from Jay Potter and Daron Fish to claim the checkered flag. Coppernoll also won the heat race.
For the fourth time this season, Dave Trute had fast time in the Pure Stock division with a time of 15.987 seconds. Setting fast time and being last week’s feature winner placed Trute into the very back of the field for the feature. The excitement built as Trute moved steadily through the pack, and with just 6 laps to go made his move on race leader Mark Hohl. Trute gained his third feature win of the season and the points lead, one point ahead of defending track champion Brad Luck.
In the Bandit division, Arnold Preston was fastest during qualifying with a time of 17.625 seconds. With the return of Mark Johler the competition during the feature heated up. Both Johler and the Jungets started in the back of the feature. Brandon Junget made it to the front of the field first and took over the lead by lap 7; however, Johler was not far behind in third place. With just four laps left in the feature it became a shoot out, but Johler would run out of laps and it was Brandon Junget that took home the trophy and the feature win. Kelsey Schultz, Jerry Martens, and Mark Johler won the heat races.
Quick Results with hometowns can be viewed here: http://www.dellsracewaypark.com/stars/article/062010/quick-results-061910
Photos: http://www.racetrackmarketing.com/media/dells/061910/
* DSC-5397-Cardell Potter Fast Dash Winner & Lucy Schell representing Assembly Products
* DSC-5490-Brandon Junget Victory Lane
* DSC-5509-Dave Trute Victory Lane
* DSC-5525-Rick Coppernoll Victory Lane
* DSC-5551-Mike Ehde Victory Lane
