News from the Fairgrounds at Kutztown Speedway

Strong Fields and Great Qualifying Action on Night One of Kutztown Fair Nationals



by BARRY ANGSTADT



Kutztown, Pa. - August 17 - The first night of the Kutztown Fair Nationals produced excellent 35-car fields in both the wingless 600cc and 270cc Micro-Sprint classes on Tuesday.



With the 139th Kutztown Fair serving as the backdrop, Brian Carber (wingless 600cc) and Ryan Smith (270cc) topped their respective divisions in time trials. Carber toured the one-fifth mile oval in 12.278 seconds, while Smith's quick lap was turned in 11.527 seconds.



Delaware's Luke Thomas, Brett Michalski, track champ Jeff Hartman, and Brett Schoenly completed the top five in wingless 600cc time trials.



Mike Rutherford, Charlie Stone, Ross Perchak, and Heath Hehnly rounded out the top five in time trials for the 270cc Micros.



A dual heat race format, utilizing a point system for finishing position and passing points, was used for both classes of Micro-Sprints. Heat winners for the wingless 600cc racers included Brian Carber, Luke Thomas, Ryan Smith, Jeff Hartman, Jesse Hartman (Jeff's cousin), Shane Lewis, Patrick Perone, and Joe Kepple.



The 270cc heat race victors were: Ryan Smith, Trevor Kobylarz, Charlie Stone, Richie Hartman, Matt Janisch, Josh Pepe, Harlee Schaffer, and Ross Perchak.



After the completion of all of the heat races, Kutztown officials calculated the points and determined the 16 drivers in each class who transferred directly to Wednesday night's 30-lap main event, along with those who will have to compete in a last-chance B-Main on Wednesday. Eight drivers will qualify from each of the B-Mains. The qualifying results appear below. NOTE: the top six in points in each class will compete in a six-lap Dash on Wednesday evening. The finishing order of the Dash will determine the first six starting positions in the respective main events.



Wednesday's action begins with warm-ups at 6 p.m. Racing gets underway at 6:30.



Both the 270cc and 600cc divisions will be featured in 30-lap main events paying $1,500 to win and $75 to start. RTS Chassis of Reading, Pa., is the Micro-Sprint headline sponsor for the Fair Race events.





Micro-Sprint racers will have the opportunity to earn special awards and contingency prizes thanks to sponsors J.R. Michalski Heating & Air Conditioning, HTMA 600 Pro Series ($100 to first member across the line), NPS Engine ($100 to highest finisher with NPS power), Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic (right-rear to first 600 Pro Series member), Hyper Racing, Schoenly Enterprises, DMI, Carber's Lawn and Landscaping, RPM New and Used Auto Parts, XS Energy Drinks, Keizer Wheels and Outerwears.



Kutztown Fair Fodder...track official Kevin Steele was injured during one of the 270cc heat races when he was hit by one of the cars as he attended to the disabled racecar of Kurt Bettler in turn two. As the car went by him under caution, its shock tower apparently caught the back of Steele's leg, causing a nasty gash in his calf. Steele was taken by ambulance to the Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where he was examined and received stitches to close the wound.



A nice crowd turned out on a beautiful night to watch the qualifying activity on Tuesday. One admission price entitles fairgoers to everything that the country fair has to offer, including the races.



QUALIFYING RESULTS:

Wingless 600cc Micro-Sprints...Drivers who earned the most points and thereby qualified for the 30-lap A-Main: Jeff Hartman, Brian Carber, Brett Schoenly, Brett Arndt, Shane Lewis, Luke Thomas, Jesse Hartman, Brett Michalski, Ryan Smith, Kyle Lick, Ryan Greth, Danny Wykes, Joe Kepple, Patrick Petrone, Steven Kemery, Kyle Reinhardt.



Wingless 600cc B-Main Lineup: Joe Kata, Jay Hartman, Tim Buckwalter, Keith McIntyre, Joe Kay, Shelby Harper, Heath Hehnly, Mike Dicely, Paul Richards, Brendan Bright, Ryan Stillwagon, Louis Horvath, Dave Dimaio, Terry Schaeffer, Carey Becker, Ben Quinones, Brittany Tresch, Devin Beidel, Andrew Ressler.



270cc Micro-Sprints...Drivers who earned the most points, thereby qualifying for the 30-lap A-Main: Ross Perchak, Trevor Kobylarz, Richie Hartman, Jay Hartman, Mike Rutherford, Ryan Smith, Rob Pajauis, Josh Pepe, Charlie Stone, Harlee Schaffer, Jared Kunkle, Tom Schearer, J.J. Uliana, Heath Hehnly, Matt McAnally, Matt Janisch.



270cc B-Main Lineup: Devin Harron, John Pepe, Jimmy Carpenter, Phil Rupert, Andrew Dietrich, Tom Kunsman Jr., Bill Darcy Jr., Steve Lipina, Tyler Reinhardt, Dan Souder, Billy Murphy, Eric Grzesnikowski, Ronald Helmick, Marc McConnell, Tim Buckwalter, Lee Reinhardt, Mike Dicely, Kurt Bettler, Jim Skias.