ARDC News - Tim Buckwalter Wins ARDC Season Opener At Big Diamond

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TIM BUCKWALTER WINS 2012 ARDC OPENER

SIDE-BY-SIDE Dual Has Race Decided on Final Lap

The drivers of the American Racing Driver's Club (ARDC) left nothing on the table in their 2012 season opener at the Big Diamond Speedway! With multiple lead changes in the final laps, this one definitely wasn't over until the waving of the checkered flag!

Twenty-six cars participated in the 73rd ARDC season opener.

Dave Shirk and Dave Ely led the field to the green flag. Ely slid wide in turns one and two as second year competitor, Mark Gilmore of Hackettstown, NJ took command to lead lap one.

Gilmore was able to move away from the field about several car lengths as the race continued for the runner-up spot. After a caution flag for Joe Butera, Steven Drevicki moved into second ahead of Shirk as Steve Buckwalter moved into contention after starting twelfth on the grid.

Drevicki and S. Buckwalter battled for second. S. Buckwalter completed the pass and set his sights on the the leader, Gilmore.

When Dusty Heistand's #6 came to a stop, the caution flew again, erasing any advantage that Gilmore held over S. Buckwalter. The anticipated challenge for the lead did not materialize as the Zero car slowed on the restart and once again the field was under caution.

Gilmore maintained the lead on the restart but there was plenty of company gathering as the race returned to green. 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand moved in to challenge T. Buckwalter first and then he moved in on Drevicki for second.

As the race approached the half way mark, Gilmore was feeling the pressure from Heistand as T. Buckwalter, Drevicki and Parker Evans completed the top five.

Heistand moved into the lead as the field took the five to go sign as Buckwalter moved past Gilmore for second.

Heistand had his hands full of T. Buckwalter as the pair battled side-by-side. The advantage changed between the two drivers at different points on the 3/8 mile speedway. Heistand and T. Buckwalter gave the fans what they have come to expect from ARDC racing - this wheel to wheel competition.

It was still anyone's race to win as the field entered the final turn on the last lap. Giving it his all, Hiestand lost the handle in turn four. The caution flew to set-up another one lap shootout for the win.

Now it was Nick Wean who would challenge T. Buckwalter for the win. Wean took over the lead as the pair raced through the first and second corners but Tim Buckwalter was not to be denied. After being plagued on many race nights in 2011 with mechanical issues, the young racer from Douglassville, PA raced back to take the lead and the checkered flag.

Mark Gilmore followed Buckwalter and Wean across the line for his best ARDC finish to date. Ely raced his way back to finish fourth with second generation driver, Trevor Kobylarz completing the top five at the flag.

Heat wins went to Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Brett Arndt and Steve Buckwalter.

20 Lap Feature

1. Tim Buckwalter #52 2. Rick Wean #78 3. Mark Gilmore #10 4. Dave Ely #56 5. Trevor Kobylarz #49 6. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. #83 7. Steven Drevicki #19 8. Parker Evans #61 9. Andrew Hannula #9 10. PJ Gargiulo #5 11. Alex Bright #77 12. Eric Heydenreich #11 13. Ryan Greth #26 14. Randy Reid #53 15. Carey Becker #14 16. Drew Heistand #1 17. Steve Craig #55 18. Joe Butera #3 19. Dave Shirk #16 20. Ryan Smith #33 21. Steve Buckwalter #0 22. Jimmy Glenn #07 23. Brett Wanner #44 24. Dusty Heistand #6

Season Opener notes - After a win in the second qualifying race, Brett Arndt was forced to scratch from the feature with motor problems. Steven Drevicki had his hands full when a radius rod broke on the Degre Engineering #19 on the final lap. Joe Butera made the five hour driver to compete in the season opener from his Wampum, PA home. Micro sprint driver, Ryan Greth, made his first ARDC appearance behind the Buckwalter rental. 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand will use the #1 this season. The car #1 is reserved for the prior season's champion.