|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Danny's First 410 Win-Congratulations, Dany!
|
Sat, Apr 21, 2007 -- "Saturday Night Live!"
Written by: Mike Leone |
Mercer Raceway Park kicked off the five-division “Saturday Night Live” program on a picture-perfect Saturday night after the past two cold, wet weekends. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Danny Holtgraver-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Jeff Schaffer-American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Matt Hay-Star’s Championship Tour Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, Brian Booher-Tire Express Stock Cars, and Lucas Sprouse-M&D Paving Mini Stocks. Armstrong presented the first $10 family night as a large amount of families enjoyed the beautiful night.
Seventeen-year-old Danny Holtgraver became the latest teenager to collect his first career Sprint Car feature win at Mercer by wiring the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling feature from green to checkered holding off the veteran Rod George.
“Wow,” exclaimed the Pittsburgh, Pa. racer following his impressive run. “I saw him (George) a couple times inside of me and I was trying not to mess up and just hold on. I’m a little tired. I had no idea we’d be this good. I’m happier than I could ever be right now.”
Holtgraver won the drag race over George into turn one using the outside to take the advantage on the start. Mike Dehner slowed the event when he looped his mount with one lap completed. Under yellow, Michigan invader Ryan Grubaugh exited the event in fourth. When racing resumed, Rob Eyler moved around New Yorker Chris Shuttleworth for fourth.
The event’s second and final caution was for a spin by Jim Chappel, who made his return to racing after a long absence. The caution benefited Eyler, who then raced past Arnie Kent for third when green replaced yellow. Up front, Holtgraver ran a great line around the outside of the track while George kept the youngster in site. The laps ticked off with George looking low on different occasions, but Holtgraver did a great job in lapped traffic.
Holtgraver’s only slip came on lap 18 when he bobbled off turn two allowing George and Eyler to close in. George was right on the leader on lap 19 and 20 as he drove hard to the bottom of turns one and two, but Holtgraver had enough momentum off the top side of the track to hold on.
Holtgraver took the checkered by two car lengths over George and Eyler, who was two car lengths behind George in third in his West View Motors/Martin Auto/Kargo Sales & Storage-sponsored #D4. For Holtgraver it was his second career Mercer win as he won in the Micro Sprints on June 11, 2005 as a 15-year-old. Kent was fourth over Shuttleworth. Sixth through tenth were Brent Matus, Dehner, Chappel, Joe Butera, and Grubaugh. Heat winners were Grubaugh and Dehner. | Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 | Photo 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
