Sheffield Scores first win; Rutherford, Hitzler, Hostetter return to victory lane
Linda’s Speedway returned to racing after a rain out with a five division race on Friday May 14th.
Richie Hartman and Mike Rutherford on the front row of the 270 Micro Sprint feature event certainly was a reminder of the combined success the two had at Linda’s Speedway and area speedways over the years. Both driver’s find themselves in different situations, none more different than Rutherford who was running his 450cc four stroke against the 270 Micro Sprints. Rutherford wrestled the lead away early and held the top spot until the checkered flag for his first Linda’s Speedway win in over five years.
Brandon Heist finished in second followed by Mike Boyer, Hartman, and Pete Skias.
270 Micro Sprint heat winners were Darren Schott, Jacob Dunn, and Mike Boyer. Nate Gibble was the consolation winner.
Connor Sheffield had no easy task on his way to his first 600 Micro Sprint win. The Hoosier Tire MA/ Hyper Racing 600 Micro Sprints saw a three car battle for the lead for almost the whole event with Sheffield holding off his teammate Pat Bealer as well as Brian Kramer coming to the checkered flag. Jasper Zeigafuse and Michael Nolf were the remaining cars in the top five finishers.
600 Micro Sprint heat wins went to Tyler Lindsay, Sheffield, and Bealer. Jackson White won the consolation.
Is racing really like riding a bike? You never forget how to do it? It sure seems like that is the case for Richie Hitzler. Hitzler climbed behind the wheel of a second Ray Gradwell car on Friday night and drove to the checkered flag. The winningest driver in Modified history at the speedway had no competed in a 600 Modified until this race this season. Hitzler was challenged in the final lap by Eric Hollenbach who enjoyed a career best second place finish. Sam Scicchitano, Kenny Harris, and Christian Donati were the top five finishers.
Modified heat race winners were Ed Hollenbach, Eric Hollenbach, and Matt Warner.
On a night when the Kimmel Racing cars ran without their car owner at the track, all four drivers were on the front stretch at the end of the event following a first through fourth place finish. Troy Hostetter was the first to see the checkered flag after battle with Dale Kreiser in the closing laps. Kreiser finished second. Chucky Kimmel was third and Ed Hollenbach finished fourth. Shane Flaherty rounded out the top five finishers.
The Charger heat wins went to Sam Yeagley, Ed Hollenbach, and Troy Hostetter. Dale Kreiser won the consolation race.
Justin Harrington is rolling close to perfect right now at Linda’s Speedway. Harrington picked up his second win of the season in the 125 Micro Sprints. Austin Graby and Holden Eckman rounded out the podium finishers. Matt Fernsler was fourth and Tyler Martin fifth.
125 Micro Sprint heat winners were Holden Eckman and Charles Hellinger.
Next Friday night, May 21, will be a five division show and the first time the 600 Micro Sprints will compete both winged and wingless on the same night in quite some time at the speedway. The 270 Micro Sprints, Modifieds, and Chargers will also be in action. Admission to the grandstands will only be $5!
Pit gates open at 5 and grandstands open at 5:30. Practice starts at 7 followed by racing.
More information regarding Linda’s Speedway can be found on LindasSpeedway.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You can also call the speedway hotline at 717-865-5330.
