Trail-Way Speedway April 18, 2008

DIETRICH OVER ROHRBAUGH IN THRILLING TRAIL-WAY 358 SPRINT OPENER;

Hanover, PA (4/18/08) –The packed house knew it would be a good one when Billy Dietrich and Jeff Rohrbaugh lined up on the front row for Friday night’s season-opening “358” sprint car feature at Trail-Way Speedway.

Dietrich, Brad McClelland, and Rohrbaugh are the all-time winningest drivers at the McSherrystown oval, and McClelland was unable to start the feature after dropping from the field while leading his heat.

Dietrich was slated to start third, but moved to the point when Colt White opted for the rear.

And two of Trail-Way’s all-time best put on the show the fans had come to see.

Dietrich took the lead at the drop of the green and weathered several caution flags to lead the first 20 laps with Rohrbaugh right on his tail. Rohrbaugh stuck his nose under Dietrich several times as the two hit lapped traffic on lap 13. For the next seven laps the two raced wheel-to-wheel, with Rohrbaugh actually scored the leader as the two evaded Mike Duncan (driving out of the infield after getting out of shape) on lap 21.

Dietrich reclaimed the lead entering the first turn, and held off the Roy Vincent Racing #7V over the final four laps for his division-leading 12th career Trail-Way win.

“That wore me out!” exclaimed a happy Dietrich upon exiting his Racers Used Parts/William Shellehamer Hay & Straw/ Café Custom Cycles/Hoosier Tire #8D in victory lane, “We haven’t raced much yet this year. Jeff is a great driver and I was going to stick to my guns…if he passed me, he passed me.”

When asked about the seven caution flags in the first six laps, Dietrich quipped, “We can run one lap at a time as long as I’m in the lead.”

Two-time defending track champ Rohrbaugh settled for second, with Randy Whisler scored third every lap. Danny Dietrich and Dale Hammaker ran side-by-side and passed each other several times during the event to finish fourth and fifth, respectively. Completing the top ten were Steve Owings, Ron Kramer, Mike Ressler, Duncan, and Craig Laudermilch.

Heats for the 22 “358” sprinters on hand were won by Joe Trone, Jr., Rohrbaugh, and Danny Dietrich. Both Rohrbaugh and Danny Dietrich ran faster 10-lap qualifying events than the existing track record, with Rohrbaugh’s 2:20.07 establishing a new record previously held by Mike Lehman (2:20.30 set on 9/2/05).

Trail-Way Speedway April 18, 2008

358 SPRINTS

Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 8D-Billy Dietrich; 2. 7V-Jeff Rohrbaugh; 3. 64-Randy Whisler; 4. 88-Danny Dietrich; 5. 66-Dale Hammaker; 6. 35-Steve Owings; 7. 11-Ron Kramer; 8. 38-Mike Ressler; 9. 11D-Mike Duncan; 10. 9-Craig Laudermilch; 11. 10-Zach Shive Euculano (DNF); 12. 99-Joe Trone Jr (DNF); 13. 4U-Nathan Berwager (DNF); 14. 45-Colt White (DNF); 15. 2-Paul Hively III (DNF); 16. 29T-Neal Amspacher (DNF); 17. 55S-Darren Schott (DNF); 18. 34-Austin Reed (DNF); 19. 98-Randy Davis Jr. (DNF); 20. 1-Tim Wagaman (DNS); 21. 6-Brad McClelland (DNS); 22. 81-Brandon Turner (DNS).

Lap Leaders – Billy Dietrich (1-20); Jeff Rohrbaugh (21); Billy Dietrich (22-25)

Heat 1 (10 Laps/All Qualify) – 1. 99-Joe Trone Jr.; 2. 4U-Nathan Berwager; 3. 1-Tim Wagaman II; 4. 11-Ron Kramer; 5. 55S-Darren Scott; 6. 10-Zach Shive Euculano; 7. 6-Brad McClelland (DNF); 8. 81-Brandon Turner (DNS). Time – 2:24.09

Heat 2 (10 Laps/All Qualify) – 1. 7V-Jeff Rohrbaugh; 2. 8D-Billy Dietrich; 3. 35-Steve Owings; 4. 64-Randy Whisler; 5. 2-Paul Hively II; 6. 38-Mike Ressler; 7. 29T-Neal Amspacher (DNS). Time – 2:20.07 (New 10-lap track record previously held by Mike Lehman at 2:20.30 on 9/2/05)

Heat 3 (10 Laps/All Qualify) – 1. 88-Danny Dietrich III; 2. 11D-Mike Duncan; 3. 66-Dale Hammaker; 4. 45-Colt White; 5. 34-Austin Reed; 6. 98-Randy Davis Jr.; 7. 9-Craig Laudermilch. Time – 2:20.22