[nowingsjeff]

Spithaler's 360 Tops B.O.S.S. Field

Mercer, PA (May 25, 2013): Brandon Spithaler did it again, taking the B.O.S.S. traditional Sprint Car win at Mercer Raceway Park after winining the opener for the winged Sprints presented by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and New Wilmington Motors. His first win in the car fielded by Tom Burkey propelled him into the points lead for the touring series. Remarkably, Spithaler's winning ride was powered by a 360 motor!

Spithaler rebounded from a DNF the night before in at B.O.S.S. race at Wayne County Speedway. He ras running a close third that night when a bolt fell out of the steering gear. "It feels like every time I'm in that car, it's ready to win." The key to his success was the maneuverability of the car. "I could drive across the track, almost like a winged car," he explained. Spithaler used that to his advantage to chase down and pass Sheldon Haudenschild, who was riding the rim.

Showing no signs of rust from inactivity, Superman Arnie Kent raced into the early lead. He fought off a strong outside challenge from Michael Fischesser. Sheldon Haudenschild, the winner the night before, raced from seventh to second by lap five and he immediately went to work on Kent, who was making his first start of the season. Haudenschild's surge to the front was interrupted by a red for Gale Ruth, Jr., who hit a ute tire at the entry to turn one before flipping into the infield. Ruth was unhurt.

When racing resumed, Haudenschild ran the cushion into turn one and he quickly dispatched Kent. Kent maintained second until lap ten, when Dustin Smith and Spithaler made it a three wide battle for position in turns one and two. Spithaler drove off the corner with second, but Smith was unable to sneak past Kent.

Haudenschild reached the rear of the field with fifteen laps down. His pace slowed somewhat while lapping some cars, allowing Spithaler to close in. With Haudenschild up on the cushion, Spithaler moved to the middle of the track to execute the winning pass. That came in turn three with 17 laps in the books. Spithaler then opened up a comfortable lead in the final laps of the race.

Spithaler crossed the line first, followed by Haudenschild. Kent barely edged out Smith for third. In fact, they were so close at the finish that they made slight contact. Both drivers were able to maintain control and they drove safely into turn one. Brandon Matus turned in a creditable performance, taking fifth.

Steve Irwin, Mike Miller, Fischesser, Kirk Jeffers and Chad Wilson completed the top ten.

Heat wins were scored by Spitahler, Irwin, Kent and Brandon Matus. Ruth captured the B Main. Francis Sesco and Mark Cassella were unhurt when they flipped in the preliminaries.

B.O.S.S. Sprint Cars: Brandon Spithaler, Sheldon Haudenschild, Arnie Kent, Dustin Smith, Brandon Matus, Steve Irwin, Mike Miller, Michael Fischesser, Kirk Jeffers, Chad Wilson, Tony Beaber, Dallas Hewitt, Adam Miller, Aaron Middaugh, Skip Daugherty, Mike Burkin, Scott Priester, Chuck Wilson, Gale Ruth, Jr., Johnny Beaber. DNQ: Kent Wolters, Dereck Hastings, Brent Matus, Bob McMillin, Bill Griffith, John McCracken, Mark Cassella, Francis Sesco, Craig Folmer.

[Newport13]

Great write up.

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[Charles Nungester]

Woohoo, Said last year watch that guy, He's a sleeper!