The Pennsylvanian collects his first career World of Outlaws victory at Lincoln
ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. - May 10, 2012 - The flash bulbs kept popping, the confetti kept falling and the celebration kept intensifying.
It wasn't a normal Victory Lane. Then again, Danny Dietrich isn't a normal winner and the World of Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse rivalry isn't a normal matchup.
Dietrich, a native Pennsylvanian whose 24th birthday is a week and a half away, picked up his first career World of Outlaws victory on Thursday in The Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway.
"Words can't express," a beaming Dietrich said. "I'm ready to go drink a few beers."
Dietrich was dominant in the first World of Outlaws event at the semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval since 1998. After starting seventh, he was up to fourth place within the first three laps. Following a caution on lap four for Alan Krimes, who spun in turn one, Dietrich took little time finding the lead.
He passed Danny Lasoski for third on the backstretch of lap four and then blew by polesitter Lance Dewease for the runner-up position on the ensuing lap. Dietrich edged Sam Hafetertepe Jr. for the lead as the duo cross the finish line on lap six and quickly checked out.
"When he drove around us on the outside I knew that there was nobody going to beat him tonight," Hafertepe Jr. said. "That's the most dominant car that's been out here in a long time."
Dietrich had to survive four cautions, including the final three for drivers who had trouble while running in the top 10. Lasoski slowed dramatically on the backstretch on lap 18 and Adam Wilt hit the wall in turn two on lap 24. The final caution came on the restart for fifth-running Doug Esh, who came to a stop in turn two after colliding with another driver.
Despite double-file restarts, Dietrich rocketed to the lead every time and never faced a stiff challenge once he found the top spot.
"All about knowing the track and getting the setup right," he said. "I felt like we hit it perfect from the drop of the green and hopefully we can do that the rest of the weekend.
"This is pretty much a normal Saturday night for us. We've been fast. We just had to clear up a few issues. Luckily we put it all together tonight."
It was the third win of the season for Dietrich, which comes as no surprise to Dewease.
"Danny deserves to win," he said after finishing second. "He's been the best race car in Central PA all year and definitely the best race car here all year.
"He started seventh so he must have been pretty good to get up through there that quick. I'm sure he got to the top before a lot of people did, but he can run anywhere at this race track."
Hafertepe Jr. was third with Cory Haas charging from 17th to finish fourth. Lucas Wolfe, who hails from nearby Mechanicsburg, was the top World of Outlaws driver as he placed fifth.
Kevin Nouse earned the KSE Hard Charger Award after maneuvering from 23rd to sixth. Donny Schatz finished seventh and is the new World of Outlaws points leader. It marks the sixth consecutive race the top spot has changed.
Fred Rahmer drove from 22nd to eighth, Daryn Pittman finished ninth and Gerard McIntyre rounded out the top 10.
Sammy Swindell, who entered the event with the World of Outlaws points lead, set quick time with a lap of 14.501 seconds. Wolfe, Chad Kemenah, McIntyre and Esh each claimed a heat race, with Bill Stine winning the C Main and Brad McClelland the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws face the Posse at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg on Friday and Saturday.
"We're strong," Dietrich said of the Posse. "I think we're always fast when the Outlaws come to town. Hopefully we can keep it up."
The Gettysburg Clash Notebook
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): Brian Montieth; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Cory Haas; Armor All (case of product): Cory Haas; STP ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; UNOH ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Alan Krimes; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Gerard McIntyre; JE Pistons (set of rings): Alan Krimes; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Cody Darrah; Wix Filters ($50 cash): Stevie Smith; Superflow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad McClelland; JE Pistons (set of rings): Craig Dollansky; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Kraig Kinser; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Brad McClelland.
WINNERS - Sammy Swindell - 4 (Eldora Speedway on May 5, Knoxville Raceway on April 28, Missouri State Fair Speedway on April 20 and Merced Speedway on March 30); Donny Schatz - 3 (Farmer City Raceway on April 25, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Craig Dollansky - 2 (Tri-State Speedway on April 21 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Tim Kaeding - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); Joey Saldana - 2 (Paducah International Raceway on April 13 and Perris Auto Speedway on March 10); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 10); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Eldora Speedway on May 4); Danny Lasoski - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18).
TIME TRIALS - Sammy Swindell was the fastest qualifier around the 3/8-mile oval with a time of 14.501 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Donny Schatz (4 points), Adam Wilt (3), Daryn Pittman (2) and Jac Haudenschild (1).
WE'RE ONLINE - Make sure to check out WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .
- Admin Account on May 11, 2012
- Article Date: 5/10/2012 by Shawn Miller - World of Outlaws