YORK HAVEN, Pa.: Tony Jackson was busy through the early stages of the 2024 racing season. So much so, that it took him away from the Wingless Sportsman ranks.
Dabbling in the 410 Sprint Car ranks is no easy task. It takes time and studying. And that doesn’t include the mental toll it takes competing against some of the biggest names in dirt-track racing.
Now, Jackson is back … at least he was Saturday night at BAPS Motor Speedway. Obviously, the Carlisle, Pa., driver didn’t lose a step, as he blasted his way to a sweep of two Wingless Super Sportsman main events on Rock-It Pizza Night at the speedway.
“It feels good to be back at BAPS since I have so many laps here in my career,” Jackson said. “I had a lot of confidence after the first feature since we were so good during the first one. We made a good number of changes to the car figuring the track would get wider and slicker.
“The team did a great job all night, and when you are surrounded with good people and good equipment, it makes my job a whole lot easier.”
Jackson took a methodical approach in the make-up feature from May 17. He started eighth on the grid and rocketed into fourth by the completion of Lap 2. Four laps later, he was running second.
Catching Bill Brian Jr. was a little more difficult. It wasn’t until the 13th circuit that Jackson was able to sail by and take the lead for good in the 20-Lap affair.
From there, it was pure domination. He claimed the win by 3.109 seconds over Steve Wilbur. Brian, Jay Fannasy, and Trent Yoder completed the top five.
In the nightcap for the division, Jackson again had to chase down one of the better drivers in the division. Wilbur, who started on the pole, set the pace for the first 12 laps but had his lead wiped out by a caution.
Jackson, who started ninth, was on his rear nerf bar and wasted little time getting out front. He wrestled the lead away from Wilbur and drove away to the win by .498 seconds over Brian, who passed Wilbur on the last lap. Eric Walker, Wilbur, and Jay Fannasy completed the top five.
The Creekside Auto Sales 358 Late Model Feature was also a 20-Lap affair, with Lane Snook taking the lead just before the halfway point and cruising to the win.
Matt Adams started on the pole and led the first nine laps. Snook dropped back to second from his front-row starting spot and surged out front on Lap 10.
Snook survived a Lap 13 caution and was never challenged in his 2.644-second victory over Travis Mease. Adams, Matt Murphy, and Zach Kauffman completed the top five.
A pair of 602 Crate Sportsman features also took place. Troy Conrad owned the first event, starting third and taking the lead on Lap 13 to secure the win.
Conrad blasted to the front, disposing of pole-sitter Joe Toth. He held off Brandon Watkins by 1.316 seconds to claim the victory.
In the second 602 feature, Steve Davis led the final eight circuits of the 20-Lap event to punch his ticket to Victory Lane. John McGeoy was .930 seconds back at the finish.
Davis started seventh and quickly made his way to the front. He took the lead from Toth on Lap 13 and wasn’t challenged the rest of the way. Brandon Watkins, Bryce Bashore, and Shawn Light completed the top five.
Wingless Super Sportsman Feature Finish (May 17), 20 Laps: 1. Tony Jackson; 2. Steve Wilbur; 3. Billy Brian Jr.; 4. Jay Fannasy; 5. Trent Yoder; 6. Eric Walker; 7. Brian Nace; 8. Cooper Shue; 9. Sam Leonard Jr.; 10. Chad Baker; 11. Luke Lenker; 12. Jordan Fulton; 13. Andy Burkhart; 14. Kevin Gutshall; 15. Cliff Brian Jr.; 16. Brandon Shearer.
Wingless Super Sportsman Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Tony Jackson; 2. Billy Brian Jr.; 3. Eric Walker; 4. Steve Wilbur; 5. Jay Fannasy; 6. Brandon Shearer; 7. Chad Thomas; 8. Dexter Ehrenzeller; 9. Brian Nace; 10. Sam Leonard Jr.; 11. Andy Burkhart; 12. Cooper Shue; 13. Jordan Fulton; 14. Troy Fraker; 15. Stan Wanner; 16. Luke Lenker; 17. Trent Yoder; 18. Kevin Gutshall; 19. Roy Denike; 20. Chad Baker; 21. Cliff Brian Jr.
358 Late Model Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Lane Snook; 2. Travis Mease; 3. Matt Adams; 4. Matt Murphy; 5. Zach Kauffman; 6. Wayne Pfeil; 7. Daulton Bigler; 8. Jared Miller; 9. Trent Merkel; 10. Hunter Fulton; 11. Scott Palmer; 12. Cole Slanker; 13. Drew Weisser; 14. Charles Potts; 15. Travis Horan; 16. Mike Potts; 17. Shawn Liddick.
Make-up 602 Crate Sportsman Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Troy Conrad; 2. Brandon Watkins; 3. Joe Toth; 4. Chase Rehbein; 5. Tyler Vidal; 6. Bobby Kupp; 7. Delanna Rehbein; 8. Jeff Sechrist; 9. Bob Stough; 10. Bryce Bashore; 11. Ryan Maher.
Regular 602 Crate Sportsman Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Steve Davis; 2. John McGeoy; 3. Brandon Watkins; 4. Bryce Bashore; 5. Shawn Light; 6. Chase Rehbein; 7. Bob Stough; 8. Troy Conrad; 9. Bobby Kupp; 10. Brandon Auman; 11. Tyler Vidal; 12. Dwayne Guistwite; 13. Delanna Rehbein; 14. Joe Toth; 15. Ryan Maher; 16. Donnie Broderick.
- April Clark on Aug 19, 2024
- Article Date: 8/19/2024