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We have never been to this track before, so pops and I were looking forward to this all week, especially since the weather has been so nice. Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is HUGE! The track is big, the stands are big, the parking lot is big. The track has old light poles that line the front stretch....they are old and rusty and extremely tall, looking like oil derricks! The grandstands go up and up, almost like being in a football stadium, it is alot of climbing to get to the top. While hoofing it to the top, we noticed that the wood on these bleachers is very old in some places and I hope that the track replaces these this offseason. The view is awesome, and the weather was perfect. We got there early and it was nice that the track had the Pitt-Akron game on over the pa system. Go Zips!
There were a few surprises at this event and worth mentioning.... The size of the track and facility, the smoothness of the track, Kody Swanson from Cali driving the Hampshire 63, Mitch Harble timing really well, ( he races alot at Orrville and has never impressed much there) Tim Shaffer's struggles, the 6 wide parade lap and pops picked the winner, Greg Wilson!
The track was good all night but better as it slicked off, allowing for better racing. Tim Shaffer had motor troubles and missed his qualifying spot due to engine change....then when he came out last he timed in the top 5...but had to start the feature on the tail because he missed his qualifying slot. The 6 wide parade lap was something new and I must say, I was suprised by my reaction to it. It caught me offgaurd when they did it but it looked awesome and I started laughing. Cool, so cool Renegades! One poster on this site said this track was a motor only, no passing track...but I saw three wide racing for the lead. Hannigan got out in front, Holtgraver followed and Sheldon hung in 3rd. It went like that until halfway when Holtrgraver caught Hannigan in traffic and was on his bumper, both cars riding up against the fence. I had been watching Shaffer come through the field from last by drifting up to turn 2 fence, and shooting down the backstretch after hitting the moisture, so my attention turned to the leaders when it got interesting at the front. All of a sudden out of nowhere Wilson, who had been spinning around in 6th going nowhere, found traction low and joined the leaders in their battle. That got my heart pounding and now we have a race! After changing positions a few times back and forth, Wilson powered by for good and later Holtgraver got by Hannigan for 2nd.
Good race. Satisfying and I was happy to see Greg Wilson back in form. He is a good one and has been absent from victory lane too long. Almost half way through this race, during a caution, pops said he picked the wrong gy because Wilson was making no progress in 6th or 7th. Well, you never know what can happen!
Thanks Renegades, it's a good vibe, good racing, I like it....see you at Atomic in October.
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