Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / LANCASTER SPEEDWAY – LANCASTER, NY – A pair of first time feature winners graced victory lane at Lancaster National Speedway on Saturday night in X-Press Signs Stock Car Series action. Max Northem of Alden, N.Y. and Chris Pennell of Lancaster both scored their first-ever victories in their respective divisions.
Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y. won for the second-straight week in the Sunoco Sportsman. Hossfeld started third behind Matt Druar and Jake Lyon at the drop of the green flag for the 35-lap main event. He quickly moved into second and began to attack Druar for the lead.
On lap 4, Hossfeld went to the outside of Druar in turn two. The pair raced side-by-side down the backstretch before Hossfeld pulled ahead as they entered turn 3.
The race was slowed only once by the yellow flag for a spin by Mike Ramos on lap 6. Hossfeld pulled away from the field slightly during the middle portion of the event.
Shawn Nye moved through the field from the sixth starting position to make his way into second place just past the halfway point of the event. Nye began to close the gap that Hossfeld had built in the closing laps as Hossfeld appeared to develop a push in turn 2.
In the end Hossfeld had just enough left to hold off the hard-charging Nye to pick up his second win a row. Nye finished second for the second week in a row as well. Points leader Owen Bednasz finished third with Druar and Kevin Miller rounding out the top five.
Max Northem led all 25 laps from the outside pole to win the Advance Auto Parts Street Stock feature. Northem took off from the drop of the green flag and built a half-track lead before a caution with two laps to go bunched up the field for a final restart.
Northem was driving his father’s car after mechanical problems in practice put his car on the trailer. Both Max and his father, Tom, have dealt with mechanical issues this season but their combined efforts led to a dominating performance.
Trevor Pettit was credited with second place followed by Keith Flanigan, John Carlson and Dave Wilson.
Third-generation driver Chris Pennell picked up his first-ever win in the Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinders. Pennell passed Casey Pew for the lead on lap three and survived several restarts to secure the victory. Bobby Woch was in the tire tracks of Pennell at the finish, but had to settle for second place. Dave Brunka, Dan Dressel and Dave Milbrand, Jr. rounded out the top five.
Mariah Reilly won the 10-lap Ladies Race after making a pass for the lead with three laps to go. Reilly is the granddaughter of Thompson Racing patriarch Jim Thompson. Reilly borrowed the #33 car of Bob Hanel, Sr. to compete in the event. It was her first time behind the wheel of a race car.
Lancaster’s X-Press Signs Stock Car Series with a special mid-week show on Thursday, May 25. The Late Models will join the Sportsman, Street Stocks and 4-Cylinders. Pit gates open at 5 p.m. with front gates opening at 5:30. Racing begins at 7 p.m.
About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway, WNY’s Premier Motorsports and Event Facility, is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
RESULTS
SUNOCO SPORTSMAN
Heat Winners: Jake Lyon, Chuck Hossfeld
Feature (RESULTS UNOFFICIAL): CHUCK HOSSFELD, Shawn Nye, Owen Bednasz, Matt Druar, Kevin Miller, Mark Pennell, Tony Carbone, Sherri Hogan, Jake Lyon, Mike Ramos, Andy Jankowiak, Mike Meyers, Jayme Thompson, Dave Kozlowski, Mike Rogers
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STREET STOCKS
Heat Winners: Trevor Pettit, Rich Sharpe, Keith Flanigan
Feature: MAX NORTHEM, Trevor Pettit, Keith Flanigan, John Carlson, Dave Wilson, Mark Hoch, Ken Maltby, Jarrod Brown, Lou Carbone, Frank Prell, Randy Rogers, Chris Handley, Dennis Londos, Garrett Cleversley, Gino Pinto, Rich Sharpe DNS: Rob Pocobello DQ: Tommy Wentland
ROAMING BUFFALO 4-CYLINDERS
Heat Winners: Jason Anasiewicz, Chris Pennell
Feature: CHRIS PENNELL, Bobby Woch, Dave Brunka, Dan Dressel, Dave Milbrand, Jr., Joe Brunka, Jason Anasiewicz, Alex Morris, Bob Hanel, Sr., Casey Pew, Josh Schosek, Mark Meyers, Justin Johnson, Charles Palmer, Laurie Krol