Story By: CHRIS MOORE / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – GAFFNEY, SC – Not “your mama’s” heat races. Qualifying Night presented by Penske Racing Shocks is in the books, setting the stage for the ‘Rebel 50.’
The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco is set for the debut of the Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series.
Fifty-seven STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds participated in four 20-lap qualifying events paying $1,000 to win each (a total purse of more than $20,000). Twenty cars are locked into tomorrow’s ‘Rebel 50,’ with 10 more set to lock in through B-Mains tomorrow.
Phoenix, N.Y.’s Larry Wight claimed the first qualifier presented by Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools from his 14th starting spot. Wight raced forward through early yellows, and then outdueled Saratoga Springs, N.Y.’s Jack Lehner and East Greenbush, N.Y.’s Bobby Hackel IV to claim the first event.
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen dominated Qualifier No. 2 presented by Wegner Automotive, leading all 20 laps to claim the $1,000 paycheck. Queensbury, N.Y.’s Demetrios Drellos and Potsdam, N.Y.’s Michael Maresca rounded out the top-three.
Matt Sheppard joined Friesen, dominating his third Qualifier presented by Mike’s Racing Heads. The Savannah, N.Y. native easily rolled to victory over Milford, Del.’s H.J. Bunting and Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown.
Danny Creeden started slow in qualifier No. 4 presented by DKM Fabrication; however, the Wurtsboro, N.Y., native found his rhythm, rolling around Darren Smith and driving away with the win. Smith, of Binghamton, N.Y., claimed second and Port Jervis, N.Y.’s Billy Van Inwegen rounded out the top-three.
The top-five finishers in each of the four qualifiers are locked into the Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series debut, while the others will look to qualify through Saturday’s B-Mains.
The STSS Modifieds race for 50-laps in pursuit of the $25,000 grand prize and the first-ever Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series victory.
The Mid-East Street Stocks join the program again along with the SHARP Mini Late Models to round out the program.
All gates open at 2 p.m. for the Saturday program.
John Schneider, the actor who played Bo Duke in the hit TV show ‘Dukes of Hazzard,’ will be on hand for Saturday’s program, with a meet and greet at his merchandise trailer from 3-4 p.m.
Hot laps are set to begin at 5 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $30 for Adults (13 & over) while Kids (12 & Under) get in FREE.
Pit admission is $40 for Adults (13 & over) and Kids (12 & Under) get in FREE.
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS QUALIFYING NIGHT RESULTS SUMMARY – CHEROKEE SPEEDWAY FEBRUARY 25, 2022
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series Modified Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools Qualifying Race No. 1 Finish (20 laps): LARRY WIGHT, Ryan Watt, Bobby Hackel, Jack Lehner, Andy Bachetti, Anthony Perrego, Brett Haas, Billy Decker, Adam Pierson, Doug Snyder, Derrick McGrew Jr., Bob McGannon, Sean Metz, Francois Bellemare, Erick Rudolph.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series Modified Wegner Automotive Qualifying Race No. 2 Finish (20 laps): STEWART FRIESEN, Demetrios Drellos, Michael Maresca, Mat Williamson, J.R. Heffner, Jimmy Horton, L.J. Lombardo, Jeff Taylor, Ryan Krachun, W.B. James, Allison Ricci, Daniel Morgiewicz, Matt Stangle, Corbin Millar.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series Modified Mike’s Racing Heads Qualifying Race No. 3 Finish (20 laps): MATT SHEPPARD, H.J. Bunting, Ryan Godown, Dominick Buffalino, Billy Pauch Jr., Jeremy Pitts, Jimmy Phelps, Mike Gular, Marshall Hurd, Ronnie Johnson, Neil Stratton, Jacob Dgien, Steve Davis, Mike Trautschold.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series Modified DKM Fabrication Qualifying Race No. 4 Finish (20 laps): DANNY CREEDEN, Darren Smith, Billy Van Inwegen, Rocky Warner, Max McLaughlin, Marc Johnson, Alex Yankowski, Alan Johnson, Matt Smith, David Schilling, Peter Britten, Mike Mahaney, Jared Umbenhauer, Sean Beardsley.