Dietz Wins Lincoln Speedway Outlaw Tune-Up
COLUMN BY: LINCOLN SPEEDWAY – ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – Lincoln Speedway hosted its “Outlaw Tune-Up” on Saturday night, serving as the final test ahead of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series’ first Pennsylvania appearance of the season. With Outlaw competitors Logan Schuchart and Cole Macedo in the field, along with NASCAR star Kasey Kahne behind the wheel of the Macri No. 39M, the 35-lap feature delivered a high-energy preview of what’s to come.
Cameron Smith and Schuchart brought the field to green, with Smith grabbing the early advantage into turn one. Schuchart settled into second, while Chase Dietz quickly positioned himself in third. Behind them, Freddie Rahmer moved into fourth, with Kody Hartlaub holding off pressure from Troy Wagaman and Logan Rumsey.
Lapped traffic became a factor just seven laps into the race, allowing Schuchart to close in on Smith as both worked the top groove. Schuchart began searching for speed on the bottom, but a caution on lap nine for a spin by Domenic Melair reset the field.
On the restart, Dietz made a strong move to the inside in turn one to take over second. Moments later, Schuchart’s night came to an end when he backed into the wall in turn one, bringing out a red flag on lap 10 and shaking up the running order.
Back under green, Smith maintained the lead with Dietz in pursuit and Rahmer in third. Wagaman made an aggressive charge, and got past Hartlaub for fourth. As the race crossed the midway point, lapped traffic once again tightened the battle at the front, bringing Smith, Dietz, and Rahmer together in a three-way fight for the lead.
Smith briefly created separation by navigating traffic, but Dietz reeled him back in as they worked through lapped traffic. With lapped cars racing side-by-side ahead of the leaders, the top four—Smith, Dietz, Rahmer, and Wagaman—were all in contention.
A caution on lap 28 for a spin by Wagaman, who had just taken over third at the line, set up a pivotal restart. Smith led Dietz, Rahmer, Hartlaub, and Macedo back to green, but it was Dietz who seized the moment. Carrying momentum down the backstretch, he powered into the lead and never looked back.
Behind him, Macedo advanced into fourth, while Rumsey worked his way past Hartlaub to claim fifth in the closing laps.
Dietz went on to score the victory in the Outlaw Tune-Up, building momentum heading into Tuesday’s Gettysburg Clash, when the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series invades Lincoln Speedway to kick off the annual Pennsylvania Posse vs. Outlaws battle.
Fletcher Stays Perfect at Lincoln with Summer Series Opener Victory
Lincoln Speedway kicked off the Mamma’s Pizza Summer Series on Saturday night with a 25-lap feature that saw another dominant performance from a familiar face, as Cody Fletcher remained unbeaten at the track in 2026.
The feature began with Brock Hammaker and Adam Carberry leading the field to green, battling side-by-side through turns one and two. Carberry powered to the early lead at the line, with Hammaker in second and Logan Spahr settling into third. Jayden Wolf and Fletcher completed the top five in the opening laps.
An early caution on lap five for a spin by Trevor Stover slowed the pace and set up a restart. Carberry maintained control out front, but Spahr quickly made his presence known, charging into second and setting his sights on the lead. Hammaker also remained in the mix, creating a three-car battle at the front between Carberry, Spahr, and Hammaker.
As the trio battled, Spahr worked the high side while Carberry and Hammaker raced the bottom groove. The intense fight took a dramatic turn when Spahr made a bid for the lead in turns three and four, only to flip and collect several frontrunners, including Carberry, Hammaker, and Wolf. The incident reshuffled the field and handed the lead to Fletcher.
On the restart, Fletcher led Cameron Merriman, Tim Wagaman, Tyler Ulrich, and Matt Findley back to green. Merriman stayed within striking distance, preventing Fletcher from pulling away as the laps clicked off. Behind them, a tight battle for position developed, with Eli Tuckey charging forward to break into the top five, eventually moving into fourth.
With seven laps remaining, Merriman mounted his strongest challenge, pulling alongside Fletcher on the backstretch in a side-by-side battle for the lead. Fletcher held firm on the bottom while Merriman searched for speed on the top groove.
Lapped traffic came into play in the closing laps, ultimately working in Fletcher’s favor. Merriman was forced off his preferred line, allowing Fletcher to create some separation. On the final lap, Wagaman closed in to challenge Merriman for second, but Merriman held on at the line.
Fletcher went on to secure the victory, his fourth win in four starts at Lincoln Speedway this season, continuing his remarkable early-season dominance.
Lincoln Speedway is back in action on Tuesday, May 5 with the World of Outlaws Gettysburg Clash and Wingless Super Sportsman. Racing is scheduled for 7:30PM with pit gates opening at 2PM and grandstand gates opening at 5PM.
To get all the latest news, results, schedule changes and rule changes, visit Lincoln Speedway’s website at http://www.lincolnspeedway.com. Visit the website to stay up-to-date on all the action at Central Pennsylvania’s “Premier” Saturday night racetrack – The Fabulous Lincoln Speedway.
