Congratulations to Our Black Magic Shock Track and Division Champions Mike Ricci, (Dirt), Frank Guidance (Dirt), JT Bunting (Dirt), Don Adams (Asphalt).
Frank Guidace came out on top of the 20-lap American Racer/Lias Tire Modified feature after a stirring duel with Ron Eperthener, Jr. then held off Kevin Hoffman for his second victory of the season.
"I didn't realize he was there, he snuck up on me," revealed the Mercer, Pa. winner when asked about Eperthener taking the lead. "I was hitting the cushion and the car was a little too tight. I saw him underneath me out of the corner of my eye. I changed my line and caught back up to him and got into that corner and didn't know if I should go low or high. I chose low and saw him high didn't work for him. I feel bad for him he was running well."
Bill Adams took the early lead from pole-sitter Nick Ritchey. Guidace, who started 12th, made a nice move to pass both Eperthener and Kevin Green for third on lap four. On the ensuing lap, Guidace drove under Ritchey off turn two to grab second. On the same lap, Eperthener and Jimmy Holden took third and fourth from Ritchey.
Guidace ran down Adams and grabbed the top spot on lap six driving around the leader off turn two. Adams slowed on lap seven allowing Eperthener, 16th starting Brad Rapp, and Holden to take second, third, and fourth. Thirteenth starting Steve Young quietly worked his way into contention passing Holden for fourth on lap eight then stole third from Rapp the following lap.
Guidace was running the cushion and his car got tight, which allowed Eperthener to run down the leader on lap 11. Eperthener dove under Guidace on lap 13 racing off turn two for the lead. Eperthener then caught lapped traffic on lap 16. Guidace wasn't about to allow Eperthener to speed off to his first win of the year as he ran down the leader on lap 17. The two raced side-by-side down the backstretch splitting the lapped car of Fred Sasse. Going into turn three, Guidace went low and Eperthener high, but Eperthener ran out of room in traffic looping his mount and was collected by Rapp ending both racers' fine runs.
Just when it appeared Guidace would go unchallenged, ninth starter Kevin Hoffman passed Holden for third then got past Young for runner-up on lap 18. Hoffman quickly closed on Guidace and appeared as if he was going to make a last lap challenge, but got high on the backstretch allowing Guidace to go uncontested to the finish for his third career 358 Modified win and ninth overall at the track in his G&G Auto Outlet-sponsored, Hine-powered Teo #1G.
"I didn't know how close they were, but I didn't care I wasn't changing lines," explained Guidace when asked about Hoffman and Young. "The cushion was so high and the track was unbelievable. Lots of traction."
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