The Inside Track Nov 2014 | Page 15

Tuesday, August 5: The Slingshot race at the Reading Fair used to be a two-night affair, but the folks who promote and run the racing events at the Fair, the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, want to present a varied menu of motorsports to the fairgoers, so Micro-Sprints filled the bill on Tuesday. The 270cc and Sportsman Classes were joined by the Stage One Modifieds. I’m still not sure about the Micros on that track…it’s a bit small, but the drivers seem to enjoy it. And, not to downplay Ken Andreas’ win in the 270’s, but this event kicked off what turned into a pretty big week for Jarid Kunkle, who won the Sportsman feature at the Fair. Wednesday, August 6: The Hell Tour moved to the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA on the Kutztown Fairgrounds. The night was notable because Jarid Kunkle (remember him?) recorded his first career triumph in a 600cc Micro-Sprint when he took the wingless victory at his home track. The other winners this night were Earl Paules (his first win in a SpeedSTR), Larry Raifsnider (All Star Slingshots), and Damon Paul made it two in a row in the Junior Slingers. Remember the name Damon Paul, too… Friday, August 8: Back to the Reading Fair for 125cc Micro-Sprints, Stage One Modifieds, and Karts. Darren Miller bagged the 125cc victory in a race marked by heavy contact in almost every turn of every lap. I do enjoy watching the Karts whiz around the small oval at the Reading Fair; all three classes of Karts were very competitive. Saturday, August 9: The first half of Hell Tour would wrap up with a huge seven-feature card at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway. The 270’s and 600’s made up features that were rained out on July 19, then competed – along with the 125cc, Sportsman, and 250cc Four-Stroke Micros – in heats, consolations, and regularly scheduled 25-lap main events. Significant item from this night: Heath Hehnly swept the 600cc features for his only two victories of what became a championship season for Hehnly and car owner Sonny Cooke. Oh, and Jarid Kunkle won again…this time, he cashed in for his second Sportsman triumph of the week and his first win in that division at the Clyde. Tuesday, August 12: All day rain put an end to any hope of racing at the Kutztown Fair, giving me three consecutive days without any races…and I have to admit, I wasn’t too disappointed when I heard the event was cancelled. Wednesday, August 13: The JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA dried out from Tuesday’s precipitation, and the Fair Week Nationals began with Billy Pauch Jr. taking the big win in Wingless 600cc activity, while James Morris collected $1,000 for winning the Hump Day Challenge for the wingless 600’s. Morris had recently junked not one, but two frames in a couple of bone-jarring flips, so it was nice to see him earn some big dollars. Brad Brightbill won his first SpeedSTR feature, but the best was yet to come for Kenny’s kid… November 2014 ~ 15