As they rocketed off turn four to take the crossed flags, Hoch went a bit higher than normal to get
a run down the banking as the lead duo moved onto the homestretch. His strategy worked as his
No. 35 pulled even with Bieber at the start/finish line. They rubbed in one and two, with Hoch
nosing ahead on the back chute. The National Tour's point leader was now the race leader, with
nine laps remaining, and he was not about to give it up.
Bieber tried to surprise the leader on a restart with a couple of circuits left, but the attempt was
called back by track officials and the subsequent restart had Hoch accelerate away from Bieber,
putting an end to any potential late race drama.
Mike Fry Photo
Hoch flew to the checkered, capping a late season comeback in the National standings that
culminated in a final race win and championship. Bieber's three-year strangle-hold on the National
title came to an end with his second-place finish in the finale, and Raifsnider, who led the National
standings for a while during the summer, wound up third in the Fall Jamboree's A-Main for the All
Star Slingers. Demetrious Drellos and Kenny Heffner completed the top five when starter Mike
Feltenberger waved the checkered flag.
The Wingless 600cc Sprint feature was a good one, with Riegelsville's James Morris fending off
the challenges of Robbie Hocker and Simon Egan to claim the victory.
When the 20-lapper went green initially, polesitter Tim Buckwalter dashed to the lead ahead of
Morris, his front row partner. Morris stayed with the leader as Bobby Butler and Hocker tussled for
third and Stephen Reynolds navigated his way from 11th on the starting grid to run fifth by the
time lap five was scored.
An incident in turn four brought out the yellow with six complete, and Kyle Lick got pinched into
the backstretch wall as the field slowed for the caution. Lick's No. 8 flipped wildly, converting the
yellow slowdown to a red flag stoppage.
During the red flag period, officials noticed that Buckwalter's car had a flat right-front tire, and
the Greth Racing No. 71 was sent to the pits to have the tire changed. That handed the lead to
Morris, who had slipped past Buckwalter just prior to the yellow/red...the pass was negated by the
incident, but Buckwalter gave up the top spot when he headed to the pits for a new right front
sneaker.
November 2014 ~ 29