Codeman Earns Checkers over Stellar Opening Day Field
Story By: STEVE INCH / SELINSGROVE MEDIA Photos By: DAN DeMARCO / RACERSGUIDE
SELINSGROVE, PA- April 17, 2016- Hometown driver Cody Keller of Selinsgrove scored a popular win in the 30-lap Spring Showdown for 360 sprint cars in Saturday night’s season opener at Selinsgrove Speedway with the United Racing Club and Empire Super Sprints.
Keller’s fourth career sprint car victory at the wheel of the Keller’s Auto Body No. 99 was worth $2,200 and came over a stellar field of 33 360 sprint cars.
Jeff Rine opened his late model title defense with his 97th career win at the track in the 25-lap super late model feature, while Andrew Shoop of Mifflintown scored his second opening day win in a row in the 15-lap pro stock race.
Next Saturday the speedway will be dark to prepare for the first All Star Sprint Car race at the track in 16 years. The All Start Circuit of Champions Sprint Car series will be in action in a 30-lap A-main paying $5,000 to win for 410 sprint cars at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Track gates will open at 4 p.m.
Front row starters Steve Collins and Cody Keller thrilled the fans trading the race lead on the opening lap of the sprint car feature before a red flag for a wild flip by Jordan Thomas. Thomas was ok and when the race restarted Collins and Keller picked up right where they had left off dueling for the top spot before Keller secured it on lap five.
The race would go through without another stoppage allowing the field to cover the whole speedway with cars. Robbie Stillwagon picked up the runner up spot from Collins as lap nine went onto the scoreboard. While things settled down in the front of the field Mark Smith was working his way from the 15th starting spot into the top five. Although Stillwagon closed in on the leader a few times, Keller began to open up a large lead by halfway at lap 15.
Smith had worked by Justin Barger for third on lap 15 and gave chase of Stillwagon for second. As the race wound down Keller continued to cut through lap traffic and grow his lead over now second spot Mark Smith. Although Smith persisted to charge toward the leader time was up and Cody Keller met the checkered flag for the opening night win which he dedicated to his grandfather who passed away over the offseason. It was Keller’s fourth Selinsgrove win.
Smith finished in second with Stillwagon and Barger inside the top five with Jason Clauss. Davie Franek gained ten spots to finish sixth just ahead of Curt Michael, Derek Locke, Steve Collins, and Ryan Kissinger. Heat races for the Newville Family of Companies 360 Sprints went to Steve Collins, Cody Keller, Justin Hoffman, Robbie Stillwagon with the B-Main victory going to Jordan Thomas.
