First Win For Kevin Ward At Lebanon In 22 Years
Story By: ROB HAZER / KOD SERIES MEDIA Photos By: MARK BROWN / RACERSGUIDE.COM
WEST LEBANON, NY- August 8, 2016- In 1994 Ace Of Base ‘Saw A Sign’ that gave them the number one song of the year according to Billboard, Momma said, “life was like a box of chocolates,” which led Forest Gump to be the highest grossing movie of the year, and gas was only $1.11 a gallon. 1994 was also the last time Kevin Ward visited victory lane on the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway until Saturday Night.
Kevin Ward and Michael Sabia would set on the front row for the 30-Lap 1-800-GOT-JUNK? King Of Dirt Crate Sportsman feature presented by Dodson Construction, Elmo’s Auto Body, and Hoosier Racing tire in front of a packed house. The West Fair Fish & Chips 7s had troubles before the drop of the green, which sent him pit side. He would rejoin the tail of field before the original green flew.
Redline Graphics Newcomer Of The Year contender Cody Hunt would join Ward on the front row and lead the field to the green flag, with Ward taking the lead by turn one with the Premiere Auto Body 98. Jeff Watson quickly made moves with the Ultra Lube 22 positioning himself in the 2nd position and began challenging Ward for the lead.
Early race cautions saw a couple spins, but when the Incorporated Industries 16 of Nikki Ouelette hit the front stretch wall head on everyone collectively waited to see if the young lady racer was uninjured. She emerged from her racecar battled, but unharmed.
When green flew over the 30-car field again, fans were treated to a three-car throw down for the crown in the valley of speed. Ward, Watson, and now Whitey Slavin were locked in a tussle for the King Of Dirt Sportsman win.
Scott Duell ran very well during his qualifier in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body 14x. On lap three he suffered a flat left rear, which he was able to pit and change. Duell rejoined the field in 29th and battled back to a top ten finish.
Point leader Connor Cleveland brought the Dean’s Electrical Service 09 to Lebanon Valley looking to gain more experience on the banks. He’s only ran four races there in the past, but managed to finish 14th respectively after starting 23rd.
Bear Ridge Speedway regular Adam Pierson had his Moonlight Auto Repair 15 wound up during Battle On The Banks. Pierson spent the 30-lap feature making moves after starting 15th. He’d end up finishing top five with a 5th place finish, which is a solid run for the Vermont native.
Timothy Davis has a feature win at Lebanon Valley in 2016. He struggled in the heat just a bit, but redeemed himself in the feature. Davis drove from the 28th starting position to a 12th place finish earning him Hoosier Tire Hard Charger honors.
Defending race winner John Virgilio had the Turner Auto 14v moving forward from his 11th place starting position. By the end of the 30-Lap feature Virgilio had earned a solid 4th place finish. Currently he is in police academy and will one day protect and serve our communities.
Newcomer Of The Year contender Joey Scarborough worked his way into a top five run after starting 9th on the grid during Battle On The Banks. Scarborough would unfortunately suffer mechanical failure with only a couple laps remaining, which relegated him to a 22nd place finish.
Back up front Jeff Watson was relentless in pursuit of Kevin Ward for the win. Lap after lap he pressured Ward for the lead. Ward never faltered, never swayed, and never broke his line. While Watson pressured for the win, Slavin kept the pressure on him for 2nd.
Kevin Ward wasn’t going to loose this race. For the first time since 1994 he picked up a feature win at Lebanon Valley Speedway and in a big way. Watson, Slavin, Virgilio, and Pierson rounded out the top five.
“I haven’t won a race here since Street Stocks back in 1994, this is awesome,” said Ward after his 1st King Of Dirt Sportsman win. He concluded by saying, “It’s been a long time coming.”
Next up for King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman Series is Thursday September 1st at Lebanon Valley Speedway for Mr. Crate Track USA, which was won by Michael Sabia last season. Then it’s time for the 2016 Northeast Crate Nationals on September 10th at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
NOTES: A diverse 30-car field took to the high banks for KOD Sportsman round 3. Veterans, newcomers, and track regulars tested the KOD regulars. Impressive run by Timothy Davis from 28th to 12th earning the Hoosier Tire Hard Charger award. Adam Pierson finally got the monkey off his back at the valley of speed earning a 5th place finish. Frank Hoard Jr. had a quietly solid evening finishing 9th after starting 17th. Connor Cleveland came out of Lebanon Valley with an increased point lead over second place. Remember; the drop does not take effect until after the Nationals, therefore points look real time until then. Jim Morgan, Adam Gage, and Tom Princiotta all made KOD history starting their first features of the season. Morgan got the best of that battle with a 17th place finish. Despite a tough night for Kevin Chaffee who tagged the wall in turn three, he moved into 6th in points. Scott Duell made a huge jump in points after his impressive performance at Lebanon Valley. Duell moved from 38th in points to 13th. Kevin Ward displayed patience and nerves of steel picking up his first win at Lebanon Valley since 1994.
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AUGUST 6, 2016 1-800-GOT-JUNK? KING OF DIRT CRATE SPORTSMAN SERIES PRESENTED BY DODSON CONSTRUCTION, ELMO’S SPEED SUPPLY, & HOOSIER RACING TIRE BATTLE ON THE BANKS FEATURE
RESULTS AT LEBANON VALLEY (30 LAPS) – 1) Kevin Ward, 2) Jeff Watson, 3) Whitey Slavin, 4) John Virgilio, 5) Adam Pierson, 6) Chris Lynch, 7) David Schilling, 8) Frank Hoard Jr., 9) Scott Duell, 10) Cody Hunt, 11) Cody Bleau, 12) Timothy Davis, 13) Hunter Bates, 14) Connor Cleveland, 15) Rob Maxon, 16) Cody Ochs, 17) Jim Morgan, 18) Adam Gage, 19) Tom Princiotta, 20) John Miller, 21) Michael Sabia, 22) Joey Scarborough, 23) Luke Klob, 24) Nick Anatriello, 25) Dan Lyle, 26) Carmon Carnibucci, 27) Kevin Chaffee, 28) Nikki Ouellette, 29) Jerard LeClair.
J-Tees KOD Sportsman Heat Race #1 Results (8 Laps) – JOHN VIRGILIO, Jeff Watson, Hunter Bates, David Schilling, Nick Anatriello, Jim Morgan, Dan Lyle, Tom Princiotta, Luke Klob, Timothy Davis.
J-Tees KOD Sportsman Heat Race #2 Results (8 Laps) – MICHAEL SABIA, Scott Duell, Joey Scarborough, Adam Gage, Cody Bleau, Frank Hoard Jr., Cody Ochs, Connor Cleveland, Kevin Chaffee, Jerard LeClair.
J-Tees KOD Sportsman Heat Race #3 Results (8 Laps) – WHITEY SLAVIN, Cody Hunt, Kevin Ward, Chris Lynch, Adam Pierson, Carmon Carnibucci, Rob Maxon, John Miller, Nikki Ouellette.
Dirt Track Digest Lap Leaders – Kevin Ward (30).
Hoosier Tire Hard Charger – Timothy Davis (28th to 12th).
Redline Graphics Newcomer Of The Race – Scott Duell (9th).
J-Tees Screen Printing Heat Bonuses (Cash & Apparel) – John Virgilio, Michael Sabia, & Whitey Slavin.
Fast Time Of The Day – Jeff Watson (22.367).
King Of Dirt Crate Sportsman Tour Schedule
06/12/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘602 Spring Fling’
WINNER: Rocky Warner
06/24/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Friday Night Lights’
WINNER: Connor Cleveland
08/06/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Battle On The Banks’
WINNER: Kevin Ward
09/01/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Mr. Crate Track USA’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
09/09/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Northeast Crate Nationals
100 Laps / $2,225 To Win / $225 To Start (Championship Points Scale)
09/10/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Salute To Our Troops’
30 Laps / $1,000 To Win / $100 To Start
09/24/16 – Bear Ridge Speedway – ‘Green Mountain State Clash’
$1,250 To Win / $100 To Start
King Of Dirt Pro Stock Tour Schedule
06/03/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Pro Stock Classic’
WINNER: Robbie Speed
06/12/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Action Track Throwdown’
WINNER: Luke Horning
07/08/16 – Albany Saratoga Speedway – ‘Full Fender Firecracker’
WINNER: Dan Older
08/27/16 – Lebanon Valley Speedway – ‘Battle On The Banks’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start
09/09/16 – Utica Rome Speedway – ‘Seize The Crown’
30 Laps / $750 To Win / $50 To Start (Show Up Points)
King Of Dirt Racing Series are brought to you in part by sponsors and partners that include Albany Saratoga Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Bear Ridge Speedway, Utica Rome Speedway, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Dodson Construction, Hoosier Racing Tire, Elmo’s Speed & Supply, Elmo’s Auto Body, DKM Fabrication, Fox Racing Shocks, Fastline Performance, Beyea Custom Headers & Exhausts, Bicknell Racing Products, Axcel Sports, Boyd’s Motorworks, Flach Performance Products, Extreme Speed & Performance, Bill McGaffin Photography, Bobco Racing Video, Saratoga Masonry, Lazzaro’s Auto Body, JTees Screen Printing, Bloomfield’s Florist, Dean’s Electrical Services, Horn Lady Motorsports, Macedon Parts Plus, Redline Graphics, DE Designs & Signs, H&R Motorsports, Ryder’s Lawn Care, Next Generation Roofing, Speed’s Garage, Stone Motorsports, A1 Installers, HICO Fabrication, Racers Guide, Race Pro Weekly, Final Reward Trophy, Dirt Track Digest, Midnight Music Machine DJ Service, and Mayhem Motorsports.
