DANNY DIETRICH SNAGS VICTORY AT SELINSGROVE
Story By:MIKE BAKER / RACERSGUIDE.COM STAFF WRITER
Photos By:HARRY MEEKS SR./ RACERSGUIDE.COM
Selinsgrove Pa.- April 25, 2016- Someone ask you your first opinion of Selinsgrove Speedway, chances are ‘Wicked Fast’ would be one of them. The track that claims they are the fastest half mile on the east coast sure doesn’t disappoint.
Fans packed the track for a Sunday night sprint car spectacular featuring Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, first time the tour has been back in sixteen years. A star studded field of 36 cars loaded the infield pits. The night before at Port Royal Speedway Dale Blaney captured victory. The Posse was looking to bounce back.
On Saturdays the Posse is spilt between Port Royal and Lincoln. The Posse didn’t have all of the bullets at Port with Danny Dietrich electing to stay home at Lincoln. Dietrich picked up the win Saturday night.
Double D was bringing it! Laying down a 16.5 and grab quick time.
The track began to slick off and it was apparent finishing high in your heat and locking yourself in to top 8 dash was needed.
Ryan Smith, Greg Hodnett, Dave Blaney and Blane Heimbach captured heat wins, placing them in the dash. Along with heat winners Danny Dietrich, Chad Kemenah, Kraig Kinser, Cap Henry and Dale Blaney.
Double D plucks a 1 to start on the pole of the 6 lap dash.
The Buckeye Bullet, Dave Blaney was on a rail. He would be the one to watch in the feature.
After the B Main and a brief intermission to allow some track work. The 25 car field rolled out to stage for the 30 lap Ray Tilley Classic.
Tony Stewart was on hand as well.
“If you can win in Pennsylvania you can win anywhere in the country.” Stewart said.
The front row would be a mirror image of that quote. Danny Dietrich and former World of Outlaws Champion, Dave Blaney lead the field to the green.
Red on the opening lap for Caleb Armstrong and Ryan Kissinger. The two tangled in turn 3 and a full restart was coming.
Restart, green and Dave Blaney jumps out to and impressive lead from the get go. Followed by Dietrich and Kemenah.
4 laps in the books and Chad Kemenah pulls off due to a power steering issue.
Dave Blaney pulls away to nearly a full straight over Dietrich, who was trying to find a line that worked.
12 laps in the books and Aaron Ott blows a right rear into turn 1 bringing out a yellow. Dave Blaney has led every lap. All Star officials elected to go with an open red to allow refueling.
Under an open red the crews have 2 minutes. Anything on the car car change except for tires and no jacks are allowed on the speedway.
“Under that red me and Jake (No.48 Crew Chief) looked at each other and he knew what we needed to change” Dietrich said.
Restart, Dave continues to lead but Dietrich is there. Those changes showed to be working. Dietrich continues to peak his nose in corner entry. Dave running the high line.
6 laps to go yellow comes out for Lee Jacobs who slowed and couldn’t pull off.
Dave Blaney vs Danny Dietrich. 6 laps, 1 winner.
Dietrich continues to bug Dave all over to the track. 3 laps to go Dietrich gets under Dave and the drag race into 1. Dietrich shuttles by him. Dave returns into 3 making a run and Dietrich slams the door shut.
Danny Dietrich wins the Ray Tilley Classic at Selinsgrove Speedway.
Posse even up the score to 1-1 with the All Stars in PA.
“I couldn’t even see him [Dave Blaney] I had no idea where he was.” said Dietrich on Dave Blaney’s early pace.
“We made some pretty big changes under that red, we weren’t really good till then… Jake made some changes with the chassis…. There was just enough moisture on the bottom to get hooked up, if you didn’t hit it right it would almost tighten up on ya.” Dietrich continued.
The PA Posse continues their 3 race weekend tour as they run Williams Grove on Friday, Port Royal and Lincoln on Saturday and Fred Rahmer Promotions: Party At The Path at Path Valley on Sunday.
