Friesen Drives From 16th To Win Georgetown ‘Blast at the Beach’ & Secures STSS South Championship

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No Conserving: Stewart Friesen Drives From 16th To Win Georgetown ‘Blast at the Beach’ & Secures STSS South Region Championship; Brandon Grosso (Crate 602 Sportsman), Scott Calhoun (Delmarva Charger) & Robert Smith (Super Truck) Also Score

Story By: Brett Deyo/SSTS – Photos By: Pete MacDonald/RacersGuide.com

GEORGETOWN, DE – With a championship on the line, no one could have blamed Stewart Friesen for racing conservatively Tuesday night at Georgetown Speedway.

But conservative, he was not.

Friesen, a Canadian who now lives in Sprakers, N.Y., roared from 16th to win the ‘Blast at the Beach’ presented by Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply and L&J Sheet Metal. In the process, he secured the 2016 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Velocita South Region title.

Friesen collected $5,000 plus $160 in lap money for his triumph in the 35-lap big-block/small-block Modified event and will receive $8,500 for his STSS South Region title in December.

The victory was hard-fought after an extended side-by-side battle with his chief rival for the championship, Ryan Watt.

“That was a race!” Friesen exclaimed after climbing from his Halmar International-backed small-block No. 44. “I thought I had Ryan (Watt) a bunch of times, but he had the outside working. I’d get in front, then he’d roll the top back by me.

“I knew we had our work ahead of us starting 16th, but the car came on. It’s awesome to win the series this way.”

A capacity crowd took in the third edition of the ‘Blast at the Beach’ at the historic Georgetown facility.

Matt Hawkins started on the outside pole and took command of the race at the outset. Hawkins paced the opening five laps before Modified rookie Kevin Sockriter took over.

Meanwhile, Jamie Mills was on the charge. Mills advanced from fifth to the lead on lap six with eighth-starting Watt emerging in second. Mills and Watt engaged in an epic battle as Friesen surged forward from his eighth-row starting berth.

By lap 16, Friesen sat fourth.

The race’s complexion changed dramatically one lap later when Mills struck the infield marker tire off turn four and spun from the lead. Watt now led over Billy Pauch Sr. and Friesen.

Friesen worked the inside line on Pauch to take second on the restart.

At lap 19, Friesen peeled off to the low groove of the rim-riding Watt. A side-by-side battle ensued for the next 10 laps as Friesen would nose in front through the track’s sweeping turns and Watt would power ahead on the straightaways.

Friesen ultimately completed the pass at the exit of turn two on the 28th lap and cruised to his second career Georgetown victory, having won the Deron Rust Memorial small-block event in March.

Boyertown, Pa.’s Watt guided the Ron Roberts-owned No. 14W to a runner-up finish in both the series standings and the event. Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., drove from seventh for a podium finish in the Halmar-backed No. 43.

The race’s $500 Hard Charger presented by Start 2 Finish Collision, DTM Motorsports and Lou Johnson Racing was Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., who guided the Norm Hansell No. 357 from 25th to place fourth. Steady throughout the main, Craig Von Dohren, also of Oley, Pa., finished fifth in the Dick Biever-owned No. 14s.

Jordan Watson of Milford, Del., rallied from 19th to finish sixth, advancing late in the main. Kevin Sockriter of Seaford, Del., earned a career-best STSS finish of seventh, followed by Milford, Del., driver Matt Jester (who started 21st); Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa.; and Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, N.J., who recovered from a flat left-rear tire on lap 18.

Will Brown’s Truck Repair $100 heat winners were Watt, David Van Horn Jr., Von Dohren and Trent Willey. Mike Iles and Watson topped the consolations, while Beau Wilkins was the Touch of Green Landscaping Last-Chance Dash winner.

Brandon Grosso of Montgomery, N.J., won the 20-lap Crate 602 Sportsman event and earned a $1,000 winner’s share. The event was a clash of crate titans with New Jersey’s Grosso squaring off against Delaware hotshoe Jordn Justice.

Justice’s No. 94 set the pace for the opening nine laps of the event before Grosso utilized the outside lane to take a lead he would not relinquish.

Justice was able to remain within striking distance of Grosso, but settled for runner-up pay. Tim Trimble drove the No. 55 mount to third, with Devin Dodson and Frank Holmes completing the front-five.

Rent Equip of Ocean View, Del., Crate 602 Sportsman heat winners were Joseph Tracy, Dillon Steuer, Jeff Brown and Justice.

In a green-to-checkered event lasting just six minutes, Scott Calhoun drove to the 15-lap Delmarva Charger win. Calhoun launched off the front row and was never seriously challenged, picking up a $200 payday. Tanner Marvel and Jay Sipple finished second and third, respectively.

A wild 15-lap Delaware Super Truck victory went to Robert Smith. On the final lap, Smith and Billy Cropper raced side-by-side into the third turn. Cropper’s truck spun in the corner, dug in and flipped. He walked away uninjured. Smith went on to a $200 win over David Smith and Robert Reid.

Racing resumes at Georgetown on September 30, a Friday night, with Modifieds racing for $3,000 to win plus Crate 602 Sportsman, Delmarva Chargers, Delaware Super Trucks, Southern Delaware Vintage Cars & Little Lincolns.

BEACH BITES: The pit area was active with 38 STSS Modifieds, 34 Sportsman, 21 Super Trucks and 15 Delmarva Chargers for a total of 108 race cars taking part in the event….

The 50/50 top prize was $1,018 and was claimed by Donald Ackenbrack of Delmar….

Tough break for Billy Pauch Jr., who had wheeled his Kid Racing No. 15 from 22nd into the top five only to slow in turn two on the 28th lap….

The STSS South Region point fund will be distributed in December. Final Awards Banquet information will be posted in the coming weeks….

Friesen became the first repeat winner in seven STSS South Region events this season….

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.

Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.

A new website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781 during business hours for more information.

‘BLAST AT THE BEACH’ RACE SUMMARY – GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY AUGUST 30, 2016

Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Velocita South Region Event No. 7 Big-Block/Small-Block Modified Feature Finish (35 laps): STEWART FRIESEN, Ryan Watt, Jimmy Horton, Duane Howard, Craig Von Dohren, Jordan Watson, Kevin Sockriter, Matt Jester, Rick Laubach, Billy Pauch, Mike Gular, David Van Horn Jr., Ryan Godown, Shawn Ward, Brad Trice, H.J. Bunting, Tyler Dippel, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Iles, Wade Hendrickson, Jamie Mills, Matt Hawkins, Beau Wilkins, Michael White, Brandon Watkins, Howard O’Neal, Jeff Strunk, Trent Willey.

Did Not Qualify: Matthew Peck, Nick Mady, Dale Hawkins, Bob Sarkisian, Ron Roberts, Kevin Gardner, Robert Dutton, Clay Tatman, Eric Vent, Kyle Borror.

‘Lucky 7’ Lap Money Breakdown ($1,020): Ryan Watt ($290); Stewart Friesen ($160); Jimmy Horton ($150); Kevin Sockriter ($80); Craig Von Dohren ($80); Duane Howard ($60); Billy Pauch Sr. ($60); Jamie Mills ($60); Matt Hawkins ($20); Howard O’Neal ($20); Billy Pauch Jr. ($20); Ryan Godown ($20)

Allstar Performance Bonuses ($50 Certificates): Jimmy Horton (third) & Matt Jester (eighth)
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire): Rick Laubach (ninth) & Shawn Ward (14th)
ATL Fuel Cell Bonus ($200 Certificate): Craig Von Dohren (fifth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonus ($50 Gift Cards): Duane Howard (fourth) & Rick Laubach (ninth)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses ($100 Credit): Craig Von Dohren (fifth) & Brandon Watkins (25th)
DTM Motorsports/Start 2 Finish Collision/Lou Johnson Racing Hard Charger ($500): Duane Howard (25th to fourth)
Fast Axle Bonus ($50 Certificate): Kevin Sockriter (seventh)
QA1 Hard Charger Bonus ($50 Certificate): Duane Howard (25th to fourth)
Racing Optics Bonus (Sleeve of Tearoffs): Ryan Watt (second)
Vahlco Racing Wheels Bonus (FREE Wheel): Craig Von Dohren (fifth)
VP Racing Fuels Bonuses ($50 Certificate): Ryan Watt (second), David Van Horn (12th) & Matt Hawkins (22nd)
Will Brown’s Truck Repair Heat Winners ($100): Ryan Watt, David Van Horn Jr., Craig Von Dohren & Trent Willey

Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (20 laps): BRANDON GROSSO, Jordn Justice, Tim Trimble, Devin Dodson, Frank Holmes, Johnny Bangs, Duane Rust, Dillon Steuer, Adam White, Trey Hicks, Matt Smith, Dylan Betts, Brett Ballard, Scott Hitchens, Westley Smith, Joseph Tracy, Jason Dunn, David Crossman, Josh Mudge, David Jenkins, Dwayne Crockett, Jeff Brown, Colby Steele, Jason Rush, Ryan Mortimer, Shayne Spoonhower.

Did Not Qualify: George Gareis, George Freeman, Kyle Plumstead, Andy Hammond, Trent Van Vorst, Trevor Collins, Mike Hough, Ted Reynolds.

Rent Equip of Ocean View Heat Winners ($50): Joseph Tracy, Jordn Justice, Dillon Steuer & Jeff Brown

Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (15 laps): SCOTT CALHOUN, Tanner Marvel, Jay Sipple, Jerry Barker, Bud Sipple, Ashley Merritt, Tippy Martinez, Bryan Peelman, Chuck Hudson, Randy Merritt, Earl Truitt Sr., Joe Waters, Derek Swafford, Butch Hudson, Geoff Carey.

Delaware Super Truck Feature Finish (15 laps): ROBERT SMITH, David Smith, Robert Reid, Matt Esham, Luke Weidman, Cory Sapp, Rocky Whitley, Dale Elliott, Michelle Jackson, Reid Mitchell, Zeth Jarvis, D.J. Ross, Mike Shannon, Noah Vincent, Jerry Hill, Billy Cropper, Kara Klink, Shannon Lewis, Matt Long, Tim Quay, Robert Paczowski.

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