MECHANICSBURG
 Game on for Fast Freddie Rahmer.

 Following his Sunday afternoon season opening win at Williams Grove Speedway, the track’s all-time leading feature winner put it all on the line.

 “I will win the championship here this year, you can write that down,” stated Rahmer following his fourth career opening day win at the Grove. “That’s something that I’m shooting for and I want it more than I’ve ever wanted it before.”

 In Rahmer’s previous three opening day wins, he went on to win the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass point championship that season.

 But Sunday was the luck of the draw. Rahmer drew a front row starting spot for a heat race win then drew the zero pill inversion for the feature.

 His only challenge came on a lap 11 restart when Lucas Wolfe pulled alongside the Salfordville driver in the second turn but could not make the pass.
 Beside’s Wolfe’s challenge, the only other obstacle for Rahmer and the rest of the 25 car field was a big rut entering the first turn. Fortunately, no cars got upside down and damage on the day was surprisingly minimal.

 “I appreciate the Grove taking the chance on running today,” said Rahmer, after his 75th career track win. “I feel that I am very dedicated to the spot but I tell ya for the fans to come out today, shows what great fans we have here in Central Pennsylvania.” The grandstands were maybe a quarter full on the cold blustery day.

 Chad Layton turned in the most impressive effort on the afternoon after starting 11th and powering his way to a third place finish in Pete Postupack’s YTI Career Institute sprinter. Layton took fourth with two laps remaining and got around Mark Smith on the final lap for third.

 Wolfe in the Allebach Racing sprinter followed Rahmer’s CJB Motorsports machine the entire distance. Wolfe will race with the World of Outlaws in 2008.

 Defending track champion Todd Shaffer’s bid to repeat as champion didn’t start off well after breaking a radius rod on lap 21 and backing the Beam Racing sprinter into the fourth turn guardrail.

 Lance Dewease, who will chase the All Star Circuit of Champions title this season finished in the fifth spot over Greg Hodnett, Chris Melease, Steve Buckwalter, Cody Darrah and Brian Leppo.

 Heats for the 25 cars were won by Rahmer, Meleason and Wolfe.

 The Grove returns for one final Sunday afternoon program next week before switching to Friday night racing on March 21.


PIT STOPS…A short car count was again the topic of conversation…It could be a year-long problem at area speedway’s with the cost of fuel, rising prices with about everything and stagnant purses...Perhaps making the biggest statement was the fact that long time Grove supporter Don Kreitz, Jr. was not on hand. It would be interesting to know when Kreitz last missed a Grove season opener…