ABBOTTSTOWN
 Stevie Smith did what he had to do Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway.

 With Fred Rahmer pulling his patented flyer on Smith in the final turn, Smith turned back under and won the drag race to the checkered flag to pull off the popular victory in the 25-lap 410 Sprint car main Saturday night.

 And what a difference a week makes.
 Last week the sprint car feature went non stop and was finished in just over six minutes.

 Saturday night’s feature was marred by four red flags and one caution and took nearly 75 minutes to complete.

 But it was Smith, who calls Broken Arrow, Oklahoma home who was standing in Victory lane for the 21st time of his sprint car career.

 “We’re really happy to win because we obviously were not the fastest car tonight,” said the driver of the Race Against the Abuse of Children Everywhere, Gaerte Engines, GLR Investments JEI chassis. “Fred and Chad (Layton) are really running good and we definitely have room for improvement but we’re not gonna give up yet. It’s still the beginning of the year.”

 Smith cited the reason he was in winner’s circle was because of his Goodyear Tires, DMI Rears and Gaerte Engines.

 Two red flags slowed the event before a lap could be complete with John Westbrook flipped in turn two and then on the restart, Brian Leppo spun and was hit by Chico, California invader Shane Matthews resulting in both cars getting upside down.

 AJ Michael grabbed the lead from his front row starting spot as Smith settled into the runner-up spot by lap three after lining up fourth.

 The red appeared on lap seven for Michael Carber, who flipped hard in turn one. Carber expressed his displeasure with Doug Esh on the race track after climbing from his battered race car.

 Michael still maintained the lead until John Rudisill flipped on lap 11.

 Smith blasted around Michael on the restart to lead lap 12 but Michael proved strong and took the top spot back away from Smith.

 Layton, who started 11th and Rahmer, who started 18th in the original lineup were in the top five by 13 as Layton and Smith battled close and hard for the second spot until Cory Haas’ spin on lap 17 slowed the action.

 Michael continued to be strong and held the lead through lap 19 before yielding to Smith as Rahmer blasted by Layton for third and set his sights on the front two.

 Rahmer took second from Michael on lap 21 and closed in on Smith, who ran the high groove during the event.

 On the final lap, Rahmer brought the crowd to its feet with his bid for the win in turn four but it was Smith stealing  the glory and the $3,000 payday for the big win, his first this season.

 “Fred gave e plenty of room,” Smith stated about Rahmer’s pass. “He slid up in front of him and I had nothing left to do but turn back under him. We were set up a little loose so it was hard to come off the cushion. Sometimes it’s better to be in second place during the last couple of laps and I’ve won quite a few races that way.  But we got lucky tonight, and we’re standing here in victory lane so that’s what matters.”

 Smith’s margin of victory was .099 seconds.

 Layton, of Harrisburg was third ahead of Brian Montieth of Phoenixville and Lancaster’s Esh with Michael, Cris Eash, Craig Keel, Alan Krimes and Josh Wells completing the top 10.

 Halifax driver Mike Enders regained the lead on lap 19 of the 25-lap Super Sportsman feature to pick up his first win of the season.

 Enders led the first 15 laps before turning the lead over to Scott Dellinger on lap 16. But Enders went back out front and held off Dellinger for the win with Carlisle’s Frankie Herr, Carmen Perigo, Jr. and Jason Fry completing the top five.

 Sixth went to Rick Barr ahead of Paul Miller, John Stehman, Russ Mitten and Derek Lock.

 Heats for the 32 sprint cars were won by Michael, Wells, Carber and Leppo. Westbrook won the consolation.

 Lincoln returns to action next Saturday night with the 410 Sprints, 358 Sprints and thundercars with a 6pm start.