MECHANICSBURG
 Adam Wilt proved his first win at Williams Grove Speedway a few weeks back wasn’t a fluke.

 For the second time this season, the young York driver turned in an impressive effort to score the win in Friday night’s 25-lap 410 Sprint car feature at the Grove.

 This time Wilt had to fend off challenges by eight-time track champion and all time leading winner Fred Rahmer before collecting the $3,000 payday.

 “This one I had to drive my ass off,” said Wilt, who drives the family owned No. 15 Maxim with sponsorship from North York Auto Menders, Laugerman’s Harley Davidson, Strathmeyer Landscape Development, Central Family Restaurant and Ricke Brothers Auto Sales. “I saw Fred was right behind me and I knew I had to hit my marks. I figured he would throw a slide job in there and I was ready but I never saw his nose and we held on and here we are again.”

 Wilt started second in the 23-car field and led the first 10 laps before yielding to Aaron Ott, who got around Wilt on the backstretch to lead lap 11.

 Ott’s lead was short-lived as his sprinter came up lame on the backstretch a lap later as a wild melee involving Mark Smith and Alan Krimes brought out a red flag. Smith was racing in the seventh spot during the event and was looking to gain points on Todd Shaffer for the Williams Grove track title. Smith went to the pits for repairs and rejoined at the rear of the field.

 Wilt, who had actually lost the lead to Rahmer just prior to the red flag assumed command on the restart and managed to keep Rahmer at bay for two laps when Brian Montieth, third in track points, stopped on the track with a flat tire.

 Wilt was up to the challenge again on the restart as Greg Hodnett tried to drive under Rahmer but didn’t have enough power as Wilt drove off over Rahmer and Hodnett.

 With slower traffic coming into play with five laps to go, Rahmer gained a little on Wilt but Wilt was able to drive a flawless last several laps for his second career feature win in his rookie season.

 “My car was real loose at the start and under the red, I was able to move the wing back and tightened a bar and it was fast again,” he added. “I can’t thank my whole crew enough and my dad. If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be here right now. He spends a lot of money on this deal.”

 Wilt also thanked crew chief Adrian Shaffer, a competitor in the 358 sprint car ranks.

 Rahmer, of Salfordville continued his late season surge with the runner-up finish over Thomasville’s Hodnett, Red Lion’s Cody Darrah and Myerstown’s Brent Marks, turning in his best effort since taking over for injured driver Doug Esh in the Trone Motorsports sprinter.

 Completing the top 10 were Mike Erdley, Lance Dewease, Todd Shaffer, Chad Layton and Dave Ely.

 Dillsburg’s Scott Geesey came from the 13th starting spot to win the 20-lap 358 Sprint car feature, his first win of the season.

 Geesey gained 30 points on points leader Cory Haas, who started 24th and finished in the runner-up spot. He is 125 points ahead with two point races remaining, Haas suffered motor problems during hot laps and failed to make the feature but was able to start with Tony Smoleynak did not start.

 Nate Hammaker, Kyle Moody, Blane Heimbach, Amy Ott, Danny Massey, Brie Hershey, Frankie Herr and Rich Eichelberger were the top 10 finishers.

 Heat races were won by Marks, Steve Buckwalter and Wilt.

 Heats for the 41 358 sprints were won by Tim Berkheimer, Amy Ott, Moody and Ryan Kissinger with Mark Freeland and Nicole Bower winning consis.


PIT STOPS…With his eighth place finish, Shaffer now leads Smith by 120 points for the $20,000 to win championship…Williams Grove returns to action next Friday night with the 410 Sprints and 358 Sprints…