Brent Smith Photo

ABBOTTSTOWN
 It was a night that honored the late Sal Scarpitta at Lincoln Speedway.

 And on the track it was another dominating performance by Greg Hodnett.

 Hodnett used a good time trial lap to put himself into position to drive away from the field for his fourth win of the season in the Pigeon Hills. Hodnett’s win was worth $5,900 for the win in the 30-lap Memorial event plus another $500 from Don Ott Racing Engines for his time trial lap. It was his seventh overall win this season in the Jim and Sandy Kline owned #22 sprinter.

 Hodnett inherited the lead on lap 13 when leader Brian Leppo’s racer came to a stop with rear end problems.

 Once taking the top spot, the Thomasville driver was able to keep Lincoln’s all time winningest driver Fred Rahmer at bay during numerous restarts before driving to his 20th career win at Lincoln. It moved him into a tie with Bud Folkenroth and Bobby Hersh for 12th spot on the all time track win list.

 Hodnett was proud to be the first ever winner of the Scarpitta Memorial, a race run in memory of Scarpitta who passed away earlier this year. Scarpitta was a long time sprint car owner in Central Pennsylvania and a world renowned artist.

 “It’s nice to honor Mr. Scarpitta because of his efforts in promoting our sport, not only in print but also on canvas and video,” Hodnett said after being presented a Silver Cup from Scarpitta’s daughters Stella and Lola. “He’s done a lot for our sport not only from owning a race car but for everything else. I am very proud to win this race tonight.”

 Leppo jumped out front early and drove away from Hodnett until his racer came up lame on the 12th lap turning the lead to Hodnett.
 Rahmer, who started eighth moved into the top four on lap nine and then used the lap 12 yellow flag to drive by Jeff Shepard for third place on lap 13.

 Doug Esh’s slowed sprinter closed Rahmer on Hodnett’s bumper at the halfway mark of the event.

 Rahmer made an move on the restart in turn one to steal the lead from Hodnett but Hodnett pulled off the second turn with the lead and continued to lead until lap 19 when Chad Layton and Cris Eash tangled in turn one.

 Hodnett  was ready on the restart, not giving Rahmer a chance at making a move for the lead and was able to distance himself from Rahmer and the rest of the field.

 “I don’t know if we could have got by Leppo but we were both running the same lane and it was the wrong one tonight,” he stated. “I saw Fred was up to third so I figured the bottom was the place to be and my guys told me to get down there. I wasn’t getting down the straightaways very well tonight and actually we were just sliding all around  because we decided to keep the car loose. Luckily for us, we were able to position ourselves and stay out front.”

 Rahmer, of Salfordville finished second over Shepard, of Upperco, Md., 11th starting Lance Dewease of Fayetteville and Hellam’s Bobby Weaver.

 Rounding out the top 10 finishers were Lucas Wolfe, Jim Siegel, Alan Krimes, Steve Buckwalter and Chris Knopp.

 Dale Hammaker kept the Grantville winning streak alive as he captured the 20-lap 358 Sprint car feature. Hammaker lives about two miles from Jim and Sandy Kline.

 Hammaker started 11th and raced his way to the front and reeled in Steve Owings on the final lap for the win.

 Owings, Danny Dietrich, Brian Eichelberger and Adrian Shaffer were the top five finishers with Adam Wilt, Scott Geesey, Brad McClelland, Cory Haas and Jessie Morrison rounding out the top 10.

 Lucas Wolfe paced time trials with a one lap time of 13.575 seconds.

 Heats for the 29 410 Sprints on hand were Josh Wells, Doug Esh and Chad Layton. Chris Knopp won the consolation.

 Owings, Jeff Rohrbaugh, Joe Trone, Jr. and Wilt won heat races for the 38 358 Sprints on hand. The two consolations were won by Haas and Gerard McIntyre, Jr.

 Lincoln Speedway returns to action next Saturday, June 30 with opening night of the 17th annual Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania Sprint Speedway joined by the thundercars. The 410 Sprint feature will earn $10,000 for the win. Time trials begin at 7:30 p.m.