ABBOTTSTOWN
 The 17th annual Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek kicked off in spectacular fashion Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway with Greg Hodnett winning a late race battle over Stevie Smith and Brian Leppo to capture the win in the 30-lap feature event.

 Hodnett was able to get a run on Smith on the 27th lap to steal the lead and was able to hold of Leppo to score the $10,000 payday in the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial in front of a huge crowd.

 The win was the eighth of the season for Hodnett and the Jim and Sandy Kline-owned sprint car team and their fifth of the year in the Pigeon Hills.

 “There was a very competitive field of cars here and we’re very fortunate to have this car up front,” said the Thomasville racer after his 21st career win at Lincoln. “Everybody is very fast right now and starting position has been an absolute premium. We just have to take advantage of it anytime we can get it.”

 Hodnett started sixth on the grid as front -row starter Fred Rahmer jumped the cushion on the first lap and made contact with the fourth turn wall. The defending Speedweek champion was towed to the pits and out for the night.

 Niki Young grabbed the lead over Smith with Hodnett moving into third on lap two.

 Smith, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma raced by Young on the fifth lap while Hodnett was able to get around Young for second spot on lap 10 just before Mike Erdley spun in turn two.

 Smith continued to set the pace as Leppo moved into contention on lap 11 taking the third spot in the Floyd and Joyce Swope-owned mount.

 Smith, Hodnett and Leppo set sail around the top of the speedway before trying to the bottom groove just past the halfway mark of the event.

 Leppo actually got alongside Hodnett, who then moved to the bottom and was able to make that move stick exiting the second turn on lap 27. Hodnett drove the J & S Fabrication, Macri Concrete, Eastern Air Balance, Rock-It Pizza, Randy Shearer Plumbing and Heating, Don Ott powered, J & J deep into the third turn and was able to slide up in front of Smith for the top spot.

 “After that yellow came out, Stevie was searching a little and I had gotten up alongside him off two and I guess he figured he better try something,” Hodnett stated. “And the only reason I tried it was because Leppo got up alongside me so I figured I better get going and I was able to get a good run on Stevie and was able to get around him. He’s a great competitor and I’m proud to be able to beat him and Brian is doing a great job right now too.”

 Hodnett was also honored to win a race in memory of one of our fallen sprint car heroes.

 “We had a chance to race and become friends with Kevin when I ran the Apple car because Lee Stauffer and him were good friends,” Hodnett added. “He was just a good guy. I can’t say enough about Kevin and the entire family. Still to this day they treat me as good as gold. He was a talented racer. That’s the guy you guys knew. We knew him as a real good guy and obviously that’s why he has the legions of fans he has here and always will. I’m very proud to win this race tonight.”

 Leppo, of New Oxford was able to get around Smith for the $5,000 runner-up spot with Smith, Mechanicsburg’s Lucas Wolfe and Lancaster’s Doug Esh finishing in the top five.

 Jeff Shepard was sixth ahead of Young, Josh Wells, Alan Krimes and Mark Smith.

 Wolfe paced the 42-car field during time trials with a lap of 13.076 seconds.

 Heat races were won by Rahmer, Brian Montieth, Esh and Mark Smith. The B-Main went to Jeff Busby.

 Hodnett heads into Sunday night’s Speedweek event at Bedford Speedway as the Speedweek points leader with 198 points. Wolfe (156), Leppo (147), S. Smith (136) and Esh( 127) and Shepard (127) making up the top five. Race time is 7 p.m. tonight.

 

 

 

Lincoln Speedway 30-lap Pennsylvania Speedweek 1. Greg Hodnett, 2. Brian Leppo, 3. Stevie Smith, 4. Lucas Wolfe, 5. Doug Esh, 6. Jeff Shepard, 7. Niki Young, 8. Josh Wells, 9. Alan Krimes, 10. Mark Smith, 11. Chad Layton, 12. Brian Montieth, 13. TJ Stutts, 14. Cory Haas, 15. Todd Shaffer, 16. Keith Kauffman, 17. Lance Dewease, 18. Jeff Busby, 19. Kevin Nouse, 20. Cris Eash, 21. Mike Erdley, 22. Bobby Weaver, 23. Rick Lafferty, 24. Fred Rahmer. Did Not Qualify: Cliff Brian, Bill Brian, AJ Michael, Pat Cooper, Steve Buckwalter, Alan Cole, Chris Knopp, Joe Ilg, Craig Keel, Jim Siegel, Ryan Taylor, Clark Simonton, John Rudisill, Jonathon Eriksen, Bob Bennett, Nick Schlauch, Jr., Steve Clabaugh, Dave Brown.