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View Full Version : Russ Killian, Justin Steigerwalt and Carrie Pyle Claim NEETS “Dirtstock” Victories



LongIslandJam
09-06-2010, 02:55 PM
By Cindy Bott & Gene Ostrowski

Bechtelsville, Pa- The North East Enduro Tour Series held its second annual “Dirtstock” Sunday at Grandview Speedway. When it was all said and done, Russ Killian emerged as the 4-cylinder victor after a dominating performance and Justin Steigerwalt notched his first career win in the Savage 61 Dodge 6/8-cylinder class. Carrie Pyle took top honors in the Ladies event.

Lance Hoch picked the pole position for the start of the 100-lap 4-cylinder race. At the drop of the green, it was Gary Grim with the lead as everyone began to get their bearings on the slick surface.

Russ Killian began to put pressure on Grim and a battle ensued as both drivers swapped positions until Grim had to pit with mechanical issues. With Killian leading and Steve Todorow in second, a red flag was displayed for ironically, Killian's son Kyle, whose car took a nasty flip between turns three and four. To the cheers of the crowd, Kyle emerged from his car under his own power and racing continued.

Todorow had to pit with a flat a few laps later, which handed the second position over to Brian Smith, but with Killian so far ahead, there was no catching him as he crossed the finish line followed by Smith, Bill Nickerson, Art Kulik and Phil Levering.

What was to turn out to be a very exciting race for the Savage 61 Dodge 6/8-cylinder cars started with Carl Ruppert leading the pack for the 100-lap event.

Ray Cinqmars led for the first few laps until he had to make an early exit into the pits giving the lead to Kevin Mandic. A battle for second began with Brian Yelk and Shawn Naftzinger as the racing surface began to make it easier for better grip.

A red flag was thrown as one of the tires flew off of Ryan Garner's car in turn two sending it rolling down the backstretch. With Garner's car removed, racing resumed with Mandic still leading with Naftzinger closing in.

The red flag was displayed once more when the leader and Howie Bott got tangled together in turn one sending Bott into the path of Jerry Arms who inadvertently sent Bott's machine into a complete barrel roll. Both Bott and Arms emerged from their machines leaving their twisted wreckage as they lay.

Mandic, still in the lead, continued on until he had to retire to the pits several laps later. This gave the lead to Naftzinger, but Justin Steigerwalt was closing in with Chris Reichert, Tim Pauch and Tom Wolf battling for second and third respectively.

Steigerwalt shot by Naftzinger and held on until the checkered for his first victory followed by Pauch, Naftzinger, Drew Ott and Chris Angstadt.

Michelle Hoch started on the pole for the 15 lap Ladies Race but Stephanie Kramer made things interesting at the drop of the green by squeezing in between Hoch and Jenn "Punchy" Schwager.

However, Hoch and Kramer's bumpers locked and Schwager emerged into the lead. With the girls getting untangled by spinning into the infield, the dust began to kick up as Carrie Pyle began to make her march to the rear bumper of Schwager.

Making the pass on Schwager, Pyle bobbled a bit a few laps later and it looked as though Schwager may pass back for the lead, but Pyle was not to be denied and took the victory followed by Schwager, Linsey Rummel, Stephanie Kramer and Katie Todorow.

The complete NEETS schedule, points and updates can be viewed at www.neetsracing.com