« Max Blair Wins 1st Ever FASTRAK Late Model Race Saturday At McKean In Northeast Touring Series Opener | Home | FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Resumes Action Friday at Dog Hollow »

Frank Guidace Wins Mercer Memorial Day Show In His First Ever FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series Start

Mercer, PA…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series completed the Memorial Day weekend on Monday at Mercer Raceway Park. Race #2 of the 12-race series looked questionable with an unpromising forecast. Two showers shortly after 6 p.m. delayed action for nearly and hour and a half, but the track crew got the track back into excellent condition. Despite the weather another strong field of 31 competitors made the tow from all over western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and western New York.

Making just his fifth ever Late Model start and first in a FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series event, Frank Guidace led all 25 laps of the feature in a convincing fashion. The $1,200 victory was Guidace’s second of the year in FASTRAK competition.

“The car was on a rail from the time we unloaded it tonight,” expressed the jubilant Mercer, Pa. 2006 Mercer Modified Champion. “I’d like to thank Lazer Chassis and Shadow Shocks for making it look like it’s easy; it’s not, but it’s definitely working good and I appreciate their help. The track was super racey with an excellent cushion. I love that we were able to keep it up there and put it to the mat.”

Guidace used the outside to grab the lead from pole-sitter Tommy Snyder, Jr. Fifth starting Jon Law made his way to third on lap two taking the spot from Mike Pegher, Jr. Law inherited second on lap four when Snyder was put to the rear following a bad start that resulted in a six-car accident. When racing resumed, seventh starting Jay Watson raced past Pegher and Law for runner-up.

All eyes were on Max Blair, who won the Touring Series event Saturday at McKean County Raceway and the weekly race Sunday at Tri-City Speedway. Blair started in 12th and entered the picture on lap nine when he took third away from Pegher. By the halfway point, the battle heated up for second with Watson running high and Blair low. A restart with 15 laps completed allowed Pegher to regain third from Blair. It was a three-car race for second, while Guidace continued to lead.

A caution for debris with 20 laps completed set up a five-lap dash to the checkered. On the ensuing restart, Blair was able to get back by Pegher for third. Guidace got some mud packed in his wheel in the closing laps, which allowed Watson and Blair to reel in the leader while they battled hard for runner-up. Guidace though was able to hold on in his ASI Sportswear-sponsored #1G for his 14th career Mercer win overall.

Watson edged Blair and Pegher for second. Last year’s Touring Series Champion, Alan Dellinger, was fifth after starting 14th. Completing the top 10 were Rusty Moore, 21st starter Steve Hollabaugh, Brian Booher, Bobby Powell, and Butch Lambert. Heat winners were Snyder, Guidace, Law, and Moore. Hollabaugh and Diver won the two B mains.

FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #2 (25 laps): 1. FRANK GUIDACE ($1,200) 2. Jay Watson 3. Max Blair 4. Mike Pegher, Jr. 5. Alan Dellinger 6. Rusty Moore 7. Steve Hollabaugh 8. Brian Booher 9. Bobby Powell 10. Butch Lambert 11. Andy Buckley 12. Mike Anderson (Jr.) 13. Bob Kish 14. Tom Snyder, Jr. 15. Chad Myers 16. Steve D’Apolito 17. Roger French 18. Jon Law 19. Chris Haines 20. Bob Diver 21. Justin Kann 22. Dennis Lunger 23. Dick Barton 24. Kenny Meadows DNQ: Bob Vogt, Jr., Rocky Kugel, Gary Miller, Jr., Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr., John Lacki, Dave Airgood, Jr., Carl McKinney.

Lap leaders: Frank Guidace (1-25)

Heat winners: Tommy Snyder, Jr., Frank Guidace, Jon Law, Rusty Moore

B main winners: Steve Hollabaugh, Bob Diver

Car count: 31

The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series heads next to Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa. on Friday, June 20. Race #3 of 12 will be another 25-lap $1,200 to-win, $150 to-start event. For more information, check out www.dog-hollow.com. 2008 FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series associate sponsors thus far are Race 1, Fame RV Center, Yoder’s Performance Specialty & PRC, Bullitt Chassis, and Fred Beans Parts.

To join our mailing list, simply send an e-mail to fastrakpr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Mike Leone and Vicki Emig can be reached at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. For more information, check out www.fastraknortheast.com.