Sebetto Blasts To Attica FAST Win; Schlenk's Changes Pay Off For Late Model Win; Dussel Avoids Disaster For 305 Victory
By Brian Liskai
(Attica, OH) Some times it takes awhile for a driver and mechanic to gel. For Bryan Sebetto and his new Hammer Pallets 410 sprint car team, it only took a month.
Sebetto, the 2011 Kistler Racing Products Fremont Attica Sprint Title (FAST) Champion, took the lead from Craig Mintz on lap 19 after a great side-by-side battle over several laps, and went on to score his fourth career victory at Attica Raceway Park Friday on True Value of Woodville/Construction Equipment & Supply Night.
It was the first night of the Kistler Racing Products F.A.S.T Chmapionship Series presented by Engine Pro and KS Sales and Service at Attica.
“Last week at Fremont, I tried to set the car up and it was horrible. So tonight I let Aaron (Hammer) and the guys set it up. Then, before we went out to the feature, I was thinking about changing some things and decided to stick with what they gave me and it was awesome. Aaron and I are starting to get on the same page,” said Sebetto beside his JLH General Contractors, R3 Nutrition, Crown Battery Gressman Powersports, Keizer Wheels, OC Shocks backed #24h. “This car was so good…when I got to Craig (Mintz) and saw he had his wing all the way back and I hadn’t even touched mine, I knew I was going to be better. I could almost flat-foot it around here. I could get a great run through one and two and that allowed me to pass a lot of cars down the back stretch.”
“I have to thank Randy and Lisa Hammer for giving me this opportunity. I have a lot of confidence in this team right now,” said Sebetto who road the high line around the slick but fast speedway.
In the Sunoco American Late Model Series $3,000 to win event, Rusty Schlenk and Jon Henry put on a tremendous show for the fans, as the two battled hard throughout the 30-lap affair. It was a red flat when Chris Ross tore down a large section of the front stretch fence (he was okay) with 7 laps to go, that proved to be the difference. Schlenk’s crew made wholesale changes to his Lazer Chassis, Micro-Armor Lubricants, Main & Company, Zeller Automotive backed machine during the 23 minute delay as track personnel patched up the fence. The difference was quickly obvious, as Schlenk drove around Henry on the restart and never looked back on route to his 12th career win.
“I made the wrong decisions for the initial set-up…we were junk. But, when the red came out the crew thrashed on this thing and when they dropped the green I knew we had this,” said Schlenk, the 2010 National UMP Champion. “They guys also told me that if Jon wins he would tie me for most career wins here…I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
Defending Attica 305 sprint champion Nate Dussel took advantage when Dustin Stroup bobbled in turns three and four with eight laps to go to take the lead. However, the Bradner, Ohio driver made the same mistake on the white flag lap, but was able to gather his Berrier Fabrication, Kylynn Manufacturing machine back up and held off Caleb Griffith for his fourth career Attica victory.
“It was tricky up top. I just got excited and drove it in way to hard and when I saw Caleb’s nose, I drove it in harder in turn one. We got a new car this winter and have worked hard to figure it out. This team has set the bar very high and running sixth and seventh just isn’t acceptable,” said Dussel beside his Kistler Racing Products, Design Graphics Group, Dussel Welding, Conrad Transport backed #1.
The restart order was now Jacobs, Zablocki, Linder, Sebetto, Craig Mintz, and 11th starter Dean Jacobs. Mintz and Sebetto would dispatch Linder and lap five. The caution would fly again for a Philo spin on lap 7 with Jacobs leading Zablocki, Mintz, Sebetto, Dean Jacobs and Linder. On the restart, Mintz and Sebetto would drive past Zablocki and quickly close on Jacobs. Mintz would move to the top groove and take the lead on lap nine with Sebetto moving into second a lap latter. A Chris Andrews spin on lap 12 would stop the action with Mintz leading Sebetto, Lee Jacobs, Zablocki, Dean Jacobs, Linder and 14th starter Byron Reed.
When the green flew again, Mintz continued to lead Sebetto as they ran nose to tail with Lee Jacobs trying to hold off Zablocki while Dean Jacobs, Linder and Byron Reed waged a torrid battle for fifth. By lap 17, Sebetto and Mintz were no racing side by side. Sebetto would execute the slide job in turns three and four as they came down to complete the 19th circuit. Mintz stayed close as Zablocki took third on lap 21.
Sebetto and Mintz raced into lapped traffic with six laps to go as Zablocki ran a comfortable third with Linder, Lee Jacobs, Reed and Dean Jacobs continuing their battle for fourth. A Brandon Martin spin with three laps to go would bunch up the field. Sebetto would rocket off on the restart as Mintz just couldn’t muster enough momentum to get by. Linder would drive around Zablocki into third with Dean Jacobs into fourth. That’s the way they would finish. Brian Smith would charge to sixth in the closing laps with Todd Heller, Lee Jacobs, Brad Bowman and Jody Keegan rounding out the top 10.
Henry would drive under Schlenk into the top spot on lap 7 as they raced into lapped traffic, with Ruhlman, Miller, Ross, and a closing Jeff Babcock in tow. Following a caution on lap 9, Henry would continue to utilize the bottom groove to lead over Schlenk, Ruhlman, Miller and Babcock. Lapped traffic would really come into play by lap 13 as Schlenk drove to Henry’s outside as they battled for the lead with Miller grabbing third. Once clear of traffic, Henry opened a little breathing room over Schlenk with Miller, Ruhlman and Babcock giving chance.
Henry would catch the rear of the field on lap 18, but Schlenk was struggling a bit up against the cushion. The car on the move was 18th place starter Russ King who had climbed to seventh with 10 laps to go. Justin Coulter and Ryan VanderVeen would get together on lap 22 to bring out the caution with the running order Henry, Schlenk, Miller, Ruhlman, Babcock and King. On the restart, Ross would climb the front stretch fence just past the flag stand, tearing out a big section, causing a lengthy race stoppage.
That’s when Schlenk’s crew went to work. On the restart, Ruhlman and Keller would both spin to bring out the caution. When the green flew again, Schlenk drove his machine to the curb and rocketed past Henry who bobbled in turns one and two. With six laps to go, Henry regained his composure and closed on Schlenk. Schlenk would build momentum and would drive to the victory with Henry, Miller, Babcock, King, Ky Harper up from 14th, Mike Bores, Devin Shiels (up from 16th), Ryan Missler and Phil Austra rounding out the top 10.
Miller could not shake Stroup who stalked within two car lengths while Dussel , Jordan Ryan, Jimmy Colvin and Caleb Griffith raced hard for third. As the leaders raced into lapped traffic on lap 10, Stroup and Miller began darting between the back markers battling for the lead. Dussel would quickly close to make it an exciting three car battle as they weaved in and out of traffic. Miller would encounter some sort of mechanical woes on lap 13 and would duck into the pits, giving the lead to Stroup.
Stroup would continue to lead with Dussel glued to his rear bumper while Ryan and Griffith battled for third. Young Stroup would bobble over the cushion in turns three and four coming down to complete the 17th circuit and Dussel would pounce as would Griffith . Griffith would look under Dussel several times over the next hand full of laps, but could not make the pass. Coming down to take the white flag, Dussel would also bobble against the cushion in turns three and four and Griffith raced to his inside. Dussel would regain his composure and maintain the lead and go on to his fourth career Attica win, Griffith would settle for a close second, with Stroup, Ryan, 14th starter Paul Weaver, D.J. Foos, Matt Merrill, Colvin, John Ivy and McCarron rounding out the top 10.
Attica Raceway Park will be back in action Friday, May 4 for the 305 Engine Builders’ Challenge paying the feature winner $1,200. The UMP Late Models will also remove their roofs for a “topless” night of racing with the Bob’s Machine Shop/BMS Engines Dirt Trucks battling for $500 to win.
For more information go to www.atticaracewaypark.com or like Attica Raceway Park on Facebook and follow the track on Twitter.
Attica Raceway Park - 4/27/2012
True Value of Woodville/ Construction Equipment & Supply Night
Night #3 - Kistler Racing Products F.A.S.T. Championship Series
O'Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints (26 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 - Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 3G-Shane Stewart[2] ; 2. 3-Mike Linder[1] ; 3. 53-Phil Gressman[3] ; 4. 9X-Brandon Martin[4] ; 5. 2+-Brian Smith[8] ; 6. 60-Jody Keegan[7] ; 7. 91-Aaron Middaugh[5] ; 8. 98-Robert Robenalt[6] ; 9. 16-Chris Andrews[9]
Heat 2 - Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 97-Dean Jacobs[2] ; 2. O-Lee Jacobs[3] ; 3. O9-Craig Mintz[4] ; 4. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[1] ; 5. 5R-Byron Reed[8] ; 6. 14H-Todd Heller[6] ; 7. 4K-Kody Kinser[5] ; 8. 35-Stuart Brubaker[9] ; 9. 45L-Brian Lay[7]
Heat 3 - Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[3] ; 2. 5T-Travis Philo[4] ; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 4. 48-Mike Burkin[1] ; 5. 12-Jarred Ridge[5] ; 6. 55-Brad Bowman[6] ; 7. 14-Chad Wilson [7]
B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (12 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 14H-Todd Heller[2] ; 2. 16-Chris Andrews[9] ; 3. 60-Jody Keegan[1] ; 4. 35-Stuart Brubaker[8] ; 5. 55-Brad Bowman[3] ; 6. 4K-Kody Kinser[5] ; 7. 45L-Brian Lay[10] ; 8. 14-Chad Wilson [6] ; 9. 91-Aaron Middaugh[4] ; 10. 98-Robert Robenalt[7]
A-Main - (30 Laps)
1. 24H-Bryan Sebetto[6]; 2. O9-Craig Mintz[8]; 3. 3-Mike Linder[4]; 4. 9Z-Duane Zablocki[2]; 5. 97-Dean Jacobs[11]; 6. 2+-Brian Smith[13]; 7. 14H-Todd Heller[16]; 8. O-Lee Jacobs[1]; 9. 55-Brad Bowman[20]; 10. 60-Jody Keegan[18]; 11. 35-Stuart Brubaker[19]; 12. 9X-Brandon Martin[12]; 13. 5R-Byron Reed[14]; 14. 16-Chris Andrews[17]; 15. 53-Phil Gressman[5]; 16. 12-Jarred Ridge[15]; 17. 48-Mike Burkin[7]; 18. 5T-Travis Philo[3]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [9]; 20. 3G-Shane Stewart[10]
Hard Charger: 55-Brad Bowman[+11]
Summit Racing Equipment Late Models (35 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 - Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. B4U-Chris Keller[3] ; 2. 27-Ken Hahn[2] ; 3. 75-Dusty Moore [8] ; 4. 15A-Phil Ausra[4] ; 5. 5H-Ernie Haynes[5] ; 6. 2D-Curtis Deisenroth[6] ; 7. 1N-Casey Noonan[9] ; 8. 56G-BJ Gregory[7] ; 9. 33-Don Gordon[1]
Heat 2 - Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 15-Jon Henry[5] ; 2. 49-Brian Ruhlman[3] ; 3. 1-Jeff Babcock[8] ; 4. 34-Ky Harper[4] ; 5. 23C-Jeremy Canada [2] ; 6. 36-Matt Irey[9] ; 7. 99M-John Mayers Jr.[6] ; 8. X3-Dan Wallace[7] ; 9. 42K-Bob Mayer[1]
Heat 3 - Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 15B-Mike Bores[2] ; 2. 18R-Chris Ross[8] ; 3. 88-Andy Reau[5] ; 4. 555-Justin Coulter[1] ; 5. 56-Russ King[7] ; 6. 2-Justin Chance[3] ; 7. 23V-Ryan VanderVeen[9] ; 8. 30-Nate Potts[4] ; 9. 99-Steve Sabo[6]
Heat 4 - Bell Racing Products (8 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 3-Matt Miller[1] ; 2. 91S-Rusty Schlenk[2] ; 3. 50Y-Ryan Missler[7] ; 4. 51-Devin Shiels[6] ; 5. 21-Larry Kingseed[8] ; 6. 48-John Bores[4] ; 7. 9C-Troy Cattarene[3] ; 8. O6-Kyle Perry[5]
B-Main #1 - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 1N-Casey Noonan[5] ; 2. 5H-Ernie Haynes[1] ; 3. X3-Dan Wallace[8] ; 4. 36-Matt Irey[4] ; 5. 23C-Jeremy Canada [2] ; 6. 56G-BJ Gregory[7] ; 7. 42K-Bob Mayer[10] ; 8. 33-Don Gordon[9] ; 9. 2D-Curtis Deisenroth[3] ; 10. 99M-John Mayers Jr.[6]
B-Main #2 - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 56-Russ King[1] ; 2. O6-Kyle Perry[8] ; 3. 23V-Ryan VanderVeen[5] ; 4. 48-John Bores[4] ; 5. 2-Justin Chance[3] ; 6. 9C-Troy Cattarene[6] ; 7. 99-Steve Sabo[9] ; 8. 30-Nate Potts[7] ; 9. 21-Larry Kingseed[2]
A-Main - (30 Laps)
1. 91S-Rusty Schlenk[1]; 2. 15-Jon Henry[8]; 3. 3-Matt Miller[6]; 4. 1-Jeff Babcock[10]; 5. 56-Russ King[18]; 6. 34-Ky Harper[14]; 7. 15B-Mike Bores[5]; 8. 51-Devin Shiels[16]; 9. 50Y-Ryan Missler[12]; 10. 15A-Phil Ausra[13]; 11. 5H-Ernie Haynes[19]; 12. 49-Brian Ruhlman[7]; 13. 27-Ken Hahn[4]; 14. 75-Dusty Moore [9]; 15. 23V-Ryan VanderVeen[21]; 16. O6-Kyle Perry[20]; 17. 555-Justin Coulter[15]; 18. 1N-Casey Noonan[17]; 19. 33-Don Gordon[22]; 20. B4U-Chris Keller[2]; 21. 18R-Chris Ross[3]; 22. 88-Andy Reau[11]
Hard Charger: 56-Russ King[+13]
Fremont Fence 305 Sprints (25 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position
Heat 1 - Nitro Black Performance by Engine Pro (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 9-Jimmy Colvin[1] ; 2. 11F-D.J. Foos[4] ; 3. 4M-Jamie Miller[5] ; 4. 8K-Jon Ivy[8] ; 5. 5-Dustin Dinan[9] ; 6. 36-Seth Schneider[6] ; 7. 68G-Tyler Gunn[7] ; 8. 717-Trey Jacobs[2] ; 9. 77S-Jim Sipe[3]
Heat 2 - Summit Racing Equipment (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 5R-Jordan Ryan[1] ; 2. 1-Nate Dussel[6] ; 3. 83X-Nate Reeser[2] ; 4. 40-Caleb Griffith [7] ; 5. 1W-Paul Weaver[3] ; 6. 67M-Matt Ferrell[4] ; 7. 8J-Jess Stiger[8] ; 8. 72c-Ross Moore [5]
Heat 3 - Ultra Shield Race Products (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 39M-Matt Merrill[3] ; 2. 10X-Dustin Stroup[5] ; 3. 22M-Dan McCarron[1] ; 4. 19R-Steve Rando[8] ; 5. 25-Jason Keckler[4] ; 6. 22D-Dan Hammond [2] ; 7. 3B-Jeremy Duposki[6] ; 8. 6L-Talon Stephens[7]
B-Main - Computer Man Inc. (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 36-Seth Schneider[1] ; 2. 67M-Matt Ferrell[2] ; 3. 8J-Jess Stiger[5] ; 4. 68G-Tyler Gunn[4] ; 5. 717-Trey Jacobs[7] ; 6. 72C-Ross Moore [8] ; 7. 77S-Jim Sipe[10] ; 8. 3B-Jeremy Duposki[6] ; 9. 6L-Talon Stephens[9] ; 10. 22D-Dan Hammond [3]
A-Main - (25 Laps)
1. 1-Nate Dussel[6]; 2. 40-Caleb Griffith [10]; 3. 10X-Dustin Stroup[1]; 4. 5R-Jordan Ryan[3]; 5. 1W-Paul Weaver[14]; 6. 11F-D.J. Foos[12]; 7. 39M-Matt Merrill[9]; 8. 9-Jimmy Colvin[5]; 9. 8K-Jon Ivy[11]; 10. 22M-Dan McCarron[2]; 11. 5-Dustin Dinan[13]; 12. 83X-Nate Reeser[7]; 13. 25-Jason Keckler[15]; 14. 67M-Matt Ferrell[17]; 15. 717-Trey Jacobs[20]; 16. 68G-Tyler Gunn[19]; 17. 8J-Jess Stiger[18]; 18. 19R-Steve Rando[8]; 19. 36-Seth Schneider[16]; 20. 4M-Jamie Miller[4]
Hard Charger: 1W-Paul Weaver[+9]
©2012 - Results Provided by: Computer Man Inc. Fremont, OH