Elkins Raceway
Friese tops Wilmoth, earns $7,000 at Elkins
By Bob Reed
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Friese races toward a $7,000 victory. (Bob Reed)
KERENS, W.Va. (Sept. 20) — Grabbing the biggest victory of his career, Devin Friese of Chambersburg, Pa., took the point from race-long leader Paul Wilmoth Jr. of Clarksburg, W.Va., on the 32nd lap and led the rest of the Independent Racing Series 50-lapper at Elkins Speedway. Friese, who held a half-straightaway margin through the race's late stages, earned $7,000 for his first win at Elkins.
Wilmoth, who started outside the front row, settled for second ahead of polesitter Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va. Reigning IRS champion Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio, finished fourth with current IRS points leader Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., rounding out the top five in the final race of the season at Elkins.
Notes: Friese drives a Vic Hill-powered MasterSbilt Race Car with sponsorship from R.E. Friese Bus Transportation, Dilly’s Bar & Restaurant, Allison Electric and Integra Racing Shocks. ... Fifteen of 24 starters were running at the finish. ... Sixth-starting Dan Swartzlander was the first retiree in a three-car scramble on the second lap that drew the first caution. ... The second caution appeared on lap 34 when Skip Hare stopped on the track.
IRS @ Elkins: (1) Devin Friese, (2) Paul Wilmoth Jr., (3) Tim Dohm, (4) Rick Aukland, (5) Robbie Blair, (6) Mike Knight, (7) Butch McGill, (8) Steve Wilmoth, (9) Mike Balzano, (10) Scott Rhodes, (11) Booper Bare, (12) Bo Feathers, (13) Tim Senic, (14) Chuck Harper, (15) Zack Dohm, (16) Bob Gordon, (17) Richard Frazier, (18) Charlie George, (19) Steve Booth, (20) Jared Hawkins, (21) Shawn Poling, (22) Skip Hare, (23) Max Blair, (24) Dan Swartzlander. Fast qualifier (among 29 cars): Hawkins, 4.735 seconds. Heat race winners: Swartzlander, R. Blair, P. Wilmoth, Friese. Consolation winners: Senic, M. Blair. Dash winner: Dohm. Provisional starters: Gordon, George.
