Winchester Speedway
Eckert rockets to another Winchester victory
WINCHESTER, Va. (June 15) — Rick Eckert of York, Pa., won his third straight race in Paul Crowl’s No. 7 Rocket Chassis, earning $3,000 Saturday at Winchester Speedway’s Paul Johnson Memorial.
“This place was real racy tonight,” said Eckert, a World of Outlaws Late Model Series taking a break from his own Bloomquist Race Car. “I have to thank Paul for giving me the opportunity to drive his car and I’m glad to be able to get another win for him here tonight.”
The 35-lapper gave Eckert his second win of the season at Winchester and third in a row in the car going back to a pair of Appalachian Mountain Speedweek presented by Harbaugh Amusement victories.
“The guys who prepare this track did an awesome job tonight.” Eckert said. “I was able to move around a bit and found the car was working really good up top, and with all the good cars that race here weekly, I’ll try to get back here as often as I can.”
Three-time Winchester winner and hometown driver J.T. Spence and Stevie Long shared the front row with Spence immediately shooting into the lead. The third-starting Eckert second second from Long on the 11th lap and set his sights on the leader.
Using the high groove, Eckert zipped by Spence to take over on lap 21. Spence stayed close the rest of the way but settled for second with C.S. Fitzgerald of Lexington, Va., in third. Long and Gary Stuhler rounded out the top five.
Notes: The winning Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Baltimore Recycling Center, Priority Construction and T.E. Jeff Inc. ... Eckert has four victories in seven starts for car owner Paul Crowl. ... Eckert owns 10 career feature victories at Winchester. ... Jason Covert retired his smoking car on the 14th lap. ... Glen Elliott won the night’s 15-lap Crate Late Model feature over Jeff Sweeney. ... Winchester hosts Super Late Models once again on June 22 for another 35-lap, $3,000-to-win event.
Paul Johnson Memorial: (1) Rick Eckert, (2) J.T. Spence, (3) C.S. Fitzgerald, (4) Stevie Long, (5) Gary Stuhler, (6) Tyler Hershey, (7) Trever Feathers, (8) Mark Pettyjohn, (9) Dale Hollidge, (10) Jason Miller, (11) Devin Friese, (12) Keith Jackson, (13) Kyle Hardy, (14) Wayne Johnson, (15) Brad Omps, (16) Tony Crim, (17) Travis Roach, (18) Roy Deese Jr., (19) Rusty Sites, (20) Ernie Shirley, (21) Jason Covert, (22) Tommy Armel. Fast qualifier (among 22 cars): Spence, 15.157 seconds. Heat race winners: Spence, Long.
