Winchester Speedway
Spence holds off Pettyjohn for first series victory
WINCHESTER, Va. (June 28) — Hometown J.T. Spence took the lead on the fifth lap Friday at Winchester Speedway and fought off challenges from Delaware driver Mark Pettyjohn for his first career victory on the Three State Flyers circuit.
Spence, winning his fourth event of the season at the 3/8-mile oval, earned $3,000 in taking the checkers one length ahead of Pettyjohn.
“Man, I finally won one of these things,” Spence said in victory lane. “Ever since (Doug) Timmons has had the Three-Sate deal, I’ve wanted to win one of these races and for whatever reason we haven’t been able to, but tonight was our night.”
Heavy lapped traffic and challenges from Pettyjohn, who won the previous two Three State Flyers events at Winchester, gave Spence fits.
“You really had to be careful out there tonight,” the winner said. “I saw Mark’s number on the scoreboard and he’s been real fast here all season and I wasn’t sure how close he was and the lapped cars were a little hairy, but we were able to hold him off.”
Gary Stuhler of Greencastle, Pa., was third in the 35-lapper followed by Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., and ninth-starting Trever Feathers of Winchester.
Fast qualifier David Williams and Miller paced the field to the initial green flag with Miller shooting into the race lead as the pack raced off turn two with the third-starting Spence in tow.
Miller’s lead would only last for four laps as Spence swept past the lead the fifth circuit. He led the rest of the way, but fellow second-row starter Pettyjohn was right on him late in the race and Spence won a mad dash to the checkers on the final lap.
Notes: Spence’s Rocket Chassis is powered by Hershey's Racing Engine and sponsored by Gunter’s Honey, Champion Auto Sales, Performance Auto Works, Coffelt Graphics, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, TC Race Cars, Loco-Motives, Integra Shocks, Sunoco Fuels and Schaeffer’s Racing Oil. ... Winchester’s Limited Late Model points leader Jonathan DeHaven captured his third victory of the season in that division. ... Saturday’s series event at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway rained out and was rescheduled for Aug. 10. ... During the holiday week, Three State Flyers races are scheduled for July 4 at Hesston (Pa.) Speedway, for $5,200-to-win and July 5 at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway, for $3,000-to-win.
Three State Flyers @ Winchester: (1) J.T. Spence, (2) Mark Pettyjohn, (3) Gary Stuhler, (4) Jeremy Miller, (5) Trever Feathers, (6) Kenny Moreland, (7) Tommy Armel, (8) Jason Covert, (9) D.J. Myers, (10) Dale Hollidge, (11) C.S. Fitzgerald, (12) Kenny Pettyjohn, (13) Kyle Hardy, (14) Scott LeBarron, (15) Tanner Kerr, (16) David Williams, (17) Jason Miller, (18) Jerry Bard, (19) Tony Crim, (20) Brad Omps, (21) Nick Dickson, (22) David Pettyjohn. Scratched: Jamie Lathroum. Fast qualifier (among 23 cars): Williams, 14.607. Heat race winners: Williams, Stuhler.
