McKean County Raceway
McClellan wins wild RUSH race at McKean Co.
EAST SMETHPORT, Pa. (Sept. 20) — Chad McClellan of Stoysown, Pa., made his first visit to McKean County Raceway a profitable one in the Crate Late Model portion of Friday’s Fall Classic action at the third-mile oval with a $1,200 victory on the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Series.
During the second night of McKean’s Fall Classic weekend, McClellan came out on top of a wild and bizarre 23-lap main event to become the 11th different winner during the RUHS tour’s inaugural season.
McClellan rebounded from a poor qualifying effort during Thursday’s prelims to advance from his 19th starting spot after surviving an early-race accident. He and survived a caution-filled race that saw seven of the top eight finishers record their best-ever series finishes.
"This is the luckiest I have ever been in my life," expressed McClellan, 39, said. "I didn't know what was going on at times, but this is where we ended up! This is the first time I've ever been here — it's four hours from home, but is a beautiful facility. I have to thank the fans, everyone that helps on the car, and all of my sponsors."
Tenth-starting Zack Carney of Freedom, N.Y., was second at the finish while Brad Mesler earned the race’s hard charger award after advancing from 23rd to third , Matt Harvey stared alongside Mesler in the 12th row and advanced 20 positions to finish fourth. Ed Carley the runner-up’s father rounded out the race’s top five finishers with his third straight top five on the series.
Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, W.Va., Damian Bidwell of Eldred, Pa., and Mike Pegher Jr. of Wexford, Pa., all spent time out front before running into trouble. Pegher controlled the second half of the race before contact from second-running John Waters sent Pegher spinning. Waters was sent to the rear for rough driving, handing the lead and the victory to McClellan.
A $2,000-to-win RUSH event was scheduled as part of the final McKean County's Fall Classic on Saturday, but wet weather pushed the program back to Sunday.
RUSH @ McKean County: (1) Chad McClellan, (2) Zack Carley, (3) Brad Mesler, (4) Matt Harvey, (5) Ed Carley, (6) Butch Lambert, (7) Adam Sixt, (8) Paul Grigsby, (9) Dusty Waters, (10) Jason Knowles, (11) Ward Schell, (12) Bob Kish, (13) Garrett Mott, (14) Damian Bidwell, (15) Justin Tatlow, (16) Mike Pegher, Jr., (17) John Waters, (18) Max Blair, (19) Ryan Montgomery, (20) Chad Ruhlman, (21) Doug Ricotta, (22) Cody Dawson, (23) Shane Weaver, (24) Cody Mason, (25) Jason Genco, (26) Rick Singleton, (27) Bryce Davis. Fast qualifier (among 38 cars): Ruhlman. Heat race winners: Ruhlman, Blair, Pegher, J. Waters. Dash winner: Montgomery. Consolation winners: Ricotta, Provisional starters: Singleton, Mott, Kish.
