Jim Pattock wins inaugural Cowboy Kennedy Memorial
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MILL HALL -- Jim Pattock finished as the runner-up in many feature events at the Clinton County Speedway in his career. But, on Friday night, Pattock found his way to victory lane when the speedway honored the memory of Cowboy Jim Kennedy in a 50-lap $2,000 to win event, making it the biggest victory in his career.
AJ Hoffman won the pro stocks, Mac Wert won the 270 micros and Joe Zambotti IV won the Rising Star Jr. sprints.
A total of 32 RaceSaver sprint cars signed in for the event. The race was held on what would have been Kennedy's 92nd birthday and celebrated the life and legacy of a racer whose impact on the sport stretched across generations. Kennedy competed at the Clinton County Speedway at the age of 91 and was recognized as the speedway's oldest sprint car driver. Cole Dewease set fast time for the night during time trails with a time of 12.927 seconds.
Jacob Gomola and Cole Dewease started on the front row of the 50-lap event. Dewease took the lead at the drop of the green flag and led the first two laps before the caution came out when Tyler Cochran of Hughesville spun. Dewease brought the field back to green flag racing with Gomola, Pattock, Jeffrey Weaver of Lock Haven and Kruz Kepener of Middleburg racing in the top five.
The second caution flag waved on lap five when Ken Duke Jr. of Windfield and Matthew Kline tangled in Turn 4 as both cars were towed to the pit area. Once again, Dewease held the lead following the restart. On lap nine, Weaver passed Pattock to move into the third position. Weaver began to challenge Gomola for the second-place position. By the completion of lap 15, Dewease was leading Gomola, Weaver, Pattock and Kepner.
On lap 17, Weaver passed Gomola for second as the leaders began to negotiate lapped traffic. Dewease had three lapped cars between his and the second-place car, as Weaver, Gomola, Pattock and Kepner were battling for position in a race of their own. In lapped traffic, Gomola and Pattock passed Weaver to claim the second and third position on lap 20. Pattock was able to pass Gomola for the second position on lap 22. On lap 25, Gomola's car stopped on the track with a right rear flat tire, which his crew changed, and he rejoined the rear of the field.
As the field we preparing to come back to green, a shower came over the speedway resulting in the race having to be halted. Following the brief showers, track crews when to work and prepared the racing surface so the remainder of the event could be completed.
Dewease continued to lead the field following the brief rain delay with Pattock, Weaver, Jarrett Cavalett and Matt Tebbs in the top five. Pattock closed in on Dewease and began to apply pressure for the lead while racing in lapped traffic. On lap 38, Pattock made his move to take the lead. With 10 laps to go, Pattock was leading Dewease, Weaver, Cavalet and Tebbs.
Dewease pulled into the infield on lap 42, as his car began to overheat. Weaver took over the second position as Cavalett, Tebbs and Josh Beamer were in the top give. Gomola who restarted last due to his flat tire, worked his way back up through the field and reentered the top five on lap 47. Pattock opened up over a half of a straight-away lead in the final laps to earn his first career win at the Clinton County Speedway.
Weaver was second, Gomola rebounded to finish third, Cavalet and Beamer completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were Matt Tebbs, Daniel Leaper, Zach Rhodes, Ryan Lynn and Tyler Erdley.
AJ Hoffman led every lap of the pro stock feature event. Cory Long of Selinsgrove challenged Hoffman as the top two ran side by side for several laps. A caution on lap 11 for Kyler Stahl bunched the field up for the restart. Hoffman held off Long with AY Schilling, Ron Ergott and Marc Bitler in the top five. On the final lap, Jim Farley spun creating a one lap shoot-out between Hoffman and Long. Hoffman held him off for the win over Long and Schilling.
Colton Guiher and Jillian Maurer started on the front row. Maurer jumped into the lead at the drop of the green flag with Mac Wert and Mason McAndrew racing in the top three. On lap eight, the caution came out and Maurer was penalized by track official for jumping the initial start. Wert inherited the lead the restart had Wert, McAndrew, Maurer, Quinn Roberts and Jeffrey Weaver in the top five.
Weaver moved into third on lap 12 and he moved into second place the very next lap. Wert held on for the win over Weaver, McAndrew, Roberts and Maurer.
Joey Zambotti led every lap of the junior sprint feature event. Carson McFerren, Emery Macgill, Tyreece Bowmaster and Aspyn Bast completed the top five.