Whittall wins the Phil Walter Classic at Clinton County
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MILL HALL -- Justin Whittall became the fifth different winner of the Phil Walter Classic for the PA Posse 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday night at the Clinton County Speedway. The win earned Whittall a $7,500 payday. Josh Frantz won the four cylinders while AJ Hoffman won both of the pro stock feature events.
Cameron Smith and Mike Thomspson led the field of 410 sprint cars to the green flag for the start of the 35-lap main event. Smith quickly took the lead. On lap three, the caution flag waved when Thompson did a 360-degree spin in front of the field in Turn 2. Smith led the field back to green with fast timer of the night, Brett Strickler, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Smith and Tyler Ross running in the top five.
Whittall, who started eighth, utilized the top side of the speedway and entered the top five by the completion of lap four. Camerson Smith continued to lead as Strickler and Rahmer battled for second and third while defending race winner Ryan Smith and Whittall battled for fourth and fifth. A lap seven caution involving Brandon Rahmer, Mike Thompson and Kasey Weaver slowed the field once again.
Following the restart, Whittall moved into the fourth spot and set his sights on Rahmer. On lap nine, Whittall moved into the top three and controlled the second position by lap 10. By lap 15, Smith was being pressured by Whittall as Strickler, Rahmer and Ryan Smith completed the top five.
On lap 16, Whittall made his pass for the lead as the front runners were approaching lapped traffic. On lap 18, Rahmer and Ryan Smith were battling for position, as Ryan Smith made the pass out of turn four, Rahmer's car slowed on the speedway with a mechanical issue to bring out the caution. On the restart, Whittall was challenged by Cameron Smith but was able to hold off the challenge.
Ryan Smith moved into third and began to challenge Cameron Smith. With five laps to go and in lapped traffic, Ryan Smith took the runner up position from Cameron Smith. The event's final caution waved when Lance Dewease and Buddy Schweibinz tangled in turn two.
Whittall pulled away slightly from rest of the field as Ryan and Camerson Smith battled for the second and third positions. Tyler Ross joined the battle for top three as the laps counted down. Whittall claimed his first victory at the one-third-mile oval with a margin of victory of 2.45 seconds.
"Lap traffic was interesting, I've been waiting for this one all season," said Whittall in Victory Lane. "I'll take this one. It's a confidence builder."
Ryan Smith, Cameron Smith, Tyler Ross, and Brett Strickler completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were JT Ferry, AJ Flick, Billy Dietrich, Lucas Wolfe and Mark Smith, respectively.
Josh Frantz and Zak Kline of Mill Hall started on the front row of the four-cylinder main event. Third-place starter Justin Williamson passed the front row starters to lead the first lap. By the completion of lap five, Williamson was leading Frantz, Shane Seville of Mill Creek, Kline and Camden Frantz. On lap 10, Williamson was still leading with Josh Frantz waiting to make a move. Frantz got his opportunity on lap 12, when he took the lead.
Lap 14 the caution flag waved when several cars were involved in an incident in Turn 4. Eighth-place starter Chris Andersonof Rockhill advanced into the top three on lap 17. Lap 22, Williamson brought out the caution flag. The restart had Frantz leading Anderson, and Chas Smith of Parker. Frantz would hold off Anderson for the win worth $1,750.
Anderson finished second followed by Smith, Seville and Andrew Ricketts, who set fast time in time trials. Sixth through tenth were Kline, Adam Bales, Hunter Flook, Tyler Watson and Tiana Anderson, respectively.
Kyler Stahl of Watsontown and AY Schilling of Linden led the pro stock feature to the green flag. Schilling took the early lead for the first three circuits. Hoffman, who started fourth, took the lead on lap four. The top three consisted of Hoffman, Schilling and Cory Long of Selinsgrove. Long moved into second on lap six.
The top two ran side by side for several laps with Long passing Hoffman on lap 11. Long brought out the caution on lap 13, giving the lead back to Hoffman. Hoffman would hold on for the win over Stahl and Schilling.
In the second pro stock feature, Schilling led the first eight laps with Hoffman and Long battling for the second position. The battle for second was intense with Hoffman and Long swapping positions for several laps. Hoffman eventually secured second and passed Schilling on lap nine. Hoffman would hold on to win his second feature of the night over Schilling and Long.
The speedway will host the annual Len Stroud Jr. Memorial on Friday for the limited late models. It is the final points race for the limited late models. Also on the card will be the pro stocks, 270 micros and the four cylinders.