AT HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY

HAGERSTOWN, MD. A record 249 late models, modified and sprint cars signed in for the 16th Annual Octoberfest 350 at the Hagerstown Speedway Saturday. Following 37 qualifying events and 350 laps of feature racing, four happy drivers, each $10,000 richer stood in Victory lane Sunday evening before a record crowd.

Brian Weaver of Windsor NY grabbed the biggest win of his career in the 100 lap big block modified feature, Andy Bachetti of Shefield, MA decided to make the long tow to Hagerstown for a change of scenery that made him $10,000 richer with a win in the 100-lap small block modified feature, Greg Hodnett of Memphis TN ended a great season with a $10,000 payday in the 50-lap super sprint feature and Gary Stuhler of Greencastle, PA, the 2003 Hagerstown Speedway track champion ended his record setting season with his second straight $10,000-to-win victory with the win in the late model 100-lap finale. It was the first Octoberfest win for Hodnett, Weaver and Bachetti and the fourth for Stuhler.

In the 100-lap big block feature, Keith Hoffman and Ricky Elliott led the 30 car field to the green as Andy Bachetti started third. Hoffman held onto the top spot until lap five when Elliott moved on top. Hoffman dropped back another spot on the next lap as Bachetti moved into second. On lap 12, Billy Pauch used the high grove to pass Bachetti for second and four laps later on lap 16, Pauch passed Elliott for the lead. Pauch pulled away to a large lead by lap 25 and two laps later was putting the slower cars a lap down. Bachetti passed Elliott for second on lap 31 and at the half-way mark it was Pauch, Bachetti, 12th starting Brian Weaver, Elliott and Duane Howard the top five.

Pauch set the pace on the restart and opened a comfortable lead over Bachetti in the early stages of the second half. But Bachetti found the low groove to his liking and slowly started to close the gap on Pauch. On lap 68, Bachetti pulled even with Pauch down the back stretch and put his nose in front for the lead on lap 69. But Pauch came right back to lead the next two laps before giving way to Bachetti for good on lap 72. Once in front, Bachetti pulled away to a convincing win over Pauch. Duane Howard was next with Willy Decker coming from 19th for fourth. Frank Cozze, Brian Weaver and Keith Hoffman were next with Mike Colsten coming from 28th for 8th. Ryan Watt and Kenny Brightbill completed the top ten. Heat winners for the 84 small blocks were K. Hoffman, Elliott, Bachetti, Watt, Michael Isles, Pauch, Cozze and Jimmy Horton. The four B-Mains were won by Brightbill, Kevin Hirtler; Decker and G.R. Smith.

"We wanted to try something different," said Bachetti. "We knew we could race closer to home, but we thought we come down here for a change and it paid off. This was awesome. Just can't say enough about the track."

Lance Dewease shot out in front at the start of the 50-lap super sprint feature as Greg Hodnett started back in eighth. Hodnett moved into third by the second lap and passed Blaine Heimbach for second on lap seven as Dewease began putting the slower cars a lap down. As Hodnett closed in on Dewease on lap 12, four cars including Fred Rahmer and Alan Cole got together in the first turn to bring out the red flag. Dewease set the pace on the restart as another caution was waved on lap 16 when Chad Layton lost his left rear wheel on the front stretch. Dewease led the field on the restart as Hodnett stayed right with the leader. A lap later, Hodnett shot passed Dewease for the lead. When the red flag was waved on lap 25 for the fuel stop, it was Hodnett in front of Dewease, Stevie Smith, Don Krietz and Sean Michael.

Hodnett pulled away at the start of the second half and was never seriously challenged the last half. Hodnett had a large 15 car length lead wiped out when Ed Lynch Jr. brought out the caution on lap 47, but Dewease had nothing for the leader the final three laps as Hodnett picked up the win. Dewease settled for second unable to clinch his car owner, Al Hamilton, his 400th career win before the end of the season. Smith, Kreitz and Billy Pauch were next with Mark Smith, Sean Michael, Kevin Frey, Pete Green and Scott Bonnel finishing out the top ten. Dewease, Bonnel, Frey and Kreitz were the heat winners for the 31 sprint cars. Green won the B-Main.

"The race track was great, it was real racy and have to congratulate Randy (Grove) and the rest of the crew, said Hodnett. "You could race anywhere on the track, high or low. It is a great way to end the season."

In the big block modified, Brian Weaver blasted out in front from the pole with Steve Butcher and Doug Hoffman right behind. J.R Heffner passed Hoffman for third on the second lap and began to put the pressure on Butcher when the caution was waved on the fourth lap. On the restart, Heffner passed Butcher going into the first turn and a lap later on lap six passed Weaver for the lead. Heffner pulled away to a comfortable lead, but Weaver closed the gap in lapped traffic to regain the lead for one lap on lap 33. Heffner came right back for the lead and held the top spot when the red flag was waved on lap 50 for the fuel stop. The top five were Heffner, Weaver, Butcher, Cozze and Andy Bachetti.

Heffner led the field for the second half as Weaver stayed right on the bumper of the leader. On lap 55, Weaver found an opening underneath of Heffner to take the lead. Once in front, Weaver opened a large lead and by the 80th lap was into lapped traffic. Heffner and Butcher closed in on Weaver with ten laps remaining, but did not have enough to overtake the leader as Weaver scored the biggest win of his career. Heffner settled for second with Butcher, Frank Cozze and Jamie Mills rounding out the top five. Keith Hoffman, who started 26th was next with Kevin Hirtler, 23rd starting Jimmy Chester, Kenny Brightbill and Ritchie Pratt finishing out the top ten. Heat winners for the 80 cars were Weaver, D. Hoffman, Butcher, Pauch, Heffner, Mills, Rick Laubach and Kerry Kratz. The four b-mains went to Tim Millman, Hirther, Elliott and A. Bachetti.

"This is my biggest win ever," said Weaver. "We went back and forth there with Heffner and real fortunate to stay out in front of him there at the end."

In the 100-lap late model feature, Gary Stuhler started fourth as polesitter Tom Myers took the lead. Stuhler moved into second before the first lap was complete with Rick Eckert and Todd Andrews right behind. Stuhler stayed within three car lengths of Myers as the field of cars raced nose-to-tail. On lap 40, a caution was waved for debris on the track and when the race resumed, Eckert got the jump on a surprised Stuhler to take over the runner up spot. Eckert was unable to close the gap on race long leader Myers as the red flag was waved on lap 50 for the fuel stop. As the cars stopped for fuel, steam rolled from the leader's car and Myers was forced to call it a day turning the lead over to Eckert.

With Myers in the pits, Eckert led the field for the second half with Stuhler, Andrews, DJ Myers and Brian Ruhlman in pursuit. By lap 70, Eckert had opened a ten car length lead and looked like he was on his way to his third straight Octoberfest win when he rolled to a stop on the next lap with a broken ball joint turning the lead over to Stuhler. Stuhler pulled away from second place Andrews on the restart and stayed three car lengths in front. On the final lap looking for the checker flag, Dan Stone brought out the caution to set up a one-lap shootout. Stuhler had no problem on the restart as he crossed the finish line five car lengths in front of Andrews. DJ Myers and Ruhlman were next with Kenny Pettyjohn coming from 15th for fifth. Alan Sagi was next with 25th starting Frankie Plessinger seventh. Twenty-second starting John Mason was next with 19th starting Scott Brode and 21st starting Chuck Shultz finishing out the top ten. Heat winners for the 54 late models were T. Myers, Eckert, Andrews, Stuhler and DJ Myers. Shultz, Mason and Paul Crowl won the consolations.

"We were lucky, I don't think we could have caught Rick (Eckert)," said Stuhler. "But we'll take it anyway we can." For Stuhler, Sunday's win was his ninth win of the year and111th of his career, only three behind leader Rodney Franklin.

Tickets are now on sale for the Annual Awards Banquet and Dance. The gala event is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th at 6 P.M.

100-LAP SMALL BLOCK FEATURE: 84 Cars (Lap Leaders: K. Hoffman, 1-4; Elliott, 5-15; Pauch, 16-68, 70-71; Bachetti, 69, 72-100.) 1. Andy Bachetti; 2. Billy Pauch; 3. Duane Howard; 4. Willy Decker; 5. Frank Cozze; 6. Brian Weaver; 7. Keith Hoffman; 8. Mike Costen; 9. Ryan Watt; 10. Kenny Brightbill; 11. G.R. Smith; 12. Steve Butcher; 13. Steve Moss; 14. Keith Brightbill; 15. Chad Reitz; 16. Jon Kellner; 17. Gary Hager; 18. David Dubois; 19. Jon Kellinger Jr.; 20. Doug Manmiller; 21. Ricky Elliott; 22. Howard O'Neal; 23. Michael Isles; 24. Mike Ricci; 25. Doug Hoffman; 26. Jimmy Horton; 27. Darren McCaugher; 28. Kevin Hirtler; 29. Junior Green; 30. Jimmy Chester. DNQ: Lyle Sherwood; Tim Millman; Rick Schaffer; Jeff Strunk; David Dissinger; Roger Williams; Lenny Leibold; Wade Hendrickson; Greg Humlhanz; Mike Gular; Colin Jackson; Joseph Dekutoski; Billy Pauch Jr.; Mark Frankhouse; Deron Rust; Scott VanGorder; David Calaman; Doug Rose; Barry Readinger; Richard Scagliotta; Lorne Bowe; Bill Devine; Craig Whitmoyer; Mike Butterworth; Ryan Taylor; Tom Pompei; Jesse Kline; Shawn Reimert; Don Keefer; Brent Wilcox; Ryan Bektz; Donny Radd; Bud Christmann; Bob Lineman; Mike Lyons; Jimmy Horton IV; Greg VonDohren; Joe Gobson; Conny Allen; Bryant Brown; Chuck Flesch; Tommy Beamer; Kevin Hartnett; Ben Hatt; Fritz Epright; Rick Eskridge; Tom Hager; Roy Weist; DSQ: Chris Gardner. DNS: J.R. Heffner; Billy Warren; Mark Forte; Peachy Cole; H.J. Bunting Jr.

50-LAP SUPER SPRINT FEATURE: 31 Cars (Lap Leaders: Dewease, 1-16; Hodnett, 17-50) 1. Greg Hodnett; 2. Lance Dewease; 3. Stevie Smith; 4. Donnie Kreitz Jr.; 5. Billy Pauch; 6. Mark Smith; 7. Sean Michael; 8. Kevin Frey; 9. Pete Green; 10. Scott Bonnell; 11. Blaine Heimbach; 12. Eric Stambaugh; 13. Alan Cole; 14. Bob Beidleman; 15. Wade Hendrickson; 16. Justin Collett; 17. Randy Baughman; 18. Michael Dillman; 19. Scott Lutz; 20. Ed Lynch Jr.; 21. Chad Layton; 22. Fred Rahmer; 23. Lucas Wolfe; 24. Jay Reichard; 25. Brook Weibley; 26. Mike Lehman. DNQ: Joey Hershey; Todd Lynn; Bob Howard; Shawn Howe. DNS: Dan Murray.

100-LAP BIG BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE: 80 Cars (Lap Leaders: Weaver, 1-5,33,55-100; Heffner, 6-32, 34-54) 1. Brian Weaver; 2. JR Heffner; 3. Steve Butcher; 4. Frank Cozze; 5. Jamie Mills; 6. Keith Hoffman; 7. Kevin Hirther; 8. Jimmy Chester; 9. Kenny Brightbill; 10. Richie Pratt Jr.; 11. Doug Manmiller; 12. Andy Bachetti; 13. Kerry Kratz; 14. Shawn Reimert; 15. Richard Tobias; 16. Deron Rust; 17. Michael Iles; 18. Bud Christmann; 19. Billy Pauch; 20. Ryan Godown; 21. Mike Colsten; 22. Ricky Elliott; 23. Rick Laubach; 24. Tim Millman; 25. Duane Howard; 26. Bucky Kell; 27. H J Bunting III; 28. Donny Radd; 29. Craig VonDohren; 30. Doug Hoffman. Chester. DNQ: Bruce Kline; Jon Kellner Sr.; Gary Hager; Craig Millens; Mike Ricci; Scott Irwin; Norman Short; Rex King; Kevin Bolland; Randy Stoudt; Doug Rose; Rick Schaffer; Glenn Reed; Holus Morrissey; Beau Wilkins; Lyle Sherwood; Joe Crawford; Hal Browning; Robert Dutton; Scott VanGorder; Mark Forte; Kevin Hartnett; George Hobaugh; Skip Moore; Gary Risch Jr.; Dave Reges; Ryan Watt; Colin Jackson; Ricky Johnson; Franny Purcell; David White; Charlie Humes; Jared Schultz; Scott Smith; Gene Stauinsky; John Dixon; Joseph Deklitoski; Ben Hatt; Ryan Kerr; Jeff Strunk; Chris Wasson; Dave Gerhart; Del Rougeuz; Art Adams' Richard Scagliotta; Jimmy Horton; Wade Hendrickson; Tom Hager; Brian Kressley. DNS: Mike Lyons

100-LAP LATE MODEL FEATURE: 54 Cars (Lap Leaders: T. Myers, 1-50; Eckert, 51-71; Stuhler, 72-100) 1. Gary Stuhler; 2. Todd Andrews; 3. D.J. Myers; 4. Brian Ruhlman; 5. Kenny Pettyjohn; 6. Alan Sagi; 7. Frankie Plessinger; 8. John Mason; 9. Scott Brode; 10. Chuck Schultz; 11. Jason Flory; 12. Doug Eck; 13. Travis Dillman; 14. Dan Stone; 15. Eric Hons; 16. Rick Eckert; 17. Charlie Schaffer; 18. Tom Myers; 19. Donnie Farlling; 20. David Pettyjohn; 21. Randall Paxton; 22. Tim Wilson; 23. Brad Ritter; 24. Tommy Armel; 25. Dave Rice Jr.; 26. Paul Crowl. DNQ: Glenn Heddings; Randy Stoudt; Dave Hertz; Jeff Miller; Al Shawver Jr,; Gene Lurightsone; Billy Wampler; Carl Billet; Dave Reed; Rob Schirmer; Mike Lupfer; Lou Johnson; Rich Whaley; Dave Shulski; Luke Hoffner; Drew Koteles; Tim O'Hara; Gary Beck Jr.; Tom Bateman; Larry Wright; Mitch Hack; Scott Cross; DNS: Brian Rehbein; Matt Urban; Cody Schultz; Brent Smith; John Emory.