HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Darren Smith made the drive from Binghamton, N.Y., to Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway worthwhile with a victory on Saturday afternoon to kick off ‘Octoberfest’ in the $3,000-to-win Spec 358-Modified event.
“This is my first time at this track,” Smith said. “Everybody I’ve talked to loves this track. I see why, it’s an awesome race track.
“I’ve never seen a track rubber with multiple grooves before. That was actually a lot of fun.”
Smith led from start to finish. His victory, however, was far from a simple 30-lap romp.
As Smith paced the field, the race for second on the Maryland red clay raged on.
Billy Pauch Jr. emerged from a tussle with Billy Osmun to take over the runner-up spot with 10 laps remaining.
Finding speed in the race’s final third, Pauch began to chip away at Smith’s lead, which at one point had been more than a straightaway.
Smith’s F.X. Caprara Harley-Davidson No. 12 was slowed by a pair of soon-to-be-lapped cars running side by side. With the Troyer Dirt Cars two-to-go in the air, the advantage was mere car-lengths.
“With 10 laps to go I was settling in there, so I didn’t get a flat tire,” Smith said. “Joe was showing me I had a big lead. Then with three or four to go he moved his sticks back in and I said, ‘I better pick my ass back up.’”
Smith remained smooth and put his name on the storied ‘Octoberfest’ win list.
Pauch, of Frenchtown, N.J., ended his charge with a runner-up finish in the Breitenstein Motorsports No. 14. Bloomsbury, N.J.’s Osmun ended his stellar drive in third, followed by Bethel, Pa.’s Bryce Bashore in a stunning Modified effort and eighth-starter Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were fourth-starter Joe Toth of Upper Makefield, Pa.; Justin Grosso of Montgomery, N.J.; Mike Gular of Harleysville, Pa.; Ryan Krachun of Neshanic Station, N.J.; and Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa.
After an opening lap caution, the event ran caution-free for the remainder of the distance.
Thirty-seven 358-Modifieds signed in for competition.
Heat winners were Luke Bunting, Kyle Smith, Darren Smith and Pauch. Ryan Graver won the consolation.
Three practice sessions were run for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds and Sportsman, with the last two sessions granting Sunday redraw positions.
Ryan Godown (21.025 seconds) and Pauch Jr. (20.737 seconds) were the STSS Modified transfers, with Bryce Bashore (22.498 seconds) and Robbie Emory (22.275 seconds) topping the STSS Sportsman.
A.J. Miller of Fultonville, N.Y., wired the field in the Crate Late Model 20-lap event for a $1,000 payday. Davin Kaiser, Brady Neff, Mason Diaz and Avery McMellen completed the top five.
Colton Replogle was the Crown Vic 15-lap victor.
