MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — For the second week in a row Danny Dietrich launched from the fourth row to claim victory in the 410 sprint car races at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
Dietrich’s win in the Billy Kimmel Memorial came in dramatic fashion as he waited until the final few yards of the 25-lap race to take the lead.
Thanks to his final stretch antics Dietrich took home the WC Eshenaur Last Lap Pass Award, worth $500.
The Gettysburg flyer pocketed $6,700 for the win including a $200 bonus that was donated in memory of Billy Kimmel.
In the 358 sprint main it was Eli Tuckey taking his second division win in a row.
Polesitter Cameron Smith led from the outset over Troy Wagaman Jr. and while Wagaman threatened to take over the lead during the first few circuits Smith was gradually able to open up some daylight.
Chase Dietz started sixth in the field and was leading a charge into the top five with Dietrich in tow by the halfway point.
Dietrich had a full head of steam by the time lap 15 was scored when he motored by Dietz for third.
And a lap later he had disposed of Wagaman to begin working on leader Smith.
Dietrich was able to close on Smith’s No. 1A quickly and as the pair raced toward the stripe on lap 18 it appeared that he was ready to be scored the leader with an inside run however it was then that the only caution flag of the race unfurled for a slowing Ryan Newton.
With clear track and a quick restart, Smith got away from Dietrich when action resumed and it took until three to go for Dietrich to again catch the pacesetter.
With two laps to go the pair crossed the line nose to tail and when Smith surprised Dietrich by staying in front of him on the high line as the pair shot into the first corner Dietrich nearly stuffed his car into the outside fence.
While Dietrich quickly regained control, the falter gave Smith a little breathing room once again however Dietrich quickly drove down the distance to be in contention again as the finish line loomed.
After battling hard on the backstretch and nearly making contact, Dietrich made his last ditch run to the checkers as Smith slid across turns three and four.
The pair raced beside each other down the front chute with the checkers flying and Dietrich nosed just ahead at the finish.
The win was his third in the Kimmel Memorial having taken prior checkers in 2011 and 2024.
Smith finished perhaps a stunned second followed by Wagaman, Dietz and Austin Bishop.
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps): 1. Danny Dietrich, 2. Cameron Smith, 3. Troy Wagaman J r., 4. Chase Dietz, 5. Austin Bishop, 6. Logan Rumsey, 7. Kody Hartlaub, 8. Freddie Rahmer, 9. Doug Hammaker, 10. Preston Lattomus, 11. Brent Shearer, 12. Justin Whittall, 13. JJ Loss, 14. Lucas Wolfe, 15. Kyle Moody, 16. TJ Stutts, 17. Logan Wagner, 18. Dylan Cisney, 19. Matt Campbell, 20. Ryan Newton, 21. Dylan Norris, 22. Buddy Schweibinz, 23. Jordan Givler, 24. Ryan Smith
