JENNERSTOWN, Pa. – One year after finishing second in the Motor Mountain Masters event at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex, Hopkins did one position better.
Hopkins dominated Saturday’s third running of the event, earning a $10,000 paycheck for his efforts.
Hopkins grabbed the lead from polesitter and local driver Albert Francis once the race began, though Francis was able to get back by him on the seventh lap. He continued to lead until Travis Braden went for a spin on lap 33, resulting in the first scheduled break of the evening.
When the second segment began Hopkins grabbed the lead again as Francis fell to third. Derek Grifftih and Josh Brock each took turns chasing Hopkins, but neither could chase him down.
Hopkins remained in command until the second scheduled break at lap 90. When the final 60-lap segment began Hopkins was able to maintain his lead from the outside line. Behind him, Francis had worked his way back to second.
Unfortunately Francis’ run soon ended when he made contact with a slower car and spun from the second position. Griffith moved back into second, followed by Carson Hocevar and Brock.
The caution soon waved again on lap 120 when Garry Wiltrout crashed, leading to a restart with 25 laps remaining. Hopkins continued to pace the field and appeared on his way to victory until the final caution waved on lap 147.
Hopkins mastered one final restart, holding serve to win the 150-lap feature and the $10,000 top prize.
Brock ended the race in second, followed by Hocevar in third. Braden overcame his early spin to finish fourth and Griffith settled for fifth.
In other action Saturday night, Rick Sibila picked up a win in the modified class.
The finish:
Mike Hopkins, Josh Brock, Carson Hocevar, Travis Braden, Derek Griffith, Albert Francis, Devin O’Connell, Cory Casagrande, Bryan Shipp, Brandan Marhefka, Nate Walton, Mike Sweeney, Jimmy Tucker, Eldon King, Evan Shotko, Chad Pendleton, Jeremy Shaffer, Scott Wylie, Zane Ferrell, Lauren Butler, Jarred Barclay, Garry Wiltrout, Todd Price, Patrick Waugh, Barry Awtey, Joe Maruca, Cale Gale, Weston Griffith, Chola Shay, Jerick Johnson, Mike Hemminger, Brian Campbell, Terry Gibala, Glenn Gault, Gerry Shepard.