BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Sunday afternoon at Evergreen Raceway saw the DW Machine & Fabricating Late Models have the spotlight running in the Dale Fey Memorial presented by Wheels Bar and Grill in a special 50-lap, $2000-to-win feature that honored the former track champion who passed away earlier this year.
With a stout field of cars on hand that included track regulars and a number of invaders, it still came down to the top drivers two who dominated all season and were expected to be vying for the win. That was the case as Nick Ross held off Mike Sweeney for the big victory.
Ross, who started on the outside of the front row by way of a redraw, blasted into the early lead over Dennis Wenner and soon began putting himself out of reach from the pack by building a virtually insurmountable lead.
For Sweeney it was a whole different case as he was mired well into the field and had to pick and claw his way frontward. That he did, chipping away one at a time until finally getting to third place by lap 15. But Ross was setting a torrid pace by that time and was a half-track ahead of Sweeney while also staying well ahead of Wenner in second.
Ross’ big distance lead then got wiped away when Mark Hudson spun on lap 24 to bring out the caution and pull the field together for the restart. That did not bode well either as a big pile-up occurred that saw all but four cars collected.
When all was sorted out Ross would have Sweeney alongside him when the action resumed and western Pennsylvania star Jarred Barclay in third. But despite the heavy company Ross never wavered as he continued to keep the lead.
Sweeney and Barclay did exchange spots back and forth after a lap 33 restart with Sweeney regaining second for good but unable to mount a serious enough charge at Ross who would go on to win for the third time this season.
“This means so much to be able to win this race in honor of Dale. I always admired him as a driver and we talked and chatted a lot and he always gave me sound advice,” said Ross.
“From the last time we ran until now we had worked on every inch of this car and it was just so good and strong today. Mike (Sweeney) is so tough and to get a win anytime over him is hard fought. My team deserves so much credit for the work they put in.
“We had a great field of cars and a very nice purse to race for and we’ll cherish this one for sure.”
In the Street Stocks Jason Harman exhibited good speed throughout the day and it showed when he needed it most by passing Gordie Buchman for the lead 12 laps from the finish and then held off Dan Pawlicki for his second victory of the season.
In the season finale for the Evergreen Raceway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Dual Track Series for the 4-Cylinder Stocks there was no denying the performance of race winner Micah Adams. Tommy Dawson won the Rotten and Forgotten feature, while the Novice feature was won by Tyler Skordensky.
Feature Finish (50 Laps)
1. Nick Ross, 2. Mike Sweeney, 3. Jarred Barclay, 4. Brian Sones, 5. Micha Adams, 6. Roger Maynor, 7. Brandon Turbush, 8, Brian Romig Jr., 9. Geno Steigerwalt, 10. Mark Hudson, 11. Brooks Smith, 12. Evan Beretta, 13. Scott Adams, 14. Dennis Wenner, 15. Mark Aigeldinger DNS: Dylan Piechota