BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — Eddie Strada battled with cousins Tim and Steve Buckwalter for his career first All-Pro SpeedSTR victory Thursday night at Bloomsburg Fair Raceway.
When the SpeedSTR race commenced outside front row starter Tim Buckwalter got the jump on Cale Zangli with Strada, his teammate Doug Snyder and week one winner Steve Buckwalter in tow.
Strada moved up to second by lap two and was in close pursuit of T. Buckwalter. Three laps later a caution waved when Snyder spun in the second turn.
It would be on that restart that Strada powered into the lead thanks to a smooth inside pass on T. Buckwalter as the field came around to take the green from starter Warren Alston.
With Strada now in front he was having to keep at bay both Buckwalter’s as Steve motored up to third by halfway. And it was quite the dogfight going on between the cousins as they battled back and forth for second spot while maintaining a close gap on Strada.
Yet notwithstanding a few additional cautions that pulled everyone together for restarts, Strada never wavered as each time his Good Sheppard Rehabilitation Hospital Motorsports No. 42e pulled ahead just enough and let the Buckwalter clan duel for second as he drove on to the popular win.
“Honestly, we had a really good car and that just made my job easier. My boys have been working really hard in the shop and this is a great team that gives me a great car and man we’re going to celebrate this one tonight,” said Strada.
T. Buckwalter had a hard-fought battle in taking second spot and it was a redemption too after failing to make the race last week due to an engine woe.
Snyder redounded from his earlier spin and was fourth while pole sitter Zangli completed the top five.
The 602 Crate Modifieds saw 12-year old Paulie Hartwig III fend off seasoned veteran Mike Schane and earn his first win on dirt.
The FWD 4-Cylinder main was a barnburner when “Mr. Lucky” Nick McDaniel swept past Tim Campbell on the last lap en route to scoring a thrilling victory. In the Slingshots, Andrew Turpin collected his second straight verdict.