By Dino Oberto
After several weeks of near-misses and bad luck, Logan Watt of Boyertown broke through Friday night at Big Diamond Speedway, earning his first win of the season in the headline BQ Concrete 358 Modified feature on Foran’s Transmission and Auto Repair Night.
“I didn’t think I’d ever reach Victory Lane the way my luck has been going but everyone works so hard on this car and over the winter we all put our blood, sweat and tears and everything we had into it and I am super thankful for everything they all did for me this year,” offered Watt, who drives the Fitzpatrick owned No. EZ4.
This was a feature that turned out to be run at a blazing pace as all 25 laps went nonstop.
An impressive running Corey Renninger hammered down at the outset and blasted into the early lead while fifth starting Watt surged into third behind Kevin Olenick by lap three.
Renninger looked strong out front, setting the early pace. Meanwhile, Olenick and Watt battled closely for position until Watt secured the spot after six laps and quickly set his sights on Renninger. Doing all he could to protect his lead, Renninger finally gave way to Watt at the halfway point.
“He (Renninger) had a fast car for sure and when you’re in clean air like that you can definitely set your own pace and it was very challenging to get around him and he was trying everything he could to hold the lead,” said Watt.
Once Watt took command there would be no backing down as he steadily circled around with a safe enough distance over the rest of the field. Not long after taking the lead Olenick also got by Renninger but could not reel in the high flying Watt who cruised to a gratifying victory.
“I knew we had a fast piece every week and it’s been a matter of trying to be consistent. We took a little rumble and roll two weeks ago and then last week we were leading the race and the left front locked up and finally we got in a full night,” said Watt..
“What a great group of people to be with and to finally capture a win with this team, it means a lot.”
Olenick’s runner-up was a season-best and likewise with Renninger who held on for third and notched his first top-5 in sometime. Fourth went to Rick Laubach while Wayne Witmer turned in a steady run to round out the top five.
He may not race on a weekly basis, but when he does Nate Brinker of Macungie shows just how tough he can be. For the second time in five starts Brinker scored the win with the USS Achey 602 Crate Sportsman. And in his previous races he’d run, Brinker has notched all top-5s.
Brinker started mid-pack in the 23-car field from 11th position. Using multiple restarts to pick off cars and smart lane choices under green, he steadily worked his way forward. He eventually charged into second, set his sights on leader Zach Steffey, and made the winning move with six laps remaining.
No question Steffey was very strong, He took the lead from Aaron Weaver on a lap eight restart and was then holding off Brinker, who had moved up to second at the halfway mark. However, Brinker used a restart five laps later by motoring around the outside to get past Steffey who would settle for second at the checkers.
A hard-charging Bryce Bayshore came from 17th to third while Ryan Conrad and Matt Martino filled out the top five.
What a turnaround week it’s been for veteran Jim Kost of Minersville. A week ago, while leading the first lap of the Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunner feature Kost took a nasty barrel-roll on the back straight which left his No. 126 heavily damaged and himself feeling a bit sore.
After the accident Kost had even given some thought to hang up his helmet.
With help pouring in during the week, Kost was able to prepare his backup car. Showing plenty of resilience, he then held off every challenge, led all 20 laps, and claimed a well-earned victory.
Second place finisher Kris Ney was all over Kost in the closing laps but there would be no denying the drive and determination by the winner on this night, scoring his 16th career class win.
In the Big Creek Concrete Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman main Devin Whitmoyer of Hamburg parlayed his pole starting spot into his second win in the past three starts.
Just as he was when he won his first feature, Whitmoyer was picture perfect on each passing lap and took the verdict with ease over runner-up Zach Moyer.
358 Modified finish (25 laps): 1. Logan Watt, 2. Kevin Olenick, 3. Corey Renninger, 4. Rick Laubach, 5. Wayne Witmer, 6. Duane Howard, 7. Louden Reimert, 8. Jimmy Leiby, 9. Mike Lisowski, 10. Tim Bucwalter, 11. Kevin Beach Jr., 12. Aleia Geisler, 13. Heath Metzger, 14. Jax Yohn, 15. Alan Rudalavage, 16. Cliff Quinn, 17. Mike Burrows, 18. Adrianna Delliponti, 19. Chris Esposito, 20. Tim Fitzpatrick
602 Crate Sportsman finish (20 Laps): 1. Nate Brinker, 2. Zach Steffey, 3. Bryce Bayshore, 4. Ryan Conrad, 5. Matt Martino, 6. Dakota Kohler, 7. Kevin Smith, 8. Aaron Weaver, 9. Mike Schneck Jr., 10. Reice Widger, 11. Kevin Fitzpatrick, 12. Dennis Graber, 13. Nick Arment, 14. Ed Mrochko, 15. Ryan Graver, 16. McKenzi Smith, 17. Nick Hamm, 18. Mark Behm, 19. Bryan Rhoades, 20. Brennan Chapman, 21. Craig Whitmoyer, 22. Tajae Adams, 23. John McGoey
Roadrunner finish (20 laps): 1. Jim Kost, 2. Kris Ney, 3. Jesse Krasnitsky, 4. Alex Schoffstall, 5. CJ Ferguson, 6. Johnathan Trumbo, 7. Andrew Buchinski, 8. Brian Johnson, 9. Joey Brennan
Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman finish (15 laps): 1. Devin Whitmoyer, 2. Zach Moyer, 3. Payton Renninger, 4. Lucas Weil