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105 Entries Make for Exciting Shellhammer Opener

By Mike Feltenberger / Shellhammer Dirt Track

Apr 13, 2021

With a nice evening for racing, the 2021 Shellhammer Dirt Track Wingless Wednesday opener took place under sunny skies and mid 60 degree temperatures on April 7. A total of 105 cars entered for the six classes being run on the evening and when the checkered was thrown at 10:38 PM, the SRO crowd saw some incredible action on the high banked 1/8th mile with three and four wide racing showing fans that small car racing has a place at Shellhammer’s.

Rookie Junior Slingshot driver Ryan Rochelle made it known that he could be the “real deal” in this class for 2021. The blue # 4 took the lead from his front row starting spot,withstood some restart challenges and took the win by a half straightaway over runner-up Tucker Cole in his Frank Cozze look alike # 44. Alex Lagun made his way through the field to finish third after going to the rear early in the event.

The Brian boys, Cliff,Jr. and Marty put on a show in the 125 micro feature swapping the lead back and forth in the early going until Cliff, got the run heading into turn one at the halfway point of the race and stayed there for the remaining 10 laps. Marty Brian finished second with Chase Layser getting the final podium spot.

2020 Stage 1 Modified champion, Mark Mohr, picked up where he left off by withstanding all charges from Jesse Strohl and eventual runner-up Joel Smith to claim the 17 car Stage 1 Modified opener. JT Bierman did some late race wheeling going from sixth to third in the last three laps of the 20 lap main event.

It was Brandon Edgar under the checkers first in the 270 micro feature with teammate Louden Reimert trying a high side turn 4 pass that fell just short at the scoring loop. The next five cars were all bunched together with some three and four wide racing giving the fans something to yell about. Jarrett Imler, Matt Hoffman, Alex Reinsmith, Ben Layser and Glenn Macomber ran clean and green in a group to claim those next finishing positions.

One little bobble with 2 laps to go was enough for All Star Slingshot winner Dylan Hoch to get under Lindsay Garl between turns 1 and 2 and head on to the victory. Garl held on for second with Tyler Ulsh,who was an early race leader,settling in for the third position just holding off the advances of Matt Miller.

The 600 micro main was, in two words, “a classic.” Position changes throughout the field every lap was common on the well prepared speedway by Dave Cordier,Jr. and crew. More 3 and 4 wide racing and lead changes between four drivers made this one, the one not to miss. A long time Shellhammer campaigner and fan said he never saw anyone take the high side through turns 3 and 4 like Wayne Scott did on his way to the lead by passing Tyler Lindsay, Dan Lane,Jr. and Richie Hartman for the much deserved win. Dan Lane,Jr. made a last lap pass on Tyler Lindsay to get a hard earned 2nd, with Lindsay getting third.

It was announced at the drivers meeting that the point fund, which totaled over $11,000 in 2020 will be handed out again this year at the annual awards banquet on November 13th.

Next up for Shellhammer Dirt Track under Cordier Family Productions for the last 46 seasons will be the resumption of the regular two-day schedules for the Wingless Wednesday racers and the Super Saturday race teams.

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