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Written by Chris Moore
PORT ROYAL, PA – What. A. Start.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Preliminary night was a thrilling kickoff to the second annual ‘Speed Showcase’ weekend.
King Ferry, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney was at the top of the heap at the end of the 40-lap ‘Speed Showcase 40,’ for his first career Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.
“This is awesome, we didn’t even know if this car was going to make it all 40 laps,” Mahaney said as his car steamed in Victory Lane. “It’s so awesome to be here in Victory Lane.”
Mahaney’s win was not only the first of his career on the STSS, but it also gives the Empire State star the point lead on the Velocita-USA South Region presented by Design for Vision and Sunglass Central heading into Saturday’s ‘Speed Showcase 200.’
Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown and Whitehouse Station, N.J.’s Sammy Martz Sr. brought the field to series starter Joe Kriss’ green flag.
The ‘Ringoes Rocket’ Godown used his pole starting position to jump out to the early advantage.
Mahaney, who started fourth, quickly went to work, grabbing third on the initial start and then driving underneath Martz to grab the runner-up spot.
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen, meanwhile, drove from the 21st starting position into the top-10 in the opening nine laps of the race.
On lap 12, Mahaney picked up a big run off the second corner and drove around Godown to take the lead and the race’s first yellow came out one circuit later, giving Godown a chance to get back at Mahaney.
Canadian Mat Williamson was entering the fray up front on the restart, as the winner of the last two STSS races at Port Royal made it a three-wide battle for a moment before another yellow flag fell.
Friesen continued to charge when the field went back to racing, as the Sprakers, N.Y. native was up to seventh and challenging Pennsylvania native Alex Yankowski for sixth.
Friesen’s ascent ended a few laps later on lap 28, as his Halmar International No. 44 came to a stop on the front straightaway, ending his night.
On the lap-28 restart, chaos ensued. Mahaney jumped out to the lead, while Williamson and Godown made contact racing for second. Williamson dove underneath Godown on the restart and the two collided working off turn four.
Godown chased Williamson, desperately trying to get back by for multiple laps before Williamson pulled away from Godown for second.
The remaining 12 laps went caution-free, and Mahaney drove away with his first career STSS triumph. Mat Williamson showed he will continue to be a factor at the ‘Speed Palace,’ picking up a runner-up finish and Ryan Godown rounded out the podium.
After the race in Victory Lane, Williamson and Godown got into a brief shoving match, disagreeing over the way things on the restart.
Alex Yankowski finished in fourth in his family-owned No. 84y and Boyertown, Pa.’s Ryan Watt rounded out the top five in the Ron Roberts Racing No. 14w.
Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. finished sixth in his Rick Holsten-owned No. 96 and Middletown, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego grabbed seventh in the Brian Smith-owned No. 44. Sheffield, Mass.’s Andy Bachetti finished eighth in the Garrity Asphalt Reclamation No. 4.
Oley, Pa.’s Craig Von Dohren authored a steady drive in the No. 1c and Larry Wight rounded out the top-10 in his Gypsum Express No. 99L.
Fifty-three STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in to compete in the ‘Speed Showcase 40.’
Heat race winners, receiving $50 each from FloRacing were Williamson, Bachetti, Pauch Jr., Martz and Watt.
Middletown, N.Y.’s Brian Krummel and Virginville, Pa.’s Dakota Kohler were the two fast-timers for the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman.
Krummel – the defending winner of the ‘Speed Showcase 50’ – and Kohler locked themselves into the redraw for Saturday’s $4,000-to-win feature.
Sixty Crate 602 Sportsman took part in the hot-lap sessions.
The Empire State based Pro Stock division took part in three practice sessions as well, before their ‘Speed Showcase 30’ event.
Racing resumes tonight for Bob Hilbert Sportswear Qualifying night.
The STSS Modifieds will race in 20-lap Qualifying Races, while the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will run 15-lap Qualifiers. The Pro Stocks will run a full program, rounding out their night with a 30-lap feature event.
The entire night of racing will be broadcast on FloRacing (www.floracing.com).
Port Royal Speedway is located two miles south of US Rt. 322 just off PA Rt. 75 in Port Royal. Pit entrance can be found on Fourth St., and General Admission on Sixth and Eighth St. Port Royal Speedway can be reached by phone at 717.527.2303.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloRacing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Penske Racing Shocks, Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz, Algonkin Motel, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Belmont’s Garage, Superior Remodeling, Spyder High Performance Filters, Fastline Performance, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, WELD Racing & Wilwood.
SPEED SHOWCASE 40 RESULTS SUMMARY – PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY OCTOBER 14, 2021
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modified Velocita-USA South Region Presented By Design for Vision & Sunglass Central Round No. 8 Feature Finish (40 laps): MIKE MAHANEY, Mat Williamson, Ryan Godown, Alex Yankowski, Ryan Watt, Billy Pauch Jr., Anthony Perrego, Andy Bachetti, Craig Von Dohren, Larry Wight, Matt Sheppard, Joseph Watson, Brandon Grosso, Peter Britten, Alan Johnson, Brett Haas, Mike Gular, Dominick Buffalino, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Susice, Jeff Strunk, Dillon Steuer, Sammy Martz, Stewart Friesen, Billy Decker, David Van Horn, Tyler Dippel, Max McLaughlin, Justin Wright, Duane Howard, Mike Maresca
Did Not Qualify: Jessica Friesen, Rocky Warner, Tim Fuller, Ronnie Johnson, Jacob Dgien, Matt Stangle, Ryan Riddle, Danny Hieber, Rusty Smith, Matt Smith, Addison Bowman, Joe Judge, Frank Cozze, Erick Rudolph, Jack Lehner, David Schilling, Justin Haers, J.R. Heffner, John Willman, Rick Laubach, Scott Hitchens, Jimmy Horton.
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificates): Billy Pauch Jr. (sixth) & Peter Britten (14th)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Alex Yankowski (fourth) & Craig Von Dohren (ninth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Redraw Bonus ($100 Gift Cards): Mat Williamson, Andy Bachetti, Billy Pauch, Jr., Sammy Martz, Ryan Watt, Mike Mahaney, David Van Horn, Ryan Godown, Alex Yankowski, Justin Wright
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Top-Five Bonuses ($500 Each): Mike Mahaney (first), Mat Williamson (second), Ryan Godown (third), Alex Yankowski (fourth), Ryan Watt (fifth)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Billy Pauch Jr. (Redrew 10th)
Bill Brown & Company Heat-Race Hard Charger ($50): Ryan Watt (seventh to first)
Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Halfway Leader Award ($200): Mike Mahaney
Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Winner’s Award (Oakley Sunglasses): Mike Mahaney
FloRacing Heat Winner Bonuses ($50 Each): Mat Williamson, Andy Bachetti, Billy Pauch, Jr., Sammy Martz & Ryan Watt
Henry’s Exhaust System Power Position ($50 Certificate): Matt Sheppard (11th)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Mike Mahaney (winner – $150 certificate); Mat Williamson (second – $75 certificate); Ryan Godown (third – $50 certificate); Larry Wight (10th – $25 certificate)
Spyder Performance Filters Bonuses: Ryan Watt (fifth – FREE Filter); Alan Johnson (15th – 50-percent off certificate)
Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance Bonuses ($50 Certificates): Mat Williamson (second), Joseph Watson (12th) & Dillon Steuer (22nd)
Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Award ($75 Certificate): Anthony Perrego (seventh)
