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Written by Cody Manmiller
PETTY, TX – On the first completed night of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Ollie’s ‘Cajun Swing’ presented by Wegner Automotive, Ryan Godown and Andy Bachetti split feature victories on Wednesday evening at the Rocket Raceway Park, the first two STSS events completed in the state of Texas.
Godown, who won the event held over from Tuesday and sits third all-time on the STSS win list, came just two laps from sweeping the night as he slowed to a stop with a right-rear flat as the leader in the second main event.
The pair have been staples amidst the best in STSS history. With his win, Bachetti joined Godown in the top five on the all-time win list, moving into sole possession of fifth with the seventh triumph of his career. The Sheffield, Mass., native dealt with some heartbreak of his own after suffering a flat with five to go while running second in the night’s first feature race.
Godown earned $4,000 for his victory, leading Jack Lehner, Erick Rudolph, David Schilling and La. native Koty Adams across the line. Adams became the first Ark-La-Tex region mainstay to pocket a top-five finish against STSS competition in Cajun Swing history. Later Wednesday night, Adams upped the accomplishment by landing on the podium in the second feature.
Bachetti cashed $5,000 for his win, with Schilling, Adams, Rudolph and Matt Sheppard rounding out the top five.
After Tuesday’s action was halted and postponed to Wednesday due to fog, the night started with a Modified B-Main to set the 26-car feature field. On Tuesday, 35 diverse Modifieds signed in for racing action in Petty, Texas, a Cajun Swing record.
With the lineup set, Tyler Siri and Rudolph led the field to the opening green flag. After an early-race caution, Bachetti moved by Godown for the runner-up spot and closed on Siri as the frontrunners entered lapped traffic on lap 11. Bachetti passed Siri just a lap later, and Siri lost spots to Godown and Rudolph in quick succession before slowing with an issue.
On that lap 11 caution, Bachetti led Godown, Rudolph, Rex King Jr., Dan Creeden and Sheppard. Before the field stood on the throttle again, however, Sheppard, who started 19th, was forced to the pit area with engine problems.
On the ensuing restart, Lehner was the big mover, advancing into fourth by lap 16 before a caution for King on lap 20. Just before the yellow, though, Bachetti and Godown split a lapped car and were fiercely battling for the top spot.
Godown used the next restart to snatch the lead and led until five to go when Bachetti slowed with his flat.
“That was tough, short-track, up-on-the-wheel racing,” Godown said in Victory Lane. “There’s no pressure down here, we just want to keep rolling and it’s really cool to get the win off your back early in the week.”
Lehner came from ninth to wind up as the runner-up.
“Ryan was really good,” he said on the front stretch. “I was too tight to get comfortable or make any run at him.
“I’d be alright and then I’d get tight and he’d get away, but I’m happy with tonight,” Lehner added.
Rudolph started the 30-lap feature from the outside pole, dropped back a few spots and then rallied to place third.
“Every time you land on the podium, you’re doing something right,” Rudolph said. “Time to make a few adjustments to get better for this second feature.
Schilling and Adams rounded out the top five. Adams started in 13th, was forced to the rear after getting in an accident on the opening lap of the race and drove all the way back for a top-five finish.
Rounding out positions six through 10, respectively, were: Darren Smith, Rob Litton, J.R. Hurlburt, Siri and Kodey Keimig.
After a full night of qualifying, Creeden and Godown led another 26 cars to the green flag for 35 laps and $5,000 up for grabs.
Following a series of early cautions, Godown eventually wrestled the lead from Creeden with Sheppard, Bachetti and Adams rounding out the top five. On that lap-13 restart, Bachetti used the outside lane to rocket from fourth to second, around Sheppard and Creeden to put himself in contention. Just seven laps later, Sheppard slowed with a right-rear flat, sending him pitside and bunching the field up once more.
After a pair of restarts, Godown led Bachetti, Rudolph, Creeden, Adams and Schilling. Schilling became the one to watch with passes on Adams on lap 24 for fifth and then Creeden for fourth just a lap later. Rusty Smith, who was running inside the top 10, slowed to a stop on lap 29, meaning the field would take off in double file formation with six to go.
Godown still led at the drop of the green, Bachetti was second and now Schilling moved to third when he drove around Rudolph on the outside. Adams followed Schilling into fourth, then Rudolph and Sheppard, who was back into contention after his early-race flat.
The major moment of the race, though, came on lap 33 when Godown, just two laps from sweeping the night and cashing $9,000 in total, slowed to a stop, relinquishing the lead to Bachetti.
Bachetti then cruised to his seventh career STSS win, moving out of a three-way tie with Billy Pauch Jr. and Ryan Watt and into sole possession of fifth on the all-time list.
“Ryan was good and has been all night, but we’ve been working our tails off to come down here and have some fun,” Bachetti said in Victory Lane. “This win is definitely going to make the next couple of days more relaxing.”
Schilling capped his night with a second-place finish, his STSS career best and his second top five of the evening.
“We made a lot of adjustments after the heat race and were able to get through the ruts much better,” Schilling commented. “The track was better than I thought and we just had to survive for a while and be able to maneuver and steer on restarts. We’ll definitely take a second.”
Adams also notched his second top-five of the night and the second for the Ark-La-Tex contingent with an impressive third-place run.
“I got so tight at the end, but I just wanted to try and stay consistent. It’s been really fun so far, just being able to restart next to and race around with Matt Sheppard is really cool,” Adams said in front of his local supporters.”
Rudolph earned another top five in fourth and Sheppard, who suffered some nasty luck all evening long, rallied for fifth.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were: Creeden, who battled with an extremely tight race car through the second half of the race; Steve Davis, Rusty Smith, Siri and Godown, who rebounded to 10th with just two laps left.
Still three more nights of racing – and plenty of money – are left in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet STSS Cajun Swing Presented by Wegner Automotive. On Thursday, the traveling crew unloads at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. for a 35-lap, $4,000-to-win event. The final two legs take place in Greenwood, La. at the Boothill Speedway for another $4,000 to win on Friday and then the $20,000-to-win finale on Saturday night.
A complete information center for the Ollie’s ‘Cajun Swing’ presented by Wegner Automotive has been posted on the STSS website at: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/event-info/
The entire five-night swing will be broadcast live to a national audience on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) as part of the $150 annual subscription.
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.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Cajun Region, visit www.shorttracksuperseriescajun.com, call Tim Bates at 318.773.7704 or e-mail TCBMotorsports@aol.com. Like “Short Track Super Series Cajun Region” on Facebook or follow @shorttrackss_cajun_region on Instagram.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc., founded in 1982, is America’s largest retailer of closeouts and excess inventory, offering real brands at real bargain prices. Famous for its signature catch-phrase “Good Stuff Cheap”, Ollie’s has a huge selection of famous brand name merchandise in every department – food, books, housewares, toys, electronics, domestics, clothing, furniture, health and beauty products, flooring, seasonal items, pet supplies, and so much more – at up to 70 percent off the fancy stores’ prices. You never know what you’ll find at one of Ollie’s 430+ “semi-lovely” stores. For more information, visit www.ollies.us. Like Ollie’s on Facebook or find them on Twitter at @OlliesOutlet. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol OLLI.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, BDR Speed, Halmar International, Ollie’s, River Valley Builders, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, St. Lawrence Radiology, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Elite Welder Testing & Training, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Penske Racing Shocks, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, Wegner Automotive & Wilwood.
‘CAJUN SWING’ NIGHT NO. 2 RESULTS SUMMARY – ROCKET RACEWAY PARK NOVEMBER 9, 2022
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modified Cajun Swing Event No. 2 Feature Finish (35 laps): ANDY BACHETTI, David Schilling, Koty Adams, Erick Rudolph, Matt Sheppard, Danny Creeden, Steve Davis, Rusty Smith, Tyler Siri, Ryan Godown, Craig Whitmoyer, Thomas Holt, Kodey Keimig, Tommy Rascoe, Rex King, Jr., Rob Litton, Dale Wester, Korey Keimig, Darren Smith, Jack Lehner, J.R. Hurlburt, Keith Badiali, Joseph Brown, Richard Holt, David Forbis
Did Not Start: John Lutes, Jr.
Did Not Qualify: Addison Bowman, Barry White, Jim Introne, Jr., Chase Hatton, Joe Boswell
Accurate Collision of Pompano Heat Winners ($50 each): Matt Sheppard, Erick Rudolph, Ryan Godown, Jack Lehner
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Erick Rudolph (fourth), Tyler Siri (ninth), Kodey Keimig (13th) & Joseph Brown (23rd)
Beyea Custom Headers Worst Redraw ($50): Erick Rudolph (Redrew 12th)
BDR Speed Bonus ($50 Certificate): Jack Lehner (20th)
Day Motor Sports American Racer Tire Giveaway (FREE Tire Certificate): Rusty Smith (eighth)
EIBACH Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Danny Creeden (sixth)
Fastline Performance Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Koty Adams (Top Louisiana Driver – third) & Thomas Holt (Top Texas Driver – 12th)
Henry’s Exhaust Bonus ($50 Certificate): Craig Whitmoyer (11th)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Andy Bachetti (winner – $150); David Schilling (second – $75); Koty Adams (third – $50)
Schultz Fuel Cell Bonus ($100 Certificate): Ryan Godown (10th)
Shed Road Auto Parts Hard Charger ($100): Steve Davis (20th to seventh)
VAHLCO Wheels Heat Winners ($50 Gift Cards): Matt Sheppard, Erick Rudolph, Ryan Godown, Jack Lehner
Wilwood Disc Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($75 Certificate): Steve Davis (seventh)
‘CAJUN SWING’ NIGHT NO. 1 RESULTS SUMMARY – ROCKET RACEWAY PARK NOVEMBER 9, 2022
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modified Cajun Swing Event No. 1 Feature Finish (30 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Jack Lehner, Erick Rudolph, David Schilling, Koty Adams, Darren Smith, Rob Litton, J.R. Hurlburt, Tyler Siri, Kodey Keimig, Andy Bachetti, Rusty Smith, Tommy Rascoe, John Lutes, Jr., Craig Whitmoyer, Keith Badiali, Joe Boswell, Danny Creeden, Addison Bowman, Rex King, Jr., David Forbis, Matt Sheppard, Korey Keimig, Steve Davis, Barry White, Richard Holt
Did Not Qualify: Timothy Holt, Alan Myers, James Griffin, Glenn Stone, Dale Wester, Chase Hatton, Joseph Brown, Jim Introne, Jr., Thomas Holt
Accurate Collision of Pompano Heat Winners ($50 each): Tyler Siri, Ryan Godown, Danny Creeden, Rex King, Jr.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): David Schilling (fourth), Tyler Siri (ninth), Tommy Rascoe (13th) & Korey Keimig (23rd)
Beyea Custom Headers Worst Redraw ($50): David Forbis (Redrew 12th)
BDR Speed Bonus ($50 Certificate): Rex King, Jr. (20th)
Day Motor Sports American Racer Tire Giveaway (FREE Tire Certificate): Rob Litton (seventh)
EIBACH Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Darren Smith (sixth)
Fastline Performance Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Koty Adams (Top Louisiana Driver – fifth) & Kodey Keimig (Top Texas Driver – 10th)
Henry’s Exhaust Bonus ($50 Certificate): Andy Bachetti (11th)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Ryan Godown (winner – $150); Jack Lehner (second – $75); Erick Rudolph (third – $50)
Schultz Fuel Cell Bonus ($100 Certificate): Kodey Keimig (10th)
Shed Road Auto Parts Hard Charger ($100): Kodey Keimig (26th to 10th)
VAHLCO Wheels Heat Winners ($50 Gift Cards): Tyler Siri, Ryan Godown, Danny Creeden, Rex King, Jr.
Wilwood Disc Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($75 Certificate): Rob Litton (seventh)
