|
|
2007 | archive.
05.12.07 | Keppler wins heated battle at Big Diamond Raceway. The Hoosier Tires 600 Modified Series visited Big Diamond Raceway for the second time this year and brought their biggest car count to-date. Thirty 600 Modifieds took the green flag for the feature event. Mike Keppler continued his strong run and annexed a second consecutive victory of the season. It wasn't a walk in the park, as he had to march from his 10th place start. At the drop of the green flag, Mike Pychinka led them to the flagstand, but third place starter Scott Washburn made an inside move into turn one and grabbed the lead and led the opening circuit. Pychinka would not go away as he battled Washburn as they swapped positions with Washburn regaining the lead. Meanwhile Keppler was on the move as he was in fifth by lap three. Gary Suchy was also making headway as he was up from his fourteenth spot to sixth by lap four. On a lap four restart, Washburn spun in turn three handing the lead to Pychinka. On the restart, Nick Mady was up to second and Keppler in third both worked over Pychinka. A tremendous three way battle for the lead ensued. By lap five Keppler made an outside move and was in the lead over Mady and Pychinka. Heated battles were happening all over the track as Dave Baldwin, Travis Halabura and Suchy were all battling for fourth. Kevin Gruber took his time and was patiently working his way up from his thirteenth position start. A lap ten miscue by Keppler exiting turn four allowed Mady and Pychinka to roar by on the frontstretch. Pychinka didn't let Mady rest as he dogged him and vaulted into the top spot on lap fourteen. Keppler then swapped positions with Mady as the three navigated lapped traffic. On lap sixteen, Baldwin, Halabura, Suchy and Gruber were all bunched up fighting for fourth when contact sent Suchy careening into the frontstretch barrier. The caution bunched the field for one last time. Past the restart cone, Pychinka ran the high groove into turn one when Keppler gave his 600 Modified a mighty toss down low and made the pass stick. Keppler never looked back and maintained a three car length lead the rest of the way. Pychinka scored a solid second as Nick Mady crossed the stripe third for his best finish of the year. Travis 'The Farmer' Halabura ran a clean race and finished fourth. Kevin Gruber, despite going over the backstretch in the closing laps, rounded out the top five. The 600 Modified Series returns to Thunder Mountain Speedway this Saturday, May 19th.
Feature: 1. Mike Keppler, 2. Mike Pychinka, 3. Nick Mady, 4. Travis Halabura, 5. Kevin Gruber, 6. Dave Baldwin Jr., 7. Chris Stockholm, 8. Bryan Mady, 9. Curt Amey, 10. Kyle Gardner. 11. Ryan Higgs, 12. Rich McGeady, 1 3. Chuck Miller, 14.Joe Fanelli, 15. Todd Hanlin, 16. Pioneer Pole Building, 17. Andy Resler , 18. Bucky Buczafusca, 19. Keith Jesburger, 20. Bob Skoniecki, 21. Gary Suchy, Jr.. 22. Scott Washburn , 23. Eric Witbe, 24. Dave Baldwin, 25. Matt Green, 26. George Loux, 27. John Landis, 28. Nathan Dibble, 29. JJ Newman, 30. Matt Groover.
...back to news.
|
