Fan Notes from Night #1 of Ohio Speedweek at Attica

Kyle Larson (Tom Myers) Ohio All Star Sprint Speedweek is upon us once again and the travelling bands of racers and fans gathered at Attica Raceway Park Friday evening for round 1 of the 2016 edition of this great event.

This was the 111th visit for the All Stars at Attica. Initially there were 46 cars but that number increased  as 3 late comers arrived right before hot laps were over. A nice field that included Nascar stars Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne. Other notable entries were Jacob Wilson, from the asphalt ranks, Taylor Ferns, Aussies Jamie Veal, Daniel Harding, Stuart Williams, Bruce White, Andy Karauna and Sean Zemunik. I didn't see James McFadden. Usually he races the Speedweek in the black Joe Gearte 3g car. To my surprise, west coast racer Dominic Scelzi was also on hand, very cool. The Wild Child, Jac Haudenschild, was a late arrival in the Tom Leidig 59 car. Jac will be racing the 59 as well as the Jamie Miller 6 at selected Speedweek events this week. 

When I got there, I was not happy about the wind, which was blowing right into the stands. In addition to the very dry weather we have had in Ohio, the breeze dried the track quickly. So much so, that the Attica track crew watered it 3 times during the evening!  It was very dusty, more so than I can ever remember here. There was nothing anyone other than mother nature could do about it.

Kasey Kahne The track was drying out quickly during time trials. Turn 4 developed a tall cushion.....or you could call it a ledge. You could tell the wind was pushing many of the timers wide and towards the front stretch wall on the turn 4 exit. If you got too far next to the fence, the cars would hit what seemed like a bump or mound of dirt and because of the right rear grip, the cars would do a wheelie. You could hear many of the drivers let off so their front wheels would come back down and touch the track again! Kyle Larson was so smooth on his qualifying lap, riding just on top of the ledge in turn 4, never bobbling, keeping that right rear in the traction,as he timed 4th quick. Pretty good for a guy who has never raced here before! Tim Shaffer timed quickest overall in the Ruzdick 49. Caleb Helms, who currently has the wrenching help of Rick Ferkel, hustled to the 2nd quickest lap. Lee Jacobs had a good lap and timed 3rd quickest. Jordan Ryan timed 9th quickest on his first lap and then bobbled on the turn 4 cushion and slammed into the front stretch wall and fence at the turn 4 exit. He was okay but done for the night.  

The heat races ensued after the track was watered and a make up late model race was run. Heat 1 finished Lee Jacobs, Shaffer, Duncan Helms and Veal. Heat 2 was Kemenah, Cale Thomas, Cap Henry, Kahne and Brian Sebetto.

Heat 3 was a good one with the top 4 guys all on top of each other....fighting it out. As Jac was trying to come up from the back, Stuart Brubaker, Bryon Reed, Caleb Griffith and a smoking Kyle Larson battled. They finished in that order with Zablocki getting the 5th and final transfer spot. Heat 4 got us Holtrgraver, Dean Jacobs, Travis Philo, Dale Blaney and Cory Crabtree. 

After the dash draw, they ran the C main. Only the top two would go to the tail of the B main. The finish was Andrew Paulker, Tyler Gunn, Kriag Kinser and Jac Haudenschild. The B Main saw Chris Andrews, who was struggling all night with a mechanical issue, finish in first, followed by Trey Jacobs, Sheldon Haudenschild and T.J. Michaels. 

Jordan Ryan (9), Caleb Armstrong (7c) and Kory Crabtree (60) In the A main, Kraig Kinser and Andrew Paulker used a provisional and started on the tail. Caleb Helms drew the pole starting position and had run well all evening.......but my money was on 2nd starter Bryon Reed, 3rd starter Chad Kemenah or 5th starter Stuart Brubaker to win it......especially with the dry track conditions and the success those guys have had here.  

Helms grabbed the lead on lap 1 but was passed by Reed on lap 2. A caution came out on lap 4 for a spin. On the restart, Larson went by Reed and set sail for the win. On lap 26 the leaders entered traffic and Reed and Kemenah were close enough to strike but Larson kept maneuvering expertly and sped away.  I was left shaking my head. Kyle Larson made it look easy. He is so smooth and read the track like a pro. This is a tricky place and for Kyle to win his first time here is amazing!

Onto the next race! Thank you All Stars and Attica Raceway Park.