Blair Wins Tyler County FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Opener

By Mike Leone
April 17, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Middlebourne, WV…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series kicked off their 2010 season on Saturday night at the Tyler County Speedway joining up with the new Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series. An all-time record 53 cars turned out on the chilly night with drivers from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Maryland as the fourth year for the Northeast began!

2008 Northeast Touring Series and National Weekly Series Champion, Max Blair, couldn’t have started 2010 any better. Blair won the opening two Weekly Series events at Mercer Raceway Park and made the long tow to West Virginia profitable Saturday night as he captured the “Topless 25” Northeast/Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series co-sanctioned event.

Blair and last year’s “Topless 25” winner, Mike Pegher, Jr., put on a quite a show for the fans, but it appeared Pegher was going to repeat last year’s feat until he slowed unexpectedly on the final lap thinking the event was over allowing Blair to fly by for the $1,500 victory.

“I’ve never won one this way before,” expressed the shocked 20-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver. “But I’d rather be lucky than good any day. The track was absolutely gorgeous! I’ve only raced here twice before and finished second to Mike (Pegher) last year. I have to thank my dad (Robbie) because without him none of this would be possible, all my sponsors, and crew that help out.”

After a record six qualifying heat races and three last chance B mains, the 53-car field was trimmed to 24 for the 25-lap feature. Dan “The Greek” Karalagas and last year’s Northeast Touring Series Champion David Scott, brought the field to green from flagman Greg Wheeling. Scott used the highline to power by Karalagas on the start. Blair and Pegher started fourth and sixth, but quickly moved into second and third on lap two when they disposed of Karalagas.

Kyle Thomas is one of West Virginia’s top racers and the youngster showed he knows how to get around the ¼-mile bullring by diving by Pegher for third on lap four; however, Pegher wasn’t about to give up as he retook the position one lap later.

Meanwhile, Blair was all over Scott. The two standout racers ran side-by-side for the lead on laps six and seven. Scott appeared to have a handful with his car as he lost the handle in turn two on lap seven allowing Blair and Pegher to blow by for the top two spots. A caution for Dan Angelicchio was able to save Scott as he would lineup third on the restart; however, when racing resumed both Thomas and 11th starting Blose were able to get by for third and fourth respectively.

As green flag racing continued, the frontrunners began to encounter lapped traffic on lap 16. Blose was challenging Thomas for third, but after 10 non-stop laps the caution was displayed for Danny Thomas. When green replaced yellow, Blair and Pegher really went at it. The two battled hard on laps 19 and 20 running side-by-side with Blair low and Pegher high. Pegher used the momentum off the outside of turn four to sneak by for the lead on lap 20.

Blair remained within striking distance over the final five laps, which was important when Pegher slowed on the final lap and Blair snatched the lead and victory in his Specialty Products/4 Your Car Connection/Moody & Son Welding/Bossard’s Sales & Service-sponsored #111. Blair’s all-time leading sixth career Northeast Touring Series victory was his first ever in the state of West Virginia.

Pegher regained his speed in time to hold off Blose for second. Freddie Carpenter came all the way from the 23rd starting position to finish fourth, but was disqualified for not reporting to tech, thus moved Thomas and Scott to fourth and fifth at the finish. Completing the top 10 were 18th starting Ricky Meglaye, opening night Tyler County winner Shane Hitt, last week’s Tyler County winner Joe Loudin from 21st, Kris Southern, and Chad Green. Heat winners were Green, Thomas, Pegher, Knollinger, Scott, and a career first win by Dave Airgood, Jr. Steve Adkins, Jr., Daniel Hill, and Loudin captured the B mains.


FASTRAK Northeast/Mid-Ohio Valley Late Model Touring Series Race #1 (25 laps Topless, $1,500 to-win): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1C) 3. Mike Blose (5) 4. Kyle Thomas (57) 5. David Scott (Powell 100) 6. Ricky Meglaye (5) 7. Shane Hitt (2) 8. Joe Loudin (5) 9. Kris Southern (K2) 10. Chad Green (88) 11. Troy Shields (11) 12. Steve Adkins, Jr. (18) 13. Dan Karalagas (G1) 14. Dwayne Pond (Bidwell B1D) 15. Gary Knollinger (38K) 16. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42JR) 17. Josh Double (38) 18. Rick Strickler (Lake 1G) 19. Josh Holtgraver (00) 20. Danny Thomas (7JR) 21. Daniel Hill (8) 22. Dan Angelicchio (14) 23. Aaron Barley (28) 24. Freddie Carpenter (c4)-DSQ (did not report to tech).

B main 1 non-qualifiers: 3. Joel Prosser (77) 4. Joe Martin (55) 5. Eddie Starky (Frazier 55) 6. Nick Dohm (115) 7. Ike Fanton (Kratts 41) 8. Quintin Wyandt (118) 9. Steve Wilmoth (Weaver 1)-DSQ (illegal driver substitution) 10. Rocky Kugel (7KRT)-DNS 11. Mike Allen (21)-DNS 12. Dave Gorrell (31)-DNS

B main 2 non-qualifiers: 3. Bryan Force (31) 4. Shawn Jett (1J) 5. Butch Lambert (27) 6. Dusty Hamrick (X) 7. Cody Hardesty (32) 8. Mike Griffin (11) 9. K.C. Burdette (KC44) 10. John Watson (51) 11. Jeff Lilly (17) 12. Derek Rogers (23).

B main 3 non-qualifiers: 3. Jamie Brown (135) 4. Melvin Ferguson, Jr. (4) 5. Mark Moats (23) 6. Bill Shaffer (55) 7. Garrett Mott (43X) 8. Bud Watson (2)-DNS 9. Derek Doll (87)-DNS 10. Jacob Lash (83) 11. Damian Bidwell (1/2-Pt)-DNS.

Lap leaders: Scott (1-6), Blair (7-19, 25), Pegher (20-24).
Heat winners: Green, Thomas, Pegher, Knollinger, Scott, Airgood.
B main winners: Adkins, Hill, Loudin.
Car count: 53