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MECHANICSBURG --Lance Dewease went from third to the lead with one move in turns three and four and drove away from the field scoring a dominating win in the opening night of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway.
Dewease's 102nd career Grove win, and third of the season, was worth $6,000.
It came on the most appropriate of races as his long-time mechanic and fellow Hall of Famer Davey Brown Sr. was honored by the speedway. The 87-year-old mechanic owns nearly 800 career wins as a mechanic over a career that began in the 50's.
"It's not about what it pays or anything, it's all about the guy behind me," Dewease said. "This is his night and it's all about him. I'm just fortunate enough to drive this thing. He does a wonderful job.
"Tonight was a hectic night for him. He didn't enjoy none of this I can tell you that for a fact, but we put it in victory lane and that was the most important thing to me for him tonight. He's not about being recognized for this stuff. He just wants to work on this racecar and make it go fast. That's why he's been so good for all these years. It's a neat deal they did for him tonight because usually the people aren't racing anymore and Davey's still at it at 87-years-old. He works really hard at this. It's a big deal to drive this thing and be in victory lane for him."
It was also Dewease's 30th career Speedweek win tying him with Fred Rahmer for most all-time. It extended his track point lead as well.
Brown worked with Dewease's car owner Donnie Kreitz for many years before Dewease took over the driving duties.
"He helped me out even before he was working on the car," Kreitz said. "He'd answer a lot of my questions when I was starting out. He's had a hand in most of the wins in my whole career."
"If I'm healthy, I'll race next year," Brown said. "Lance drove a heck of a race tonight. I don't think the car was super good, but he made up the difference. Nobody gets around this track better than him. It was a great night."
In the 25-lap main event, Rico Abreu started on the pole and beat Dylan Cisney for the lead on the opening lap.
Abreu slipped up while racing in lapped traffic. Cisney took a shot at the lead in turn three, but while they raced for the top spot, it was Dewease getting by both of them with an inside move in turn four. There were 13 laps to go as Dewease streaked away from the field.
The battle for second continued between Abreu and Cisney as Dewease perfectly negotiated lapped traffic. Anthony Macri moved into the picture and it became a three-car race for the runner-up spot.
But up front, it was all Dewease as he ripped around the track for another dominating win. His final margin of victory was 5.247 seconds.
Marci came out on top of the battle for second while eighth starter Danny Dietrich completed the podium. Freddie Rahmer raced from 13th to fourth. Abreu completed the top five. Alan Krimes, Cisney, Brent Marks, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Logan Wagner rounded out the top 10.
Dewease set quick time over the 38-car field with a lap of 16.846 seconds. Heat races were won by Danny Dietrich, Paul McMahan, Anthony Macri and Rico Abreu. TJ Stutts won the B-main.
Speedweek continues tonight at Lincoln Speedway and then Sunday night at BAPS Motor Speedway.
Sprint Car Feature (25 laps) 1. Lance Dewease 2. Anthony Macri 3. Danny Dietrich 4. Freddie Rahmer 5. Rico Abreu 6. Alan Krimes 7. Dylan Cisney 8. Brent Marks 9. Sam Hafertepe Jr 10. Logan Wagner 11. Steve Buckwalter 12. Justin Peck 13. Lucas Wolfe 14. Buddy Kofoid 15. Ryan Smith 16. Skylar Gee 17. Paul McMahan 18. Dylan Norris 19. Chad Trout 20. TJ Stutts 21. Mike Wagner 22. Kyle Moody 23. Matt Campbell 24. Robbie Kendall
2021 Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek Recap
Race 1 - June 25 - Williams Grove
Car Count: 38
Fast Time: Lance Dewease, 16.846
Heats: Danny Dietrich, Paul McMahan, Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu
A-main Top 5: Lance Dewease, Anthony Macri, Danny Dietrich, Freddie
Rahmer, Rico Abreu.