Halligan rebounds to win checkered
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PORT ROYAL -- One week after a nasty crash destroyed his race car, Jeff Halligan turned in a dominating performance winning the sprint car feature at Port Royal Speedway.
The week before, Halligan got caught up in a frontstretch crash. Halligan's team regrouped during the week bringing a new car and engine to the track Saturday night.
It paid off for his first win of the season and $5,000 in the Risser Motorsports No. 45.
"This was the easiest win I've ever had in any division," Halligan said. "The car was a dream to drive. The track looked like it did for Weikert Weekend, and we were really close both nights there too, we went off that set-up and nailed it this time. We were good everywhere."
It was a great rebound for him and the team.
"This is a brand new HP Engine and a different car," Halligan said. "We weren't that good early, but my guys went to work and got it dialed-in."
Lucas Wolfe was the early leader of the 25-lap feature, but sixth starting Halligan was on the move. He grabbed the top spot from Wolfe as they raced off turn four with six laps completed.
From there, Halligan, of Ephrata, streaked away building a comfortable lead over Wolfe with Dylan Cisney up to third from his seventh starting spot.
Two-time feature winner and point leader Devon Borden raced into the top five from his ninth starting spot. Borden and Cisney went back and forth for third spot as they raced in heavy lapped traffic.
Halligan's 5-second lead was erased with six laps to go when Justin Whittall stopped against the fourth turn fence with a blown tire.
"I wasn't worried at all because the car was that good," Halligan said. "Six more laps to finish this off. I have a really good team behind me and most of them are here tonight. This win is for my crew."
Halligan controlled the restart while Mike Wagner raced from sixth to fourth. Cisney challenged Wolfe for the runner-up spot as Halligan cruised to the win. Wolfe held onto second with Cisney completing the podium. Wagner and 10th starter Ryan Smith completed the top five. Mike Walter II, Borden, 15th starter Blane Heimbach, Austin Bishop and 19th starter Gerard McIntyre Jr. rounded out the top 10.
Heat races for the 27 cars were won by Borden, Walter II, and Wagner. McIntyre Jr. won the consolation.
A tremendous field of 50 late models were in the pits for the second race of Appalachian Mountain Speedweek.
Michael Norris, of Sarver, near Pittsburgh, started on the pole of the 35-lap feature and was never challenged en route to the $5,000 win.
"We were here once and the car was really good, but I was nervous because the track was a little different than it was when we were here before," Norris said. "Its hard when you're leading. You don't know how good you are or where you're gaining or losing. I wasn't sure if that caution was going to help or hurt me because clean air means so much here. This is a really cool deal."
While Norris had his way with the field, it was a good race for second between Tyler Emory, point leader Rick Eckert and Kyle Lee.
Lee raced into second, but Emory would pass him back as Norris' lead reached 5-seconds as he sliced through slower traffic with ease.
The only caution of the race came with 11 laps to go for debris on the speedway.
Emory stayed with Norris following the restart, but not close enough to make a move for the lead.
"We've been coming here a lot the last couple years, and haven't been able to get it done, finished second or third a lot," Norris said. "This place is off the chain when it comes to competition. Just look through the field at the caliber of guys that are here. I'm very humbled and very proud of our team to be on top at the end."
Norris scored his second feature win of the season over Emory, Lee, Eckert and Jeff Rine. Dan Stone, Kyle Hardy, Drake Troutman, Colton Flinner and Gregg Satterlee rounded out the top 10.
The massive field was split into two groups for qualifying time trials and the top three drivers from each group were locked into the feature. Matt Cosner was quickest in Group A at 19.136 followed by Emory and Norris. Lee was quickest in Group B at 19.469 followed by Eckert and Rine.
Norris was the fastest of these six drivers later in the night during a timed dash earning the pole for the feature.
"I really like that format," Norris said. "I'm sure people don't, some people do. It's different. Any time you can save laps on the car and still start up front is okay in my book."
Heat races went to Dillan Stake, Stone, Troutman, and Flinner. Justin Weaver and Coleby Frye won the B-mains.
Second starter Danny Atherton, of Orbisonia, won the 20-lap limited late model feature. Ryan Zook, Shawn Shoemaker, Devin Hart and Eric Irwin completed the top five. Kenny Yoder, Jaxton Garman, Taylor Farlling, Matt Parks and Casey Steinhoff rounded out the top 10. Heat races for the 21 cars went to Hart, Yoder and Shoemaker.