PORT ROYAL — Doug Hammaker picked up his first career 410 sprint car win Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway.

Hammaker, of Grantville, earned $5,000 for the win. He’s in the midst

of his second full-time season in the 410 sprints after a successful

career in 358 sprints. He drives Sandy Kline’s No. 22 and it was her

first win since returning as a car owner last season.

“It’s pretty cool to put the 22 back in victory lane,” Hammaker said.

“I never thought I’d get here, but here we are. We brought in some

people that have been around this long enough to get us going in the right direction. Sandy gives us everything we need to be fast.

Sometimes, I step on my you know what, and I almost did it tonight.”

Hammaker finished second in a rain-shortened feature earlier this season.

“That’s probably the best I’ve ever felt,” Hammaker said. “We had some moments last year. It’s fun when you can race with the guys. I know some guys aren’t here, but you have to take advantage of it on nights like this. We can say we finally won a race.”

“She sees the determination I have,” Hammaker said. “I’m in the shop every day trying to make it better. She stuck with me. It’s big for

me, but it’s probably bigger for her. I’m happy to get the first one

out of the way and get it for Sandy. That’s more important to me than anything.”

“This is my first race as the sole owner,” Kline said. “I knew we’d

get where we needed to. I have a really great crew.”

Domenic Melair grabbed the lead from Derek Hauck on the start of the 25-lap feature as sixth starter Hammaker wasted little time getting into the top three.

Melair built a comfortable lead as Hammaker passed Hauck for the runner-up spot.

As they raced through traffic, Hammaker closed on the leader and tried running the inside line as Melair worked the top. Melair tried to

protect the bottom as they raced into turn three. However, Hammaker shot around the top of turn four squeezing by Melair for the lead.

Hauck took second from Melair as Hammaker increased his lead. The battle for second raged as Hammaker nearly collided with a slower car in turn one. He avoided disaster and continued to the win.

Hauck came out on top of the battle for second as Logan Wagner passed Melair and finished third.

“Doug was really good all night,” Hauck said. “I feel like I gave

that one away. I made a couple mistakes and it bit me, but we were

pretty good tonight.”

Melair and Kody Lehman completed the top five. Austin Bishop, 18th

starter Buddy Schwiebinz, new championship point leader Ryan Smith, Lance Dewease and Mike Thompson rounded out the top 10.

Lehman, Michael Walter and Wagner won heat races for the 27 cars. Dewease won the consolation.

Chris Dolan won his first career 305 sprint car feature, leading all

20 laps. Timmy Bitner, Colton Hendershot, Mike Melair and Dustin Young completed the top five. Tyler Schell, Jarrett Cavalet, Tyler Snook, Ken Duke Jr. and Dylan Schatzer rounded out the top 10.

Chris Meleason, Shatzer, Hendershot and Jimmy White won heat races for the 305 sprint cars. Fred Arnold won the consolation.

Port Royal’s Lane Snook took the lead from Andrew Yoder and went on to win his third limited late model feature of the season. For last

year’s track champion, it was his seventh Port Royal win.

Yoder, D.J. Myers, Gunner Walls and George Dixon completed the top five. Devin Frey, Jaxton Garman, Eric Irvin, Casey Steinhoff and

Treyton Lee rounded out the top 10.

Port Royal returns to action Saturday night at 7 with one of its most

unique racing programs of the season featuring the USAC National

Sprints, the USAC Silver Crown cars and the regular 410 sprints.