DeGraff OH: (August 28, 2010) - It was an emotional victory lane celebration for West Liberty native Daniel Wirick on Saturday night (August 28) at Shady Bowl Speedway as he claimed victory in the annual Evans-Hostetler Dwarf Car Classic. Wirick, the grandson of Bill Hostetler, one of the race’s namesakes along with Max Evans, made a bold three-wide pass in lapped traffic coming to the white flag to score the biggest win of his young career.

It appeared the night would belong to Michigan ace Eric Hoffman, the 2007 winner of the Classic as he jumped into the early lead and opened up a sizable advantage. Hoffman was originally slated to start fifth on the grid, but after a series of bad starts coming to the green and some rapidly ensuing attrition, the two-time Midwest Classic Racers series champion lined up on the outside pole. Hoffman led the first 18 counters, only to lose the lead to Wirick in turn four just short of the checkers.

“I enjoy it (the Classic race) every time and just try to do my best,” Wirick said in a post-race interview. “I do it for him (Hostetler) and it’s like I am just following in his foot steps. I am proud to be the driver of his car and am happy he lets me drive it. It was an honor to win this race.”

The night got off to a rough start with several restarts needed before a lap could be completed. Outside pole sitter Dave Wylie was the victim of the first failed start, leaving on the hook after a turn one incident that also sent Todd Getz to the hill for repairs. The next attempt at the green saw pole sitter Troy Hoffman hit the starting cone, sending the Michigan driver to the tail. Mechanical gremlins struck early, knocking Ohio rookie Connie Smith out of the event and sending defending race winner Brandon Basye to the hill for repairs and Jon Wylie into the infield. Both Basye and Wylie returned as the event went green, but neither was able to factor in the outcome. Basye’s recurring axel problems retired him early, while the fuel delivery issues in Wylie’s mount put him down a lap early in the contest.

Once the field finally took the green, the event went to the checker without a caution. Hoffman broke out to a sizable lead early on with Wirick, Bob Basye, and Rob Roney all giving chase. Wirick finally closed in on Hoffman late in the going and made the winning pass around Hoffman and the lapped car of Getz coming to the white flag. Wirick then held off one last challenge from Hoffman to snag the $400 first prize and a beautiful trophy donated by the Champaign County Habitat for Humanity

Joining representatives from the Habitat in victory lane for the trophy presentation were Evans and Hostetler, two-long time friends and pioneers of dwarf car racing in Ohio. Hoffman took runner-up honors with Roney grabbing third after overtaking Bob Basye for the spot near the race’s midpoint. Jeff Slayton rounded out the evening’s top five.

A pair of heat races started the evening’s festivities and the first prelim was all Roney. The two-time MCR Champion blasted into the lead from his outside pole starting spot to lead flag-to-flag. Getz ran second until Bob Basye moved past on lap five to snare the position. Heat number two saw Brandon Basye make a daring three-wide move in turn two on the first lap to roar to victory over Wirick and pole sitter Eric Hoffman.

The OVDCA would like to thank the following for their contributions to the 2010 Evans-Hostetler Classic: Shady Bowl Speedway and the Stapleton Family, Piqua Transfer and Storage, Ohio Caverns, Hill and Hamilton Insurance, Steve Martin and the Midwest Classic Racers and the Champaign County Habitat For Humanity.

In addition to the Dwarf cars, the Shady Bowl Late Models, Modifieds, Pro-4's, Compacts and Sport Stocks joined the card.

In Sport Stock action Rodney Roush took advantage of his pole position start to win the 20 lap feature. Roush's Elias Special was chased across the finish line by Chris Abbott, Richard Roush, Jesse Gade and Chad Fiessinger.

The 25 lap Modified main saw a wild position scramble as the cars took the checker, with Steve Snapp holding off a three car battle to win for the first time in 2010. Snapp's Rader Industries ride was pursued on the money lap by Chad Poole, Joe Peiquinot, Rob Yelton and fast qualifier Austin Troyer.

The Late Model main also had a great finish, as Fairborns Jim Lewis Jr. went three wide in his West Side Auto Wash Monte Carlo to take the win. Rob Yelton, Buck Purtee, Brandon Bayse and Rodney Roush finished second thru fifth.

The Pro-4 feature was won by Steve Clarkson in his Reasonable Choices Ford. The night started out bad for Clarkson, as a transmission failure sent the team home for repairs. He arrived back shortly before the feature. Dave Sage, Rodney Schrack and Randy Donohue finished  second thru fifth.

The 20 lap Compact main had a bump and run finish as paint and the lead swapped twice during the final lap between eventual winner Mason Patrick and runner up Matt Stone. A post race skirmish showed it may not be a good idea to invite the two to the same Christmas party. Steve Salyer was third, with Todd Turvene fourth and Jordon Sage fifth

This weekend the Bowl will race both Saturday (9/4) and Sunday (9/5). Saturday show will feature the Iron Man 40 for Sport Stocks, with $500.00 awaiting the winner. The Late Models. Modifieds, Pro-4's, Dwarfs and Compacts will see action. On Sunday the American Modified Series returns for the Shady Bowl Shoot Out.  In addition to the AMS stars,  the Late Models, Sport Stocks, Compacts, Pro-4's and Dwarf cars will battle. Racing will begin at 7 both nights.  Campers welcome all weekend.  Camping is free.

Shady Bowl Speedway Results 8/28/10