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Lauren Butler Wins The Bill Awtey Memorial Race At Jennerstown Speedway

Fans were screaming with delight, after what many of them called “the race of year,” referring to the J&J Truck Equipment Street Stocks’ 25 lap feature. North Star Equipment added bonus cash to the purse, and the competitors raced an extra five laps, in celebration of Bill Awtey’s life and career. Championship contender Lauren Butler took the lead on lap one, after she started the event in the second position. Aaron Van Fleet, a winner in 2017, held the runner up spot until lap four, when points leader Josh Coughenour took second place. For the remaining 21 laps, Coughenour used the inside lane of Jennerstown’s pavement to challenge Butler, in a side-by-side duel. Lap after lap, the duo raced door to door, with Butler defending her lead by just inches, in high groove. Coughenour never officially led at the scoring line, but fans were in a frenzy watching the close race. Former Champion Andrew Kostelnik started seventh and reeled in the leaders, making a three-car fight for the win, late in the race. But Kostelnik spun, creating a restart with two laps to go. Butler was able hold a slim lead, and score her second, popular, victory of 2017, with Coughenour finishing a close second. The pair were part of a memorable “photo finish” a few weeks prior, and Coughenour’s lead in the championship standings is now only three points over Butler. While Butler received a standing ovation climbing out of her car, Coughenour made his way to victory lane, where the two “rivals” shared a congratulatory hug. Former Champion Adam Kostelnik started tenth and finished third, with defending Champ Shawn Beam finishing fourth, and Van Fleet placing fifth. Beam and Coughenour won the heats.

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