9/2/2017
Jennerstown Speedway
Jennerstown Speedway Crowns 2017 Champions Saturday; Titles “Down to the Wire”
(Jennerstown, PA) September 2, will be the last race for drivers to earn Championship Points at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex. When racing concludes Saturday night, five competitors will hold the title of 2017 Division Champion. Also on Saturday, the Ron’s Collision Center Enduro Series will conclude, with a first-ever “slalom” race, through track obstacles, during the “Shane Shaffer 75.”
Atop the standings in the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model division, last week’s winner Jeremiah Kuntz holds a slim five point lead over Barry Awtey. Awtey, the defending Champion, is the all-time leading winner at Jennerstown, and has three victories this season. Kuntz, seeking his first title, leads all drivers in the division, with four wins in 2017. Both preliminary Heat Races and the Feature Races on Saturday award points: heats award five points to the winner, and decrease one point per position. Feature race points are awarded, starting at 50 points for the winner, and decreasing two points per position (i.e. 48 for second, 46 for third, and so on). Kuntz will need to finish near the front of both races Saturday, to keep veteran Awtey from a second consecutive crown.
Equally as close, is the battle for the Championship in the J&J Truck Equipment Street Stock division. Lauren Butler holds a five point advantage over Josh Coughenour. Both drivers are seeking a first-ever Championship title, and they have swapped the standings lead recently. Two weeks ago, Coughenour crashed from the Feature Race, handing the points lead to Butler. Last Saturday, Butler crashed on lap one, but remains slightly ahead, as the final points will be handed out Saturday. Butler’s car was destroyed, so she will “borrow” a car from the Minjock Racing Team to earn points this week. Both she, and Coughenour have earned three victories this year.
All five divisions will be in action, including the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modifieds, the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers, and Somerset Trust Company Fast ‘n Furious 4-Cylinders. Gates open at 4pm with live music, clowns, face painting, and the opening the “Jennerstown Midway.” Racing begins at 6pm.
After the races, the final round of the 2017 Ron’s Collision Center Enduro Series will launch from a standing start. For the first time in Enduro history, obstacles placed on the speedway will create a left-and-right turning course for the drivers. This change of course layout will bring driver skill to the forefront. Now, the fastest car may not dominate the competition, but perhaps the most talented wheelman will prevail. Sponsored by Shane Shaffer Inc., the event (which was rained out in July and rescheduled) has been named the “Shane Shaffer 75.” Now, the track itself can be known as the “Shane Shaffer Shicane” by nickname. Actually spelled, chicane, the word is defined as: an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course.
Submitted By: Vernon Yoder
