Leader Warren Stuck in Traffic, Door Opens for Gangwer
Harrisburg, PA – March 10, 2014…From start to finish, it was one wild and crazy night at Harrisburg Speedway as Bob Gangwer took the opening salvo in the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Keystone Nationals after starting last and passing leader Rob Warren in turn two of the last lap. Early leader Kevin Timmins hung on for a podium finish.
Gangwer started last in the short field, worked his way up to third by lap 17, but never got close to the top two of leader Kevin Timmins and second place racer Rob Warren until lap 42.
It was just in time as Timmins slipped high out of turn four with just three seven laps to go allowing both Warren and Ganger to get by.
SEE KEYSTONE NATIONALS HIGHLIGHTS
Timmins didn’t lose much time and tucked in behind the new top two as Gangwer pressured Warren for the lead.
Lapped traffic loomed ahead in the form of Carl Becker and Kyle Perry, both of whom had already done their fare share of nerf bar rubbing from the drop of the green.
The lead trio caught the lapped cars as they crossed the stripe for the white flag and entering turn one, Warren set up low while Gangwer went high and Timmins stayed in the middle. Carl Becker slipped up causing Perry to back out then scrub the inside wall. The sudden slowing of Perry left Warren nowhere to go but into the rear nerf bar of the Fulton, NY racer.
This gave Gangwer the advantage of the pick and as he clawed for traction coming out of turn two, Timmins chose the high side as well. Gangwer wasn’t in the clear though as Perry suddenly shot high in front of Gangwer, causing the new leader to get out of the throttle quickly to avoid ramming the lapped car.
Timmins, with a head of steam and already past Warren, had slammed into the back of Gangwer then bounced into the outside wall, hitting it hard enough to cause the BreezeGraphics.com machine to bounce across the track and into Warren who continuned to race on the low side.
Gangwer cleared Perry in turn three and brought the Wing Side Up Enterprises machine home for the win as Warren and Timmins limped home in second and third. Dave Brigandi ran the majority of the race all alone and finished fourth with Becker and Perry rounding out the field.
The 2014 edition of SUPRS Keystone Nationals comes to a completion with the 10th Annual Randy Witkum Memorial tomorrow night at Jennerstown Speedway. Rob Warren is the defending race winner and has won the prestigious event the last two years in a row.
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike are encouraged to learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
SUPRS Keystone Nationals Race 1
Harrisburg Speedway
Winged Supermodified Time Trials
(showing car number, driver name, hometown, sponsors, best lap)
- 25-Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN; Wing Side Up Enterprises, Ricky’s Sideline Shots: 14.998
- 42-Carl Becker; Lansing, MI; Michigan Hill Gang, Wholesale Diamond Exchange: 15.102
- 35-Rob Warren; Pulaski, NY; 1st to Finish Docks & Hoists, Phillips Family Farm: 15.111
- 02-Kyle Perry; Fulton, NY; Bellinger’s Auto Sales, 21 Tequilla: 15.198
- 52-Dave Brigandi; Syracuse, NY: Pizza Hut, Terry: 15.204
- 77-Kevin Timmins; Baldwinsville, NY; BreezeGraphics.com: 15.278
Heat 1-Even Qualifiers-8 Laps
- 77-Kevin Timmins
- 42-Carl Becker
- 02-Kyle Perry
Heat 2-Odd Qualifiers-8 Laps
- 35-Rob Warren
- 52-Dave Brigandi
- 25-Bob Gangwer
Feature-50 Laps
- 25-Bob Gangwer* !
- 35-Rob Warren*
- 77-Kevin Timmin* **
- 52-Dave Brigandi
- 42-Carl Becker
- 02-Kyle Perry -1
Time of Race: N/A
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race