WAYNESFIELD — For a second consecutive season, Wooster’s Sheldon Haudenschild scored an Ohio Sprint Speedweek win, presented by Cometic Gasket, at Waynesfield Raceway Park. Haudenschild held off pole sitter and Ohio Sprint Speedweek opening night winner Kyle Larson during a hard fought battle in traffic to notch the victory.
Haudenschild, who started third on the Arctic Cat All Star feature grid, survived an epic three-car battle during the late stages of the 35-lap main event, keeping Larson and the “Steel City Outlaw” Tim Shaffer in his rearview mirror. The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions victory increased Haudenschild’s season total to three, also bumping his career win total with the series to nine.
“That was really intense,” said Haudenschild in victory lane. “Especially knowing that Kyle Larson was right behind me, that made it really intense. You get to lapped cars so fast here and it really makes it hard to figure out where to go. Those guys are racing for positions, also, sometimes three and four wide right in front of you. Racing in traffic actually allowed Kyle (Larson) to get underneath me at one point. Luckily, I was able to slide back underneath him in three and four and make it stick. I didn’t see him much after that. That was a lot of fun.”
The “Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild led the first five circuits at Waynesfield Raceway Park on Saturday evening, eventually losing the lead to NASCAR Sprint Cup series regular Larson on the bottom side of the speedway on lap six. Sheldon Haudenschild made his first bid for the top spot on laps 12 and 13, officially leading lap 13, driving by Larson in traffic. The pair dueled nearly nose to tail for the next six circuits before the main event’s first caution appeared on lap 20. Caution flags appeared once again on lap 21, disrupting the feature field for the second and final time of the evening.
Green flag conditions returned for good with Sheldon Haudenschild back on the point. The last 14 laps proved to be more than challenging for the pilot of the Southern Pacific Farms/No. 93, pressured on several occasions byLarson and Tim Shaffer, all while attempting to negotiate heavy traffic. Despite the pressure, Haudenschild prevailed, keeping the point position despite multiple slide job attempts by Kyle Larson and challenges by Tim Shaffer. Even after making accidental contact with Tim Shaffer during the closing circuits, Larson would hang on to finish in the runner-up position, followed by the “Steel City Outlaw.”
In the K&L Ready Mix NRA Sprint Invaders, last week’s feature winner Randy Hannagan led the field to the opening green flag alongside northern Ohio native Kyle Sauder. Hannagan took the early lead into the first corner as Sauder fell back to battle with Devin Dobie. Racing was brought to a halt when Kevin Roberts went upside-down in his Best One Tire 22R. Roberts was unable to continue and finished 22nd. On the restart, Randy Hannagan got a great jump and pulled away with the lead. Max Stambaugh began to make a run up to the lead back. As Stambaugh tried to climb, Butch Schroder turned the jets on moving through the field. Schroder, who started on the outside of row four, moved into the top 5. Once the dust settled, Hannagan came away with the victory. Butch Schroder had a great run coming home in second. Max Stambaugh finished in third. Hannagan was brief in victory lane as he jumped behind the wheel of his 410 sprint for the All Star race. Kyle Sauder, Randy Hannagan, and Devon Dobie picked up the heat race victories.
The points battle continues next Saturday night when the Satellite Connections Non Wing Sprint Cars, Performance Powder Coating AMSA Mini Sprints, Quest Federal Credit Union UMP Modifieds, Block Insurance Tough Trucks, and the Indian Lake Outfitter Compacts return to the 1/3rd mile. The Block Insurance Tough Trucks will determine the front starting spots in the A-main in a King of the Hill racing format. Saturday will also mark the first of two DARF nights of the year. All current Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club members will be admitted to the grandstands for just $6. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with racing action following at 7 p.m.
Get the latest Waynesfield Raceway Park information online at www.waynesfieldracewaypark.net, on Facebook, and on Twitter by following @OfficialWRP.
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