By Joe Grabianowski
The historic Weedsport Speedway, known for its classic DIRTcar Sportsman Series races, delivered again as Hunter Hollenbeck became a first-time Series winner, claiming the $1,000-to-win Central Region opener.
The Fulton, NY driver harnessed the outside lane to pass second-place finisher Connor Crane for the win.
Hollenbeck, who races at Brewerton and Fulton Speedway weekly, shocked the northeast by topping an elite, 53-car field.
“This is so unreal right now,” said an emotional Hollenbeck. “I had no idea I was going to show up today and win. I have no words right now.”
Before Hollenbeck went to the lead, he got a front row seat to a battle between Connor Crane and Austin Germinio, who raced side-by-side for the top spot.
“I was riding around the bottom like I always do, but it really wasn’t working,” Hollenbeck said. “So I tried the top on the restart. It worked. I saw Crane and Germinio battling up front, so I thought, “This is my chance!” I pulled the slide job on Crane, and it stuck somehow.”
Heartbreak hit Germinio as he battled for the lead when he clipped the inside wall, robbing his Hoosier of air and ending his winning bid. For Hollenbeck, the final challenge came in the form of several hasty restarts, but he retained the lead.
“I didn’t know if I should go to the top or bottom,” Hollenbeck said. “It was a lose-lose situation, but Lady Luck was finally on our side today.”
Connor Crane’s race was one of regret, but second place is a great points finish for the Canaan, CT, driver nonetheless.
Hunter Hollenbeck and Connor Crane battle for the lead/Joe Grabianowski
“I wish I had picked the top on the original restart,” Crane said. “It took until [Hollenbeck] went by me, and I finally found the top in (Turns) 1 and 2. I could hold my momentum all the way around. Then I tried to throw a slide job when we were going back and forth, and we kept crossing each other over.
“Sorry for that one slide job, though. I wasn’t going fast enough, and he got me in the bumper.”
The racetrack featured three lanes of racing throughout the field, and whoever came out on top of the lead battle was anyone’s guess. Multiple drivers made gains from mid-pack to the front, including the third-place finisher.
Tony Finch II, from Pennelville, NY, snuck his way into third, tying his best career DIRTcar Sportsman Series finish.
“I think it was about staying on the bottom,” Finch said. “Guys were rolling the top pretty good, and we just didn’t have the gear for that. Picking off cars on the bottom is where we are comfortable. We were just as good as the leaders, but I let my nerves get to me, and I messed up the last couple of laps. You have to be perfect.”
Chris Crane Jr. nearly made it a family affair on the podium, but he settled for fourth while tenth-place starter Richard Murtaugh drove up to fifth.
UP NEXT: The DIRTcar Sportsman Series Centreal Region returns to action at Thunder Mountain Speedway on Monday, May 25, during the Natural 77 along with the Super DIRTcar Series.
DIRTcar Sportsman Series Central Region Feature (30 Laps): 1. Hunter Hollenbeck 2. Connor Crane 3. Tony Finch II 4. Chris Crane Jr. 5. Richard Murtaugh III 6. Taylor Wason 7. Mike Fowler 8. Tyler Stevenson 9. David Hackett 10. Frank Guerreri 11. Taylor Doxtater 12. Josh Sokolic 13. Gavin Eisele 14. Tyler Corcoran 15. Brian Harber 16. Nigel Pendykoski 17. Nick Ventura 18. Josh Livingston 19. Savannah LaFlair 20. Evan Nugent 21. Riley Rogala 22. Cody Manitta 23. Tyler Guzzardi 24. Trevor Houghton 25. Sullivan Dickey 26. Austin Germinio 27. Matt Brewer 28. Chris Darling 29. Frank Sibley Jr. 30. Chase Spoor
Hoosier Racing Tire Award (Free Tire): Mike Fowler
