Lambert Becomes 10th Different Northeast Touring Series Victor In 11 FASTRAK Late Model Events With McKean Win

By Mike Leone

September 26, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Smethport, PA…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series headed to McKean County Raceway for their third and final stop of the visit of the season on Friday night at the East Smethport, Pa. oval. Despite threatening weather, 33 race teams made the tow to the season finale for the Touring Series.

Butch Lambert made the decision earlier this season to move up from the Stock Car division to the FASTRAK Late Models. After consistent runs and going on the road to Wythe Raceway in Virginia and Eldora Speedway in western Ohio to gain valuable experience, the Mars, Pa. driver scored an upset victory Friday night capturing the 25-lap Touring Series win, which was worth $1,200.

For the second time in three races, the feature would go non-stop as Lambert led from green-to-checkered holding off veteran Dick Barton for his first Late Model win of any kind to become the 10th different winner in 11 Touring races this season. Lambert’s win came in just his sixth career Touring Series start in his Bagel Bites/Austin’s A1 Bleach/Stover’s Net Connection/RAM Transit Sports & Spirits/Dewitt Enterprises/Woodward, Inc.-sponsored #27.

Barton came home second and finished second in the Touring Series points for the second straight year despite missing the opening event at McKean. John Haggerty turned in his best Touring Series finish in third. Max Blair of Centerville, Pa. finished fourth to capture the $5,000 Touring Series Championship and appears to have clinched the $10,000 National Weekly Series Championship. John Lacki was fifth.

Completing the top 10 were Tim Schram, Tom Snyder, Jr., Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr., and Andy Buckley. Heat winners were Jim Frank, Blair, Buckley, and Lacki. Carl McKinney and Steve Hollabaugh won the two B mains. Chris Knuth and Jason Fosnaught made their season debuts.

FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #11 (25 laps $1,200 to-win): 1. BUTCH LAMBERT (27) 2. Dick Barton (Nielson 28B) 3. John Haggerty (49) 4. Max Blair (111) 5. John Lacki (7) 6. Tim Schram (1s) 7. Tom Snyder, Jr. (1F) 8. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s) 9. Andy Buckley (Robinson 34R) 10. Bob Kish (5) 11. Greg Oakes (22) 12. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D) 13. Dan Stives (41) 14. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1C) 15. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 17L) 16. Bump Hedman (B22) 17. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 18. Carl McKinney (6M) 19. Dereck Frank (16*) 20. Jason Fosnaught (J19) 21. Jim Frank (14*) 22. Dave Lyon (14L) 23. Dave Norton, Jr. (24x) 24. Kyle Drum (47) DNQ: Kyle Zimmerman (17z), Bob Dorman (19), Wayne Mohawk (64), Chris Knuth (123), Todd Sweet (17), Justin Kann (Powell 100), Rusty Moore (17M), Bert Cleer (51), Jon Law (14).

Lap leaders: Butch Lambert (1-25) Heat winners: Jim Frank, Max Blair, Andy Buckley, & John Lacki B main winners: Carl McKinney & Steve Hollabaugh Car count: 33

While the 2008 Northeast Touring Series has come to a conclusion, one more FASTRAK event remains for the Northeast. That event is this Saturday, October 4 at Mercer Raceway Park in Night 1 of the $250,000 Grand Nationals. There are 43 FASTRAK Northeast racers that are eligible to participate in this $2,000 to-win event. Hot laps begin at 5 p.m. followed by one-lap qualifications and heat races. The rain date is Saturday, October 11.