Max Pfeifer defends off Baer in 602 Modified; Frankie Althouse prevails in Street Stocks again

COLUMN BY: Genevive Yamelski – MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY – LEHIGHTON, PA  – The 602 Modified feature opened with Jake Kerstetter and Max Pfeifer leading the field to green. Kerstetter held the early advantage before Cody Boehm worked his way to the front, taking the lead on lap ten with an outside move.

Boehm’s time out front was short-lived as mechanical trouble forced him to pull to the infield on lap thirteen, handing the lead back to Kerstetter. The battle for the top spot intensified shortly after when Nick Baer challenged Kerstetter. The two made contact while racing for the lead, sending both cars spinning and bringing out a caution.

Pfeifer inherited the lead for the restart and found himself under pressure from Baer throughout the closing laps. Baer made one final charge in turn four coming to the checkered flag, but Pfeifer was able to hold him off by less than two tenths of a second to score the victory. Randy Ahner finished third.

In Street Stock action, Cody Geist paced the opening laps before Frankie Althouse found a way around him on the outside to take over the lead on lap five. Once out front, Althouse settled into a rhythm while the battle behind him continued throughout the field.

Jill Snyder put together one of the strongest runs of the night, advancing into the top five by lap twelve. A caution on lap eighteen came after Jake Boehm spun in turn three while racing under pressure from Josh Kuronya.

The restart brought more action as Jamie Smith was involved in an incident with Kuronya and Boehm while drivers battled for position. Through it all, Althouse remained in control and drove on to the win. Adam Steigerwalt crossed the line second with Snyder finishing third.

Shayne Geist took command in the hobby stock division early after outside polesitter James Tout slipped backward through the field during the opening laps. Geist quickly built a comfortable advantage while several drivers battled closely behind him.

A series of cautions during the closing laps erased Geist’s lead and stacked the field up for multiple restarts. Each time, Geist was able to fend off challenges from Nick Schaeffer and BJ Wambold to maintain the top position.

Despite the late-race pressure, Geist stayed out front to collect the win. Schaeffer finished second with Wambold completing the podium in third.

The Pro 4 feature began with Ron Pierson Jr. working to the inside of Kadie Pursell on the opening lap. Terry Peters followed him through, and shortly after Rich Pursell also moved past Pursell to join the battle at the front. Early trouble sidelined Bob Everett before the race reached its halfway point.

A pivotal moment came on lap eight when Peters looked to the inside of Pierson entering turn three. Contact between the two drivers resulted in both spinning, bringing out a caution and handing the lead to Rich Pursell.

Pursell led the remainder of the event but faced steady pressure from Pierson and Peters after the restart. At the finish, Pursell held on for the victory with Pierson second and Peters third.

The Stage 1 Modified feature belonged to Darian Danyluk from the drop of the green flag. Starting on the outside of the front row, Danyluk quickly moved to the lead and began pulling away from the field.

Patrick Weiss advanced past Jaden Brown to take over second, but neither driver had enough to challenge Danyluk. Leading all twenty laps, Danyluk cruised to the victory while Weiss finished second and Brown rounded out the top three.

602 Modified (30 Laps)

1. Max Pfeifer, 2. Nick Baer, 3. Randy Ahner, 4. Makayla Kohler, 5. Jake Kerstetter, 6. Cody Boehm

Street Stock (30 Laps)

1. Frankie Althouse, 2. Adam Steigerwalt, 3. Jill Snyder, 4. Randy Anher, 5. Brandon Christman, 6. Jamie Smith, 7. Jake Boehm, 8. Cody Geist, DQ. Josh Kuronya

Hobby Stock (25 Laps)

1. Shayne Geist, 2. Nick Schaeffer, 3. Bj Wambold, 4. Taylor Schmidt, 5. Travis Solomon, 6. Devin Schmidt, 7. TJ REX, 8. James Tout, 9. Dennis Buss, 10, Parker Phillis, 11. Maggie Wambold, 12. Brad Begel, DNS. Blaine Barry

Pro 4 (20 Laps)

1. Rich Pursell, 2. Ron Pierson Jr, 3. Terry Peters, 4. Kadie Pursell, 5. Bob Everett

Stage 1 (20 Laps)

1. Darian Danyluk, 2. Patick Weiss, 3. Jaden Brown, DNS. Troy Kline