Story By: DINO OBERTO / EVERGREEN RACEWAY – BUTLER TOWNSHIP, PA – Brian Sones can now add a Late Model win to his resume of wining classes at Evergreen Raceway. On Friday evening the veteran racer from Sandy Valley drove the Dennis Wenner owned No. 1S to a career first division victory with the DW Machine and Fabricating Late Models.
Sones, started third but fell back to fourth on the first lap. He then regained the spot and was behind the top two of Roger Maynor and point leader Mike Sweeney.
As Sweeney was trying to get by Maynor, Sones saw that they were taking up the inside lane and with that took his fight to the high side and was able to pass both cars for the lead by the conclusion of lap five.
Once in front he was gradually pulling away from now second running Sweeney. The race went nonstop too, allowing Sones to control the pace as he felt fit and it wasn’t until late in the 50 lap contest that Sweeney began to reel him in.
As they approached the final laps Sweeney was within striking distance, right on Sones’ rear bumper matter of fact. But Sones was not about to let this one slip from his fingers as he continued on hitting the marks and went on to collect the popular victory.
“That was the first time winning in a Late Model. We started third, fell back to fourth and then were able to make the outside move on (Mike) Sweeney and (Roger) Maynor and got the lead and we tried to stay steady from there but we tightened up towards the end of the race,” said Sones.
“Mike was able to get to our back bumper and made it exciting for sure but we were able to hold him off and get the win.”
Sones has won in Tour Type Modifieds, Evergreen Mods and Street Stocks. Late Models are a car he’s only run a handful of times, beginning last year with Kenny Hien and now with Wenner. In June he drove to a runner-up behind Sweeney and now improved on that with the win.
“We had the car set up that it was perfect at the beginning of the race but then fell off just a little bit toward the end so we’re going to adjust on that for the next time. Getting near the end it was hard to pass on worn out tires,” said Sones.
“I was only supposed to run one race for Dennis (Wenner) when we went up to New Hampshire but we just keep on going and he keeps putting me in the car.,” he continued.
“The only way I can truly say thank to him is to get him to Victory Lane. I appreciate everything he’s done for me the past year and not only putting me in his Late Model but all the help he’s given me with my Modified as well. We work really well together.”
For Wenner, it was also a sentimental return to victory. His father, Denny Wenner, last won here 36 years ago on Opening Day, April 17, 1988.
Maynor took third with Brian Romig and Griffin Hendershot fourth and fifth respectively.
In the Harry’s U-Pull-It Street Stocks, once again it was Freeland’s Mike Pollack grabbing the spotlight, notching his third consecutive win.
And, although it was three straight for the two-time and defending champion, it appeared that Gordon Buchman Jr., was in line for a return to the Winner’s Circle. Buchman started from the pole and had built a healthy lead.
However, on a lap 15 restart he was undone by Pollack who snagged the top spot and then cruised to his 15th division win. Along with that Pollack has also put together a string of nearly 20 straight top five finishes dating back to 2022.
Buchman held on for the runner-up spot. Josh LaBatch turned in a solid effort with third followed by Bob Hunsicker Jr., and Charlie Castiglione who completed out the top five.
There doesn’t seem to be any stopping TJ Kapish in the Himmer Graphics Four Cylinders as for the third time in as many starts the Mountain Top driver took home the victory.
Kapish came from 13th and by the second half of the 25-lap event was locking horns with Joe Barbush. Kapish and Barbush, who was making his first start of the season, had a crowd pleasing duel going. Kapish had lost the lead to Barbush but with precise timing was able to get it back and then go on to claim the verdict.
And not only was it his third win but he is now tied with Scott Adams for most Four Cylinder victories with 18. Kapish has also won twice this season in the Enduro’s.
Rounding out the front five were BJ Wambold, Maggie Wambold and Tyler Skordensky.
Late Model feature finish (50 laps): 1. Brian Sones, 2. Mike Sweeney, 3. Roger Maynor, 4. Brian Romig Jr., 5. Griffin Hendershot, 6. Brett Peters, 7. Brandon Cook, 8. Geno Steigerwalt, 9. Marc Aigeldinger DNS: Nick Ross
Street Stock feature finish (30 laps): 1. Mike Pollack, 2. Gordie Buchman, 3. Josh LaBatch, 4. Bob Hunsicker Jr., 5. Charlie Castiglione, 6. Amber Knecht, 7. Mark Spencer, 8. Tommy Flanagan
Four Cylinder feature finish (25 laps): 1. TJ Kapish, 2. Joe Barbush, 3. BJ Wambold, 4. Maggie Wambold, 5. Tyler Skordensky, 6. Jimmy Ayre, 7. Brooklyn Peters, 8. Ryan Petro, 9. Jacob Knittle, 10. Lauren Skupski, 11. Shawn Kistler, 12. Tony Hirschman III, 13. Dan Baker, 14. Ralph Boger Jr., 15. Steve Tito, 16. Micah Adams, 17. Mike Frable, 18. Robert McNulty, 19. Daniel Kaminsky