Dave Porter pulls off another victory at Hillside

Friday, July 2nd - Hillside Speedway A short/long short track (???)  That’s about the best we can explain this track with high banks and high speeds all within 19 seconds per lap.  A couple surprises this race (not by Ben Simmons (94) who took pole) but by Bob Moore (#60) who makes the news this week with a 4th place qualifying run and just missing top spots by less than a few hundredths of a second.  The entire field qualified less than .9 seconds apart.  A strong run for all drivers this week.

As the attempts at starting the race got underway (just after the 5 lap point) cars were still jockey’ing for position.  Ben jumped and held pole to lead while Dave Porter (Qualifying 3rd) over powered John Boneske (#94) for 2nd place.

At the first set of pit stops (lap low 30’s) Ben overshot his pit stall allowing a 5 second grace period for Dave Porter to take up 1st position while he tried to pit his car.  Whatever got into the drivers at the start of “this” race – held for 55 laps because that’s when the first caution flew from the #60 and his solo spin.  A later solo spin would put Bob in the garage but this run was worthy of mention as he progressed through the field.  Also leaving the track early was another shocker – Alex Shoemaker (01) left the course early just 33 laps into the run having problems with his car and a strike with pit road entry wall giving way to major damage.

This race interestingly held 13 lead lap drivers!  A record with N4Nites and tracks.   Mike Helton would be proud.  With only two cautions overall this race, the 160 laps gave spectators a lot of door to door racing with persistence in patience.

After multiple scrubs with the wall, the #47 (Bobby Rafuse) was forced to retire from a handling problem that lead to wall versus car contact.  The accident did not cause a yellow but did cause his trailer to be opened early!

Jeff Prutzman (52) ran a consistant on-track race and was able to match the front runners times, but inconsistencies on pit road slowed him down quite a bit.   The price, was 5th place under the checkers.

Pairing down with only 2 laps to go – Porter still running out in front with a good pitstop and an early Houdini trick (coined by Porters ability to suddenly pop-up out in front and with a few seconds lead – at the amazment of others) was insignificant compared to the John Boneske and Ben Simmons incident.  John was running closer to Ben as the final laps ticked down and all eyes were on the 94 and 49.  Ben ran just the upper lane allowing for a perfectly executed move to be had by John Boneske who excited, ran into the turn too hard.  His momentum (however hard John might have tried) carried him up into the rear of the 94 car – sending Ben to the wall and on two wheels.  Ben, shook up, pulled down low and parked his car, exiting out the window and throwing his helment.  Ben was unavailable for comment.  John commented, he was sorry for the contact and would accept responsibility.

Dave Porter went on to win this race winning two in a row and setting his eyes for the next race as he mentioned, “Were just planning on running top three and consistant and finish."