Hidden Valley Opens 32nd Season with first Friday Race
April 26, 2024
Clearfield, PA - Hidden Valley Speedway by DMS Motorsports opened the 2024 season, its 32nd, on its new night for racing, Friday nights, and welcomed the following drivers to the Carnes Equipment Victory lane: Joey Petyak of Gallitzin in the Super Late Models, Gary Little of Clearfield in the Semi Lates, Hayden Holden of Tiona won the Small Block Modifieds, Brandon Connor of Penfield, in the Penn-Ohio Pro Stocks, Josh Fields of Brockport in the Pure Stocks, Tyler Gill of Osceola Mills in the Little Drive In Four Cylinders, Heath Walton of Mifflintown in the 600 Micros and Craig Bainey was the lone car and copped the win in the newly formed Econo Late Model class.
A number of drivers indicated they simply were not ready for the night, which kept car counts down, but the racing was still hot on the track.
The Super Late Models saw Joey Petyak beat Del Rougeux off the line at the initial waving of Sam McClellan’s green flag and he was opening up a slight lead, with Rougeux in second and Todd English sitting third. Fifth place starter Denny Fenton was working on the inside English for third on lap five, when he got loose exiting the second turn. He gathered it up and kept going, but lost a lot of ground to English. On lap nine the caution waved when Fenton looped the #56.
The restart saw Rougeux and English line up beside each other behind the leader, with Petyak keeping the lead and opening up a small lead over Rougeux. English was working the inside of Rougeux and on lap 15, English was able to take second from Rougeux with an inside move. English was reeling in Petyak every lap, but he spun in turn two with just two laps to go, and gave second back to Rougeux. On the restart, Petyak was able to hold off Rougeux for the victory. At the waving of McClellan’s double checkered flags it was Petyak with the win over Rougeux, Doug Eck, John Wayne Weaver and English. The heat was won by Petyak.
The Semi Late Feature saw Jeremy Lippert and Gary Little on the front row, with Little being shot out of a cannon at the start. He took the lead and never looked back. Lippert lost second to JR Toner on lap two, as the crowd watched Dan Smeal work his way towards the front. Smeal started 8th in the field and was picking his way through the field. He had some help on lap nine when Josh Henry lost power and coasted to a stop. On the restart, Smeal, Lippert and Luke Hoffner performed some three wide racing action, as they battled for position. It was Smeal who moved into third and set his sights on Toner. As Smeal tired to reel in Toner, Little had checked out and went on to get the SpringTime Spectacular win over Toner, Smeal, Justin Owens who took fourth from Hoffner. The heat wins went to Lippert and Little.
The father and son duo of Jimmy (father) and Hayden (Son) Holden was an excited battle in the Small Block Modifieds, as Hayden out ran his dad at the start and led from green to checkered in the non-stop event, but Jimmy gave his son all the pressure he could handle, often pulling alongside the younger Holden in the turns, but Hayden was always able to the lead. As the duo exited final turn on the final lap Jimmy was pulling alongside his son but when McClellan waved those double checkered flags, it was Hayden taking the win over his dad. Jimmy Holden was second and Trent Ogden rounded out the field. The heat was won by Hayden Holden.
The Penn-Ohio Pro Stock field was light for its first time back at the track, with two cars turning out, as Fuzzy Fields took the lead from Brandon Connor at the start, after they ran side-by-side the first lap. Fields was still leading when he lost the handle and spun in turn two on lap three. Connor inherited the lead and went on to get the win over Fields. Connor also won the heat.
In the Pure Stock main Tyler Rougeux and Josh Fields led the field to the green flag, with Rougeux leading the opening two laps, when Fields then took the lead on lap three following an inside move. Once he had the lead, Fields opened up a small lead with Rougeux in second and Jake Foradori in third. They ran that way the whole race as Fields picked up his first HVS win. Rougeux was second with Foradori, Eric Lucas and Cody Cassler rounding out the top five. Rougeux won the heat by half a fender over Fields.
The Little’s Drive In Four Cylinders were led to the start by Shawn Hadden and Austin Fedder, with Hadden taking the lead and Luke Hoffner moving into second from third. Fourth place starter Tyler Gill moved into third and was able to take second from Hoffner on lap two. He then relieved Hadden of the lead on lap three and led the feature the rest of the way to get his career first feature win. Hadden, Hoffner, Anthony Sones and Joshua Lindenmuth completed the top five. Hadden won the heat.
The 600 Micro’s saw Heath Walton outrun Mitchell Holden at the start and following three cautions on the first lap, Walton was able to lead the race to the checkered flag and take the win. The top five were: Walton, Luke Hoover, Holden, Shawn Rumbaugh and Izzy Landis. The heat was won by Holden.
The lone Econo Late Model was Craig Bainey and he was given a 10-lap feature event to basically get seat time. Several cars are being built but just are not finished yet.
Pit Notes: 42 cars were in the pits for the Springtime Spectacular including: 7 Super Late Models, 9 Semi Late, 3 Small Block Modifieds, 2 Penn-Ohio Pro Stocks, 7 Pure Stocks, 7 Four Cylinders, 6 600 Micros and 1 Econo Late model…This week is the season opener, the first point race of the season with a regular show for the Semi Lates, Small Block Modifieds, Penn-Ohio Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and Four Cylinders along with the Econo Lates and the Junior Four Cylinders. Gate open at 5 in the pits, 6 for spectators and racing begins at 7:30…This weeks action was concluded by 10:59 p.m…The BJW Fire Company provided fire protection and presented the 50/50 winner with $502…Stay tuned for up coming events by following us on our Facebook page or at www.hiddenvalleyspeedway.net.
Summary:
Super Late Models - 1. Joe Petyak, Gallitzin; 2. Del Rougeux, 3. Doug Eck, 4. John Weaver, 5. Todd English, 6. Denny Fenton, 7. Ryan Scott
Semi-Lates - 1. Gary Little, Clearfield; 2. JR Toner, 3. Dan Smeal, 4. Justin Owens, 5. Luke Hoffner, 6. Jeremy Lippert, 7. Ron Laubscher, 8. Josh Henry, 9. Bernie Whiteford, Jr.
Small Block Modifieds - 1. Hayden Holden, Tiona; 2. Jimmy Holden, 3. Trent Ogden
Penn-Ohio Pro Stocks - 1. Brandon Connor, Penfield; 2. Fuzzy Fields
Pure Stocks - 1. Josh Fields, Brockport; 2. Tyler Rougeux, 3. Jake Fodarori, 4. Eric Luzier, 5. Cody Cassler, 6. Jeff Smallwood, 7. Ben Himes
Little’s Drive-In Four Cylinders - 1. Tyler Gill, Osceola Mills; 2. Shawn Hadden, 3. Luke Hoffner, 4. Anthony Sones, 5. Joshua Lindenmuth, 6. Dustin Miller, 7. Austin Fedder
Econo Lates - 1. Craig Baney, Osceola Mills
600 Micro Sprints - 1. Heath Walton, Mifflintown; 2. Luke Hoover, 3. Mitchell Holden,
4. Shawn Rumbaugh, 5. Izzy Landis, 6. Bob Potter