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CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT DUNN HILL 2 SPEEDWAY

This past Friday night was the final event for the 2010 racing season at Dunn Hill 2 Speedway. The champions were crowned in the five divisions that compete at the track each week. The pits were filled with competitors and the spectator area had all the fans awaiting to see who would be crowned the champions.

The Front Wheel Drive division were the first class to hit the track with eighteen drivers all hoping to capture the final checkered flag of the season. The green flag fell and it was Kenny Underwood and Tyler Belcher racing side by side for the top spot. It was Kurtis Benjamin who split both cars and picked up the lead. A couple of cautions kept the field tight as everyone shuffled for position. Marcus Wood who started deep in the field was working his way to the front. Benjamin continued to lead the event, with Tony Belcher trying every move he could to get around Kurtis. Belcher's number 68 developed a serious mechanical problem and was forced out the event. This moved Marcus Wood into third as he battled with Mike Ely for second. With 3 laps to go a caution for debris on the front stretch gave Wood the chance we was looking for. On the restart Marcus made the move around the Ely machine. He set his sights on the Kurtis Benjamin car with the hopes taking away the win. Kurtis managed to hold off Marcus and recorded the final win of the season. This did allow Marcus Wood to record his very first track championship of his career. Rounding out the top five in the feature event was Mike Ely in third, David Fink in fourth and Rick Sinsabaugh in fifth.

Mini Stock division made their way to the track for the feature. When the race began it was a three way battle between Tim Bush, Mike Navone and Doug Colton. Navone eventually took the lead as Bush and Colton made contact in turn three. With the lead Mike Navone's number 95 developed a flat right front tire sending him to the pit area. This moved Gregg Turner into second with John McAdam in pursuit. On the restart Turner when Navone pitted, but Doug Colton was making his way back to the front. On lap 13 Colton took the lead from the Turner number 00X. Turner tried everything he could to catch the Colton machine to get back the lead. Unfortunately Gregg ran out of laps and had to settle for the second finishing position. Doug Colton recorded the feature victory in impressive style. The top five went to Gregg Turner, Shane Brown, Tim Bush and Mike Navone. By virtue of his 7th place finish John McAdam recorded his first championship of his career.

IMCA Style Modifieds were next to grace the track for their feature. Harry "Beaver" Ely, recorded his first feature win in this style of race car. Ely who moved into the division this season has made some impressive moves and captured several qualifying race events at the track. When he got into the lead his number 57L was hooked up and he never looked back. In pursuit were Sonny Terry, JT McKernan and Eddie Sites. McKernan did everything he could to get close to the Ely machine and in the closing laps it appeared he might just get by.

JT's left front wheel had some damage from contact early in the event, but that did not stop him. He battled on the inside trying to get around the Harry's machine. Eddie Sites and Sonny Terry battled for the third position, with Sites getting by in the closing laps. Eddie then set his sights on the top two. He managed to get around the McKernan car, but ran out of laps before he could reach Harry. When the checkered flag fell it was Harry Ely picking up the win with Eddie Sites, Sonny Terry, Mark Griffin and Larry Colton following across the line. The 2010 champion is Eddie Sites who thanked everyone for all their support during the season and the track for having this division added to the racing program.

The popular Pro Stock division found Steve Sharpsteen and Matt Vinson pacing the field to the green flag. Sharpsteen grabbed the lead with Vinson right on his bumper. The lead was short lived as Shannon Oswald took it away with Steve Sharpsteen, Wayne Baldwin and newcomer Bobby Butcher all hoping to catch him. The battle for the second position between family members found Steve Sharpsteen and Rich Sharpsteen battling. This continued until Steve's car developed a mechanical issue and went pit side. The caution came out for Bobby Maynard who spun in turn two ending up on the infield moving a barrier with his car. He was able to continue in the feature event. As the lap wound down Rich Sharpsteen was reeling in the Oswald number 3, but ran out of laps. Shannon recorded another feature win with Rich Sharpsteen, Bobby Butcher, Wayne Baldwin and Bobby Maynard rounding out the top five. Shannon also recorded the track championship in this division.

The factory stock division found Stan Matthews recording both the feature win and track championship. Matthews took the lead after the 74 of Victor Colavito spun. Stan never looked back as Colavito worked his way back into the second position. In pursuit was Freddie Peters who also spun, but worked his way back to finish in third position. Tim Perham and Donny Burgess finished out the top five. Stan celebrated his feature win and championship by thanking his family and sponsor would helped and supported him this season.

Congratulations to all of the seasons feature winners and the 2010 track champions for a great year of racing. Everyone should be commended on a job well done. The track is now silent for the winter months. Coming up on November 13th is the championship banquet celebration. It will be held at the Wysox Fire Hall located just off Route 6 West in Wysox, Pa. Tickets are $30.00 which will include dinner, awards ceremony and dancing. All tickets must be purchased in advance, "NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR". Tickets can be purchased by calling 570-735-8544 deadline is October 29th. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the banquet celebration. There will also be an upcoming meeting about rules watch the website at www.dunnhill2speedway.com for more detail.