FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY
JULY 21, 2017
BROCK ZEARFOSS WINS NIGHT NUMBER ONE OF CHAMPION RACING OIL
SUMMER NATIONALS AT WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY FOR FIRST CAREER WORLD
OF OUTLAWS VICTORY
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – When Brock Zearfoss first drove Aaron Long’s
No. 58, he didn’t qualify for the World of Outlaws race at Williams
Grove Speedway in May.
But, it was a much different outcome Friday night as Zearfoss
steered the car to victory in a wild 25-lap main event.
His first career series victory was worth $8,000 as he held off some
of the Outlaws best.
“I was either going out of the park or winning this,” said Zearfoss
in victory lane. “Our car was really good all night long. They’ve
been working so hard. We debuted this at the first Outlaw race and
weren’t good at all. To go from not making the show to standing on
the frontstretch at an Outlaw race says something about these guys.
I wasn’t lifting. I probably should have because I was banging off
that cushion pretty hard, but how many times do you get to win an
Outlaw race? This is a dream come true.”
“Our notebook isn’t very big,” said Long. “People can say what they
want, but I think this guy is the most under-rated driver in the
state. He gets better every week.”
Daryn Pittman and Lance Dewease swapped the lead in turns one and
two on the initial start. Pittman officially led the first lap, but
it was Dewease getting by for the lead off turn two.
Zearfoss, of Jonestown, passed Donny Schatz for the third spot as
they raced off turn four. Zearfoss nearly passed Pittman for second
as well. Dewease had a two-second lead when he reached the back of
the field with eight laps completed.
Pittman caught the fence coming off turn four and Zearfoss got by.
David Gravel passed Schatz and then Pittman to move into third.
The red flag flew with 16 laps completed. Sheldon Haudenschild
flipped in turn one. He was okay. Danny Dietrich was also involved.
Dewease had a 2.194 second lead.
Gravel passed Zearfoss down the frontstretch and then threw a huge
slider at Dewease in turn one on the restart. Dewease was at the
cushion as Gravel slid across the corner. Dewease jumped the cushion
resulting in the car flipping several times along the top of turn
two. A video replay showed no contact was made between the two cars.
Dewease climbed out and walked away from the Donnie Kreitz-owned
car.
Zearfoss and Gravel led the field down for the double-file restart
with 16 laps completed.
Race officials called a jump start on Gravel on the restart.
“This motor was stumbling all night,” said Zearfoss. “I got it to go
a couple of times. David didn’t jump me. It just didn’t go. I got
lucky there.”
This put Gravel back one row and Schatz up to second. Zearfoss held
Schatz back on the restart.
“I got it to go on that restart, but I didn’t want to see another
caution because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do it again,” said
Zearfoss. “Luckily, I got a good restart and was able to hold him
off.”
Gravel got back by Pittman and then went after Schatz. They traded
sliders and raced side-by-side before Gravel secured the spot off
turn four just as the caution flew with 19 laps completed.
Gravel threw a slider at Zearfoss in turn one on the restart, but
couldn’t clear the pass as Zearfoss blasted off the cushion.
Schatz got back by Gravel in turn four, but Gravel returned the pass
in turn two as Zearfoss motored away.
His final margin of victory was 1.384 seconds over Gravel.
“I never touched him,” said Gravel referring to Dewease. “Lance
probably had a pretty tight racecar and flipped over on the curb. I
honestly didn’t want to slide him. I checked-up. I thought he was
going to get back around me. I had to work really hard to get back
to second. I feel like we had the best car, but finished second.”
Schatz, Brad Sweet and Pittman completed the top five. Brian
Montieth, Aaron Ott, TJ Stutts, Freddie Rahmer, and Greg Hodnett
rounded out the top 10
Gravel set overall fast time in the second flight of qualifying time
trials with a lap of 16.623. Zearfoss set fast time in the first
flight at 16.716. Heat races for the 39-car field were won by Dale
Blaney, Brad Sweet, Gravel and Trey Starks. Dewease won the dash.
James McFadden won the Last Chance Showdown.
The $20,000 to win Summer Nationals finale will be held Saturday
night featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Sprint Car Feature (25 laps): 1. Brock Zearfoss. 2. David Gravel. 3.
Donny Schatz. 4. Brad Sweet. 5. Daryn Pittman. 6. Brian Montieth. 7.
Aaron Ott. 8. TJ Stutts. 9. Freddie Rahmer. 10. Greg Hodnett. 11.
Lucas Wolfe. 12. Jason Sides. 13. Trey Starks. 14. Jac Haudenschild.
15. Kraig Kinser. 16. Logan Schuchart. 17. Anthony Macri. 18. Paul
McMahon. 19. Jason Johnson. 20. James McFadden. 21. Lance Dewease.
22. Danny Dietrich. 23. Sheldon Haudenschild. 24. Dale Blaney. 25.
Jacob Allen. 26. Shane Stewart. 27. Rodney Westhafer.
Did Not Qualify: Jason Johnson, Matt Campbell, Brent Marks, Rodney
Westhafer, Steve Buckwalter, Alan Krimes, Cory Haas, Tim Wagaman,
Nicole Bower, Troy Fraker, Greg Wilson, Clyde Knipp, Shane Stewart,
Tyler Walker, Brandon Rahmer.