| Brachmann Wins Steel City Stampede at Lernerville, Rex King Wins BRP Tour Championship |
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The luck of the draw put Brian Swartzlander and Steve Feder on the front row of the feature event. Swartzlander grabbed the lead at the start, A brief stoppage for the flat left rear tire of former series champion Russell King bunched the field up for Brachmann. Although Swartzlander got away with the lead, Brachmann, King and Feder were three wide, fighting for positions behind him. Brachmann worked his way into second by lap ten, but King Sr. was not going away easily. He rallied to regain second for a lap, but Brachann took second for good on lap 12. Now it was his turn to press Swartzlander for the lead. He used a powerfull outside move in turns three and four to grab the lead away from Swartzlander with fifteen laps in the books. A few circuits later, King Sr. slipped past Swartzlander.
Trucker Don Brown brought out the second caution of the race on lap 21. Brachmann then employed a little strategy by taking the outside line. That pinned King behind a lapped car for the restart. Predictably, Brachmann bolted awy from the pack when the green was displayed King’s bid for the win came to an end on lap 25, when he pulled to a stop in turn one with a flat tire. He pitted for new rubber and completed just one more lap before retiring with a broken power steering belt.
That put Swatrzlander beside Brachmann for the restart, but he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Instead, it was Kevin Bolland who entered the fray. Bolland had sarted in 16th spot and had quietly advanced through the field. Bolland raced from fourth to second on lap 26. Another caution for Brown interrupted that action and set the stage for the most dramatic moment of the race. Brachmann again selected the outside for the restart, but Bolland got to line up beside him. Coming down for the green, the cars were three wide, and track officials called Bolland for jumping the restart. That put him back a row and gave Swartzlander the second position again. When the race went green again, Brachmann and Swartzlander pulled away, but there was tight competition behind them. Bolland spun in turn two and collected Shingledecker and Mike Turner. Bolland and Turner were able to rejoin the race, but Shingledecker left the speedway on a hook. The final two laps were completed without incident, but there was plenty of positions changing hands. Brachmann crossed the line 1.124 seconds ahead of Swartzlander. Dave Murdick rallied for third, after being shuffled back in the field a few laps from the end of the race. Rex King, Jr. and Kevin Hoffman completed the top five.
Jim Weller, Jr. led the next group across the stripe. He was followed by Brian Weaver, Phil Evans, Jr., Bolland and Turner. The Landrum Spring racer of the race award was conferred on Kevin Bolland for his strong run from sixteenth to second before misfortune struck. The R2C prize was awarded to Kevin Hoffman. Rod End Supply Heat race wins went to Weller, D. Murdick and Shingledecker. There was no B Main.
BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round 10: Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA: October 23, 2011: 1. Chad Brachmann ($3,000); 2. Brian
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