MILLERSBURG, Ohio — After three-consecutive nights of rain, the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions finally kicked off the 26th- annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek June 24 at Hilltop Speedway.
Randy Hannagan was in the right place at the right time to claim the victory as 48 winged sprint cars were on hand for the opening night of the series.
The fast-qualifier Hannagan shared the front row with Mark Keegan. Keegan grabbed the lead at the green flag and looked unstoppable as he steadily pulled away from the field.
But the race changed when Keegan was approaching lapped traffic on the three-eighths-mile dirt track on lap 18. Rob Chaney spun in front of him and Keegan slid sideways and stalled his No. X sprinter while trying to avoid Chaney.
Hannagan inherited the lead and quickly pulled away from Byron Reed on the restart. Two more yellow flags gave Reed extra chances to make a pass for the lead, but each time Hannagan controlled the restart.
Reed finished second, ahead of Dale Blaney, point-leader Lance Dewease and Tim Shaffer, who started 18th.
“This is a momentum builder,” said Hannagan. “This win means a lot to me. My mom is home battling cancer and this win is for her. I need to thank all of my sponsors and my crew for all their hard work. Keegan was the guy to beat tonight. Blaney, Reed and Dewease are all real tough and it means a lot to race with these guys and beat them.”
The summary:
Fast time: Randy Hannagan, 13.201 seconds (48 cars).
Heat winners: (full heat-race finishes were not supplied by the All Stars) Tim Shaffer, Rob Chaney, Brandon Martin, Craig Mintz.
C Main: Aaron Middaugh, Troy Little, Ian Louden, Lee Stark, Cody Jacobs, Todd King, Bill Ault, Cole Conley, Ryan Myers, Brock Martin, Brian Smith, Chad Goff.
B Main: Lee Jacobs, Greg Wilson, Mike Dussell, Cole Duncan, Ben Gregg, Dean Jacobs, Jason Dolick, Dan Shetler, Paul Weaver, Little, Tim Hunter, Todd Kane, Kody Kinser, Luke Hall, Middaugh, Bruce White, Scott Curren, Nick Mulheim.
Feature: Randy Hannagan, Byron Reed, Dale Blaney, Lance Dewease, Tim Shaffer, Blake Feese, Kenny Jacobs, Dussell, Brock Mayes, Chad Blonde, Phil Gressman, Chris Andrews, Wilson, Rob Chaney, Duncan, Duffy Smith, Brandon Martin, Brian Ellenberger, K. Jacobs, Brian Paulus, Mark Keegan, Craig Mintz, Danny Smith, Brad Haudenschild.