HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Hagerstown Speedway’s 20th anniversary Octoberfest 350 produced $10,000 victories for Kevin Hirthler, Alan Sagi, Fred Rahmer and Wade Hendrickson before a capacity crowd Sunday afternoon.
Hirthler’s victory in the 100-lap opener for small-block modifieds was the most dramatic. Pat Ward had taken command early as Hirthler worked his way from 12th to second by lap 33. After stalking Ward for nearly 50 circuits, Hirthler made a major run at the lead on lap 81, but was forced to back out. It looked like Ward would add to his impressive 2007 victory total until a lapped car trying to make the pits on a flat tire drifted up into his lane with less than three laps to go. Hirthler was able to slip under both cars and hold on for the upset win. Ward was a disappointed second, Danny Johnson edged Duane Howard for third. Rick Laubach ran fifth.
The victory by Sagi in the 100-lap late-model feature was the most popular of the day as it was the first major triumph for the hometown driver who is the son of the track’s legendary retired announcer, Frank Sagi.
The younger Sagi emerged from the wreck-filled opening stages in second and took the lead when Brian Ruhlman cut a tire by brushing a lapped car on the 73rd circuit. In the closing stages with 10 grand on the line, Sagi kept Roy Deese at bay, with Gary Stuhler, Rick Eckert and Jason Covert completing the top five.
For most drivers the sun, wind, and coating of rubber on the bottom of the track made the outside groove unavailable. Rahmer had other ideas, executing a turn-three power sweep around Alan Cole on lap 16 to win the 50-lap sprint-car main.
Cole survived several encounters with lapped traffic to preserve second, with Justin Collett, Chad Layton and Donnie Kreitz following.
Hendrickson’s victory in the 100-lap nightcap for big-block modifieds was a tribute to his patience. Ward led the first 14 laps before pitting with a flat tire. Jeff Strunk quickly passed Richie Pratt, Jr. and led until the 60-lap mark. That left Pratt leading from Hendrickson, but the leader’s jinx struck again as Pratt’s engine expired with 22 circuits remaining. Fingers crossed, Hendrickson paced the remainder of the distance to take the checkered flag in front of Willy Decker, Ryan Godown, Jamie Mills and J.R. Heffner.