The Weedsport, NY, resident started on the pole, but lost the lead at the start to T. J. Stutts.

Once in front Stutts set a quick pace, but struggled with the lapped car of Stevie Smith during the middle stages of the race,

which allowed Keel to close.

Keel’s break came on lap 18 when Stutts crashed in turn two.

Todd Shaffer chased Keel for the remainder of the race, but finished 1.17 seconds off the pace.

Jeff Shepard found some speed in the closing laps and drove by Greg Hodnett and Mike Erdley to finish third.

Doug Esh passed Hodnett on the last lap to complete the top five.

Hodnett, Lucas Wolfe, Brian Leppo, Brian Montieth and Fred Rahmer finished in positions six through ten respectively.

Keel earned $6000 from a total purse of $30,000 for his third career victory at Williams Grove.

Montieth earned the Hard Charger award by advancing from the 23rd starting position to finish ninth.

The race was named to honor the memory of the late Tommy Hinnershitz. The legendary Flyin’ Dutchman won the very first race ever run at Williams Grove Speedway on May 21, 1939, en route to a Hall of Fame career.

The program was delayed by nearly two hours because of a persistent shower that began at the conclusion of the sprint car heats.

Shepard set fast time with a lap of 16.529.

Heats for the 37 cars in competition were won by Hodnett, Shaffer, Keith Kauffman and Don Kreitz, Jr.. Chris Meleason copped the B-main.

The limited (358 c.i.) sprints will join the sprint cars on May 4 at 8:00.

Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finishes – April 27, 2007

Sprint Car Feature – 30 laps – 1. Craig Keel, 2. Todd Shaffer, 3. Jeff Shepard, 4. Mike Erdley, 5. Doug Esh, 6. Greg Hodnett, 7. Lucas Wolfe, 8. Brian Leppo, 9. Brian Montieth, 10. Fred Rahmer, 11. Mark Smith, 12. Lance Dewease, 13. Kevin Nouse, 14. Blane Heimbach, 15. Jim Siegel, 16. Steve Buckwalter, 17. Ryan Bohlke, 18. Chris Meleason, 19. Alan Cole, 20. Stevie Smith, 21. T. J. Stutts, 22. Don Kreitz, Jr., 23. Rick Lafferty, 24. Keith Kauffman