With sunny skies and autumn temperatures, a large crowd saw Sunday’s $10,000 main events go to three first timers and one repeat winner. Kevin Hirthler of Boyerstown, Pa and Wade Hendrickson of Laurenceville, NJ took the modified victories for their first ever Hagerstown wins while hometown driver Alan Sagi took the late model triumph. Fred Rahmer, the 2004 sprint event winner, took top honors in that event.

Hirthler, a Grandview Speedway regular, after starting 12th, was the third different leader in the small block 100 lapper, but he only led the final three circuits after getting past Pat Ward when they split a lapped car and Hirthler’s inside move won the race.

“That was the most amazing race of my life,” Hirthler said. “This car came on at the end there. I don’t know if I would have got the 42 (Ward) car, but the lapped traffic got a little screwy there and I was able to sneak by him. It seemed like Pat turned the wick up a little bit after that last restart and he was making me work a little bit to reel him in. Once I got him reeled in, the lapped car did mess him up. If that hadn’t happened, I think I would have ended up second.”

Speedway regular Alan Sagi started third and became the fourth different leader as he took over when Brian Ruhlman had a right front flat on the 74th lap. Sagi held off the challenges of Roy Deese Jr. the final 26 laps and won by two lengths.

“I was out there today with some really good racers,” Sagi said. “I’m just proud to be a part of this and I can’t tell you how proud I am to win it. I had my buddy Roy Deese behind me. We’re good friends and if I couldn’t win it, I’d like to see him win it or Gary Stuhler too. My father (Frank Sagi) helped put the Octoberfest together, along with Randy Grove back in the mid 80ies. It’s got bigger and bigger. I was driving limited cars at the time and didn’t get to participate in it but I was always here watching this race and thought it was pretty cool. Then I thought it was pretty cool when I moved up into late models and was able to participate in it, but it’s really cool to win it.”

Rahmer, the 2007 Lincoln 410 sprint champion, made two passes after starting third, his second one on lap 16 after several attempts to finally get past Alan Cole and lead the remaining 34 circuits to beat Cole by five lengths.

“We’re glad to win this one… this is always a good way to end the year” Rahmer said. “We had a good starting position like you needed and made the most of it. We were able to roll around Alan there at the beginning. I thought it was going to be tough if I didn’t get it done then. He’s a great guy to race and a real good competitor and I was a little worried that we wouldn’t get it done. I’m just glad to get out of here with a win.”

Hendrickson, a Bridgeport speedway regular, was the fourth different leader in the big block feature after starting fourth and took over on lap 79 when Richie Pratt Jr. dropped off the pace. He continued on to score the victory by three lengths over Willie Decker.

“We didn’t have the fastest car, but Jake and Frank and all my guys, they’re the best team you could have,” Hendrickson said. “At halfway point, the tires were blistered. Jake said I’d be okay so I figured we’ll just keep it going. Richie was better than me, no doubt but I was watching the 126 (Jeff Strunk) and he’d spin the tires off a little bit each time and I thought ‘that’s not going to last.’ I don’t know what happened to Richie but I was glad to see Kevin Hirthler win the first one and now I won, that’s two first timers.”

Ryan Godown led the small blocks from the outside pole until fourth starting Pat Ward took over on lap three. Ward continued to lead Godown and Jimmy Horton throughout the first part of the race as Danny Johnson and Hirthler moved into the runner up spots by lap 32. Hirthler took the runner up spot on lap 45 and stayed with Ward following the halfway fuel stop as they began through lapped traffic on lap 65. A lap 83 yellow gave Ward a clear track but he couldn’t shake Hirthler while Johnson was three seconds behind. With three to go, A.J. Romano slowed with a flat as the leaders caught him exiting turn two. Ward went around while Hirthler tried the inside and that became the right move. He continued on to victory by two lengths over Ward while Johnson trailed some distance ahead of Duane Howard who came all the way from 24th to earn the hard charger award. Rich Laubach, the guaranteed starter, ended fifth.

Jamie Lathroum sped into the late model lead from the outside over 2007 track champion, J.T. Spence but Spence disposed of him following a third lap restart. Spence led as Brian Ruhlman, the 2000 late model event winner, took over second on lap five. Lathroum, then Keith Jackson and then Spence had flat tires by the tenth lap with Ruhlman then taking over with Sagi and Deese trailing.

Following the fuel stop, Ruhlman stretched his lead over Sagi to three seconds by a 58th lap yellow and then appeared to have things going his way until he suddenly slowed and headed pitside with a right front flat on the 74th circuit.

Sagi then was in control over Deese and Stuhler while Rick Eckert and 17th starting Jason Covert joined the procession. Sixth running Devin Friese brought out the final caution on lap 93 as Sagi sped away to take the two length victory over Deese, four time winner, Stuhler, Eckert and Josh Richards who was DQ’s for being light at the scales. Covert moved up to finish fifth.

Alan Cole also grabbed the sprint lead from the outside over Justin Collett with Rahmer patiently waiting in third. Rahmer took over second on lap eight just before the first caution and then chased Cole through two more cautions on laps 11 and 13. Rahmer built up a head of steam on the backstretch of lap 15 as he blew around Cole to exit the fourth turn well ahead. During the second 25 circuits, Rahmer maintained a two second advantage over Cole while Collett, Chad Layton, the 2002 event winner and three time winner, Donnie Kreitz Jr. trailed.

The final caution came out on lap 43 when four time winner, Lance Dewease made contact with the back of Kreitz when Kreitz slowed drastically exiting turn two and Dewease hopped the back of Kreitz’s sprinter. Rahmer easily charged away to victory by five lengths over Cole, Collett, Layton and Kreitz.

In the big blocks, Pat Ward led over Richie Pratt Jr. while Jeff Strunk slid into third over fourth starting Hendrickson. Pratt kept the pressure on Ward until he sped from the second turn and made contact with the rear of Ward and the two bobbled enough for Strunk to slip past on lap 14. Strunk and Pratt distanced themselves while Hendrickson watched from nearly three seconds behind in the second 25 circuits with Pratt keeping the pressure on. Strunk suddenly exited the fourth turn with a right rear flat as the caution came out on lap 62. Pratt then held a comfortable distance on Hendrickson until he suddenly exited the track on lap 79 with Hendrickson finding himself at the head of the field with Willie Decker and Jamie Mills next. Godown took the third spot from Mills on lap 89 while Hendrickson and Decker were far enough ahead that he settled for third over Mills and 17th starting J.R. Heffner.

Trophies for each of the winners were provided by Ernie’s Auto Enterprises of Martinsburg, WV while 21st Century Fireplace Services of Ellicott City, Md awarded $250 to the hard chargers, Duane Howard, 24th to 4th in small blocks, Ray Kable Jr., 26th to 9th in late models, Clark Simonton, 25th to 8th in sprints and Rich Scagliotta, 26th to 13th in big blocks.

Only the Annual Awards Banquet and dance remain on the speedway schedule and is set for Saturday, December 8th.

RESULTS: 20th ANNUAL OCTOBERFEST 350

SMALL BLOCK MODIFEDS: 64 Cars, 100 Laps, (Heat Winners: Jimmy Horton, Ryan Godown, Danny Johnson, Pat Ward, Matt Shepard, Willy Decker.) (Lap Leaders: Ryan Godown 1-3; Pat Ward, 4 – 97; Kevin Hirthler 98-100): 1.Kevin Hirthler; 2.Pat Ward; 3.Danny Johnson; 4.Duane Howard; 5.Rick Laubach; 6.Matt Sheppard; 7.Todd Burley; 8.Craig VonDohren 9.Jeff Strunk; 10.Billy Van Pelt; 11.Steward Friesen; 12.Jimmy Horton; 13.Keith Hoffman; 14.Ryan Godown; 15.Willy Decker; 16.Mike Storms; 17.Ryan Watt; 18.Brian Kressley; 19.Jordan Umberhaver; 20.Ronnie Cartwright; 21.Rick Scagliotta; 22.Bobby Lineman; 23.A.J. Romano; 24.Ray Swinehart; 25.Richie Pratt Jr. ; 26.Billy Pauch; 27.Ryan Grim; 28.Sean Merkel; 29.Wade Hendrickson; 30.Chad James; 31.H.J. Bunting III; DNQ – Gary Smoker, Doug Manmiller, Larry Wright, Paul Kenney, Jr. Heffner, Brian Weaver, Shawn Reimert, Norman Short Jr., Mark Forte Jr., Dave Calaman, Colt Harris, Gary Wagner Jr., Darwin Greene, Mark Frankhouser, Bryant, Brown, Matt Howsare, Derek Rodney, Chris Ostrowsky Jeff Shaffer, Ryan Forte, Brad Brightbill, Kenneth Eckert, Rick Ryder, Ron Hartrum, Roger Hartrum, Amanda Spotts, Tom Miller, Garrett Krummert, Jeff Brown, Keith Brightbill, Tom Hager, Kurt Spotts, Rodney Cordrey Jr.

LATE MODELS: 52 Cars, 100 Laps, (Heat winners J.T. Spence, Jamie Lathroum, Alan Sagi, Brian Ruhlman) (Lap Leaders: Jamie Lathroum 1-3, J. T. Spence 4-9, Brian Ruhlman 10-74, Alan Sagi, 75 -100): 1.Alan Sagi; 2.Roy Deese Jr.; 3.Gary Stuhler; 4.Rick Eckert; 5.Jason Covert; 6.Ronnie DeHaven Jr.; 7.Dan Stone; 8.Brian Ruhlman; 9.Ray Kable Jr.; 10.Darryl Hills; 11.Tommy Armel 12.Scott LeBarron; 13.Steve Gibney; 14.Luke Hoffman; 15.Devin Friese; 16.Mike Lupfer; 17.Lindsay Barton; 18.Jim Yoder; 19.Keith Jackson; 20.Les Hare; 21.Tyler Hershey; 22.J.T. Spence; 23.Jeremy Miller; 24.Jamie Lathroum; 25.Brian Booze; 26.Nathan Durboraw; 27.Allan Brannon; 28.Vic Coffey; 29.Rusty Sites; DQ - Josh Richards; DNQ – Kenny Pettyjohn, Dustin Hoffman, Chuck Schutz, Gerald Davis, Rodney Sweitzer, Frankie Plessinger, Larry Wright, Jered Almarode, Paul Cursey, T.J. Wright, Dave Pettyjohn, Scott Sipe, Chad Hollenbeck, Dave Hetz, Larry Baker II, Mike Mort, Bryan Driver, Tim Gray, Allan Cheney III, Mike Hardy, Ray Davis Jr. , Dan Fielder

410 SPRINTS: 26 Cars, 50 Laps, (Heat Winners: Justin Collett, Alan Cole, Fred Rahmer) (Lap Leaders Alan Cole 1-15; Fred Rahmer 16-50): 1.Fred Rahmer; 2.Alan Cole; 3.Justin Collett; 4.Chad Layton; 5.Donnie Kreitz Jr.; 6.Greg Hodnett; 7.Cody Darrah; 8.Clark Simonton Jr.; 9.Scott Lutz; 10.Kyle Purks; 11.Bobby Howard; 12.Stevie Smith; 13.Robbie Stillwagon; 14.Gary Heckman; 15.Gale Ruth Jr.; 16.Tommy Beavers; 17.Lance Dewease; 18.Todd Hestor; 19.Chris Weiss; 20.Daryl Stimeling; 21.Joey Hershey; 22.J.R. Berry; 23.Joey Biasi; 24.Michael Carber; DQ – Brian Ellenberger, Pat Cooper

BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS: 46 cars, 100 Laps, (Heat Winners: Pat Ward, Richie Pratt Jr., Jeff Strunk, Wade Hendrickson) (Lap Leaders Pat Ward 1-14; Jeff Strunk 15-60; Richie Pratt Jr. 61-78; Wade Hendrickson 79-100): 1.Wade Hendrickson; 2.Willy Decker; 3.Ryan Godown; 4.Jamie Mills; 5.J.R. Heffner; 6.Brian Kressley; 7.Danny Johnson; 8.Jimmy Horton IV; 9.Chic Cossaboone; 10.Sean Beardsley; 11.Craig VonDohren; 12.Del Rougeux; 13.Rich Scagliotta; 14.Richie Tobias; 15.Mark Forte Jr.; 16.Richie Pratt Jr.; 17.Jeff Strunk; 18.Kevin Hirthler; 19.Duane Howard; 20.Chad James; 21.Skip Moore; 22.Billy Van Pelt; 23.Sean Merkel; 24.Jimmy Horton; 25.Matt Sheppard; 26.Pat Ward; 27.Ronnie Cartwright Jr.; 28.Rick Laubach DNQ- Doug Manmiller, John Marsh, Shawn Reimert, Bruce Kline, Vic Coffey, J.J. Bunting, John Willman, Brian Berger, Bob Kristyak, Kyle Ebersole, Billy Pauch Jr. Darwin Greene, Keith Hoffman, Jeff Brown, Dave Stonebraker, Brian Weaver, Glenn Reed, Michael Storms.