Double Features, Double The Action At Lebanon Valley
Column By: PHYLICIA CADWELL / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – After the long awaited two weeks for fans, crew, and drivers, Lebanon Valley Speedway was finally back in action.
With the modified feature cancelled the last time the Valley of Speed was roaring due to electrical difficulties. Everyone was treated to a special double feature night for the Big Block Modifieds.
Everyone was pumped up the first of two 30-lap main events which started right away as the first race of the night. At the start of the race, the number 16 of Kyle Hoffman took the lead right away. The 20 of Brett Hearn jumped from his number 4 starting position to 2nd, battling for first with Kyle for a few laps and then eventually taking the lead.
The first caution came out on lap 10 due to the of 99 Kolby Schroeder having front axle problems.
On the restart, Brett remained at the top spot with Hoffman close behind and the 115 of Kenny Tremont coming up fast. Before the field could complete lap 10, Eddie Marshall’s right rear hit the barrier of the pit entrance, spilling out in front of the field and a big pile up ensued.
The red flag came out and all who were involved in the crash, Chad Jeseo, Mike King, Marshall, Paul Gilardi, Rob Pitcher, Kyle Armstrong, Wayne Jelley and Andy Bachetti walked away with no injuries reported.
On the restart after the red flag, Brett took the lead again with Kyle and Kenny close behind. On lap 13 Brian Berger’s car started to smoke which made the caution come out again for him to pull off safely.
The rest of the race ran smoothly and Hearn kept his lead, winning the first feature of the night.
After the heats and some regularly-scheduled features for support divisions, the second to last final event of the night was the second Modified main. At the drop of the green flag, the 1X of Denny soltis took the lead with the 87X of Paul Gilardi close behind him.
By lap eight, Valley favorite Kenny tremont moved up to third while Denny was still holding a strong lead. With Kenny battling for second with Gilardi, he finally grabbed the position on lap 11, and you could tell fans of the 115 were on the edge of their seats.
By lap 12, Tremont took 1st and ran away until lap 15 with the 42 car of Kyle Sheldon bringing out the caution.
The Modifieds would have a single file restart, and that is when Kenny took off and literally ran away with it. He had almost a full straightaway lead on the field, and took home the win for the second feature of the night.