Ryan Godown Rockets His Way To First Ever USAC Wingless Sprint Victory At Big Diamond

Story By: KENNETH BRUCH / BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY – MINERSVILLE, PA – When Ryan Godown decided to race this season in the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint series in 2018, the team definitely had two dates circled on their busy schedule in red. Those two dates being the events scheduled at his Friday night home track of Big Diamond Speedway.

Godown knew that even with his inexperience in the division, that running on a track he runs on regular basis would help even the playing field against drivers who have had much more seat time in the wingless beasts.

It was Red, White and Blue Autos night at the speedway and the “Ringoes Rocket” thoughts proved to be right on the money as he held off a determined Eddie Strada to win the feature event in only his second outing in the series. Timmy Buckwalter shot to the lead early from his fourth starting spot and appeared to have the car to beat early on in the 25-lap main event.

The caution was thrown for the second time on lap four for a spinning car and on the restart the “Ringoes Rocket” vaulted to the lead from the third spot as the leader Timmy Buckwalter slowed with smoke coming out from under the hood of his sprinter causing Buckwalter to call it a night. Godown continued to lead as Strada was making his way to the front and on lap 14 moved into the runner-up spot.

Strada gave it all he could to catch up to the high flying Godown and was able to get up alongside of him on the last lap forcing Godown to use all of his track knowledge he has accumulated over the years to hold off the hard charging Strada. Godown was able to hold off his challenger and earn his hard fought first victory in the series. Strada was a close second with Chandler Leiby, Joey Biasi and Delaware winner Steven Drevicki rounding out the top five.

Collegeville, PA’s Alex Bright was the winner of last night’s USAC Midget feature event. Bright earned his impressive win coming from the eighth starting spot in a race that went caution free to take home the big win.

Following Bright across the line were Brent Arndt, Steve Buckwalter, Adam Pierson and Ryan Greth

The Savage 61 Roadrunner feature event was won by Kris Ney over Chris Holland, Jim Kost, last week’s winner Mike Reichert and Shawn Mulhall.

In the No Sweat Service Group Street Stock division, it was Chris Heller taking home top honors for the night over Elvin Brennan III, Dean Hine, Kody Sites and Jesse Krasnitsky.

Next Friday night May 25th, the URC Sprint Cars invade the Big Diamond Speedway for their first visit of the year along with a full card of Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks and Road Runners.

Short Results Red, White and Blue Auto Sales Night 5/18/18

The USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints feature was won by Ryan Godown followed by Eddie Strada, Chandler Leiby, Joey Biasi, Steven Drevicki, Ryan Quakenbush, Carmen Perigo, Alex Bright and Bill Brian Jr. Did not finish were Jonathan Swanson, Tim Buckwalter, Bill Unglert, Trevor Kobylarz, Ryan Greth, Kyle Lick and Larry McVay.

Heat races were won by Ryan Greth and Chandler Leiby.

The USAC East Coast Midgets were won by Alex Bright followed by Brett Arndt, Steve Buckwalter, Adam Pierson, Ryan Greth, Shawn Jackson, Andrew Layser, Johnny Smith, Mike Myers, and Brett Conkling. Did not finish were Tim Buckwalter, John Anderika and Kenny Miller.

The Midget heats were won by Steve Buckwalter and Tim Buckwalter.

The Savage 61 Road Runners were won by Kris Ney, Chris Holland, Jim Kost, Mike Reichert, Shawn Mulhall, Terry Kramer Jr., Jon Schlauch, Fred Everly and Matt Ney. Did not finish were Cory Lindenmuth, Kerry Fritz and Shon Elk.

The Road Runner heats were won by Mike Reichert and Chris Holland.

The No Sweat Service Group Street Stocks were won by Chris Heller followed by Elvin Brennan III, Dean Hine, Kody Sites, and Jesse Krasnitsky. Did not finish were Kyle Saylor, Mike Radocha, Robin Wagner, and Joey Brennan.

The Street Stock heats were won by Elvin Brennan III and Chris Heller.