Norris Crushes It Once Again On Preliminary Night At Lernerville’s Firecracker 100 Weekend
Story By: JORDAN DELUCIA / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – SARVER, PA – For the second consecutive year, “The Crusher Kid” Michael Norris outdueled the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series stars on his home dirt in the Friday night Feature at Lernerville Speedway’s Firecracker 100 weekend.
This time it was a different car, but the same winning ambition and driving skill his Western Pennsylvania fans are so accustomed to seeing, and those family, fans and friends were there again Friday to see him pick up the $6,000 win, setting the stage for Saturday’s huge $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 main event.
Norris held off a hounding Mason Zeigler and a hard-charging Brandon Sheppard over 30 laps to pick up his second career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series win, both in his backyard at Lernerville.
“There were a lot of heroes, in my book, behind me, and that’ll get you rattled pretty quick,” a smiling Norris, 27, said after the race. “I just tried to pretend like it was another Friday night, another 25 or 30 laps here, hit my marks and drive as fast as I can.”
In what was almost a mirror result of his big Firecracker victory last year, Norris again set the second-fast time overall in Qualifying, won his Drydene heat race, redrew inside row two and led 26 laps en route to the checkers. But just as it was for him last year, the win did not come easily.
Norris had to survive several restarts after cautions and even one red flag, but he held his ground on the top side of the track, narrowly skating the cushion for most of the green-flag action while defusing the pressure bombs behind him on each restart.
“Restarts were tricky because I didn’t really know where to go,” said Norris, a Sarver native. “Once we got rolling, I felt like I got a good enough rhythm that they were really going to have to work to get by me, but I wasn’t sure to go high or low or anything like that. At the end of the day, we’re standing here and super blessed to be here.”
Norris is now two-for-two in the Todd Cerenzia-owned #02. Last Friday night, he made his debut behind the wheel of the blue-and-green Rocket XR1 at Lernerville and ran away with the show, picking up his second win of the season. He’s normally seen behind the wheel of his family-owned #72, but that operation went sour after his engine expired in night one of Dirt Late Model Dream competition at Eldora two weeks ago.
Norris said he got in touch with Cerenzia through Brian Daugherty of Integra Shocks, who he spoke with after his Dream weekend came to an early end. Daugherty mentioned Cerenzia’s name and, after some deep thought and conversation, the new team materialized just one week ago.
“At the time, I didn’t think anything of [the partnership], and on the ride home from the Dream I was thinking more about it,” Norris said. “It sounded like it was going to be more of a possibility, and the next thing I know, I was driving up on Tuesday to put my seat in it.”
Reflecting back on his 2018 Firecracker prelim win just a few weeks ago, Norris said it was such a blessing to accomplish what he did and tie it to the Norris family name. Now that he’s done it twice, it still brings he and his family just as much pride.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this type of stuff, but it feels great,” he said. “To do it for all of [my family], it means the world.”
Mason Zeigler served as the thorn in Norris’s side for much of the race, planting himself on the #02’s rear bumper for almost every restart. He grabbed the early lead but quickly gave it up to Norris after trading slidejobs out front.
“It was all about just slinging it in there, getting the nose pointed straight and trying to keep from pushing,” Zeigler said. “Norris did a really great job of keeping it out front and not making any mistakes.”
Zeigler started on the pole but fell back a tiny bit after Norris took the lead away. His patience together with his line around the track and decisions on restarts earned back his runner-up spot over the final 10 laps.
Tacking on his 12th top-three finish in 15 World of Outlaws races this year, Brandon Sheppard drove the wheels off of his Rocket1 Racing ride Friday night, coming from the 12th starting spot to finish third.
Making the most of each line on the track, Sheppard searched around for grip on the track throughout 30 laps and found just enough of it on the low groove mid-way through the race to make the passes he needed.
“All in all, we came from 12th, so we were passing a little bit,” said Sheppard, the 2017 Series champion who is coming off a huge victory at the Dream. “A few guys fell out, we passed a few cars and it just worked out for us tonight.”
The Firecracker 100 action continues Saturday, starting with the LUNGevity Foundation Kick-it to Cancer kickball game and door panel auction at noon, located at the football field next to the Lernerville Speedway facility. Then at 4 p.m., come meet your favorite driver at the autograph session before Hot Laps kick off at 6:15 p.m.!
World of Outlaws Morton Bings Late Models Firecracker 100 Preliminary Night Main Event ($6,000 to win)
(02) Michael Norris
(25z) Mason Zeigler
(1) Brandon Sheppard
(14) Josh Richards
(29) Darrell Lanigan
(2) Brandon Overton
(22) Chris Ferguson
(7) Ricky Weiss
(28) Dennis Erb Jr.
(6M) Tim McCreadie
(18) Chase Junghans
(29s) Ken Schaltenbrand
(1T) Tyler Erb
(17M) Dale McDowell
(49) Jonathan Davenport
(25) Shane Clanton
(B1) Brent Larson
(97) Cade Dillard
(99B) Boom Briggs
(157) Mike Marlar
(22s) Gregg Satterlee
(111) Max Blair
(0) Rick Eckert
(1x) Chub Frank
(6) Blake Spencer
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Heat 1
(99B) Boom Briggs
(1T) Tyler Erb
(22s) Gregg Satterlee
(0) Rick Eckert
(25) Shane Clanton
(10) Jared Miley
(28) Dennis Erb Jr.
(1z) Chub Frank
(B22) Bump Hedman
(77) Tyler Dietz
(15k) Kelvin Kohan
(91) Tommy Beck- Did Not Start
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Heat 2
(25z) Mason Zeigler
(22) Chris Ferguson
(6M) Tim McCreadie
(18) Chase Junghans
(29s) Ken Schaltenbrand
(56) Russ King
(B1) Brent Larson
(D89) Dustin Mitchell
(2s) Dan Stone
(4s) Dan Schlieper
(6) Blake Spencer
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Heat 3
(02) Michael Norris
(7) Ricky Weiss
(49) Johnathan Davenport
(157) Mike Marlar
(17m) Dale McDowell
(4) Alex Ferree
(8) Jacob Hawkins
(51m) Joey Moriarty
(48) Colton Flinner
(7R) Ross Robinson
(20) Doug Eck
(44) Joe Petyak
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Heat 4
(29) Darrell Lanigan
(2) Brandon Overton
(1) Brandon Sheppart
(14) Josh Richards
(97) Cade Dillard
(9) Devin Moran
(111) Max Blair
(1C) Mike Pegher Jr.
(18w) Michael Wonderling
(14a) Dan Angellichio
(9s) Breyton Santee
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Last Chance Showdown #1
(25) Shane Clanton
(29s) Ken Schaltenbrand
(1X) Chub Frank
(28) Dennis Erb Jr.
(56) Russ King
(B1) Brent Larson
(D89) Dustin Mitchell
(77) Tyler Dietz
(2s) Dan Stone
(10) Jared Miley
(4s) Dan Schlieper
(6)Blake Spencer
(15K) Kelvin Kohan
(91) Tommy Beck-Did Not Start
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Last Chance Showdown #2
(17M) Dale McDowell
(97) Cade Dillard
(111) Max Blair
(9) Devin Moran
(8) Jacob Hawkins
(1C) Mike Pegher Jr.
(4) Alex Ferree
(48) Colton Flinner
(51) Joey Moriarty
(7) Ross Robinson
(14A) Dan Angellichio
(9s) Breyton Santee
(20) Doug Eck
(44) Joe Petyak
(18w) Michael Wonderling
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Time Trials Group A
(1T) Tyler Erb- 17.087
(22) Chris Ferguson- 17.324
(99B) Boom Briggs- 17.488
(6M) Tim McCreadie- 17.514
(25) Shane Clanton- 17.444
(18) Chase Junghans- 17.576
(22s) Gregg Satterlee- 17.648
(25Z) Mason Zeigler- 17.693
(0) Rick Eckert- 17.732
(B1) Brent Larson- 17.842
(10) Jared Miley- 17.850
(29s) Ken Schaltenbrand- 17.906
(1x) Chub Frank 18.077
(56) Russ King- 18.153
(77) Tyler Dietz- 18.219
(2s) Dan Stone- 18.225
(28) Dennis Erb Jr.- 18.377
(4S) Dan Schlieper- 18.490
(15K) Kelvin Kohan- 18.524
(D89) Dustin Mitchell- 18.554
(B22) Bump Hedman- 18.896
(6) Blake Spencer- 19.248
(91) Tommy Beck- No Time
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Time Trials Group B
(01) Michael Norris- 17.258
(2) Brandon Overton- 17.344
(49) Jonathan Davenport- 17.447
(29) Darrell Lanigan- 17.532
(7) Ricky Weiss- 17.988
(9) Devin Moran- 17.739
(157) Mike Marlar- 17.751
(1) Brandon Sheppard- 17. 789
( 17M) Dale McDowell- 17.801
(14) Josh Richards- 17.822
(51) Joey Moriarty- 17.872
(14a) Dan Angellichio- 17.882
(8) Jacob Hawkins- 17.940
(97) Cade Dillard- 18.127
(48) Colton Flinner- 18.169
(111) Max Blair- 18.226
(4) Alex Ferree- 18.254
(1C) Mike Pegher Jr. – 18.278
(7R) Ross Robinson- 18.320
(18W) Michael Wonderling- 18.642
(20) Doug Eck- 19.226
(9S) Breyton Santee- 19.359
(44) Joe Petyak- Did Not Start
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 1
(184) Kyle Lukon
(136) David Pangrazio
(27) Eric Wilson
(13M) Eddie Carrier Jr.
(10) Zach Kane
(25s) Cory Sines
(8/7) Joe Pete
(21) Kyle Murray
(28c) Clate Copeman
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 2
(3J) Jeremy Wonderling
(99B) Chub Frank
(5G) Scott Gurdak
(11F) Ryan Frazee
(93x) Justin Lamb
(15) Chad Sines
(1z) Logan Zarin
(11s) John Oaks
(32) Joe Moyer
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 3
(111) Max Blair
(1/2pt) Damian Bidwell
(29J) Jason Genco
(8s) Tommy Schirnhofer Jr.
(21J) Jamie Wrightsman
(42) Matt Dobnak
(71) Joe Long
(13T) Gary Troyer
(1) TJ Downs
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 4
(21L) Russel King
(7R) Toss Robinson
(92) Nick Davis
(1F) Nico Dabecco
(14D) Braeden Dillinger
(09) Bill Kessler
(24C) Colin Casale
(5C) Levi Crowl
(14A) Dan Angellichio
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 5
(90J) Mike Duritsky
(1G) Grant Garrison
(4) Jason Knowles
(9) Breyton Santee
(22J) Josh Stoica
(J19) Jason Fosnaught
(7) Brian Knowles
(77) Heath Close
(11W) Pete Wearing
RUSH Late Models Bill Emig Memorial FK Rod Ends Heat 6
(11L) John Waters
(42) Daryl Charlier
(11C) Trevor Collins
(52) Bryan Benton
(7K) Jared Kane
(6X) Zach Wiech
(17M) Russ Matejka
(57) Charlie Sandercock
RUSH Late Models John Buzzard Memorial Dash
(3J) Jeremy Wonderling
(184) Kyle Lukon
(21L) Russ King
(11L) John Waters
(90J) Mike Duritsky
(111) Max Blair
RUSH Late Models FK Rod Ends “Shock the Clock” Time Trials Group 1
(136) David Pangrazio- 17.935
(99B) Chub Frank- 18.006
(111) Max Blair- 18.090
(184) Kyle Lukon- 18.111
(3J) Jeremy Wonderling- 18.140
(1/2pt) Damian Bidwell- 18.213
(25s) Cory Sines- 18.268
(11F) Ryan Frazee- 18.337
(8s) Tommy Schirnhofer Jr.- 18.404
(13M) Eddie Carier JR. – 18.429
(5G) Scott Gurdak- 18.474
(29J) Jason Genco- 18.482
(10) Zach Kane- 18.505
(1z) Logan Zarin- 18.553
(1) TJ Downs- 18.656
(8/7) Joe Pete- 18.696
(42) Matt Dobnak- 18.842
(27W) Eric Wilson- 18.884
(93X) Justin Lamb- 18.889
(21J) Jamie Wrightsman- 18.929
(21) Kyle Murray- 18.995
(32) Joe Moyer- 19.158
(13T) Gary Troyer- 19.199
(28C) Clate Copeman- 19.346
(11S) John Oaks- 19.374
(71) Joe Long- 19.660
(15) Chad Sines- No time
RUSH Late Models FK Rod Ends “Schock the Clock” Time Trials Group 2
(21L) Russel King- 18.194
(90J) Mike Duritsky- 18.309
(42) Daryl Charlier- 18.315
(14A) Dan Angellichio- 18.351
(1G) Grant Garrison- 18.373
(57) Charlie Sandercock- 18.336
(F1) Nico Dabecco- 18.482
(22J) Josh Stoica- 18.523
(11C) Trevor Collins- 18.526
(7R) Ross Robinson- 18.547
(4) Jason Knowles- 18.563
(11L) John Waters- 18.662
(14) Braeden Dillinger- 18.719
(J19) Jason Fosnaught- 18.735
(6X) Zach Wiech- 18.881
(92) Nick Davis- 18.904
(9) Breyton Santee- 19.011
(17M) Russ Matejka- 19.039
(5C) Levi Crowl- 19.147
(7) Brian Knowles- 19.173
(52) Brian Benton- 19.382
(09) Bill Kessler- 19.428
(111W) Bill Wearing- 19.606
(7K) Jared Kane- 19.721
(24) Colin Casale- 19.998
(77) Heath Close- 20.359
Car Count Total: 99
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models: 46
RUSH Late Models: 53
