GEORGETOWN, Del. — After drawing 72 at the Dirt Draft pre-race draw, Stewart Friesen got his third Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco victory of the season Tuesday night.
Friesen claimed the $6,000 Hale Trailers Blast at the Beach title, his third win in the 10-year history of the event in Round No. 4 of the Rent Equip/Party Central South Region.
The win was also the 39th of Friesen’s STSS career, the most all-time.
“The track was tricky tonight, trying to pick your lanes and make your way around,” Friesen explained. “It was definitely a lot of fun though.”
Friesen raced by Ryan Godown on a lap-18 restart and never looked back, taking home the $6,000 triumph.
seventh following the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw with Jordan Watson and Ryan Godown on the front row.
Watson quickly raced to the lead and held a comfortable advantage until Rick Laubach, who started third, began to pressure the leader.
The race’s first yellow flag flew on lap eight, due to Matt Stangle’s broken front-end in turn three, but the yellow would claim the leader Watson as well.
Watson’s car lost power due to fuel issues, ending his bid for victory. Friesen had surged into third prior to the yellow, sliding into the runner-up spot alongside Laubach on the restart.
It was Godown, however, making the move from third when the green flag returned, driving underneath both Laubach and Friesen and taking the top spot.
Godown set the pace while Friesen persistently pressured the leader, all the meanwhile trying to hold off Matt Sheppard who’d risen to third after starting 11th.
The tussle continued until the lap-18 yellow flag – the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz halfway mark – when Ryan Riddle slowed to bring out the yellow.
Friesen found his rhythm on the outside groove, working around Godown when the green flag flew and took the top spot.
Friesen set sail while Godown and Sheppard chased but came up short.
“It’s fun getting up on the wheel and letting these cars eat,” smiled Friesen. “This big block definitely earned its money tonight.”
Godown settled for the runner-up spot.
“We were good, I just wish I would’ve gone to the top in three before he did,” Godown proclaimed. “I have to thank my guys; this car was all apart waiting to get clipped a week ago.”
Matt Sheppard rounded out the podium but was unable to make it to victory lane as the rear broke on his No. 9s and he was towed over the scales.
Ryan Krachun took home fourth and Brandon Grosso rounded out the top five.
Dylan Madsen outgunned Joe Toth for his first Georgetown win and the second of his STSS career.
The finish:
Feature (35 laps): Stewart Friesen, Ryan Godown, Matt Sheppard, Ryan Krachun, Brandon Grosso, Danny Bouc, HJ Bunting, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Gular, Anthony Perrego, Mike Mahaney, Ryan Watt, Austin Hubbard, Justin Grosso, Danny Hieber, John Willman, Norman Short Jr., Rick Laubach, Ryan Riddle, Alex Yankowski, Jordan Watson, Louden Reimert, Matt Stangle, Shawn McPhee
