The “Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild certainly lived up to his label Saturday night at Eldora Speedway, earning the NKTelco Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket finale worth $10,000 with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions. Haudenschild, pilot of the familiar Phoenix Racing/No. 59, took command of the 30-lap feature program with a wild high-low pass in traffic of Chad Kemenah on lap 17, and withstood traffic and constant pressure from Chad Kemenah and Tim Shaffer on the very topside of the speedway. The Wooster, Ohio, native now owns 30 career victories with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, two of which have been earned during the 2016 season. Tim Shaffer would cross under the final checkers second, followed by Chad Kemenah, Randy Hannagan, and Danny Holtgraver.
“The car was just really good all night long,” said Jac Haudenschild in victory lane. “Feels good to be back with this team. This is a big win for us. We’ll be back for the Kings Royal next month, so we’ll try to keep this going and get another one.”
Jac Haudenschild won the battle, but Chad Kemenah won the war, claiming the 2016 Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket title worth $1,000. It is the second ever Ohio Sprint Speedweek championship for the Alvada, Ohio, native and a first ever title for car owner Rob Hunter. Sheldon Haudenschild finished second in the overall Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket title chase, followed by Tim Shaffer, Dean Jacobs, and Kraig Kinser.
“This is a really big deal for our team,” explained Chad Kemenah regarding his Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket title. “My car owner (Rob Hunter) has never won an Ohio Sprint Speedweek title. It’s especially special for us because some of our biggest supporters are here tonight at Eldora Speedway with us. This is a really big momentum boost for our team. Rob and Rita Hunter consistently give us great race cars and great equipment to work with. We’re racing good and that allows us to have a lot of fun.”
With the runner-up finish during the Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket finale, Chad Kemenah officially takes control of the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions title chase, holding a mere 14 point advantage over defending champion Dale Blaney leading into Independence Day weekend.
In a wild Eldora Stock feature, Paul Pardo recorded another victory and regained the point lead but it was definitely earned the hard way.
Pardo, Earnie Woodard and Rob Trent paced the field in a race slowed by several cautions at the beginning including a six-car scramble on lap-2. The trio continued their race up front until Pardo and Woodard broke away when Trent was tripped up by lapped traffic. On the final lap, Woodard passed Pardo with a classic slide-job but Pardo cut back underneath him and the two made contact sending Pardo across the finish line sideways and into the wall. Pardo was collected by seventh place finisher Frank Paladino. Woodard finished second and Trent was third.
The next event on Eldora’s calendar is the 33rd running of the $50,000-to-win Kings Royal Weekend featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Thursday–Friday–Saturday, July 14-15-16.
Eldora Speedway PR
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