Camargo, IL (10-20-09) – By Kelly Brown – As the trees have turned to their autumn colors, the O’Reilly All Stars are ready to turn the clock back their time clock from October to June. This year leading up to historic Ohio Speedweek the All Stars spent most of the month of June in PA with a landmark visit to West Virginia to bring the All Stars to a new track for sprint car racing. June was a time in the season where Tim Shaffer built some momentum that eventually led him to the 2009 title.

Shaffer Sweep

The All Stars kicked off June with a visit to what turned out to be a lightening quick Lenerville Speedway. When the green was unfurled at Lernerville it was pole sitter Bob Felmlee in his 6f sprint who had the edge going into the first turn. By the time he slid into the second turn the car that started to his outside, the 83 of Tim Shaffer stole the lead. Shaffer pulled out to about a straight away lead, but as Shaffer got into traffic, Felmlee began to reel him in.  With six laps in the books, Greg Hodnett had tracked down Felmlee and edged his way past to take the second position. At that point it was Shaffer and Hodnett battling tooth and nail for the lead. With the laps running down Greg Hodnett made a daring move past Shaffer to take the lead using lapped traffic to his advantage. As the duo darted in and out of traffic, it was a dog fight to see who would win the event. With three laps remaining Shaffer saw his final chance to take the victory at his home track. Shaffer deviated from the high line he had run all night, threading the needle in a bonsai move between two lapped cars to retake the lead.  Hodnett tried to battle back, but it was too late. With the Checkered Flag unfurled it was Shaffer taking it first with Hodnett, Felmlee, Fred Rahmer, and Mark Smith rounding out the top-five.

Next up would be Elkins Speedway, which would be a new track for the All Stars and also a new event as it was named the Gene Tallman Classic paying homage to one of the greats in West Virginia racing history. With sophomore driver Ryan Myers starting from the pole for the first time in his career and Rookie-of-the-Year title contender Brandon Wimmer lined up in second, the young guns of the series started the night out front ready to fire when the Green Flag flew. On the start it was Wimmer who got the early jump, with Myers and Shaffer in his tire tracks.In the early laps Shaffer was on the move. He spent a few orbits of the course sizing Myers up before pulling underneath him to take the second position on Lap 9. At this time fellow Rookie-of-the-Year contender Daron Clayton decided to make a charge to the front diving under Myers on Lap 15, then went to work on the 83 car. Feeling the heat, Shaffer made a move on Wimmer stealing the lead for a split second. Wimmer battled back though retaking the lead, but it was Shaffer with a stiff upper hand establishing himself in the top spot with a move under the 0 car with ten laps to go. With the Checkered Flag flying in the air it would be Shaffer picking up his second All Star race win in 24 hours. He was followed by Wimmer, Justin Henderson, Doug Esh, Dale Blaney and Myers

Three PA Nights

The second weekend of June would bring the All Stars a triple header against the Posse in the heart of PA. Night one would take the All Stars to the heart of PA racing: Williams Grove Speedway. When the green banner flew over the main event, it was Brian Leppo and Darrah starting their night on the front row. On the start, Leppo was able to get a jump going into Turn 1 and established himself in the top spot with Darrah, Stevie Smith, and Todd Shaffer in tow. In the early laps of the event the young gun was sizing up Leppo, stalking him in every corner. He followed him with the patience of a jungle cat following its prey, getting ready to pounce. Darrah made his move on Lap 9 as he went low in Turn 2 and muscled his way down the back stretch leaving Leppo to defend the second position. With just 9 laps left in the event restart it was Darrah, Todd Shaffer, and All Star points leader Tim Shaffer guiding the field to the Green Flag.  When the race resumed, Todd Shaffer was now the one pursing the young racer, but Darrah was able to hold him off. Throughout the latter stages of the races Darrah and Shaffer were locked together in a thrilling battle for the win. With the Checkered Flag looming in the distance, it was Darrah who picked up his first All Star win and his second career win at Williams Grove. He was followed to the finish line by Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett who got around Tim Shaffer for third with just a few laps to go and Alan Krimes.

The second round of racing action would take place at Lincoln Speedway for the All Stars. Cody Darrah picked up where he did the night before claiming the lead on lap one, but Dale Blaney battled back. Blaney and Montieth would fight tooth and nail swapping second and third the battle the first thirteen laps of the race. It seemed as if the duo were trying to outdo each other each lap. For three laps straight Blaney and Montieth ran side-by-side for the lead, before Montieth was able to get the edge. Montieth then set his sights on Darrah. Running in lapped traffic Montieth quickly closed the gap between himself and the leading 89 car. The duo dove in and out of lapped traffic trading positions for five laps before the Yellow Flag silenced their battle. On the final restart it was an all out drag race to the Checkered Flag as Montieth and Darrah swapped the lead several times a lap. At the end it was Montieth who put an end to the manic event as he claimed the win, after getting a good run coming off the fourth turn on the final lap. Darrah would cross the finish line in second with Siegel, Alan Krimes, and Tim Shaffer rounding out the top-five.

The third night of racing action would take the All Stars to Central PA Speedway for another round with the posse. Lining up for the feature event it was the 7 of Chad Layton and 0x of Andy McKisson on the front row of the event. When the Green Flag flew Layton would get the jump taking the lead going into Turn 1. McKisson would fall in line, with Mark Smith, Greg Hodnett and Tim Shaffer in his tracks. By Lap 5 Hodnett had made his way around McKission and began working on Layton. Over the following laps of the event, Layton and Hodnett would battle for the top position. Hodnett would try every move his could on Layton to no avail. It seemed as if Hodnett could get close to Layton, but sliding past him was more difficult that it looked. A Red Flag would come out with two laps to go for a fuel and air stop only, setting up a green-white-checker finish. When the Green Flag did fly it was a chaotic dash for positions, but Layton did not wavier, taking the Checkered Flag first. He was followed to the finish line by Daryn Pittman, Mark Smith, Tim Shaffer, and Fred Rahmer.

What would happen during historic Ohio Speedweek? How would the All Stars and Ohio’s best fare during the grueling six nights of racing in just eight days. Stay tuned as the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions look back on another fast and furious season of racing action. For the most up to date information on the All Star Circuit of Champions, bookmark www.allstarsprint.com on your computer.