MECHANICSBURG -- Daryn Pittman of Pittsboro, Ind., won the 21st annual Mitch Smith Memorial for sprint cars at Williams Grove Speedway Friday night, taking $10,000 for the prestigious victory as part of the 19th annual PA Speedweek series.
It was the biggest win of Pittman's career since becoming a Central Pa. regular at the beginning of 2009. Aboard the Jesse Keen owned No. 17, Pittman lined up third for the green flag, behind polesitter Chad Layton and Chad Kemenah.
Layton smashed the throttle when action began in the 30-lapper only to see his car skate up across the track, allowing Kemenah to get by for the lead.
A quick yellow after the first lap had Pittman in third and he slipped by Layton for second on the third circuit, a move that would turn out to be huge a few minutes later.
Kemenah, the Speedweek winner Tuesday at Grandview Speedway, looked as though he might be headed for his second win of the week Friday but fate had other ideas. The fans and Pittman both watched on the fifth circuit as Kemenah withdrew from the lead. And then Layton began applying pressure as the race entered lapped traffic.
From laps 12 through 20 Layton inched ever closer to Pittman in an effort to snare the lead, all the while being chased by Todd Shaffer and Speedweek point leader Greg Hodnett.
The race had become a four-car battle for the lead when a final caution flag with 10 laps to go cleared the track and gave Pittman clear sailing to his third career Williams Grove win.
"We haven't even been close here this year," he said. "To say that we're as shocked as anybody is an understatement."
"We've been working really hard to get these cars fast. I haven't been doing a great job either, but tonight we put it all together."
Pittman talked about making the switch during the off-season from the World of Outlaws tour to the Central Pa. circuit.
"I've been getting my tail kicked since I've been up here this year," he said.
"You define your years by either winning a whole lot or winning the good ones. Maybe this is a sign of a handful of good things to come."
Layton finished a solid second, followed by Shaffer, Hodnett and Cody Darrah.
Sixth through 10th went to Stevie Smith, Don Kreiitz, Gary Brazier, Pat Cannon and Mark Smith.
Heats went to Stevie Smith, Layton, Cannon and Fred Rahmer with Keith Kauffman taking the B Main. Hodnett set quick time over the 35-car field with a lap of 16.965 seconds.
Speedweek comes to an end this weekend with shows tonight at Port Royal and the finale Sunday night at Selinsgrove Speedway, where the champion will be crowned.
Hodnett leads points going into the final two shows with 760 markers to Layton's 630 and Darrah's 587.
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