By Shawn Brouse
MECHANICSBURG -- Fred Rahmer opened the Northeast racing season for 410 sprint cars Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway, waiting until almost until the end to claim the $3,600 payday.
Rahmer began the 25-lap main in third and trailed the entire way with polesitter Doug Esh of Lancaster at the helm.
Until nearly the finish, it looked as if Esh was going to record his first Williams Grove opening-day win but Rahmer seemingly came out of nowhere as the pair raced toward the white flag.
Early on, Brian Montieth of Phoenixville seemed the challenger but a fifth-lap fracas in the third corner wiped out his chances along with those of Don Kreitz Jr, who was also spun.
Rahmer assumed second for the restart and stayed well behind through the middle stages of the race.
Esh and Rahmer exchanged the lead with seven laps to go, but with some contact in the third corner Esh moved back into control.
A final caution flag with five laps to go put Rahmer solidly on Esh's bumper and he didn't waste the opportunity, making a run for the lead on the restart before regrouping for a high-flying backstretch dive with a little more than a lap to go to take command for his 82nd career oval victory and the fifth opening-day win of his career.
"I just seen the last two laps (Esh) was struggling to get off the second turn and he kept going in high. I thought for sure he'd peel down off of there." Rahmer said.
Greg Hodnett of Thomasville came on strong for a close second at the finish, but Rahmer had his thoughts on that subject.
"I don't think close counts, does it," he said.
"I will be the champion," Rahmer continued to forecast. The last time he made that statement in victory lane on opening day, he did indeed go on to win his eighth track title in 2008.
Esh held on for third followed by Brian Leppo, New Oxford; and defending champion Todd Shaffer, Millerstown. Sixth through 10th went to Chad Layton, Middleburg; Danny Dietrich, Aspers; Dave Ely, West Lawn; Mark Smith, Tower City; and Rick Lafferty, Pennington, N.J.
Heats for the 29-car field went to Ryan Taylor, Brian Montieth and Rahmer. Steve Buckwalter took the consolation race.
Selinsgrove's Blane Heimbach drove to the win in the 20-lap 358 sprint feature event to close out the night. It was the fifth win of his career at the oval.
