Strongstown, PA (September 3, 2017):

Connor Bobik, one of the best racing photographers of this age, tragically lost his five-year old son, Connor, in 2011 to brain cancer. Every year since 2012 Derek has memorialized his son with a race for Super Late Models, this year at Dog Hollow Speedway. As yet, there has not been a repeat winner. Every year for this event, Bobik has several fundraisers including drawings for autographed photos, donations from various tracks, businesses, and event sponsors. All proceeds are given to the “Make-a-Wish” foundation.

Forty-five cars signed into the pit area, enough to have five heat races two B-Mains to set the starting line-up for the twenty-seven car feature. Of the previous winners, Devin Friese in ’12, Sammy Stile in ’13, Mike Blose in ’14, Waylon Wagner in ’15, and Jared Miley in ’16, only Stile did not return for this year’s event, having retired from the sport after the 2015 season. The top four from each heat and the top two from each B-Main qualified for the feature. Heat winners were Andrew Wylie, Charles Powell Jr, Alex Feree, Kyle Hardy, and Matt Lux. Ten lap B-Mains were won by Jared Miley and Waylon Wagner. A provisional from the United Late Model Series and two from Dog Hollow Speedway were added to the field.

After the redraw for the top ten starters it was Dave Hess Jr winding up with the pole with Dan Angelicchio to his right. After the customary four-wide parade laps the 27-car, 45-lap event took the green from starter John Powell with Hess grabbing the lead at the drop of the green and Kyle Hardy coming to second. Hardy was alongside Hess at the end of two but then slipped in behind the leader as Robbie Black and Dave Blazavich spun at three complete in turn two for the first caution.

Hess again led after green with Hardy again challenging on the inside. Hardy completed the pass on the back stretch as Hess slipped over the edge of the track. At eight laps Hardy was lapping back markers. At nine laps yellow flew again, this time for Billy Dixon, spun in turn two. Hardy brought the field back to green with yellow again flying when Waylon Wagner, Billy Eash, and Dixon all spun in turn two. Hess launched back to the front at green but Hardy was right there at eleven complete when Ken Schaltenbrand stopped in turn one, again slowing the race.

Again at the front Hess and Hardy led the way but only one lap was in the book when eight racers either spun sideways, or stopped to avoid involvement, again in turns one and two.

On this restart it was Hess and Hardy with Andrew Wylie third, and Angelicchio fourth, when Jason Miller spun, again in turn two. Hardy led lap fourteen and began opening his lead at lap fifteen when Bobby Rohrer and Breyton Santee spun in “calamity corner”. Hess and Hardy both went over the turn two bank on the first lap of green. Hess exited pitside under the caution and Hardy went to the rear. Andrew Wylie was the new leader with Alex Ferree second and Angelicchio third. Miley was alongside Angelicchio at eighteen laps. At halfway Alex Ferree was in front over Angelicchio. Ferree started to open his lead up as Angelicchio chased him through lapped traffic. Ferree was able to lead the final 24 laps to claim the victory over Hard Charger Jared Miley, Kyle Hard, who came from the tail, was third. Angelicchio, Tommy Beck, Greg Oakes, Mike Blose, Brady Wonderling, Damian Bidwell and Charlie Powell, Jr. were the top ten.

Heat winners were Andrew Wylie, Devin Friese, Qlex Feree, Kyle Hardy, and Matt Lux.

B-Mains went to Jared Miley and Waylon Wagner

Connor Bobik Memorial Feature Results: Alex Feree, Jared Miley, Kyle Hardy, Dan Angelichio, Tommy Beck, Greg Oakes, Mike Blose, Brady Wonderling, Damian Bidwell, Charles Powell Jr, Michael Davis, Jason Miller, Robbie Black, Breyton Santee, Ryan Christoff, Andrew Wylie, Waylon Wagner, Bobby Rohrer, Dave Hess, Dave Blazavich, John Weaver, Matt Lux, Devin Friese, Andy Fries, Billy Dickson, Ken Schaltenbrand, Billy Eash