By- Justin Snyder

PORT ROYAL, Pa- Juniata County and Port Royal Speedway is all about tradition. With 2019 being the 165th holding of the Juniata County Fair and the 16th running of the Butch Renninger Memorial, it’s safe to say that many fans have attended more than one of the annual events. They have likely seen it all and experienced everything the fair has to offer.

However, fans witnessed two firsts Saturday night. With contenders Rick Eckert and Gregg Satterlee choosing to take the promoters challenge of going to the rear of the field in attempt to earn nearly $8500, Max Blair capitalized on a front row starting spot to lead all 33 laps and pick up his first career Port Royal Speedway victory and his 26th career with the ULMS series.

“I have a lot of people to thank, but I think I really have to thank Rick and Greg for deciding to start from the rear,” laughed Blair. “This thing was good, but it certainly helped knowing they had their work cut out for them to get back up there.”

The highlight of the night was the ULMS Renninger Memorial race for the Super Late Model Series. With the Tilton Hilton Hard Charger award in honor of Glenn Winnick sitting at $3,333 dollars heading into the A-Main, track promoter, Steve Oneal offered all eight drivers at the re-draw the opportunity to go to the rear and if they were able to claim the award, they would receive $4000 plus their finishing position pay.

Only Eckert and Satterlee, both veterans of many years, took the bait and both drivers gave up their starting spots for a chance at the money.

Bryan Bernheisel and Max Blair led the field to the green flag with Blair jumping out to the early lead. Blair However momentum would be stopped on lap two as a spin on the backstretch brought out the caution.

Once green flag action returned, it was Blair again jumping out to a large lead with Marvin Winters passing Bernehisel for second on lap three.

However, all eyes were on the two drivers coming form the tail of the field. With the leader hitting lap traffic on lap eight, both Satterlee (eighth) and Eckert (10th).

By lap 14, Eckert had advanced to seventh and Satterlee was in sixth. Meanwhile, Blair was checking out .Eckert made the move to pass Satterlee for sixth one lap later, setting him up to claim the $4000 hard charger prize.

On lap 22, Jason Covert slid past Winters for second and he started to try and track down Blair, who is currently the ULMS points leader. As the final laps ticked away, Covert was trying his hardest, but he was no match for Blair on this night.

Ultimately Blair would lead every lap and take home $5442 upon taking the checkered flag by 1.712 second advantage over Covert and Winters. Dylan Yoder and Eckert rounded out the top five, with Eckert claiming the $4000 hard charger award and earning a total of $4850 for his efforts.

“I must’ve been braindead to decide and go to the rear,” said Eckert, who was happy with the check but disappointed not to be in victory lane. “I’m glad we could put on a show for the fans, but we obviously had a car capable of winning and that was just a challenge.”

For Blair, it was a dream come true to finally get a victory at the Juniata County oval. He was  excited to finally make it happen in a prestigious event. 

“I can’t believe it! This is going to take a bit to sink in,” said Blair. “The car was really rolling off the top, but I just tried to not look at the scoreboard and I just kept watching the flagman waiting for him to say two-to-go.”

For Covert, it was too little too late and he was happy to come home second against a stout field of cars.  “He got put there in clean air and really anymore these days that’s the name of the game.” said Covert. “I wanted to win this thing, but sometimes second is just as good as a first and we’re happy with the run.”

Satterlee, Ross Robinson, Trevor Feathers, Tim Smith Jr. and Kyle Lee rounded out the top ten. As a result of his fourth place finisb, Yoder also unofficially clinched the Port Royal Speedway point standings win in the River Valley Builders series.

Results- 1. Max Blair 2. Jason Covert 3. Marvin Winters 4. Dylan Yoder 5. Rick Eckert 6. Gregg Satterlee 7. Ross Robinson 8. Trevor Feathers 9. Tim Smith Jr. 10. Kyle Lee 11. Andy Haus 12. Bryan Bernheisel 13. Michael Wonderling 14. Jason Schmidt 15. Rance Garlock 16. Dillan Stake 17. Jason Dobson 1DNF- Jeff Rine, Shaun Jones, Mike Lupfer, Austin Berry, Roy Deese, Gary Stuhler, Gene Knaub, Kyle Knapp