Bohlke Captures First Career URC win while Tim Henry and Jason Rochelle take INEX Legends wins
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA , 8/16/08 - Jim Siegel was full of emotion after winning for the first time this season at Lincoln Speedway Saturday night. Siegel passed his good friend and race long leader Shawn ‘Big Block’ Weaver on lap 23 of the 25-lap Cindy Rowe Auto Glass 410 Sprint car feature and held on over the final two circuits for his fifth career win in the Pigeon Hills.
But the win meant a lot more to the young New Oxford driver as his father Steve was celebrating his birthday and his grandmother was in attendance.
"This is emotional in so many ways," said Siegel, who became the 11th different winner this season at Lincoln. "It’s my Dad’s birthday and it’s the first time my grandmother got to see me win. I have a lot of family and friends here and to pass a good friend like Big Block, I was like man but I’m so happy for myself and my team but I felt bad for him but I’m sure he’s happy because he’s out here doing what he loves."
Weaver started on the pole and led lap one before a Bob Howard spin in turn one.
Weaver continued to lead until a red flag on lap four when John Rudisill spun and collected Cory Haas.
The remainder of the feature went non stop as Weaver set the pace out front as Siegel, who started sixth moved into second with seven laps complete.
Weaver caught the rear of the field on lap 11 but was able to keep distance between himself and Siegel as Alan Krimes and Brian Leppo battled for third. Siegel became to gain on the leader with nine laps remaining and on lap 21, Siegel put his Siegel Racing owned, Nline Sports Apparel sponsored No. 59 alongside Weaver coming off turn four.
Siegel then made the race-winning pace with a slider in turn three to lead lap 23 and drove to the win.
"I tell ya what, we really needed that red flag," he said of the lap four red flag. "We really weren’t good enough to win this thing tonight."
Siegel praised Weaver on his second straight runner-up finish.
"Hats off to Big Block on his run tonight," Siegel added. "There isn’t anybody in that pit area that runs a cheaper operation and he comes here and runs up front every week. I think everybody should give him a hand because he’s putting on some good shows and not spending nearly the money as everybody as else. He is doing a great job."
Weaver held off Krimes, of Denver for the runner-up finish with Leppo, of New Oxford fourth and Salfordville’s Fred Rahmer fifth after starting 12th.
Rounding out the top 10 were Doug Esh, Craig Keel, Aaron Ott, Niki Young and Pat Cooper.
