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Onderko Pads Late Model Points lead
7.11.10 Sundance Vacations Speedway, Hazelton, PA.
Postponed from a weather threatened Saturday, drivers took to the 1/3-mile asphalt oval on Sunday at Sundance Vacations Speedway.
Geno Steigerwalt in the #0 started on the pole in the 30-lap Late Model feature, but the
yellow flag waved before a lap was complete when Travis Fisher in #8, Justin Onderko's
#58 and the #16 of Kyle Harvell tangled in turns one and two. Justin sustained heavy
body damage with the left front fender being torn off.
Green flag racing resumed and another caution flew when the #53 of Burns got into the
#66 of Kochenash. With nowhere to go, the #16 drilled the #66 in the turn one and two
incident sending the #66 to the showers. The #0 continued out front with Geists #40 in
second, followed by the #44 of Stehle, the #36 Lutz and the #71 of Arthofer.
The green flag waved once again and Mike Sweeney in the #D11 began to battle with
#36 for the fourth spot. The #D11 made contact with another competitor and received a
flat tire. Onderko driving the damaged #58 sat in 6th spot with 10 laps in the books.
With the green back out, #8 began to climb toward the front with Onderko right on his
bumper. The #8 dropped out with mechanical problems moving Onderko's #58 into the
Meanwhile, the #71 of Arthofer worked his way into second, with Onderko and #16
close behind. On the restart the #71 jumped to the outside of the #0 to try and gain the
lead heading into turn one. At the same time the #71 went high Onderko took the #58
low with a spectacular inside pass of the #0 attempting to grab the lead. The #71 came
out as the leader and Onderko climbed to second as the two began to check out from
the rest of the field.
Onderko tried all he knew to get by the #71 over the closing laps, even applying the
chrome horn a few times to the bumper of the #71. Onderko settled for his fourth
straight 2nd place finish in as many weeks.
After the race we spoke to Justin, "I don't know what I have to do to win at this place.
Four 2nd place finishes, I thought today was going to be our day. After practice and the
Heat Race the #58 was on a rail with used tires. I knew we were going to put on stickers
for the feature and with used rubber we were a half tenth faster than the field." I asked
Justin what happened in the lap one wreck, "I followed the #8 going into turn one and
the next I knew there was smoke everywhere and then BANG I got nailed by the 61NY.
Not to mention getting railed again by him later on in the race. Guys really need to use
their heads, it's lap one of a 30 lap race and everyone thinks they can lead the darn
race before the end of lap one." Asked about the his points lead Justin said, "Well as far
as that goes we had a good night. The guys gave me a great car to drive today and we
gained on the field and that's our main focus right now." Justin remarked with a grin, "It
sure would be nice to win one, you know, four straight seconds aren't bad, but it isn't a
win. We are so close I can taste it."
Once again after checking with the scorer Justin was one full tenth faster than the field.
It is the opinion of this writer that it's just a matter of time, mixed in with just a bit of luck.
SPECIAL NOTE - Justin and the #58 will be appearing in Nazareth, PA to help
celebrate Nazareth Day on Saturday July 17th from 1-4PM. If you are in the area
stop by and say Hi. Justin will again be promoting his charity RAD (Racers
Against Drugs) and will have goodies for the kids as well as handouts for
parent's.
The next race for the Onderko Motorsports Team will be on Saturday the 24th of July at
Sundance Vacations Speedway. Racing begins at 6PM. See the link on our website for
directions.