THE HULL SHEBANG: HULL WINS AT ALBANY-SARATOGA
By: Mark Hann
Malta, New York (June 10, 2022)………Under clear skies and perfect racing conditions, Will Hull of Plainfield VT, rolled into the famed Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta N.Y. looking to score his first USAC DMA win of 2022 and left doing just that in his number three Seals-it sponsored Skip Matczak owned black and white midget.
On the pole was Ralle Rookey in the 50 with the outside starting position going to heat race two winner Will Hull in his #3. At the start of the race, Hull made quick work of Rooke and immediately took to the lead. On lap four, mechanical issues set in for the 16 of Justin Phillips and 91-2 of Wayne Kohler as both had to pull off the track.
The red flag was displayed on lap five, bringing the field to a stop due to the 5 of Mike Netishen going off track between turns 1 and 2. Netishen was unable to return to racing action and moved to the pits.
Back to green flag racing with the 3 of Hull still in command with the 1B of Dan Piastka now in second place. By lap six, Seth Carlson in the 4B was able to move into second place and began to challenge Hull for the point. While the leaders would battle lap after lap, the race to watch was for third and fourth as the 4R with Jeff Champagne and Josh Sunn in the 76 began a race within the race.
With the race fans cheering, the competitors continued to turn fast laps and challenge each other for position. From lap six to lap eighteen, the 3 of Hull, 4B with Carlson, 4R Champagne and 76 of Sunn fought lap after lap. On lap nineteen Carlson in his blue 4B was able to take the lead from Hull but by lap twenty-one, Hull took back the point from Carlson.
With the race winding down and heading to the lap 25 end, the action for third and fourth with Champagne’s 4R and Sunn’s 76 heated up. On the last lap, Hull maintained his lead over Carlson to score the win but less than 100’ from the finish line, Sunn took over third from Champagne. Will Hull of Plainfield VT in his 3 would score his first win this year followed by teammate Seth Carlson and Josh Sunn in third.
Heat race one (8 laps) had the 50 of Ralle Rookey on pole with the 1B of Dan Piastka starting outside Rookey. For the beginning three laps, Piastka in his 1B held the point until lap four when the 16 driven by Justin Phillips moved around Piastka for the lead.
Coming from the rear and filling in as a substitute driver, Jeff Champagne in the 4R made his way to the front and for the final four laps kept the position and scored heat race one victory.
Heat race two (8 laps) started with Will Hull in the 3 on pole along with the 17 driven by Justin Sheridan on the front row. When the green flag waived, the 3 of Hull gave an idea on just how strong his racecar was and maintained the lead. The 17 of Sheridan tried to hold off the 76 with Josh Sunn for second but Sunn was able to move around the 17 and take the second spot on lap two. For the remaining laps, the 3 of Hull and 76 with Sunn raced nose to tail until the checkered flag waived on lap 8 with Hull getting the win.
The series will be back in action on June 18th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Dirt Flat Track. To learn more about the USAC Dirt Midget Association, please visit the series on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DirtMidgetAssociation. For additional information regarding this press release please contact Mark J. Hann, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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USAC SPEED2 DIRT MIDGET ASSOCIATION RACE RESULTS: June 10, 2022 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway – Malta, New York
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Jeff Champagne (#4R Matczak), 2. Justin Phillips (#16 Miller), 3. Dan Piastka (#18 Miller), 4. Ralle Rookey (#5 Matczak), 5. Mike Netishen (#5$ Netishen), 6. Wayne Koehler (#91 Koehler). 2:23.00
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Will Hull (#3 Matczak), 2. Josh Sunn (#76 Mancini), 3. Seth Carlson (#4B Matczak), 4. Brandon Piastka (#7 Shookus), 5. Justin Sheridan (#17 Miller). 2:22.00
FEATURE: (25 laps) 1. Will Hull, 2. Seth Carlson, 3. Josh Sunn, 4. Jeff Champagne, 5. Dan Piastka, 6. Brandon Piastka, 7. Justin Sheridan, 8. Ralle Rookey, 9. Mike Netishen, 10. Justin Phillips, 11. Wayne Koehler. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-18 Will Hull, Laps 19-20 Seth Carlson, Laps 21-25 Will Hull.
NEXT USAC SPEED2 DIRT MIDGET ASSOCIATION RACE: June 18, 2022 – The Flat Track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, New Hampshire – Non-Points Special Event