Howard Hammers Open Mods in Short Track SuperNationals at Five Mile Point

story by Brett Deyo | video by GSP
(Order the complete night DVD at http://gspshop.com/100811fmp.html)
Kirkwood, NY | Oct. 8, 2011 - There wasn't room in the pit area at Five Mile Point Speedway for Duane Howard on Saturday night. However, the Oley, Pa., driver found his way to Victory Lane at the fourth edition of the Short Track SuperNationals. With a huge field of 162 race cars - headlined by 79 big-block/small-block Modifieds - jamming the Kirkwood, N.Y., facility, Howard's Mike Petruska-owned No. 66 was parked outside the pits on an access road....

When it came time to race, the Atlas Paving Modified was at the ready. Howard led 49 of the 50 laps and pocketed $7,080 in cash including his $5,000 winner's share, Dale Smith Photography Halfway Bonus ($700), $100 from New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway as a first-time SuperNationals participant and $100 from the Long family as the first Berks County, Pa., driver across the line.

SuperNationals sponsors included VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings, Alpine Building & Post Supply, Bob Hilbert Sportswear and Trackside Products.

"This is an incredible race," Howard, 48, said following his first Five Mile Point victory and second ever appearance in the Petruska-owned car. "To have 79 cars here today really says something. This is a racy little track."  FULL STORY & RESULTS

Short Track SuperNationals Modified Feature RESULTS (50-laps):
DUANE HOWARD ($7,080 plus), Danny Tyler, Billy Pauch Sr., Jeff Strunk, Jeff Heotzler, Billy Pauch Jr., Joey Grammes, Mike Ricci, Eric Palmer, Kevin Bates, Brian Weaver, Gary Tomkins, Mike Gular, Alan Johnson, Danny Creeden, Justin Holland, Joey Colsten, Michael Weinert, Glenn Strunk, Nick Rochinski, Brad Grim, Jim Gabriel Jr., Doug Manmiller, Billy Van Pelt, Kevin Albert Jr., Mike Bills, Willie Osmun, Mike Clapperton, Shaun Walker, Ray Bliss Jr., Kevin Hartnett, Mitch Gibbs.