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There are a few new pictures posted in the album!
The pair of 15-lappers for the 600's, sponsored by RTS Chassis, fell to Mark Sokol and Gary Berkenstock.
Sinking Spring, PA
chauffeur Rich Sachetta captured the first Slingshot triumph of his career in that division's 20-lap feature, and Bloomsburg's
Sean Stolz raced to his third victory of the current campaign, and second in two weeks, in the main event for the 270cc Micro-Sprints.
In the first feature for the 600's, Sokol jumped into the early lead from
the pole, then fought off a determined Brent Marks, Myerstown, to secure his first Kutztown Fairgrounds triumph. On
numerous occasions during the race, Marks tried to dive under the leader at both ends of the oval. Sokol never wavered,
keeping his RS Signs No. 21A on the bottom and out front, taking the checkered over Marks, Ryan Frable, Alex Bright, and Brian
Carber.
The 600cc nightcap was eerily similar to the first one, with polesitter Gary
Berkenstock, now in his second year of Micro-Sprint competition after racing Slingshots, leading every one of the 15 circuits.
Brett Smith, Gilbert, PA, hounded the Harleysville resident, but Berkenstock was up to the challenge, pulling away to win
by a couple of car-lengths. Last week's victor, Shane Lewis, finished third with Charles Cooley and Sammy Hemhauser
rounding out the top five.
600cc heat wins went to Sokol, point leader Jason Van Doren, and Mike Freed.
Berkenstock won the consolation. Twenty-six drivers signed in for competition on Wednesday.
A little bit of Gary's racing history.
Gary Berkenstock Jr. started
racing at the age 7. His father Gary Berkenstock Sr. raced a dirt sportsmen at Flemington race way. Gary Sr. let Jr. drive
around a go-cart for a good while before realizing Jr. has a passion for racing. He bought Gary Jr. a quarter midget. His
father didn't know what he was getting into at this point. Gary Jr. started his long time racing career on the right foot.
He had won his second 1/4 midget race and many more. The Berkenstock's traveled all over teaming up with Greg Long and his
driver Jilly Long. Jilly Long moved into the slingshot ranks and not long after Gary Jr. followed her winning 9 races in a
row at Snydersville in the junior slingshot class. Greg Long became the crew chief on the number 97slingshot of Jilly long
and the number 57 slingshot with the help of Gary Sr. Gary worked his way up the senior slingshots and picked up his first
win at Linda's speedway southern tour race. The racing team of The Long family and the Berkenstock's traveled the southern
tour. They ended up 1st and second Jilly winning it and Gary taking the runner up in the points and championship. Gary has
won many important and special races in the slingshot class. He won the September 11th tour race at Shellhammer's speedway,
S&S speedways winner classic win at Linda's speedway. In the 2005 season Gary Jr. took the Hamlin speedway track championship.
Jr. was invited to race the #28 Bair's tree service 600 sprint. He raced that the last 3 races of the season. In only his
3rd start in a 600 micro sprint he was eight laps away from taking the lead, when he began having motor trouble. Gary Berkenstock
is now racing his family owned 600cc Micro Sprint every Friday night at the Bridgeport Speedway.
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