The 25-lap Applefest Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series feature event proved to be a good race with top drivers competing for the $2000 to-win prize. Rob Shook took the lead on lap five and walked away with the victory and the $2,000 pay day.
The field of 25 cars were led on the start by Shaun Hooks and Andy Buckley. Hooks maintained the pole position over Buckley on the first lap but the caution flag flew early with 44R, 21 and 11T getting tangled in turn 3 and 4. On the restart Hooks was able to keep the edge over Buckley and would lead until the caution came out for the 22B and Triple 6 on lap 4. The third restart of the night had Buckley charging on the outside to take the lead going into three but mechanical issues had Buckley spinning and taking Hooks with him in turn 4. The restart had D'Apolito on the pole with Tim Bish beside him. Before lap 5 could be completed, another caution flag would stop action when Penn Ohio Points Champion, Chris Schneider, spun entering turn 1.
On the next restart, Rob Shook charged from fourth to take the lead over D'Apolito, Fawcett, and Bish on lap 5. Shook commanded the lead and cruised in the top spot from lap 5 to 25 with only two other cautions on lap 6 and lap 9. Ninth starter, Bobby Whitling took over the second spot from Fawcett on lap 12 but wasn't able to catch Shook and settled for second. Fourteenth starter, Chris Haines found his way to third on lap 13 and stayed there until the finish. Paul Davis and Andy Thompson finished in fourth and fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Randy Wyant, Mike Clark, Mike Miller, Chris Schneider, and Rod Laskey.
Rob Shook, a Penn Ohio Pro Stock Champion Series participant in 2015, has already registered with the Touring Series for the 2016 Season. Points for the 2016 Touring Series are scheduled to begin on May 20th with the Homak Manufacturing 30 event at Thunder Mountain. The 30-lap race will pay an impressive $2,500 to-win. Registrations are still being accepted for participation in the Touring Series. The 11-event schedule gives drivers an opportunity to win $15,717, plus a points fund over $15,000 will be distributed to registered Touring Series drivers at the end of the 2016 Season. In addition to the Touring Series, the 5-race Mini-Series scheduled at Sharon Speedway gives drivers an opportunity to-win $6500, plus an expected points fund of $3,000 distributed to participants at the end of the season.
Registration forms are available on the website. Any questions regarding either Series can be directed to Shaun Hooks, Series Director, at 724-730-1623.
