Asphalt Aspects-Dirt Digest: FASTRAK NE Touring at Eriez Speedway

FASTRAK NE Touring race #3 was at Eriez Speedway Sunday evening. This was my first trip to Bobby Rohrer's racing facility and I was pleasantly surprised The track seems to be a bit of a throw back, albeit very well maintained. New, attractive billboards adorn the backstretch, a variety of concessions and clean rest rooms all make for a great experience. This was topped off by a first-rate prepared track that produced little or no dust. Nestled among the concessions was the debut of the new FASTRAK NE trailer being helmed that evening by Donna Inskeep, selling the new line of FASTRAK NE apparel.

I suppose it's no secret that I'm a big supporter of FASTRAK NE, both the Weekly Shows and the Touring Series. It is at once forward thinking, yet reminds me of Late Models years ago - when more drivers/teams had a legitimate shot, more cars were competitive, and the financial outlay was more affordable. FASTRAK NE seems to keep a reign on rules and regulations better than most. The Touring Series offers decent purses and point fund, with a chance for exposure that any touring series would offer, and a seemingly endless list of contingency product and money offered to competitors. The 25 lap, $1200 to win event at Eriez is but one of many examples.

Thirty-two cars, four heats, two B-Mains, the K&N dash, a 25 lap feature and a six lap Non-qualifyers race had plenty of racing and awards for all. The track proved racey and competitive, as defending Touring Champ Max Blair made it through the strong field from his 17th starting slot of the 24 car starting field.

Blair didn't take the top spot until four to go after previous leaders Ryan Montgomery and Chad Ruhlman kept a strong contingent at bay, including Billy Henry, Jr., Justin Tatlow, Matt Latta, and Mike Pegher, Jr. Pegher and Nolan Dalton tangled with four to go, negating both of their strong runs. Blair led Ruhlman at the finish over Latta in the Bidwell # B1D(up from ninth), Montgomery, and Butch Lambert, up from 21st after transferring from the second B-Main. Steve Dixon took sixth, with John Over claiming the Precise Racing Products "Hard Charger" Award with his seventh place finish after starting 24th! Over moved up 17 positions, and both Blair and Lambert improved 16 positions.