JENNERSTOWN — A driver earned his first career victory while a pair of competitors won for the second time in as many weeks at Jennerstown Speedway on Armed Forces Night, May 17.
Noah Hirko bested good friend and defending Somerset Trust Fast & Furious 4s champ Johnathan Haburcsak for his first career triumph.
Hirko started on the pole, and despite an early caution four laps into the 15-lap feature, the Johnstown driver was able to outlast Haburcsak for the victory.
Acosta’s Nick Niemiec made it 2-for-2 to start the season in the Integrity Coatings Chargers 20-lap feature.
Ken Burkholder and Niemiec did battle for the lead following a caution. Burkholder led most of the way, until Niemiec went under the No. 26 car for the lead with seven laps to go. He stretched his advantage to best Burkholder and Brian Ready.
It was a two-horse race in the 20-lap Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified feature. John Fama, who started on the pole, fended off Doug Glessner for the win. Jeff Giles, who is racing in a modified for the first time this season, finished third.
Kyle Burkholder also collected his second win of the season in the One Stop Auto Sales Pro Stock feature. With only five cars in the race, Burkholder took the lead with 13 to go and cruised past Aaron Van Fleet and Josh Dunmyer for the victory.
A caution-filled 30-lap Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model feature tested everything Jarred Barclay had to earn his first win of the year.
Barclay and Teddy Gibala started on the front row and battled for the lead throughout the race. A hit into the wall by Garry Wiltrout brought out the caution just 10 laps in.
Barclay gained the lead on the restart and began to distance himself from Gibala and company. However, the caution came out again with seven to go as Joe Peifer and Owen Haupt got together.
The yellow flag waved once again a lap later. But Barclay would not be denied as the Somerset driver bested Gibala and R.J. Dallape for the win.
Mike Bakalon won the 20-lap Crown Vic Northeast Series event in a dandy over Ben Eastman and Week 1 winner Jake Gracan.
A caution for fluid on the track occurred with 11 laps to go. Bakalon made the pass of teammate Mark Cottone for the lead. Eastman and Gracan were hot on Bakalon’s bumper, but the veteran driver held on to take the checkered flag.
The Ron’s Collision Center Street Stocks had the night off.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Nick Niemiec, Kyle Burkholder go back-to-back at Jennerstown Speedway