Danny Holtgraver, left, celebrates with fellow competitor and friend, Tim Shaffer, in Mercer Raceway Park victory lane. Holtgraver finished second to Shaffer Saturday evening at Mercer Raceway Park – Rick Rarer Photo

Danny Holtgraver Adds Another Runner-Up Finish With All-Star Circuit of Champions!
By Tracy Fry
www.fullyinjected.com 

Pittsburgh, PA 5/14/12 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native and current All-Star ‘Ohio Region’ competitor, Danny Holtgraver, finished second on Saturday night with the All-Star Circuit of Champions at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania. The impressive finish was Holtgraver’s second runner-up finish with the series in recent weeks, and also his second top five finish of the weekend. The Kargo Quality Cars and Trucks ‘D4’ finished third at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsyvlania on Friday night during a regular ‘Fab Four’ event. 

“We were really fast!” explained Holtgraver after Saturday night’s All-Star event at Mercer Raceway Park, “The car was on all night long and everybody did a really good job…I thought maybe I would have something for Shaff (Tim Shaffer) in the closing laps, or at least make it interesting, but we were thrilled with second…I was just really happy to have such a solid night in front of my friends, family, and supporters…we are really excited!”

After competing at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania on Friday night, May 11th, and recording a third place finish, Holtgraver traveled north to Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, PA on Saturday evening, May 12th, where the All-Star Circuit of Champions hosted a one night, $5,000 to win program. The former Lernerville Speedway Track Champion has been in action with the All-Stars on an almost full-time basis in 2012; committing himself to the entire ‘Ohio Region’ schedule and championship chase, while hitting and missing other regional events. With recent success and a runner- up finish with the series at the Weikert Memorial at Port Royal Speedway two weekends prior, Holtgraver rolled into Mercer Raceway Park eager and confident to turn solid results. The Mercer oval has been more than good to the 22-year-old in the past, as Holtgraver has visited victory lane at at the oval in recent seasons. The Fully Injected teammate has yet to earn an All-Star Circuit of Champions victory, and looked to use some ‘home track advantage’ against the invading roster this past weekend. 

Holtgraver in action at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania Friday evening – Rick Rarer Photo

After timing second quick during qualifying time trials on Saturday evening and earning Dash eligibility, Holtgraver would make the Dash a reality by transferring through his respective heat race. The Alternative Power Sources team finished fourth the All-Star Dash, allowing the familiar white ‘D4’ to line up on the outside of row no. 2 for the 30 lap, $5,000-to-win main event. Holtgraver would work his way to a runner-up finish, following former Knoxville Nationals Champion and All-Star Circuit of Champions – Champion, Tim Shaffer, across the line. 

“Shaffer kind of slipped away from us in traffic” said Holtgraver, “He is obviously one of the best in the country so to finish second to him is nothing to feel bad about…maybe we could have made things a little more interesting with a few more laps but we are just as thrilled with a runner-up finish”

Holtgraver wrapped up the weekend with two consecutive top three finishes, and now finds himself third in the current All-Star Circuit of Champions ‘Ohio Region’ standings! The ‘D4’ team is roughly 50 points from the top spot, as Dale Blaney continues to hold the ‘Ohio Region’ lead with 563 points.  The ‘Ohio Region’ schedule picks back up on Friday and Saturday, May 26th and 27th, at Fremont Speedway in Fremont, Ohio! The Sunday finale on May 26th will pay $10,000 to the winner. Visit either www.fremontohspeedway.com / or www.allstarsprint.com for more information!

Mercer Raceway Park A-Main  on 5/12/12- University of Northwestern Ohio (30 Laps)

1. 83-Tim Shaffer[1]; 2. D4-Danny Holtgraver[4]; 3. 2-Dale Blaney[9]; 4. 2L-Ed Lynch Jr.[3]; 5. 54-Cap Henry[8]; 6. 8-Bob Felmlee[16]; 7. 94-Rob Chaney[2]; 8. 45-Paul McMahan[14]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson[21]; 10. 22-Brandon Spithaler[10]; 11. 23-Jimmy Light[15]; 12. 4-Danny Smith[20]; 13. 3-Pete Miller III[5]; 14. O-Lee Jacobs[17]; 15. 15-Scott Priester[13]; 16. 7-Eric Williams[12]; 17. 5K-Adam Kekich[22]; 18. 66-Chris Best[24]; 19. O8-Dan Kuriger[7]; 20. CIII-Rod George[19]; 21. 24-Brian Steinman[11]; 22. 49-Bob Howard[23]; 23. 10-Carl Bowser[18]; 24. 89G-David Gravel[6]

 Hard Charger: W20-Greg Wilson[+12]

Danny Holtgraver would like to thank all of his marketing partners including: Kargo Sales and Storage, Alternative Power Source, DKW Transport, PPI, Spinneweber Auto Sales, Bastin Truck Parts, West View Motors, Bagleys Auto Service, Frankland Rearends, Dan Taylor Racing, VRP Shocks, Kistler Engines, J&J Chassis, Butlerbuilt Seats, Zerowraps, www.fullyinjected.com.

Stay tuned during the entire season – right here at www.fullyinjected.com / or check out Danny Holtgraver’s online home at www.dannyholtgraver.com!