Holtgraver Second at Weikert Memorial
By Tracy Fry
www.fullyinjected.com
Danny Holtgraver traveled to Central Pennsylvania this past weekend in search of consistent finishes and a high dose of exposure. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native did just that by earning two consecutive top 15 finishes with the All-Star Circuit of Champions and ‘Pennsylvania Posse’ – including a runner-up finish at the $10,000-t0-win Bob Weikert Memorial at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. Holtgraver left Central Pennsylvania yesterday morning with his best finish of the season with the All-Star Circuit of Champions, a few more fans, and a satisfying feeling.
“We are really excited” explained Holtgraver after talking about the previous weekend, “To go to Central Pennsylvania and put up two solid finishes with that level of competition is just awesome…everybody did a really good job and worked really hard”
The All-Star Circuit of Champions were scheduled to have a three race swing through the heart of the ‘Keystone State’ this past weekend; beginning Friday, April 27th at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, moving to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 28th, and coming to a close at Clinton County Raceway near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania on Sunday, April 29th. Williams Grove Speedway had almost 50 ‘410’ sprint cars entered for competition; with 47 officially taking a lap during qualifying time trials. The Kargo Quality Cars and Trucks ‘D4’ would qualify for the evening’s feature event and finish respectively; starting 14th and finishing 14th. Holtgraver’s solid A-main finish would not be earned easily, as the former Lernerville Speedway Track Champion had to come through the evening’s B-main to make feature starting line-up. The familiar ‘D4’ would obviously transfer, and race a very consistent and smooth 30 lap main event.
“We kinda got a little messed up at the beginning of our heat race and didn’t make the transfer spot” said Holtgraver about Friday night’s appearance at Williams Grove Speedway, “But we made up for it and got through the ‘B’ to the ‘A’…started where we finished in the A-main so it was a pretty consistent night!”
After their Williams Grove Speedway appearance, the ‘D4’ operation made their way north to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania for a Saturday evening showcase. Holtgraver earned the fourth fastest time of the night out of the 38 entries that were signed in for competition; making the 22-year-old driver eligible for the evening’s dash if he were to transfer from his respective heat race. Holtgraver did just that; finishing fifth in his heat race and earning a spot in the All-Star Circuit of Champions dash. His third place finish in the six lap dash event put Holtgraver on the inside of row number two for the 30 lap main event. Holtgraver would go on to finish second to Greg Hodnett; earning his best finish with ‘America’s Series’ thus far in 2012, at a track which he had never visited.
“Saturday was a really good night” expressed Holtgraver, “We timed really well that put us in a position to qualify for the dash…finished third in the dash and was able to earn a second place run in the Weikert Memorial…we were just really thrilled…super excited and can’t wait to go back there!”
Holtgraver discussing his finish with the fans at Port Royal Speedway
All-Star Circuit of Champions action scheduled at Clinton County Raceway on Sunday, April 29th was cancelled and rescheduled at a later date in the year.
As far as next weekend is concerned, things are not yet set in stone. The Alternative Power Sources/Kargo Quality Cars and Trucks ‘D4’ plans to venture west to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for a two day event with the World of Outlaws; but that will be decided in the coming days. The All-Star Circuit of Champions will not be back in action until Saturday, May 12th, at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania- giving Holtgraver a chance to venture in other directions.
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!