| Will Huffman "Chill" the Competition at Jennerstown? | by Lou Lauer
It's getting to be that time of year around Jennerstown, PA. The nights are getting colder, the leaves are falling from the trees, there's frost on the ground, the ice cream stand next to the track has closed it's doors for the year, and a report of snowflakes has been overheard.
All this can only mean one thing - the second of five Championship Races is about to take place at Jennerstown Speedway!
Shane Huffman enters this weekend's race with the momentum of a dominating season and a victory in the opening round propelling him. He has got to be the favorite again this weekend.
Although Shane has run the Southern Division this season, he's no stranger to the North, having won the pole and the race at Jennerstown in September of 2001. But this time may be different.
The competition level in the USAR Series has taken an impressive step forward in the past year. There are at least a half dozen Northern drivers who can win each and every week.
Combine that with just as many or more Southern division teams who are proven and talented winners and the action at Jennerstown this weekend will be more than enough to warm a cold Pennsylvania night.
Huffman dominated at Winchester, but I don't expect the same type of performance this weekend. Winchester and Jennerstown are two very different style tracks with Jennerstown being better suited to a larger numbers of USAR short-track drivers style and experience.
They all grew up racing on track like Jennerstown. I think this weekend may be one of the best races of the year - at least I'm hoping it will be.
Agnew, Corbett, Davis, Ross, Fogleman, Goodson, the list of Northern drivers capable of taking the checkered flag is impressive. Add Sarvis, Christian, Lindley, Gill, and Rogers to the mix and you can see how tough it will be for Huffman to win back-to-back races.
And I haven't even talked about the teams that are right on the verge of getting that first victory! It shouldn't surprise anyone if Jason McLellan, Benny Gordon, Danny O'Quinn Jr., or Joel Kauffman win this weekend. And don't think I forgot about the underdogs of Glenn Gault, Gerald Davis, Mart Nesbitt - teams who have had outstanding seasons and have surprised a few folks already.
Can you see the potential for an awesome race this Saturday night? I can! If you're still skeptical, I'd suggest you come to the track, bring a blanket, bring your hot chocolate, brave a little bit of cold weather and let these drivers change your mind!
Can Shane continue his march for the Championship with another win at Jennerstown? Absolutely. He's got the talent and the team behind him, but I think it will be the rest of the field who will be turning up the heat this weekend! See you at the track.
THe Jennertown race kicks off October 4, 2003.
by Lou Lauer,
USARfans.com
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