ATTICA, OH (8-29-09) by Bryan Autullo - FAST Public Relations

On the final night of FAST competition at Attica Raceway Park for the 2009 racing season, 27 cars were on hand to put on a show for the large crowd that was in attendance. It was also Attica's Season Championship Night and a lot was riding on the evening's final results. Heat races were intense with some of the best side by side racing and slide jobs of the season setting the stage for the drama that would eventually take center stage.

It was 4th place starting Mark Keegan who would rocket into the lead on lap 1 looking as if he was shot from a cannon exiting turn two. Keegan had the car hooked up and pulled away from the rest of the field with Brock Mayes, Mike Linder, and Chad Kemenah battling for 2nd place. Keegan looked like he was going to dominate the feature event until disaster struck on lap 8. Lee Jacobs and Byron Reed tangled on the front stretch and Keegan tried to split the two, but didn't clear them and ended up with heavy damage to the rear of his car as he stopped just past the flag stand. He would restart on the tail dashing his hopes of a victory.

The incident also cost Byron Reed the Attica track championship. Byron came into the night needing only a 5th place or better finish to clinch the title, but after restarting in the back of the pack he was only able to climb back to 13th giving Chris Andrews the advantage - and eventually the Championship by just 11 points when the checkered flag fell. Andrews is only the 6th driver in the track's history to add his name to the list of Champions as Keegan and Reed have dominated the top spot throughout the track's existence.

When racing resumed, Mayes had inherited the lead with Kemenah and Linder both ready to pounce. Mayes was able to keep them at bay using several cautions to his advantage on the restarts. It wasn't until late in the race that Tim Shaffer moved into 2nd place and began to reel in Mayes. Shaffer would make multiple attempts over the last five laps diving low into turn one and trying to muscle past Mayes, but Mayes was faster coming off the top of turn two and would pull ahead down the back stretch. With the white flag in the air it looked as if Shaffer would be able to complete the pass, but Mayes was able to power down the back stretch again giving him a 2 car length advantage at the checkered flag.

Congrats to Jean Kelbach from Rocky River, Ohio & her husband Greg on winning the World Finals Trip Raffle presented by F.A.S.T. & Hoserville OH.

Their ticket was pulled in victory lane after Brock Mayes picked up the F.A.S.T. feature win. The lucky couple will be off to Charlotte in November and greeted with reserved seats & pit passes to all three nights of the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Lowes Motor Speedway. Also they will get a 3-night stay just miles from the track at the Wingate by Windham Hotels and a $50 gas card to help them get there.

Have a great time in Charlotte Jean & Greg!!

MAUMEE, OH (8-27-09 by Scott Porter - FAST Public Relations

After a two-week break, the focus of the competitors in the Kistler Racing Products Fremont/ Attica Sprint Title (F.A.S.T.) Series returns to the Kistler Cup Points Chase as the series visits Attica Raceway Park for the last time in 2009. In all, four different drivers have held the lead atop of the point standings, but after ten weeks of competition its Gibsonburg, Ohio's Craig Mintz continuing to hold onto the lead since taking it away from Byron Reed after week five.

With the success that Mintz has had in what could easily be considered a career year for the young driver (a series best 4 wins and 9 top-5 finishes with 6 of them being podium finishes) it's hard to believe that only 42-points separate him from Byron Reed in second place. The narrowing factor has been Reed's ability to qualify for all 15 F.A.S.T. A-Mains contested so far and than putting the #5 Pro Shocks, Kistler Engines, JEI sprint car in the top-10 in all but one feature event. Breaking into victory lane for the first time in 2009 this Saturday night could easily close that gap even further heading into the final points night at Fremont Speedway on September 12th. Only Mark Keegan, who sits 3rd in the points, has been able to match Reed's feat of qualifying for every F.A.S.T. A-Main and from that has collected 4 top-5s and 9 top-10s.

No one will be able to cruise to the finish line as drivers throughout the top-10 look to improve their position to get their share of the $58,000 in cash & prizes that will be handed out at the season ending banquet. Behind Mark Keegan sits two of the hottest drivers in the Northern Ohio region at the moment. The #15C K&N FIlters, Lucas Oil, Goofy Golf entry of Chris Andrews picked up the last F.A.S.T. feature at Attica, his second F.A.S.T. win of the year, and finds himself 4th in the overall picture. Mike Linder, fresh off two 410 sprint car wins over the break, has battled back into the top-5 in Kistler Cup points after collecting a handful of top-5 finishes. Just 32-points separates Caleb Griffith, Brock Mayes and Cap Henry for sixth thru eighth.

Night #19: Attica Raceway Park

Matt Linder (1X), Ed Neumeister (11N), Mike Linder (312) & Jody Keegan (60) go 4-wide off turn two at Attica Raceway Park.

Brock Mayes (11B) uses the low line to get back Mitch Harble (15H) during Kistler Racing Products F.A.S.T. Series heat race action.