Written by Chris Moore
LAKE CITY, FL – For the final time this week: it’s Race Day!
It’s the fourth and final day of the 2022 ‘Sunshine Swing’ at RACETRACK99 for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.
Potsdam N.Y.’s Michael Maresca claimed his first career STSS victory in the 40-lap, $6,000 main event on night No. 3.
Tonight’s ‘Sunshine Swing’ finale is the longest and highest paying event of the week, at 50-laps and $8,000 to the first across the finish line.
THE STORYLINES
Phoenix, N.Y.’s Larry Wight leads a trio of drivers at the top of the ‘Sunshine Swing’ standings, following a runner-up finish last night.
The final night of the ‘Sunshine Swing’ will carry championship points, moving from a 100-point scale to a 150-point scale.
Three different drivers have won the first three ‘Sunshine Swing’ races. Dating back to the first ‘Sunshine Swing’ race of 2021, six different drivers have won the six races.
THE STARS
Larry Wight continues to take a shine to the half-mile speedway. Wight now has finished in the top five in all three races thus far this week, including his win on night No. 2.
Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. is another driver continuing to excel at RACETRACK99 this week. Pauch Jr.’s fourth-place run on night No. 3 leaves him five points behind Wight for the ‘Sunshine Swing’ championship.
Tied with Pauch Jr. sits Ransomville, N.Y.’s Erick Rudolph, just five points behind Wight for the ‘Sunshine Swing’ title. Rudolph was the winner of the ‘Sunshine Swing’ finale in the 2020 edition at RACETRACK99.
THE SLEEPERS
King Ferry, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney has had a rough opening week to his 2022 season at RACETRACK99. Mahaney however found his rhythm in the 40-lap night No. 3 feature, coming from 28th starting position to finish eighth.
Bechtelsville, Pa.’s Jeff Strunk made great strides in the Jeff Brown-owned No. 9 car. Strunk raced his way into the seventh position before mechanical issues ended his night early.
Wurtsboro, N.Y.’s Danny Creeden has had an up-and-down ‘Sunshine Swing’ thus far. Creeden has shown the speed to run up front in spurts and will look to put it all together for the finale.
ALSO IN ACTION
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will once again run for 30-laps and a $2,000 payday to round out the week.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.’s Michael Ballestero picked up the win on night No. 3, pending further technical inspection.
Entering the finale, Cream Ridge, N.J.’s Steve Davis leads the ‘Sunshine Swing’ championship chase by 15 markers over Marty Kelly III.
GATES AND PRICES
For the February 12 event, pit gates open at 3 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with racing following at 7 p.m.
Adult grandstand admission is $30. Kids 12 & under get in FREE.
Pit Admission is $45 for adults and $20 for Kids (ages 6-12). Children 5 & Under get in FREE.
HOW TO WATCH
The entire ‘Sunshine Swing’ will be streamed live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloRacing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Penske Racing Shocks, Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz, Algonkin Motel, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Belmont’s Garage, Superior Remodeling, Spyder High Performance Filters, Fastline Performance, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, WELD Racing & Wilwood.
STSS SUNSHINE SWING HISTORY: PAST EVENT WINNERS
February 7, 2020 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – STEWART FRIESEN – Mat Williamson – Matt Sheppard – Larry Wight – Billy Decker
February 7, 2020 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – STEWART FRIESEN – Mat Williamson – Anthony Perrego – Matt Sheppard – Erick Rudolph
February 8, 2020 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – ERICK RUDOLPH – Stewart Friesen – Mike Gular – Billy Pauch Jr. – Matt Sheppard
January 28, 2021 – Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. – ERICK RUDOLPH – Matt Sheppard – Stewart Friesen – Max McLaughlin – Michael Maresca
January 29, 2021 – Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. – STEWART FRIESEN – Michael Maresca – Erick Rudolph – Max McLaughlin – Billy Decker
January 30, 2021 – Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. – MIKE GULAR – Erick Rudolph – Billy Decker – Tyler Siri – Matt Sheppard
February 9, 2022 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – MATT SHEPPARD – Billy Pauch Jr. – Marc Johnson – Erick Rudolph – Larry Wight
February 10, 2022 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – LARRY WIGHT – Erick Rudolph – Billy Pauch Jr. – Danny Johnson – Danny Creeden
February 11, 2022 – RACETRACK99/Lake City, Fla. – MICHAEL MARESCA – Larry Wight – Erick Rudolph – Billy Pauch Jr. – Stewart Friesen