Sam Hafertepe Jr. sweeps inaugural Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers
FORT WORTH, Texas – Sam Hafertepe Jr. capped off a historic weekend by sweeping the inaugural Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers, becoming the first driver to earn four wins at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track.
Sam Hafertepe Jr celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the ASCS Sprint Car A-Main during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
With the victory the Sunnyvale, Texas native collected his fourth victory in the American Sprint Car Series’ first four races, establishing a new series record. Hafertepe Jr. took the lead on Lap 4 and never relinquished it, holding off second-place finisher Josh Baughman in a seven-lap shootout.
“There was lap traffic, so it made it hard to get around,” Hafertepe Jr. “I wasn’t trying to make any dumb moves, and not force anything. I have been there before. I just took my time, and I know there were good cars there. Just have to flex your muscles, and some point we can take care of it.”
A caution involving NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Christopher Bell and Aaron Reutzel exiting Turn 3 brought out the race’s final caution. Both drivers walked away unscathed as their cars flipped into the outside wall.
Sam Hafertepe Jr takes the checkered flag during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The event’s namesake, three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, finished fourth after starting 11th. Stewart battled his way to the front, nearly overtaking Wayne Johnson for the third position.
The Limited Modified Feature provided little drama. Dennie Geiber of Frankston, Texas, much like his signature Batman paint scheme, turned in a superhero performance after leading all 15 laps in the Limited Modified Feature for his second career victory at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Geiber controlled from the start of the race, going wire-to-wire to win by nearly the length of the frontstretch.
“The car was tightening up at the bottom,” Geiber said. “It is not so much about the car, it is the driver. Every time I drive, sometime I have to slow down, and not really beat yourself.”
Denny Gabor celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Limited Modified A-Main during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Second was JJ Jennings of Corpus Christi, Texas, who finished second and David Phillips of Abilene, Texas who finished third. Wayne Melton of Caddo Mills, Texas, and RJ Stroman of New Boston, Texas, rounded out the top five.
Former NASCAR Cup and XFINITY Series driver and current FOX Sports analyst Kenny Wallace made an appearance in the Limited Modified Feature as a result of the misfortune of Steve Nabors. Wallace experienced mechanical problems in the B-Qualifier, leaving him out of the feature event. Wallace was given the opportunity to race in the finale, jumping behind the wheel of Nabor’s No. 23 where he finished 17th in the 24-car field.
Story and photos courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations and Getty Images
Denny Gabor races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Danny Lasoski #33 leads Tommy Bryant #28 in Heat 5 during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Tony Stewart #14 races in Heat 5 during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Christopher Bell #88 races in Heat 2 during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Travis Rilat #29 races in Heat 4 during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Danny Lasoski #33 races in Heat 5 during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Seth Bergman #23 leads a pack of cars during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
A general view as cars race during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
A general view as cars race during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on April 7, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
A view of cars racing during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Kenny Wallace races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Sammy Swindell races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Danny Lasoski races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
A general view as cars race during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Tony Stewart sits in his car during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Tony Stewart races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Christopher Bell races during Tony Stewart’s Texas Sprint Car Nationals Presented by Machinery Auctioneers at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
