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Back to the Front: Stewart Friesen Drives to ‘Blast at the Beach Victory

Written by Chris Moore

GEORGETOWN, DE – Back to the front.

After drawing 72 at the Dirt Draft pre-race draw, Sprakers, N.Y.s Stewart Friesen got his third Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco victory of the 2023 on Tuesday night.

Friesen claimed the $6,000 Hale Trailers ‘Blast at the Beach title, his third win in the 10-year history of the event in Round No. 4 of the Rent Equip/Party Central South Region.

The win was also the 39th of Friesens STSS career, the most all-time.

“The track was tricky tonight, trying to pick your lanes and make your way around,â Friesen explained of his race to the win in Bicknell Racing Products Victory Lane. “It was definitely a lot of fun though.â

Friesen raced by Ryan Godown on a lap-18 restart and never looked back, taking home the $6,000 triumph.

Friesen started seventh following the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw with Milford, Del.s Jordan Watson and Ringoes, N.J.s Ryan Godown on the front row.

Watson quickly raced to the lead and held a comfortable advantage until Hellertown, Pa.s Rick Laubach, who started third, began to pressure the leader.

The races first yellow flag flew on lap eight, due to Matt Stangles broken front-end in turn three, but the yellow would claim the leader Watson as well.

Watsons car lost power due to fuel issues, ending his bid for victory. Friesen had surged into third prior to the yellow, sliding into the runner-up spot alongside Laubach on the restart.

It was Godown, however, making the move from third when the green flag returned, driving underneath both Laubach and Friesen and taking the top spot.

Godown set the pace while Friesen persistently pressured the leader, all the meanwhile trying to hold off Savannah, N.Y.s Matt Sheppard whod risen to third after starting 11th.

The tussle continued until the lap-18 yellow flag – the Dannys Pizza Pizzazz halfway mark – when Ryan Riddle slowed to bring out the yellow.

Friesen found his rhythm on the outside groove, working around Godown when the green flag flew and took the top spot.

Friesen set sail while Godown and Sheppard chased but came up short.

“Its fun getting up on the wheel and letting these cars eat,â smiled Friesen. “This big block definitely earned its money tonight.â

Godown settled for the runner-up spot.

“We were good, I just wish I wouldve gone to the top in three before he did,â Godown proclaimed. “I have to thank my guys; this car was all apart waiting to get clipped a week ago.â

Matt Sheppard rounded out the podium but was unable to make it to Victory Lane as the rear broke on his No. 9s and he was towed over the scales.

Neshanic Station, N.J.s Ryan Krachun took home fourth and Montgomery, N.J.s Brandon Grosso rounded out the top five.

Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Pipersville, Pa.s Danny Bouc after starting in 14th; Milford, Del.s H.J. Bunting who spent much of the race battling just outside the top five; Frenchtown, N.J.s Billy Pauch Jr. in the Rick Holsten No. 96; Harleysville, Pa.s Mike Gular, who came home ninth in the Terry Fasnacht owned No. 2A; and Walden, N.Y.s Anthony Perrego rounded out the top 10 in the Vinnie Salerno No. 4*.

Heat winners, receiving $50 each courtesy of FloRacing, were Ryan Watt, Watson, and Sheppard.

Twenty-six STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in on a threatening Tuesday night.

Spencertown, N.Y.s Dylan Madsen outgunned Upper Makefield, Pa.s Joe Toth for his first career Georgetown win and the second of his STSS career. The pair pace the Belmonts Garage South Region standings for the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman.

Madsen and Toth traded the lead through mid-race restarts, with Madsen assuming a lead he wouldnt relinquish en route to a $1,500 payday.

Toth settled for second with Eric Kormann, Brandon Watkins and Dakota Kohler rounding out the top five.

Racing continues for the STSS on Sunday, Sept. 3, at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway for the annual ‘New Yorker. Round No. 2 of the Ollies Elite Series and Round No. 9 of the River Valley Builders North Region takes place with a 50-lap, $12,000-to-win feature on tap for the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds.

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, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollies, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrents Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmonts Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henrys Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.

HALE TRAILER ‘BLAST AT THE BEACH RESULTS SUMMARY – GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023

‘Blast at the Beach Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Rent Equip/Party Central South Region Round No. 4 Feature Finish (35 laps): STEWART FRIESEN, Ryan Godown, Matt Sheppard, Ryan Krachun, Brandon Grosso, Danny Bouc, HJ Bunting, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Gular, Anthony Perrego, Mike Mahaney, Ryan Watt, Austin Hubbard, Justin Grosso, Danny Hieber, John Willman, Norman Short Jr., Rick Laubach, Ryan Riddle, Alex Yankowski, Jordan Watson, Louden Reimert, Matt Stangle, Shawn McPhee

Disqualified: Joseph Watson, Carson Wright                        

Ad-Art Sign Company Spec Bonus ($250): John WillmanAmerican Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): HJ Bunting (seventh) & Austin Hubbard (13th)BDR Speed Hard Charger ($250): Matt Sheppard (11th to third)Behrents Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Ryan Krachun (fourth) & Mike Gular (ninth)Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Mike Mahaney (Redrew 12th)  Bill Brown & Company Overall Heat-Race Hard Charger ($50): Stewart Friesen (ninth to second)Dannys Pizza Pizzazz Halfway Leader Award ($200): Ryan GodownDesign for Vision/Sunglass Central Bonus (Oakley Sunglasses): Stewart Friesen (winner)EIBACH Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Danny Bouc (sixth)FloRacing Heat Winners ($50): Ryan Watt, Jordan Watson & Matt Sheppard                                                         Henrys Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Mike Mahaney (11th)Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Stewart Friesen (first - $150 certificate); Ryan Godown (second - $75 certificate); Matt Sheppard (third - $50 certificate); Anthony Perrego (10th - $25 certificate)                                                                  Schultz Racing Fuel Cells Bonus ($100 Certificate): Anthony Perrego (10th)Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7 Bonus ($100 Certificate): HJ Bunting (seventh)

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman Belmonts Garage South Region Round No. 4 Feature Finish (25 laps): DYLAN MADSEN, Joe Toth, Eric Kormann, Brandon Watkins, Dakota Kohler, Ryan Simmons, Greg Humlhanz, Logan Watt, Scott Hitchens, Adam White, Michael White, Kyle Smith, David Miloszar, Thomas Sherby, Jordn Justice, Bobby Watkins, Justin Zook, Richie Walls, Jr., Ashley Metz, Jeff Marker, Tom Moore Jr., Matt Smith, Tyler James, Paulie Hartwig III, Devin Dodson, Brian Rogers

Did Not Qualify: Jarod Millman, Robert Dutton, Chris Martinez, Rick Wegner Jr., Jacob King

Accurate Collision of Pompano Halfway Leader ($100): Dylan MadsenAmerican Racer/Lias Tire Bonus (FREE Tire Certificate): Logan Watt (eighth)Belmonts Garage Hard Charger Award ($100): Adam White (18th to 10th)Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($25): Devin Dodson (Redrew 12th)Fastline Performance Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Joe Toth (second) & Kyle Smith (12th)Harry Dutton Grandstand Hard Luck Award ($100): Rick Wegner Jr. Henrys Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Michael White (11th)Reigel Promotions Bonus ($25): Richie Walls Jr. (18th)

Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (12 laps): RON FALKNER, Jay Lowman, Randy Gallaway, Ashley Merritt, Tyler Hottle, Randy Merritt, Roger Kummerer, Billy Cummings, Dennis Nelson, Jong Yi, Robbie Strain, Joe Waters

Delaware Super Truck Feature Finish (12 laps): ROBERT SMITH, Dale Elliott, TJ Williams, Scott Trice, Chris Carroll, Tim Williams, Michelle Jackson, Thomas Jackson, Jerry Hill

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