Kevin Bolland scores a heartbreaking win over Steve Feder
The fine folks from Diehl Auto Group were on hand as the program’s weekly sponsor and they were almost treated to a career first Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modified feature win for young gun Steve Feder. Feder took the lead from the pole at the drop of the green flag and held off future Hall of Famer Kevin Bolland for 24 laps with the best run of his career in a caution-free race. But as the leaders approached turn one on the final lap, Feder hesitated for a fraction of a second as a pair of lapped cars raced side-by-side ahead of them and Bolland pounced, taking the bottom and the lead. Feder could only chase Bolland to the checkered flag and wait to fulfill his dream of scoring that sacred career first feature win at the Action Track. For Bolland, it was his second win of the season and 55th of his Lernerville career. The win was made all the more impressive by the 200+ man hours of labor required to get the #777 ready for action after a nasty wreck with Dave Murdick at the BRP Modified Tour opener at Eriez Speedway last Sunday Night.
Feder had to settle for a career best finish of second ahead of All Time wins leader Brian Swartzlander in third, Dave Murdick in fourth and NY invader Brian Weaver in fifth. Mike Turner, Dean Pearson, Eric Gabany, Carl Murdick and Phil Evans Jr. rounded out the Diehl Top Ten. Bolland and Swartzlander claimed heat race victories.
For the second feature in a row, Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker was claimed by the gremlins as he broke on lap 21 exiting turn four running third and rolled into the infield; officially scored with a DNF in 16th.
Bolland Outduels Murdick
Kevin Bolland made the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modified feature into a high speed chess match Friday Night, as he pursued Dave Murdick who led the first 23 laps of the 25-lapper. Murdick launched to a quick start and took the lead just past the flagstand after completing the first lap and built a comfortable lead over Jim Weller Jr. and Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker.
A myriad of cautions midrace made the Big Blocks look more like the Enduro. The final caution waved on lap 18 and by that time Bolland had made his way to second from 11th on the starting grid. He took a brief lead around the top of turns one & two, only to see Murdick thunder past him from the bottom of turn two and down the back straightaway. This scenario repeated itself repeatedly until lap 23 when Bolland dropped down off the top of turn two and took Murdick’s preferred line away to hold the lead down the back stretch and into turn three. Once at the point, Bolland’s 54th career win was academic.
Shingledecker also got past Murdick in the final two laps to finish second. Behind Murdick in third, veterans Rex King Sr. and Jim Weller Jr. rounded out the Diehl Top Five. Brian Swartzlander struggled all night in both the Detman #111 Late Model and his on #83 Big Block, but salvaged a sixth place finish. Mark Frankhouser finished seventh ahead of Steve Feder, Carl Murdick and Phil Evans Jr. Kevin Bolland also took the checkers in his heat race, as did Small Block ace Frank Guidace.
Contact: Lernerville Speedway
Eric J. Westendorf, Public Relations Director
(724) 664-1075 / ewestendorf@dirtcar.com