SPORTS | 2010-05-17
Dave Hess Jr., of Waterford, Pa., has been hot to begin the 2010 season and that success has stuck with the young pilot as the O'Reilly All-Star Late Model Series gets into full swing. Hess held off the hard-charging Eddie Carrier Jr. and the 2009 ASLMS Champion Rob Blair to pick up his first career ASLMS win at Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, Saturday, May 15.A packed house watched as Lance Elson and Carrier Jr. led the talented 24-car field to the green flag with Carrier jumping out to the early lead from his outside starting position. Hess made his presence known early as he slid under Elson to capture the second place position before the first lap was complete.
The race slowed on lap five as Waterville's Matt Miller slowed coming down the front straightaway bringing out the first of two cautions. Carrier Jr. led the Delaware style restart with Hess Jr. and Blair in tow. Hess worked the bottom side to perfection as he made his way around the Salt Rock Express for the lead on lap eight. Meanwhile, the racing was as action packed throughout the field as it was at the front. Gregg Satterlee, Jared Miley, and Boom Briggs battled three-wide for the seventh position as Hess Jr. held off Carrier Jr. for the lead.
Hess and Carrier put on a show up front as Carrier stayed on Hess's rear deck-lid throughout the event while Blair stayed right with the front two. The action was plentiful before the second caution on lap 25 for Darren Peters slowed the pace. The race went caution-free for the last 15 laps as Carrier was unable to get around Hess as he held on for his first career ASLMS win followed by Carrier in second, and Blair in third. Tim Dohm came home fourth in his first event since eye surgery, and Mike Knight was fifth. Jared Miley finished sixth with Zack Dohm in seventh, Gregg Satterlee in eighth, Boom Briggs was ninth, and Jared Hawkins rounded out the top ten.