CHAS WOLBERT WINS SWEENEY RUSH SPORTSMAN MOD $800 BICKNELL TOUR 2016 "APPLE FESTIVAL NATIONALS" MAKE-UP FEATURE AT SHARON

By Mike Leone

August 5, 2017                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hartford, OH)…After several failed attempts thanks to Mother Nature, the 2016 "Apple Festival Nationals" make-up feature for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified Bicknell Touring Series was finally put in the record books on Saturday night at Sharon Speedway.  After his father finished second in the regular program, Jeff Schaffer, Jr. was the scheduled driver in the make-up feature.  After making his way through the pack from the 16th starting spot to the lead, Schaffer, Jr. appeared on cruise control for his first career win.  A spin though by Jessica Kriegisch on the final lap gave Schaffer two flat tires and it was Chas Wolbert inheriting the lead and the $800 victory.

"I'm telling you this car is always good in and out," described the 22-year-old Warren, Ohio racer.  "We were fighting it a little bit tight and on that one restart we went from first to third.  The right front brake hung up, but somehow we got it figured out.  It was unfortunate for the 14 (Schaffer), but we were right there in second.  Things happen.  We used the same car as we did last year.  I have to thank God; without him none of this would be possible."

Wolbert started on the pole and led the first two laps before a caution for Chelsie Kriegisch.  When racing resumed, it was three-wide for the lead with Kyle Martell taking over followed by Brian Schaffer and then Wolbert.  Schaffer, Jr. was already up to third on lap six when he got by Brian Schaffer.  Following a caution for a spin by Kristyak, it was three-wide again for the lead this time with Schaffer, Jr. taking charge over Wolbert and Martell. 

A long green flag run occurred allowing Schaffer, Jr. to pull away from the field.  He caught lapped traffic on lap 23, which would turn out to doom him.  Schaffer, Jr. had been running the bottom perfectly, but when the lapped car of Jessica Kriegisch spun directly in front of him, he had nowhere to go.  Though he would continue without stopping, the two flat tires would force him to pit and relinquished the lead to Wolbert. 

Wolbert then led the final lap and won by 0.311 of a second in his C.T. Wolbert Trucking/Russ King Racing/Ohio Intra Express/Kings Ready Mix Concrete/Crooked Pine Woodworking/955 Automotive/Kings Sanitary-sponsored #c3.  The victory was Wolbert's second in as many weeks at Sharon and the fourth of his career.  It was also Wolbert's second career RUSH Touring Series win.  Holden came all the way from 19th to finish second after getting by Martell on the final lap.  Shayne Izzo had a good run in fourth after starting 10th.  Brian Schaffer faded to fifth. 

Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Sportsman Modified Bicknell Touring Series Touring Series "Apple Festival Nationals" 9/17/16 make-up (25 laps, $800 to-win): 1. CHAS WOLBERT (c3)  2. Kole Holden (2)  3. Kyle Martell (8)  4. Shayne Izzo (86)  5. Brian Schaffer (41)  6. Josh Seippel (84)  7. Jeremy Weaver (35W)  8. Steve Slater (35)  9. Preston Cope (24P)  10. Tiffany Williams (58)  11. Anthony Gillespie (Smith 3G)  12. Jacob Jordan (28J)  13. Jeff Schaffer, Jr. (14)  14. Brandon Ritchey (17)  15. Calvin Clay (21)  16. Jessica Kriegisch (63)  17. Don Blaney (11)  18. Michael Kristyak (404)  19. Rocky Kugel (83x)  20. Chelsie Kriegisch (10)  21. Amelia Clay (12)  22. Josh Deems (9D)-DNS  23. Nick Ritchey (Eads 77N)-DNS  24. Will Schaffer (4)-DNS.

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