The Story From Sharon- Johnson Makes History With Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals Win

Zack Anthony Photography

Hartford, OH-The Homak Penn-Ohio Pro stock series took to Sharon Speedway for the inaugural Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals and lived up to all the pre race hype and then some. There was everything a history making inaugural event could have and more. The participants and full grandstand were treated to great racing action drama and certainly left everyone talking about next years event

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Andrew Gordon of Dubois, Pa and Brent Johnson of Brookville, Pa brought the 30 car field to green as Gordon jumped to the lead while third starting Chris Schneider of Lower Burrell, Pa wasted no time in tracking and hunting Todd Weldon and then set his sights on Gordon whom he made his way around with relative ease putting himself in the lead at a track he'd mastered several times before. Schneider entered lapped traffic on lap nine and had built up an 11 second lead as he worked the lappers which allowed Gordon to close. Meanwhile, Bobby Whitling began to make a charge to the front from his 16th starting spot to become a factor in the top five in the second half of the race. The race's most pivotal moment came on lap 50 when a lapped car spun in turn three as Schneider was closing in. The leader slowed trying to avoid the spin and Gordon slammed into the Schneider causing him to spin and stop momentarily.

The lead was handed to Brookville, PA wheel man Brent Johnson and the caution reset the top five at a critical moment as Johnson was followed by 2017 Penn-Ohio Champion Whitling, Rob Shook, Noah Brunell and Kyle Couchenour.  When the green came back out Schneider and Gordon restarted 17th & 18th respectively but all progress was halted in the name of safety as a problem with the lights at the track in turns two and three gave drivers turned the race into a 25 lap dash for the $10,000 top prize.

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When racing went green again the 55s of Schneider put on a clinic masterfully slicing his way back to the front. A late race caution and ensuing restart saw Schneider sitting in 4th place and it took little time for him to make his move for the lead lead as an amazing finish was setting up for the victory. Coming off of turn 4 with the checkers in sight, the caution was thrown for the 65 of Shawn Hooks of Sandy Lake, Pa.  Two more attempts were needed, setting up one last chance for the front runners to etch their name in the history books. It came down to one moment and on the final restart Johnson seized it and kept pace entering turn one and drove in deep drifting up the track in the line of the 55s car and again as the two were door to door coming off turn 4 and the checker flag waved over the 92 x of Johnson.

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Many in attendance did not understand the lack of a green-white-checker finish. The Penn-Ohio series does not have that policy to finish their races.

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After the race a relived and happy Johnson explained his mind set coming to the checkers.

“It was for 10 grand and I wasn't lifting and neither was Chris. We were both going for it. It was good hard racing for 10 grand”. Johnson was asked what it felt like and meant to take part in such a history making event. “Unbelievable. "Johnson said. "One hell of a show and job well done by the series and track.This was the biggest win of my career by far”


“I though we were doing a green-white-checkered finish but before that I thought I won the race and the caution waved," Schneider said.  "When asked about making his way back up thru the field and when he felt he was actually back in contention again Schneider said “ When I was fifth, I thought I could win it again and put the car where it needed to be.”

3rd finishing Whiltling was pleased with his night after starting 16th.  “We took a big swing at the set up starting that far back and it worked out for us with a decent night," Whitling said while looking forward to the event next year and said he felt the track and series will apply what they learned and make it even better.

All photos courtesy of Zack Anthony Photography

Feature Finish- 75 Lap ($10,000 to win) Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals

1.Brent Johnson (92X) 2. Chris Schneider (55S) 3. Bobby Whitling (7w) 4. Rob Shook (64) 5. Noah Brunell (55N) 6. Paul Davis (3) 7. Kyle Couchenour (299) 8. Chris McGuire (63) 9. Jackson Humanic (17) 10. Andrew Gordon (25A) 11. Alan Dellinger (1B) 12. Mike Miller (T6) 13. Shaun Hooks (65) 14. William Hurrelbrink (c8) 15. Brian Carothers (02c) 16. Tyler Thompson (T2) 17. Jason Fosnaught (73) 18. Randy Wyant (11T) 19. Rusty Martz (16M) 20. Wayne Carbo (54) 21. Rod Laskey (1R) 22. Terry Wheeler (2W) 23. Steve D’Apolito (84) 24. Todd Weldon (45) 25. Nick Stone (27) 26. Ryan Newman (12) 27. Eddie Stewart (119) 28. Curt J. Bish  (29) 29. Bryan Wagner (56) 30. Jeff Broniszewski (08).