 Dan Wagner, owner of Motorsports 250 Speedway, stands at the barrier of his track, located off U.S. Route 250 near the southern end of Tappan Lake. Wagner has owned the track for several years, but this year he's adding a new feature - stock car racing. The track has been open for drivers to try their skills the past couple of Fridays, and racing starts at the track on May 16. The track will be open every Friday night through fall. (N-H Photo/ SANDY FITZGERALD) News-Herald Managing Editor IT'S A loud, dirty job - but Dan Wagner wouldn't have it any other way. Wagner has been the owner of the Wagner Motorsports 250 Speedway, located off U.S. Route 250 near the southern end of Tappan Lake, for several years. The track has hosted demolition derbies for the past three years, but this year, Wagner is turning the area on to a new thrill on Friday nights - old-fashioned, down and dirty stock car racing. The dirt track will begin holding
races on May 16 on Friday nights for Modifieds, Compact-4-Cylinder
class and Pure Stock racing cars. "I did quite a bit of racing and I was racing when I found this," said Wagner. "A friend from Deersville told me about it and I came over and decided I wanted to buy it." Ed Coultrap had owned the property
before Wagner purchased it, and had been used for various types
of motorsports for more than 40 years. Meanwhile, the racing season has already started on other tracks. Drivers have been coming to the track on May 2 and 9 to test it out and to get ready for the opening on May 16. "The closest racing to here is in Millersburg," said Wagner. "We're open on Fridays, where most of the other ones are open on Saturdays." Meanwhile, he noted that the spike in gas prices might attract both drivers and fans to come to the much-closer U.S. 250 facility. "Our track is centrally located, and the price of fuel will play a big factor," he noted. The drivers bring their cars in on trailers, and racing is an expensive hobby to pursue. However, Wagner is sure the fans and drivers will embrace the local speedway and what it has to offer. "We're old-school racing,"
Wagner said. "We're trying to keep it cheap as possible,
cheap for guys to come in and cheap for people to watch." Gates at the track open at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 8 p.m., and racing will be held every Friday night through Sept. 19. Bleachers haven't been built yet, but there is plenty of good hillside seating under the stars for racing fans, who should bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Those attending may bring coolers,
but no glass bottles are permitted. "I've always wanted to have a venue," Wagner said. "I'd like to do concerts or motorcycle racing here. There are a lot of opportunities here. It would also be nice to do some swap meets." Wagner insists that the changes and work at the track wasn't all his doing, and credits many people for their help there. Wagner's wife Kim and his son Taylor, who is employed locally in the construction business, worked hard on the track. His good friend Tim Hazlett can be seen doing many jobs at the track, including making sure the track's dirt surface is adequately watered down and suitable for racing. Local help came from Glen Toole and Scott Hess who worked on the lights and poles. Wagner also credits Keith and Tinley Telfer for their help. Wagner uses the services of Kenny Deeker, who is an experienced flagman and who will be bringing in a crew for racing nights. Local journalist Paul Giannamore is the announcer for race nights. The Wagners sold their home in the Akron area and now live near the track. They plan to eventually build a home near the site.
News-Herald Sports Writer Pelegreen sets strikeout
mark
Offense spurs six game
streak Offense was the key, as the Huskies hit their way pass their opponents. In a close encounter with Weir, Sara Pelegreen singled in the sixth, stole second and was driven home off a single by Kaylee Horn to produce the only run in a 1-0 victory. Pelegreen from the mound went on to shut down Weir with a perfect game, moving her season total to six. At Beaver Local on Friday, the Lady Dawgs were all over the Beavers. Hits rained in from every direction, as the Huskies were able to retire in five innings, by a score of 13-1. Kris Brandon and Jessica Keadle teamed to knock in 4 of the Huskies runs. Brandon booked three singles
on the evening with an RBI, while Keadle recorded a pair of triples
and a pair of RBI's. Teammate Jackie Sentich had a single and
a triple with an RBI, and scored three times. "We finally broke out the
bats today, said coach Bethel. I knew we were capable of this,
and hopefully we'll stay aggressive and keep swinging the bats
well. We played extremely well today," he added. Pelegreen also helped her own cause by hitting a double in the 3rd to score Meagan Carmen for the game's opening run. Kris Brandon would drive Pelegreen home with a double to left-center. Carman and Kassey Pelegreen would also single for the Lady Huskies. Coach Bethel went on to praise his team's performance by saying, "good pitching and defense along with timely hits, makes all the difference in a game. Sara (Pelegreen) has been great all year and our defense has really improved over the past few games. To be frank, the girls have really stepped up their game. I'm happy for them," he added.
Huskies fall in a 13-inning
dual The winning score would come in the 13th inning of the contest, where defense was the menu of the night. Both teams produced good defensive plays that limited base runners. Opportunities for base runner advancement were stifled by heads-up play. Pitching was a work of art, as both Huskies' Sara Pelegreen and Warrior's Jessica Bates, worked the mound in near perfect fashion. Bates would end the night with 6 strikeouts and one walk. Pelegreen ended the evening with 14 strikeouts and two walks.
Huskies place in OVAC track
action For the Huskies, Ericka Skinner
finished third in the high jump, at five feet, and third in the
3200 meter run with a time of 12.23. In the 4x100, teammates Kylee Bresseur, Carrie Kirkland, Kelsey Hyde and Alli Dotty took the number four position with a time of 53.7. Sandy Eckroth, Chloe Chisnell, Kelcie Harrison and Ericka Skinner would finish sixth in the 4x800, with a time of 11.12. Barnesville was the overall point getter at the event, with St. Clairsville and Meadowbrooke, in the numbers two and three spots. The Huskies finished behind Oak Glen and Bellaire. |
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