Greater Cumberland Raceway
Troutman earns $5,000 at Western Maryland Nationals
By Matt Felten
Allegany County SpeedwayCUMBERLAND, Md. (Sept. 12) — D.J. Troutman of Hyndman, Pa., seized control halfway through Saturday's 50-lap main event in a memorable race for a victory in the seventh annual Western Maryland Nationals at Allegany County Speedway.
Troutman won $5,000 after a hard-fought race at the front of the field for his second straight Nationals title.
Troutman fell back to fifth early in the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature. He was part of a three-car battle for the lead prior to the halfway point and took control of the race on lap 26.
The race changed complexion on lap 11 when leader Jack Pencil of Bedford, Pa., who set fast time Friday and started on the pole, faded high in turn one with a flat tire on a restart following the sixth caution.
Darrell Dick and Armstrong took the top two spots. Alan Lemin and Troutman moved up to third and fourth. Armstrong was the early driver to watch, coming from 16th to third in the opening nine laps.
The racing was furious after the caution for Pencil and the race prior to halfway was reminiscent of the 2005 classic with lead changes back and forth.
Armstrong went after Darrell Dick on the high side on lap 12, and then Dick came back underneath. Armstrong led laps 14-15 and then Dick battled back on the inside again. As the top two cars diced back and forth, Troutman was right behind in third.
Armstrong’s run at the front ended on lap 20 when he spun by himself in turn three. Dick reassumed the lead over Troutman, Andy Fries, Matt Cosner and Brian Lessley.
After the mandatory fuel stop on lap 25, Troutman drove around Dick to get the lead and pulled away in the last 14 laps to win by 3.5 seconds. Dick was the runner-up while Tim Smith Jr., who was collected in a crash at the outset came back to get third over Fries. Cosner placed fifth.
Western Maryland Nationals: (1) D.J. Troutman, (2) Darrell Dick, (3) Tim Smith Jr., (4) Andy Fries, (5) Matt Cosner, (6) Matt Howsare, (7) Mike Duck, (8) Brian Lessley, (9) Jerry Bard, (10) Travis Calhoun, (11) Daniel Cornman, (12) Tyler Armstrong, (13) Rance Garlock, (14) Travis Stickley, (15) Cale Grubb, (16) Jack Pencil, (17) Alan Lemin, (18) Bruce Kane, (19) Ted Gallaher, (20) Barry Miller, (21) Randy Wible, (22) Tim Snare Jr., (23) Matt Sponaugle. Scratched: Matt Parks. Fast qualifier (among 24 cars): Pencil, 20.785 seconds. Heat race winners: Pencil, Smith, Troutman. Dash winner: Pencil.
