|
Reitenour Shines In Super Cup Stock Car Opener
by Skip Wall -
SouthernMotorRacing.com
March 10, 2008 - Fun, disappointment, jubilation and frustration were just
some of the words to describe Saturdays opening race for the Super Cup
Stock Car series opener.
For Schrewsbury PA driver, Wally Schweizer, is was bitter disappointment;
but for Miamisburg, Oh Megan Reitenour, is still jubliation today.
Reitenour only 16 years old, took the lead with three laps remaining in
the 100 lap race at Tri County Speedway in Hudson NC to claim the win in
the first ever Super Cup Stock Car Series race.
 |
"This is awesome" says Reitenour who
has had her drivers license for less than a year. "We had our ups and
down but be still came back to victory."
Reitenour had to battle back thru the field after she pinched off
young Ryan Miller on lap 27 and spun out sending her to the rear of
the field after making adjustments on her Drink Purple.com/Hampton Inn
Fusion.
"I learned a lot after I pinched the 71 (Miller) off and then came
back slow. We just picked them off one by one."
Schweizer who led the most laps came
home second. Rounding out the top five was Daniel Johnson, Miller and
Larry Wilcox. |
For Schweizer it was a
bitter disappointment losing the lead with less than three laps to go but
none the less he was happy with a second.
"We still love coming home second and it helps us for the points chase. We
didn't think we had a car that would run like this."
In fact Schweizer didn't even think he was going to have an engine for
this race. With less than three weeks before the race. his dad Walter,
said his son couldn't get the engine refreshed in time. So Wally said
everything worked out for them.
Jim Crabtree Jr. won the pole for
the series and season opener but had to start sixth with the top six
inverted. Crabtree was battling for the lead when he blew an engine on
lap 19.
Daniel Johnson was one of the ones that moved over to this series from
ProCup, came home third.
"This was an exciting race. This Five Points Racing Development car
came home in one piece. Were looking forward to the next race."
Johnson had a shot at the lead but tangled with Crabtree. " I had the
sun in my eyes and just got into the back of him and turned him
around. Hopefully he wont be too mad at me." |
 |
While happy finishing
third here, his ProCup race at Iowa a few years ago remains his best race
but Johnson plans to compete more in this series.
"I like this series (Super Cup) and is what Hooters was made up for but I
will be back here."
Cold, sleet and 30 mile an hour winds may have hampered the crowd however
they absolutely saw a good show. Series competition director Joe Schmaling
couldn't have been more proud.
"This is exactly what we are looking for. This race produced good racing
like its supposed to be. We heard no complaints from the drivers and we
only heard praise from them. They cant wait till Newport" (next race) says
Schmalling.
The race had 10 cautions for the green flag only 100 lap race.
Rietenhours victory was a surprise to everyone except car owner Mart
Nesbitt. "
I had high expectations from her from the very beginning. I knew she could
win because she will listen to you. She is dedicated to learn this sport."
Even Rietenhours spotter said they found themselves a driver while the
team celebrated in victory lane.
Rietenhours victory also serves notice that females and youth can win in
the new series that is made up of steel bodied cars that have been
outlawed in ProCup Series. Several independent drivers moved over to this
new series from ProCup. So how do they feel that a young 16 old comes out
and beats them in the first race? Rietenhour sums it up " A lot of those
drivers came over and congratulated me."
However the foremost thing is that these drivers have found themselves in
a new series that cares for the small budget teams. Every car at that race
had a chance to win. Some go on to say that this series could have as much
as 50 entries before the season ends. Schmaling only says "We will
accommodate them. We will run a B race if needed. Were not going to send
cars home for not making a race."
And that's what racing needs.
|
