Awtey Rebounds for Win at Jennerstown
Kostelnik, Fleegle Sweep Double Down Weekend 

JENNERSTOWN, July 3 – Barry Awtey had to break out the backup car for a special Sunday edition of racing at Jennerstown on Sunday night, but it didn’t phase him as he picked up his fourth win of the season.

Awtey crashed on Saturday in the first night of Jennerstown Speedway’s Double Down Weekend where drivers raced on both Saturday and Sunday ahead of Independence Day. To get ready for Sunday, Awtey had to move to a backup car after contact with Jarred Barclay on Saturday night tore up the front end of his car racing for the lead with three laps to go.

Awtey started third in the Sunday night feature. Brandon Marhefka led the first few laps after starting on the front row, but it didn’t take long for Awtey to track him down, take the lead and never look back.

Already owning the track record for late model wins, the Sunday victory is Awtey’s fourth in just nine races in the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model Division this season. The defending champion is at the top of the standings once again.

The caution flag flew just one time the entire night through six feature races. The sole yellow came out for a spin during the One Stop Auto Sales Pro Stock race six laps in.

Kyle Burkholder led the first few laps, but after the restart, Kostelnik was able to track down Burkholder and take the lead. The win was Kostelnik’s second of the weekend and the third straight trip to Stoney’s Beer Victory Lane. Burkholder settled for second, and Samantha Osborn third.

In the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modifieds, Anthony Aiello made his 2022 debut. Despite not turning a lap on the track this season or working on his car, the former track champion started on the pole with four fresh tires and led every lap of the feature event.

Dale Glessner, Jason Busch, Tom Golik, and Adam Henry all earned top five finishes.

Nate Valente also led every lap of his feature event to pick up his second win of the season in the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers. Valente, who has joined as an occasional analyst and personality on the track’s live stream on FloRacing.com, started on the pole, cleared for the lead on the first lap, and drove off with the win.

Steve Singo, Scott Mitchell, Ken Burkholder, and Nick Niemic completed the top five.

It was a dominate performance in the Somerset Trust Fast N’ Furious 4’s, too. Johnathan Haburscak, the current points leader, earned his second win of the year on Sunday night. After starting on the front row, the recent high school graduate led all 15 laps for the victory.

Dennis Shawley finished second, and his son, Lance, ended up third.

It was another win for Casey Fleegle in the Ron’s Collision Center Street Stocks. Like Kostelnik, Fleegle picked up both wins on the Double Down Weekend.

After winning on Saturday, Fleegle had to start at the back of the field. He worked his way from tenth to first in just three laps on his way to his fifth win of the season.

Jennerstown Speedway will welcome NASCAR officials and Advanced Auto Parts on Saturday night, July 9 for a special presentation. Earlier this year, Jennerstown Speedway won the Advance My Track Challenge and $50,000 from a fan vote of local NASCAR tracks. NASAR and Advanced Auto Parts will visit the racetrack on Saturday to present the check and celebrate with local drivers and fans.

The celebration includes fireworks, and a free $10 meal voucher for the first 500 fans.

Free admission tickets are also available at local Advanced Auto Parts stores in Somerset, Blairsville, Latrobe and Johnstown.