Hartford, MI (Friday, June 7, 2019) - The first race of the 2019 season for Hartford Speedway featured the American Ethanol Modified Tour Presented by Allstar Performance for the Allstar Performance 30. Dry and slick track conditions greatted the drivers on a sunny and warm afternoon, but that didn’t stop them from searching for speed.
In American Ethanol Qualifying, Jacob Poel showed his speed in his first ever appearance in 2019 by setting quick time in group one turning in a 19.266 second lap time ahead of Will Krup with a 19.363 and Bob Pohlman with a 19.396. In group two, Bobby Stremme came in at the top with a 20.002 ahead of Bob Baldwin’s 20.516 and Rick Swartout’s 21.133. The final group saw Hartford regular Zeke McKenzie top the board with a 19.911 ahead of Dave Baker with a 20.461, and Curt Spalding’s 20.474. With his performance, Poel captured the Motul Motor Oil and Lubricants Fast Qualifier award.
In Lane Automotive Heat Race Number One the field quickly sorted out into single file racing with current AEmods points leader Will Krup setting the pace. The event went caution free with Krup picking up the win ahead of Bob Pohlman and Jacob Poel. In COMP Cams Heat Race Number Two, Bobby Stremme navigated around Bob Baldwin to go on to the win ahead of Baldwin, and Dan Hubble. In the third and final YellowHose.com Heat Race Number Three, Curt Spalding held off a charge from Zeke McKenzie to collect the win, with Dave Baker finishing third. The top three drivers made the redraw.
The Allstar Performance 30 would see a stacked first couple of rows, with Krup and Dave Baker bringing the field to green. Krup wasted no time on a slick race track pinning his K19 to the bottom of the race track, the preferred line all night. Baker though, showed that passes could be made in other places, as he took the lead from Krup three laps in, and appeared to be on a mission to stretch the lead. Suddenly, Krup’s car fired off on the bottom and he pulled back alongside Baker to contest the spot. On lap eight, Krup retook the lead. He appeared to be walking away from the field as Jacob Poel surpassed Baker for second. A single car spin in turns one and two would hit the reset button with 15 laps to go. On the restart, Poel slide high, allowing Curt Spalding to challenge for the second spot. While he couldn’t complete the pass, he did bump Baker off the podium. The race went green the rest of the way with Krup taking the checkered flag, Poel second, and Spalding rounding out the podium.
Next up for the AEmods is their first trip to Montpelier Motor Speedway in 2019 for the POET BioFuels 30. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m., with Hot Laps at 5:00 p.m. and the American Ethanol Green Flag at 6:30 p.m.
