Snyder Sets Off Own Fireworks With Last Lap Pass For Win

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Nate Snyder of Halifax made a last-lap, final-turn pass by Pat Cannon of Etters to win the ninth annual Middleswarth Potato Chips Firecracker Special for 358 sprint cars at Selinsgrove Speedway Saturday night.

For Snyder, driving the Pro Lawn/Expert Settlement Services No. 56, the $2,000 victory in the 30-lap race marked his second of the season and the 16th of his career at Selinsgrove. Snyder previously won the Firecracker race as a 40-lap contest in 2005. His win Saturday night also ended the four-race winning streak held by Cannon, who was the night’s fast qualifier for the fourth time this season with a lap of 18.236.

In the sprint car feature, third-place starter Davie Franek powered into the lead on the first lap. The caution flag unfurled for the only time during the event after the completion of the first lap when Josh Beard and Alan Spriggle stopped in turn two. When the race resumed, Franek stretched his lead over polesitter Brian Nornhold and second-place starter Jason Shultz.

On lap three, the No. 3 driven by Pat Cannon rocketed into the third position. Cannon then passed Nornhold for second on the sixth lap. Nate Snyder, who started seventh, advanced to third using the high line of the speedway on the seventh circuit.

By lap eight, the leaders began to encounter slower traffic, creating a close, high-speed chase for the lead between Franek, Cannon, and Snyder. On the 15th circuit, Snyder made a thrilling outside pass by both Cannon and Franek for the lead exiting the second turn.

While Snyder set a torrid pace, Cannon kept the new leader in his sites. Racing down the backstretch, Cannon took the lead for first time with an inside pass by Snyder on the 19th circuit.

With five laps remaining, it appeared to be Cannon’s race as he began to distance himself from Snyder in traffic. On the final lap, however, Snyder quickly gained real estate and made a breathtaking pass by Cannon racing off turn four for the lead and win by just .06 of a second. Cannon settled for second with Franek, Blane Heimbach, and TJ Stutts rounding out the top five.

353 Sprint Cars – 29 Entries
30-Lap A-Main: 1) 56 Nate Snyder $2,000 2) 3 Pat Cannon 3) 4R Davie Franek 4) 12 Blane Heimbach 5) 2T TJ Stutts 6) 1N Brian Nornhold 7) 99B Nyle Berkes 8) 76 Larry Kelleher 9) 63 Mike Walter 10) 7 Jason Shultz 11) 22T Matt Boland 12) 5 Phil Walter 13) 71 Jessica Anderson 14) 23M Tom Wise 15) 19 Colby Womer 16) 66 Ryan Kissinger 17) 5B Josh Beard 18) 14 Matt Heimbach 19) 80M Dan Richcreek 20) 16H Matt Horst 21) 99K Cody Keller 22) 42 Alan Spriggle 23) 769 Steve Nederostek 24) 55 John Troxell DNF 25) 37 Scott Flammer DNF
Heat Winners: Pat Cannon, Mike Walter, Davie Franek
Consolation Winner: Tom Wise