Austin Hogue pilots BAPS car to first career win in 358 sprints

Austin Hogue ended a storybook night by claiming his first career win in the 20-lap “358” sprint car feature.

Hogue, whose mother is one of three current owners of BAPS Auto Paints & Supply, started 11^th and was running third when both leader Joey Allen (car out of gear) and Tim Berkheimer (the other BAPS family driver whose throttle stuck) stopped during a 15^th-lap caution flag.

Hogue led the rest of the way despite heavy pressure from rookie Tyler Ross over the final five laps, and crossed just .34 seconds ahead of Ross at the end. Hard charger Niki Young (who started 14^th), Jeff Rohrbaugh, and 12^th-starting Cris Eash completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were points leader Tim Wagaman, Todd Rittenhouse, Jr., Ryan Wilson, Mike Bittinger, and Nathan Berwager.

Heats for the 33 “358” Sprinters on hand were won by Eash, Allen, Wagaman, and Rohrbaugh, with Findley winning the consolation.

KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS

358 SPRINTS
Feature (20-Laps) - 1. 52-Austin Hogue; 2. 5-Tyler Ross; 3. 65-Niki Young; 4. 45-Jeff Rohrbaugh; 5. 17E-Cris Eash; 6. 1*-Tim Wagaman; 7. 23-Todd Rittenhouse, Jr.; 8. 29-Ryan Wilson; 9. 12-Mike Bittinger; 10. 85-Nathan Berwager; 11. 1W-Eric Tomecek; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss; 13. 4R-Glenndon Forsythe; 14. 28F-Matt Findley; 15. 97-Brie Hershey; 16. 22T-Matt Boland; 17. 44-Rodney Westhafer; 18. 10-Zach Euculano; 19. 66-Dale Hammaker; 20. 1A-Joey Allen (DNF); 21. 50-Tim Berkheimer (DNF); 22. 21-Scott Fisher (DNF); 23. 38-Mark Strickler (DNF); 24. 5A-Brian Allman (DNF). No time.

Lap Leaders – Joey Allen (1-14), Austin Hogue (15-20)