Austin Reed win thrilling 305 Sprint Feature

(BLOOMBURG 5-19-22): Austin Reed of Etters scored a rousing win in the 305 Sprint feature Thursday night at Bloomsburg Fair Raceway in a race that provided plenty of action and drama throughout the 25-lap distance. From start to finish there was excitement taking place all around the 3/8-mile dirt oval and much of it centered on the battle for the lead.

Reed, who started ninth, took over the front spot six laps from the finish when then leader Paul Moyer suddenly lost power and dropped out. Afterwards he made sure to hit his marks perfectly and was able to hold off hard charging Domenic Melair who was closing fast in the waning laps.

“I was just trying to bide my time and see where I was the fastest. I could see that I could really run into the corners hard and get a little bite coming off,” said Reed.

“My guys gave me a real good car and I have to thank them for getting me going this year. In only wish my mom, dad, son and wife could have been here. We’re excited and we’ll take it.”

At the outset Jeff Cavalet and Moyer shared the front row but before a single lap was scored the red waved for Josh Spicer who flipped in Turn 2.

On the restart Moyer jumped to the early lead and within the first few laps was being hotly pursued by Ryan Kissinger. Their battle was intense as laps were contested in side-by-side fashion with Kissinger trying several times to take Moyer on the inside.

With nine laps in the lead pair came upon the slower car of Levi Brungard and they then split their way by him going through Turn 3. Kissinger made his pass on Brungard on the low side of the track and when he did made slight contact. Brungard then spun to bring out a caution and while under the yellow Kissinger had to make an unexpected pit stop due to a cut right rear tire from the contact and ended any hopes of a good finish.

On the restart Moyer was ahead of Jeff Weaver and Reed. As Moyer held his ground Reed was able to slip by Weaver for second and soon began his assault towards the leader. However, with six laps to go Moyer suddenly slowed off the pace and pulled off with mechanical woes, giving up the top spot to Reed.

Although Reed was now in charge his race was far from over as Melair had everyone’s attention as he had stormed from 17th and was now in second spot and closing quickly. Reed though remained vigilant in his quest to win and held on for a very gratifying yet close victory.

“It feels good to get a win our first time ever here, I never had even come to the Bloomsburg Fair so this is awesome to be here with this crowd and with the World of Outlaws racing the same night,” said Reed.

“This is definetley a badass race track. I like how through the night they tried to work on it and get some of the ruts out of it for us and with our class it’s really racy and fun.”

For his runner-up efforts Melair was presented the BJ Crawford Construction Hard Charger award worth an extra $200.

Weaver took third with Scott Frack and Kruz Kepner rounding out the top five. Heat wins went to Tylor Cochran, Tyler Snook and Reed.

305 Sprint feature finish (25 laps): 1. Austin reed, 2. Domenic Melair, 3. Jeff Weaver, Scott Frack, 5. Kruz Kepner, 6. Tylor Cochran, 7. Tyler Snook, 8. Timmy Bitner, 9. Ken Duke, Jr., 10. Scott Lutz, 11. Joshua Beamer, 12. Ryan Kissinger, 13. Dustin Young, 14. Dave Wickham, 15. Chad Philips, 16. Logan Jones, 17. Owen Dimm, 18. Paul Moyer, 19. Matthew Swift, 20. Kyle Knopp, 21. Eric Knopp, 22. Levi Brungard, 23. Jarrett Cavalet, 24. Mariah Romig, 25. Josh Spicer