York Haven, Pa….. ~ The Third Annual running of the Keystone Cup for 410 Sprint Cars will kick off on Wednesday evening May 20.? The first leg of the series of six races in six days will be held at the Grandview Speedway.? This event will also mark the opening of the 20th Anniversary season for the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series at Grandview.?? Joining the 410 sprints will be the 358 Modifieds in a blockbuster doubleheader that gets underway at 7:30 PM.
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All six races offer $5000 to the winner.? The series moves to Hagerstown, MD on Thursday May 21, Williams Grove on May 22, Lincoln on May 23, Selinsgrove on May 24, and wraps up at Port Royal on Monday May 25.
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In it”s first two years, the Keystone Cup has hosted 11 races at six tracks with eight different winners.? In fact, variety seems to be the watch word for Keystone Cup competition.
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While Fred Rahmer has won both Keystone Cup titles, no drivers has emerged as a clear cut favorite.? In all categories of Keystone Cup competition the field seems wide open for all drivers.
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As mentioned there have been eight different winners in eleven event.? Stevie Smith, Lucas Wolfe and Brian leppo each have two victories, while Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, Mark Smith, Jeff Shepard and Danny Lasoski each have one.
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Over those 11 events there have been ten driver who have set quick time during time trials.? Only Stevie Smith has been able to double up in time trials.
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In qualifying heat race competition there have been more multiple winners, but no real domination.? There have been 27 different heat race winners.? Fred Rahmer leads the way with 5, while Stevie Smith has 4.? Greg Hodentt and Mike Erdley each have three.? Double heat winners are Brian Leppo, Blane Heimbach and Craig Keel, while 20 other drivers have single heat wins.
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In B-Main competition no one has won more than once.
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Rahmer”s two titles have been based more on consistency than on winning.? In fact in the first keystone Cup season, Rahmer won the title without a win.? His finishes that year were sixth, second, third, fifth, third and ninth.? Last year Rahmer did win the final Keystone Cup event for his only win in the series.? That win helped Rahmer overcome a 15th place finish te night before.? His other finishes last year were fourth, sixth and second.
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Keystone Cup Points (top 10) FINAL 2008
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1. 51 Fred Rahmer 650
2. 1 Jeff Shepard 631
3. 71 Brian Leppo 556
4. 89 Cody Darrah 549
5. 25 Chad Layton 545
6. 19 Stevie Smith 517
7. 7m Mark Smith 515
8. 88 Todd Shaffer 458
9. 22 Greg Hodnett 360
10. 87 Alan Krimes 338