Smoking hot action, great track prep make SSN a huge success!

Hagerstown, Maryland – Scorching temps and triple digit heat index are always expected at Hagerstown’s Bikeweek. That wasn’t the only thing that was hot in town. The Steel Shoe Nationals kicked off their new series July 1st at Hagerstown Speedway. Home of the historic Hagerstown Hub- City Classic. Always a rider favorite Steel Shoe Nationals returns Professional Flat Track racing back to this very fast half mile.

Riders, teams and fans noticed right away the relaxed yet professional’s vibe in the SSN Paddock. Riders meeting provided an chance for riders to meet the new crew running the show for the Steel Show Nationals. CEO- Christy Cottrell addressed riders about her vision with a “riders are our customer” approach. Telling riders “I gave you a stage, now go put on a show”. Race Director -Kevin Snyder went over the days procedures and rules. Director of Tech-Dan Thompson would touch on the few basic rule differences allowed at SSN. Two fuel choices and a more open tire rule were a welcome addition. No stranger to the sport Al Ludington would be introduced as the Director of Safety. Gina Harrington oversees the Operations of the series both in the office and at the track. Flat Track and Roadracing legend Bubba Shobert would be introduced as not only the events Grand Marshall but now a member of the Steel Shoe Nationals Staff as Director of Competitor Relations.

With track prep always so well done at Hagerstown, the Plessenger family certainly didn’t disappoint this year. The track was beautiful. A small hiccup in the weather produced just enough rain to help the track tack up with a great groove. Providing at least a 4 wide line through the turns giving riders a several fast lines all night. The fans got a show well worth the price of admission.

Steel Shoe Nationals provided the racing action via the internet through the popular online coverage of Flat Track Live, Chris Tice would provide the live air action while Flat Track Live captured the racing action to be used at a later date. All the while providing a nice range of coverage for those not able to attend live.

Practice and 2 rounds of qualifying, gave teams plenty of time to get their race set ups dialed in. Heat races went by smoothly with 4 classes of action. Pro 450 DTX, Pro 450/505 Framers, 600 Framer Exhibition and the big show of the night, Pro Super Twins.

Heats rolled by very quickly with riders getting a shot to transfer to a Dash for Cash in all 3 pro-classes. Dash winners – Motion Pro, Inc. 450-505 Framer: Chad Cose. Spectro Oils Pro 450 DTX: Cameron Smith and Otton Racing Pro Super Twins: Sam Halbert.

Main events for the night shaped up into some amazing talent. The 450 DTX class saw several new pros and a few hot shoe 15 year-olds turning pro, This class has the makings of some great superstars of tomorrow! All were total professionals on and off the track. Going green to checker all night without any issues. Cameron Smith was the class of the field for the night winning his heat, the dash and the main.

A fresh mix of Pro Super Twins riders and Pro 450 DTX riders made up the Pro 450/505 framer class, which looks to be a fan favorite! This class was formed to offer younger riders more experience before moving on to a twin and in the company of the more seasons Pro Super Twins riders. Action packed every lap and very exciting to watch. The California Kid Chad Cose would rule the class for the night. Going to the lead early and never looking back.

Of course, the Pro Super Twins are the biggest guns of the night. they did not let their fans down. Very close racing the entire night from this class. The track conditions were perfect for fast, close racing with multiple lines on a wide groove. Halbert and Shoemaker would dice it up all night. Shoemaker coming from mid pack to take the lead until a red flag restart. Shoemaker would challenge but never retake the lead from Halbert.

Results of all three of the Pro Steel Shoe Nationals classes are listed below. complete with heats, semis and mains. The night also featured a local option Trophy Exhibition 600cc Framer class.

With a track as fast as Hagerstown Speedway, Airfence is a must have. Provided through the efforts of nonprofit organization, Roadracing World Action Fund and in collaboration with American Flat Track, ASRA/CCS and Summit Point Race Circuit. the proper amount of Airfence was secured to help reduce injuries for riders. Fortunately, the fence was never touched throughout the night.

The Hub-City Classic will return on the Steel Shoe Nationals schedule for 2018 with a new date and possibly as a 2 day event including an Invitational Short Track and charity “PIT BIKE NATIONAL”

Pro Super Twins Main

1. 69 Sammy Halbert

2. 55 Jake Shoemaker

3. 24 JR Addison

4. 20 Jarod Vanderkooi

5. 94 Ryan Wells

6. 37 Bronson Bauman

7. 67 Davis Fisher

8. 17 Henry Wiles

9. 49 Chad Cose

10 12 Jay Maloney

11. 23 Jeffrey Carver

12 82 Jeremy Higgins

13. 65 Cory Texter

14. 27 Rob Pearson

15 110 Andrew Luker

16 32 Shawn Baer

17 21 Parker Norris

18. 16. Ryan Varnes

24 Laps – 18:51.968

Pro 450cc DTX Main

1. 44 Cameron Smith

2. 13 Shane O’Banion

3. 190 Kyle Vanconant

4. 124 Oliver Brindley

5. 12 John Vanderlaan

6. 17 Jordan Harris

7. 131 Chris Leviness

8. 27 Shane Narbonne

9. 222 Jeremy Orr

10. 75C Blake Lomas

11. 36F Trey Conant

12. 21 Jayson Bloss

13. 29 Tyler Mullen

14. 66F Drew Hart

15. 77U Doug Cook

16. 22F Chaz Meiman

17. 272 Kenny Dahlin

18. 71U Georgie Price

16 Laps – 7:01.849

600cc Framer Main

1. 29 Nick Henderson

2 26A Austin Greenland

3. 93B Daryl Jacobowski

4. 32A DJ Slosser

5. 56 Roy Miller

6. 55C Steve Johnson

7. 6 Joe Baggott

8. 13X Mike Wilson

9 80 Joe Maher

10. 86 Rich Mellinger

10 Laps – 4:55.397

Framer 450cc-505cc Main

1. 49 Chad Cose

2 67 Davis Fisher

3 23 Jeffrey Carver

4. 69 Sammy Halbert

5 99 Kevin Stollings

6 94 Ryan Wells

7. 65 Cory Texter

8. 27U Jay Maloney

9. 24 JR Addison

10. 37 Bronson Bauman

11. 27 Rob Pearson

12 62 Dan Bromley

13. 190 Kyle Vanconant

14 27 Shane Narbonne

15 124 Oliver Brindley

16.35S Dalton Winkler

17 82 Jeremy Higgins

18. 44C Chase Sconyers

16 Laps – 14:47.006

Steel Shoe Nationals

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Our staff, however, is nationwide. Florida, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, California and a few states in between. We have staff members all over the country wanting to assist you. All you have to do is call our office 330-431-9714 let us know how we can help. You can also reach us by email [email protected] or Snail Mail PO BOX 19093 Akron, Ohio 44319