May 3, 2015
Busti, NY


The best weather possible greeted fans and race teams for the 2015 Stateline Speedway racing season. The "Papa" Don Frank Memorial for the Overhead Door of Jamestown Super Late Models featured one of the most exciting finishes ever when Rob Blair squeezed by near-race-long leader John Volpe coming out of turn four for the final run to the checkers and the $2500 first-place check. Father and son completed the nightly sweep as Max Blair led the Shults Auto Group RUSH Crate Late Models to the checkers.

The "Papa Don Frank Memorial" for the Overhead Door of Jamestown Super Late Models started with Papa Don Frank's Grandson, Kyle Abbott, dropping the green flag on the 35-lap feature run in memory of one of Stateline's original builders. John Volpe led from the drop of the green but Chris Hackett took over at the front of the pack before the end of lap one.

At the end of five laps Hackett led Volpe, Chad Valone, last year's winner Rob Blair, and Doug Eck. Valone retired to the pit at the end of six laps. Volpe got back by Hackett at eight complete and Blair came by a lap later for second. At eleven complete Mike Knight lost the right rear wheel, axel and all, spinning and collecting Jason DuPont in the process. For the green it was Volpe leading Blair, Hackett, Doug Eck, and Paul Briggs.

At sixteen complete Eck got by Hackett then slowed suddenly on the back straight a lap later. With no way to get off the track, caution was necessary. Volpe, Blair, Hackett, Briggs, and Jake Finnerty led the field back to green with Volpe able to begin extending his lead at twenty laps into the event.

Behind the leaders Greg Oakes was on the march running side by side with Hackett for several laps before getting by at lap 24 just as caution flew for Bump Headman, who had slid into the infield just a few feet from traffic.

With eleven laps left green was again in the air with Blair again chasing Volpe and Hackett back to third. Hackett spun into the outside wall in turn three. Hackett was able to continue. Top five now was Volpe, Blair, Oakes, Briggs, and Jason DuPont. In turn two after the restart Briggs spun into the infield. Again on the green Briggs spun, collecting Jake Finnerty in the process.

At the competition of lap 32 Blair was leading but Volpe was ahead at the next crossing. Heading into turn three on the final lap Blair got alongside and came across the stripe as the winner. Volpe then drove into Blair's left rear in turn one after the finish, turning him and flattening the left rear.

Volpe was credited with second, then Oakes, DuPont, and Rich Gardner filling out the top five. Blair not only was a repeat winner in the race honoring a Stateline founder, but will lead the points race in his title defense.

The Shults Auto Group RUSH Crate Late Models came to the green with Dave Shagla and Dustin Waters leading the field to Ryan Matthews' green flag. On the third attempt the race was on with Shagla showing the way and Mike Knight coming to second by lap two when caution flew for a spin by Bob Dorman.

Two more yellow periods slowed the event before halfway. By halfway Mike Knight was leading with Max Blair second and Dave Lyon third. Blair closed the gap steadily until he was right on Knight's tail as the yellow flew again at lap fourteen. For the restart it was Knight leading Blair, Lyon, John Waters, Shagla, and Scott Waters.

Knight experienced a flat right rear and retired pit side, with Blair inheriting the lead. Yellow again flew at lap sixteen, then Blair went on to the win over Lyon, Jason Genco, Bob Dorman and Dave Shagla.