Spithaler, Gunn, Flick headline Saturday’s FAST visit to Wayne County Speedway

Written By: Randy Worrell (Ranger)

ORRVILLE – With the second half of the racing season upon us, there’s no more talk of “it’s still early or, “let’s see how things shake out.” The FAST Sprint Car Series visits the O’Reilly Auto Parts for the fourth of five visits this season as part of the speedway’s Fast Five program, and the storylines are aplenty. 

 It’s been a who’s who of regional sprint car teams that have visited the ultra-fast 3-8-mile during the FAST series’ first three visits with Saturday’s promising to be no exception. 

Evans City, PA star Brandon Spithaler, a five-time winner this season, Northwest Ohio ace Ricky Peterson Jr. and the Mansfield-based team of Jordan Ryan headlines the traveling FAST circus with Spithaler holding a one-point lead in the season-long standings over Peterson heading into this weekend’s three-race stop that includes Hilltop Speedway on Friday followed by a Sunday date at Franklin PA’s Tri City Speedway.  

 No less than 10 full-time travelers dot Aaron Fry’s FAST roster of talent with Danny Sams, Justin Clark, and Jack Sodeman among others set to join a talented trio of Eastern Ohio-Western PA standouts AJ Flick, Cody Bova, and Leyton Wagner. Flick has recorded a nation’s-best nine feature victories this season while Bova led wire-to-wire in winning the WCS FAST event on June 24.  

 The speedway’s stout weekly competitors will certainly be a factor on Saturday evening, as well. 

WCS points leader Tyler Gunn has been fast all season in the Wooster-based Eikleberry-Sipe 91 with the “Machine Gunn” registering a pair of victories with fellow regular Tyler Street claiming the FAST checkered flag on May 13 in his family-owned 4. 2022 track champion Henry Malcuit claimed the opening-night FAST win back on April 15, with one-time 2023 winner and former track champ Danny Mumaw, Chris Myers, and third generation Indiana traveler Reece Saldana also expected. 

The event is also the second of three in the season-long King of the County Series events presented by Integrity Auto and Truck Sales of Bucyrus, with the Crawford County auto dealer also presenting a $100 prize for the evening’s fast qualifier. 

Joining the Pine Tree Towing and Recovery Sprint Cars will be the Malcuit Tavern Super Late Models, the Flynn’s Tire & Service Center Modifieds, the McKenzie Concrete Super Stocks, and the JoyRide Mini Stocks. 

Gates open at 3 p.m. with hot laps slated for 6 and racing at 7:15.