Pangman Steers Dixie Chopper Car To Second-place Finish


Holding the lead much of the night, Shaun Pangman drove the No. 76 Dixie Chopper modified to a second-place finish May 16 at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park in Fultonville, N.Y.

Pangman, who not only drives for Dixie Chopper but now works for the company as well, jumped out to an early lead. However, the race got off to a rough start with two separate cautions for spins in turn 4. But once the field got back under way it was Pangman and the Dixie Chopper car at the front again.

The field was slowed again as Jamike Sowle spun in turn 2, leaving defending champion Jeff Brownell Jr. and points leader Bobby Varin no place to go as well as entangling Josh Hohenforst and Ray Hoard. Yet when the green flag flew again, Pangman still held stong at the front of the pack.

That all began to change, however, when Floyd Billington made a bold move off turn 4, going three wide with Jeff Sheely and Paul Kinney. Billington made contact with Sheely, damaging his front end and bringing out the caution once again. On the restart Pangman continued to hold the lead but Kinney was on the charge, quickly getting by Pangman for the top spot.

Kinney started to stretch his lead but Pangman kept him in sight in lapped traffic as the race came down to the wire. With five laps to go Kinney's engine began to falter as Pangman closed in.

Even though he was starting to show smoke, Kinney took the white flag with Pangman looming ever closer. However, Kinney's 19K was able to survive one last trip around the speedway as he claimed his first win of the season.

Pangman finished second, followed by Craig Hanson.