Making the jump from Sportsman to the 358 Modified division can be very difficult. Many drivers struggle to adjust to the increase in horsepower and others have difficulty figuring out the proper driving techniques. It’s not unusual for a driver to struggle his first full season in the higher division. For Alan Sturhann, that wasn’t the case.

Sturhann, 32, of Monroe, N.Y. captured the 25 lap 358 Modified main event in his Hermance Performance Motorsports no. 33. It was his first ever 358 Modified feature victory after he moved up from the Sportsman ranks this season.

“It was all about practice,” said Sturhann after the win. “I just ran as many laps as I could over the past few months whether it was with the big blocks or small blocks and I think that was the difference.”

Sturhann, who started fifth, took the lead for good on lap 6 after a great side by side battle with pole sitter Mike Doty.

“I just got a good restart,” stated Sturhann of the lap five restart. “I knew if I could stay with him down the front stretch I could get him on the high side of the corner.”

Sturhann made the pass off of turn two and never looked back as he checked out on the field and took a full straightaway advantage. He led the remaining 19 laps for the victory.

“It’s still unbelievable,” said Sturhann. “I never imagined that we would be this good so early but it was a great night.”


358 Modified Results:

1st Heat- Alan Sturhann, Billy Eggers, Jr., Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Higbie, Chris Shultz, Chuck McKee, Joey Barbagallo, Frank Cristiano, Gary Napolitano

2nd Heat- Tim Hindley, Mike Doty, David Van Horn, Mike Depalma, Dom Roselli, Troy Weisenfluh, John McGill, Jared Petruska

3rd Heat- Tommy Meier, Kevin Duryea, Kirk Horton, Donnie Elliott, Tommy Greiner, Everett Haubrich, Benny Rizzo

Consi- None

358 Modified Feature: Sturhann, McKee, Van Horn, Elliott, Higbie, Doty, Depalma, Hindley, Meier, Shultz, Duryea, Roselli, Horton, Johnson, Haubrich, Barbagallo, Greiner, McGill, Rizzo, Petruska, Napolitano, Eggers, Weisenfluh, Cristiano

Steve, Honey, Ken, Debbie, Alan, Alan Sr.
Paul, Troy, (Lance - camera shy)

Bob Perran Photos