4/29/2025
BAPS Motor Speedway
Ashton Torgerson Upsets Baps Field, Frye gets first Mod Win
YORK HAVEN, Pa.: Ashton Torgerson came into Sunday’s 410 Sprint Car event at BAPS Motor Speedway never turning a lap, or even seeing, the facility.
In the past, there have been other drivers who have overcome such details. See, the York Haven, Pa., facility is known as a wildcard, a level playing field where invaders can be on par with the locals as soon as they roll through the gate.
The Glendale, Ariz., ace joined that list of successful debuts for incoming drivers … in a big way. In only his second start in the Shark Racing No. 1a formerly driven by Jacob Allen, Torgerson was the class of the field in winning the 30-Lap event for his first career 410 Sprint Car victory.
“What a weekend starting off at Port Royal and making the main there,” said Torgerson, who earned a $500 bounty from Goofy’s Eatery for beating Danny Dietrich, winner of the first two events at BAPS. “Coming into tonight, we talked about what we could do better and what I could do better with my driving.
“We started off good with quick time in our group, and second overall [tonight]. I just can’t thank Bobby and Jacob enough for what they have done for me and giving me a chance. This thing was on rails. I know I made a couple of mistakes and need to clean that up, but it was a great night.”
The 18-year-old driver entered the night with 24 career 410 Sprint Car starts, but you wouldn’t have known he was lacking experience in the Spring Valley Mulch Night main event for the RV 4-Wheel Drive Sprints.
Troy Wagaman Jr. got the jump at the start of the event, with Torgerson advancing from fourth to second in a hurry. While the invader stalked the leader, Chase Dietz surged into the third position by the fourth circuit.
Torgerson pulled off the winning pass through the first and second corner. He hasn’t performed many slide jobs in his short career, but this one was good, and he was able to glide past Wagaman by the time the pair exit Turn 2. One lap later, Dietz took over the second spot and gave chase.
It didn’t take long for Torgerson to stretch his advantage. Within five laps, he was within lapped traffic and leading by over a second.
Nobody touched Torgerson the rest of the way. He survived one caution, heavy lapped traffic, and a slight brush with the outside wall coming off Turn 4 in the late stages of the event.
“I’m getting more comfortable every time I’m in the seat,” Torgerson said. “One and two were really tricky up there on the wall and in four catching it off the exit. It’s not great hitting the wall, but man, Bobby and Jacob are great, and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done.
“Tanner Thorson called before the main and talked through some things. He helped me stay calm and comfortable. I can’t thank Tanner, Lee, my parents, and, of course, Bobby and Jacob enough.”
Dietz tried everything to catch Torgerson but couldn’t make it happen and settled for his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Danny Dietrich drove from 14th to third to land Hard Charger honors, with Lance Dewease and Anthony Macri completing the top five.
In the 358 Modified main event, Coleby Frye took when the green flag dropped and wired the field in the 30-Lap affair.
It wasn’t an easy score for the Dover, Pa., driver. He had to hold off Billy Pauch Jr. on a late restart to score the big win.
Pauch and Danny Bouc took their time getting to the front, and they had a crack at the win when the caution was displayed on the white flag lap. But Frye was up to task and drove away over the final circuit to claim the win.
Following Pauch and Bouc to the line was Ryan Godown. Mike Lisowski completed the top five in the main event.
A solid field of 15 cars competed in the 410 Sprint Car Non-Winners event. Mike Thompson took the lead at the start and led the entire 20-Lap distance to earn the victory.
Doug Hammaker, Logan Rumsey, and Brent Shearer followed. JJ Loss, who finished second at Lincoln Speedway earlier this year, completed the top five.
Submitted By: Kolten Gouse
