Rico Abreu Wins The Tuscarora 50; His First At Port Royal

Rico Abreu preparing for the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA (Photo: Jennie Mae Lingle | The Podium Finish)

PORT ROYAL, Pa. — After Friday night, the scores were looking pretty interesting. High Limit Racing had one, the invaders had one and the PA Posse had zero. With one night left at Port Royal Speedway, the Posse gave it everything they had for the Tuscarora 50.

Their efforts paid off early with Lance Dewease and T.J. Stutts, both PA Posse members, led the 28-car field to kick off the 50-lap main event. As they mashed their gas pedals and shot into Turns 1 and 2, Dewease quickly took the lead with Stutts right behind him. However, Stutts got put back a position by Freddie Rahmer who shot up from fourth and slid into second before hitting the backstretch.

Before the completion of the first lap, Corey Day hopped the cushion and got sucked into the wall, climbing in and going end-over-end before landing on all four tires in a mangled heap. Luckily, Day was okay. However, his car was done for the night.

On the restart, Dewease took the lead once again, but this time it was Rahmer who lost second. Rico Abreu came up on the high side to slip down in front of him to claim the runner-up spot. But Rahmer crossed back under him to retain the spot, making the California native work.

The Posse member could only hold off Abreu for so long before he figured out the game. Abreu kept to the top side and zoomed by Rahmer exiting Turn 4, building momentum as he raced down the front chute.

Now in second, he had his sights set on Dewease and started his pursuit. Dewease knew he was there and blocked his every attempt by going into Abreu’s chosen lane. Abreu, in an effort to get by Dewease in the corner, as Dewease went low, Abreu went up high and ended up tagging the wall a few times, losing ground. 

Lap 14 saw Abreu find his way back up to Dewease and pass him for the lead coming off of Turn 4. Abreu went up high and came out just a tad ahead of Dewease, but it was enough to propel him forward to claim first.

Rico Abreu competing at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA (Photo: Jennie Mae Lingle | The Podium Finish)

Two laps later, Stutts and Anthony Macri created another three-wide battle, this time for second. Dewease tried his best to hold on, but with both boys surrounding him he could not find the ability to push them back, handing them the better deck. Stutts claimed second with Macri following close behind him to snag third, even with his right rear shooting sparks each time he tapped the brake pedal due to the rotor hanging up.

After the mandatory caution on Lap 25 to fine tune and re-fuel the cars, Port Royal Speedway became a one-lane track. Because of this, most everyone retained their position. 

With three laps to go though, Dewease’s right rear tire blew, ending his night and any chance he had of making his way back up to the top spot. 

Abreu was able to hold off Stutts and Macri to win for the first time in his career at Port Royal, as well as rake in another high stakes race with a $57,000 payday. He also came up from third to win, earning him another $1,500 due to a lucky fan rolling a three for the Durst dice roll. The fan got to go home with $1,500, as well. 

Also with this win, Abreu gave High Limit a score of two, putting the high rollers in the lead while residing in the Keystone State thus far.

High Limit Racing stays in PA for a two-day show at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA, on September 13-14.