Kepner Returns to Victory Lane at Selinsgrove with PASS

News, Results, Sprint Car

Kruz Kepner celebrates his first River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series victory of the 2026 season after capturing Friday night's 20-lap feature at Selinsgrove Speedway. The win was the Kreamer, Pa. driver's 11th career PASS triumph and fourth at his home track. (Courtesy Photo)

By Frank Buhrman

SELINSGROVE, Pa. (July 24, 2026) — Defending River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series champion Kruz Kepner isn’t chasing points in 2026, but he’s still chasing checkered flags, and Friday night he earned his first PASS victory of the season with a strong performance at his home track, Selinsgrove Speedway.

The Kreamer driver hasn’t enjoyed much luck with pill draws this year, but after drawing the third starting spot for the feature, he emerged from a thrilling three-wide battle with front-row starters Dylan Shatzer of Hagerstown, Md., and Chris Dolan of York to claim the lead on the opening lap.

Although Dolan mounted several strong challenges throughout the 20-lap feature, Kepner maintained command while navigating lapped traffic for much of the race to secure his 11th career PASS victory and fourth at Selinsgrove.

Dolan held on for second despite a late charge from fifth-starting Timmy Bittner of Beech Creek, who settled for third. Tyler Erdley of Herndon finished fourth, followed by Mike Alleman of Port Royal.

Dolan’s runner-up finish marked his fifth top-five in six PASS starts at Selinsgrove this season, allowing him to further extend his Keller’s Auto Body track championship points lead.

Ken Duke Jr., John Walp, Zach Rhodes, Shatzer, and Cole Dewease completed the top 10.

Dewease earned the Len Krautheim Auto Sales & Service Hard Charger Award after advancing from 17th to 10th. Duke’s climb from 12th to sixth also highlighted the night, while Croix Beasom improved from 23rd to 17th.

The feature’s only major interruption came on lap three when Cody Hoover flipped in turn two. A lone caution on lap 16 was the only other slowdown, allowing for extended green-flag racing through lapped traffic.

Timmy Bittner, Tyler Erdley and Dustin Young won the evening’s heat races, while Chad Phillips captured the B-main.

The River Valley Builders PASS tour returns to Selinsgrove Speedway next Saturday night, Aug. 1.

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