LUTZ STEALS 1st SPRINT WIN AWAY FROM DOLICK ON LAST LAP IN MERCER SPRINT OPENER; RIGGS ENDS WINLESS DROUGHT IN MODS; FASTRAK OPE |
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Sat, Apr 3, 2010
-- "Saturday Night Live" Written by: Mike Leone |
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Mercer, PA…After a spectacular opener one week ago, Mercer Raceway Park was able to survive the record warmth, high winds, and scattered showers to complete the five-division “Saturday Night Live” opener on Saturday night as another large crowd turned out. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire victory lane were Mike Lutz-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Lonny Riggs-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Max Blair-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Steve D’Apolito-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and Dan Bish-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
Mike Lutz made a bold statement Saturday night and didn’t have to say a word. The second generation racer started seventh and beat the best Sprint Car drivers western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio has to offer including a last lap pass of Jason Dolick to garner the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling feature win. The victory was worth $1,500 thanks to the increased purse by the new prospective track owner Bill Altman. “We had to pass every fast car that was here,” acknowledged the 40-year-old Mercer, Pa. driver. “I got to the white flag and never left the bottom. I had to try something so I just ripped it in there in the middle and it stuck…that’s the way to do it on the last lap! I have to thank Jim Chappel. He gives me an awesome hot rod to drive. This is the best handling race car I’ve ever had. It’s a JEI Chassis and we have a brand new Rider engine- man does that thing bang!” The race got off to a rocky beginning as two separate incidents marred action in the first few laps. Several cars got upside down including defending four-time champion Rod George along with New York’s Chris Shuttleworth, Pete Miller III, and Joe McEwen. All drivers were okay, but done for the night. Once action resumed, the last 17 laps went green to checkered. Jack Sodeman, Jr. raced out to the early lead in search of his first Mercer victory with Jason Dolick in hot pursuit. Lutz, Ed Lynch, Jr., and Brian Ellenberger all moved into the top five positions by passing New Jersey’s Jeff Taylor in the first four laps. Dolick was able to catch Sodeman on lap six and was all over the leader on laps seven, eight, and nine. The two Ohio drivers really went at it both in hopes of getting that elusive first Mercer win. Dolick got a great run down the backstretch on lap 10 to lead the lap, but Sodeman didn’t give up. Sodeman pulled even with Dolick on lap 11 and got back by one lap later by driving hard to the inside of the leader in turn two to lead lap 12. Dolick though didn’t want to see his long tow and first win go out the window as he charged back by Sodeman in turns one and two on lap 13. Lutz then seized the opportunity sneaking under Sodeman in turn one to grab second on lap 14. While Lutz set his sights on Dolick, a great four-car race took place for third with Sodeman trying to hold off Lynch, Ellenberger, and Bob Felmlee. Lutz really began to close the gap on lap 18 and was a few car lengths behind Dolick when the duo took the white flag. Lutz drove hard into turn one and was right behind the leader. Dolick slipped off the bottom in turn two and Lutz was right there powering ahead down the backstretch. The two raced hard into turn three, but Lutz had the momentum and the preferred line as he came around turn four taking the checkered flag first to the delight of the crowd in the Jim Chappel-owned, Centerline Boring-sponsored #8. “These cars cost so much money and we needed a little help,” explained Lutz. “Bill Altman stepped up to the plate and we went from $1,100 to $1,500 to-win and man I love him. We’re a one night a week team and we’re going to concentrate on Mercer. We worked on the car all day and didn’t have to rush to get here and boy did we have fun tonight! It was a heartbreaking defeat for Dolick, the 2009 Lakeville Speedway Champion, who ran the race of his life to finish second. Ironically Dolick was second at Mercer the last time he competed on August 22 of last year. While everyone’s eyes were on the lead battle, the race for third was a great one. Felmlee, who started 12th, made a great charge getting by Ellenberger for fifth on lap 16, Lynch for fourth on lap 18, then around Sodeman off turn two on lap 19 to finish third. Lynch then passed Sodeman on the final lap to finish fourth. Sixth through tenth were Ellenberger, 14th starting Charlie Holben, Carl Bowser, a career best run by third generation racer Brandon Matus, and Danny Holtgraver from the back after an early race crash. Heat winners over the 21-car field were Dan Kuriger, Ellenberger, and Bowser. A lot of the Mercer regulars are expected to debut in the coming weeks. After being shutout of victory lane last season, Lonny Riggs didn’t waste anytime in 2010 as he put on a dominating performance to win the Modified opener in the 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals feature. “The track was smooth and nice,” stated the Volant, Pa. victor. “You could go high or low.” Defending champion Frank Guidace used the outside pole position to take the early lead. Riggs, who started fifth, was on the move and was already up to second with an outside pass of Gary Smoker coming off turn two on lap two. New York’s Ron Cartwright, Jr. passed Dave Shook for fourth on lap three and made it a four-car race for the lead on the following lap. Riggs, Smoker, and Cartwright went three-wide for second on lap seven with Cartwright moving into second. Cartwright’s fine run ended when he slowed on lap eight to bring out the caution. When racing resumed, Riggs and Guidace battled side-by-side for the lead with Riggs using the outside to power by Guidace off turn four. Ninth starting Jimmy Holden entered the mix when he passed Smoker for third then nipped Guidace at the start-finish line for second on lap 11. While Riggs opened up some breathing room, Guidace and Holden put on a great race between laps 11-16. The duo ran side-by-side on laps 14, 15, and 16. Guidace was able to get under Holden to lead the 15th circuit, but Holden charged back on the outside to take the spot for good on lap 16. Riggs though was the class of the field on this night as his 11th career win in the division tied him with Guidace for second on the all-time win list. Riggs 24th career overall win at the track came in the Merle Black-owned, Pitt Stop Pub/Iron Bridge Inn-sponsored #58. Holden was second. New York’s Joe Kubiniec made the tow down from New York and came on strong in the closing laps passing Smoker for fourth on lap 16 and Guidace for third on lap 19. Guidace and Smoker dropped to fourth and fifth. Completing the top 10 were Dustin Martin, Chris Dye, Clyde Gumpp, Greg Unrue, Jr., and Tom Holden. Jimmy Holden and Riggs won the heats. Defending track champion and 2008 FASTRAK National Weekly Series Champion Max Blair started off the 2010 season right by winning the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection Late Model feature event. “This is the nicest this track has ever been,” expressed the 20-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver. “It’s gorgeous and smooth. There were a lot of wrecks, but that’s just part of racing. It’s early and everyone’s hungry. This is my sixth year racing and I’ve never won the first race of the season and this is completely 100% for my grandma, who passed away a little over a year ago.” Making his FASTRAK debut, Kevin Decker jumped out to the early lead. Fifth and sixth starting John Lacki and Blair advanced to second and third on lap two. Blair dove under Lacki on lap four to take the second spot. Blair was right on Decker on lap five and had just made the pass when the caution was displayed for Mike Anderson, Jr. When racing resumed, Blair and Shane Bambarger both passed Decker for the top two spots. Another E-Mod driver making his FASTRAK debut was Justin Tatlow, who had worked his way from eighth to third and was challenging Bambarger for second when the two tangled on the backstretch with 13 laps completed. The accident moved 14th starting Kyle Zimmerman to second. The last seven laps went caution-free as Blair raced on to his all-time division leading eighth career win in his #111, which was worth $600 with 23 cars on hand. Zimmerman’s second was his best ever at Mercer. Mike Blose was third. Bud Watson came from the back after an early race accident to place fourth over Decker. Lacki came from the back after an accident on lap seven to finish sixth over 2009 Western PA Rookie-of-the-Year Joe Martin. Jason Fosnaught, Shawn Schaltenbrand, and Bryan Force were seventh through tenth. Topping the heats were Bryan Force, Blair, and Chris Force. Steve D’Apolito entered 2009 winless in his career at Mercer, but would go on to win five Stock Car races and only a late start kept him from winning the title. D’Apolito started 2010 off right capturing a wild Big Daddy’s Speed Center-sponsored feature. “That was a little rough,” stated the Boardman, Ohio driver when asked about the race. “I didn’t know what was going on- just hoping to get through it.” Fourteen year-old rookie Clay Ruffo was making his first start and took the lead from Russ Byler with Chris Haines trailing. D’Apolito passed Shaun Hooks for third on lap three. Ruffo brushed the wall on lap seven allowing Haines and D’Apolito to close. Separate spins by Hooks and D’Apolito brought out the caution with eight laps completed. Hooks was able to get by Byler and then Haines for second on lap nine. Following a restart for a spin by Byler, Ruffo and Hooks raced side-by-side for the lead on lap 10. Ruffo slipped high coming off turn four and Hooks ran out of room slamming the wall taking the duo out of contention. D’Apolito was handed the lead in his D’Apolito Christmas Tree Farm/Utsinger’s Towing/Race 1-sponsored #84 and held off Haines over the final five laps for the victory. Byler was third as Ruffo and Hooks were credited with fourth and fifth. D’Apolito won the heat. Dan Bish made a late rally with a last lap pass to win his career first feature win in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. “I bought this car from Jamey Lee before the Warlock race last November,” revealed the Hawthorn, Pa. driver. “This is just the third night out for me and I have to thank Jamey’s cousin and best friend Brent Lee, who made it possible for me to be here this weekend.” Pete Blazczak passed Rudolph Troples III to lead the opening lap. Last year’s second place point man, Lee Lehnerd, passed Troples for second on lap two. Lehnerd took the top spot away from Blazczak with an outside move off turn four on lap seven. Blazczak though came back to regain the lead on lap 10 following a restart. On lap 11, Bish passed both Jordan Ehrenberg and Lehnerd for second. Bish then surprised everyone sneaking by the smoking Blazczak on the final lap to collect the victory in his #4x and became the season’s third different winner in as many races. Blazczak held off Lehnerd for second. Ehrenberg was fourth over 10th starting Wally Stearns, Jr. Ehrenberg and Jerry Batcher won the heat events. Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars (20 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. MIKE LUTZ (Chappel 8) 2. Jason Dolick (D12) 3. Bob Felmlee (6) 4. Ed Lynch, Jr. (2L) 5. Jack Sodeman, Jr. (23Jr) 6. Brian Ellenberger (22) 7. Charlie Holben (Dionise 15) 8. Carl Bowser (10) 9. Brandon Matus (13) 10. Danny Holtgraver (D4) 11. Jeff Taylor (17T) 12. Brad Knab (38) 13. Lindsay Enscoe (96) 14. Brent Matus (33) 15. Jack Whitmore (21) 16. Dan Kuriger (08) 17. Pete Miller III (3) 18. Joe McEwen (Paden 11W) 19. Rod George (4) 20. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 21. Scott Bonnell (3B). Approved Toilet Rentals (358) Modifieds (20 laps): 1. LONNY RIGGS (Black 58) 2. Jimmy Holden (28H) 3. Joe Kubiniec (19) 4. Frank Guidace (1G) 5. Gary Smoker (516) 6. Dustin Martin (29D) 7. Chris Dye (03) 8. Clyde Gumpp (51) 9. Greg Unrue, Jr. (5) 10. Tom Holden (15H) 11. Ron Cartwright, Jr. (2B) 12. Dave Shook (17s). 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 3. Mike Blose (5) 4. Bud Watson (2) 5. Kevin Decker (07) 6. John Lacki (7) 7. Joe Martin (55) 8. Jason Fosnaught (J19) 9. Shawn Schaltenbrand (26) 10. Bryan Force (31) 11. Sean Puz (33) 12. Justin Tatlow (81) 13. Justin Kreider (29) 14. Jason Stanke (44) 15. Tommy Dembowski (79) 16. Jamie Brown (135) 17. Shane Bambarger (68B) 18. Ben Black (27B) 19. Bob Vogt, Jr. (30) 20. Leigh Wheeler (Smith 717) 21. Chris Force (68) 22. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 23. Dwayne Pond (Bidwell B1D). Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars (12 laps): 1. STEVE D’APOLITO (84) 2. Chris Haines (35H) 3. Russ Byler (06R) 4. Clay Ruffo (14R) 5. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65) 6. Brandon Johnston (14J)-DNS. M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. DAN BISH (4x) 2. Pete Blazczak (77) 3. Lee Lehnerd (71) 4. Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) 5. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33) 6. Zach Hawk (47) 7. Rudolph Troples III (28) 8. Ed Haylett (8-ball) 9. Randy Sprouse (23s) 10. Cory Eckels (5) 11. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7) 12. Lucas Sprouse (24s) 13. Matt McNany (141) 14. Bill Fuchs (10)-DNS 15. Max Smoker (409)-DNS 16. Kevin Kilgore (0)-DNS 17. Mike McConnell (31)-DNS 18. E.J. Rarer (3J)-DNS. Upcoming Events: 4/07 Open practice for all divisions. Pits open at 4 PM. Practice 5 PM until dark. Rain date 4/8 4/10 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAK Late Models, E-Mods, & Mini Stocks. 4/17 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAK Late Models, E-Mods, Stocks, & Mini Stocks. 4/24 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAK Late Models, Stocks, & Mini Stocks. 2 for $20 Adult Admission. Twin-State & PCTC Club Nights. Pits open at 3:30 PM. Grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps at 6:15. Racing at 7. Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest. Go to www.twitter.com/mercerraceway or Mercer Raceway Park at www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark to stay up to date. ### |
