SPITHALER GARNERS CAREER 1ST 410 SPRINT WIN SATURDAY AT MERCER; SCHAFFER WINS 1ST OVER 24 MODS; #4 FOR BLAIR IN FASTRAK; HAINES |
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Sat, Jul 17, 2010
-- "Saturday Night Live" plus "KABOOM 100" Written by: Mike Leone |
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After a sunny start, thunderstorms and heavy rain developed just south of the Mercer Raceway Park Saturday evening. In fact, severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were posted for Mercer County; however, despite quite a lightning show and some ominous clouds hanging over the courthouse, nary a drop of rain fell as the sixth straight show was completed after five rainouts in a span of seven races.
Celebrating wins in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Brandon Spithaler-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Jeff Schaffer-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Max Blair-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Chris Haines-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, Wally Stearns, Jr.-M&D Paving Mini Stocks, and Tim Gillette-“KABOOM 100” Enduro. A huge crowd turned out for Free Venango County Night presented by Spanky’s Tobacco World and Free Ohio Night. The last time the Sprint Car ran on July 3 it was Carl Bowser and Pete Miller III getting their first wins in the twin 15 format; Saturday night, Brandon Spithaler became the newest winner as the 18-year-old captured his career first “410” victory driving the race of his life holding off Danny Holtgraver to win the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling feature. Spithaler became the eighth different winner in 10 races in 2010 as the victory was worth $1,500 plus a certificate for a Goodyear Tire! “It fell on its face in the heat race,” explained the ecstatic Evans City, Pa. racer. “We didn’t know what was wrong with it and we still don’t, but it stayed running. I saw Holtgraver move up (on the scoreboard) and (Bob) Felmlee came from the back. I was worried about lapped traffic. I thought I saw a glimpse of Holtgraver coming on the bottom of (turn) three so I put it to the wood around the top and hoped I beat him to the line.” Todd Bauer and Jack Helget were on the front row as Bauer took off in the early lead with Spithaler trailing. Arnie Kent moved from seventh to fourth on the opening lap, but all eyes were on Danny Holtgraver. After getting off to slow initial start, Holtgraver got in a rhythm and powered around Kent for fourth on lap three and around Helget off turn two for third one lap later. Bauer continued to lead, but Spithaler closed in on lap five. Lapped traffic came into play on lap six as Spithaler drew even with Bauer and made the winning move ducking under the leader in turns three and four. Miller halted action when he took a scary flip in turn two. He was okay. When racing resumed, Holtgraver continued his march to the front driving around Bauer off turn two on lap eight. Following a caution for a spin by Francis Sesco, Kent and 10th starting Bob Felmlee both dropped Bauer back to fifth. Spithaler did an excellent job running a consistent line as Holtgraver stayed within striking distance. A spin by Chris Best with 11 laps completed and another caution for Sesco with 17 laps scored slowed action. Spithaler got tested many times, but stood up to the challenge of five restarts, pressure from Holtgraver, and lapped traffic to capture the popular win. Though he has a few years of experience in the Limited Sprints, 2010 is Spithaler’s first full season in a “410” as his victory came in the Frank Spithaler-owned, Superior Tank & Trailer-sponsored #22. Holtgraver was second and won the random Goodyear Tire certificate drawing. Felmlee was able to pass Kent racing off the outside of turn two on lap 16 to place a strong third, which earned him the Goodyear Tire hard charger certificate and also moved him into the point lead as Ed Lynch, Jr. was competing in the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. Mike Lutz came from 10th to finish fourth after getting around Kent on lap 19. Kent dropped to fifth. Bauer was sixth and won the other random Goodyear Tire certificate drawing. New Jersey’s Jeff Taylor and Helget were seventh and eighth. Best was ninth over Brian Steinman. Lindsay Enscoe finished 11th and earned a Goodyear Tire certificate for being the last car on the lead lap. Heat winners were Best and Felmlee. After two close runner-ups to Jimmy Holden and Eric Gabany the last two times the Modifieds competed, Jeff Schaffer finally stood in victory lane this time turning the tables holding off point leader Holden. Schaffer’s first win of the season came in the 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals feature over a season-high 24-car “358” field and became the sixth different winner in seven races in 2010. “In all of the times of my racing that probably the best race I’ve ever had,” described the Fombell, Pa. driver about his last race with Gabany. “It was a great, clean race and I have to compliment him on that. Tonight that lapped traffic was something. I have to thank everyone that helps out on the car.” Schaffer grabbed the lead from pole-sitter Dustin Martin on the start with Lonny Riggs and fifth starting Mike Stine moving into second and third after the first lap. Stine got under Riggs in turn four on lap four to take second just before Riggs slowed and exited the event moving Martin back to third. Twelfth starting Holden was on the move breaking into the top five on lap eight. Following the event’s first caution after 10 green flag laps, Chris Dye and Holden moved to third and fourth dropping Martin back to fifth. Holden then took third from Dye on lap 12 and ran down Stine. The two greats raced hard side-by-side on laps 15 and 16 with Holden making the pass for second stick in turn four on lap 16 before the caution was displayed for fourth running Dye. When racing resumed, Schaffer maintained his lead over Holden, while Ron Cartwright, Jr. made a great move on the restart passing both Martin and Stine for third. Holden was all over Schaffer on the final lap, but Schaffer was able to hold on for his sixth career win in the division and 13th overall at Mercer in the Jerry Schaffer-owned, Approved Toilet Rentals/Buddy’s Carwash-sponsored #14. By virtue of Frank Guidace not starting the feature after a hard hit into the wall in his heat race and Riggs dropping from the feature, Holden greatly extended his point lead in search of his first Mercer championship. After getting caught up in an accident, New York’s Cartwright charged back through the field in the final six laps to place third. Stine and Martin were fourth and fifth. Greg Unrue, Jr., Reeher, Clyde Gumpp, Rod Artman, and Dye rounded out the top 10. Stine, Holden, and Cartwright captured the heat races. With two other big races going on in the region, Max Blair chose Mercer and the decision paid off as he captured his fourth win of the season in the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Model feature. Despite being sent to the back for rough driving, Blair charged back through the pack for his 15th FASTRAK victory of the season in the region. “There was a real big paying race about 40 minutes from my house- that’s where a lot of the cars are at, but I decided to come support this place anyways,” explained the 20-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver. “I really like this place. I don’t always agree with everything that happens, but I do support this place 100% and that’s why I’m here tonight.” Josh Double looked strong early on racing to the early lead with Rusty Cade and Mike Anderson, Sr. in tow. Anderson and Brian Booher both passed Cade for second on lap two. While Double pulled away, a great four-car race was going on for second between Anderson, Booher, Cade, and Blair. Blair made contact with Anderson sending Anderson spinning with Blair being sent to the rear. When racing resumed on lap five, Booher used the outside to power around Double while Rocky Kugel took third from Cade. On lap seven, Cade hit the frontstretch wall bringing out the caution. When green replaced yellow, Kugel moved ahead of Double for second, but on lap nine both Blair and Double got past Kugel for second and third respectively. Booher had a half-straightaway lead built up when Blair made it to second. But on lap 11, Booher pushed hard in turn four allowing Blair to slide under and lead lap 12. Booher stuck right with Blair through the remainder of the event, but Blair was too strong in his Specialty Products/4 Your Car Connection/Moody & Son Welding/Bossard’s Sales & Service-sponsored #111. The victory was Blair’s 11th of his career at Mercer, which is tops in the division. Kugel was able to get back by Double on lap 16 to finish a Mercer career best third. Double dropped to fourth over point leader Kyle Zimmerman. Anderson, Justin Kreider, Jason Stanke, Leigh Wheeler, and Cade were sixth through 10th. Blair and Double won the heat races. Chris Haines put on a dominating performance to win his season’s second victory in the 15-lap Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars. “I kind of made it rough on my crew,” revealed the Sandy Lake, Pa. driver. “After two weeks ago I was pretty disgusted. I wasn’t even going to race tonight then we decided yesterday to put the car together. We worked hard the last two days. This is a good win. This is for my wife. Seventeen years ago today we got married.” Haines took the lead from pole-sitter Terry Wheeler at the start. Ryan Moyer, who was subbing for Jeff Walters, and 14-year-old Clay Ruffo passed Wheeler for second and third on lap two and three respectively. Ruffo continued his strong run as he nipped Moyer at the line for second on lap eight. While Haines pulled away, five cars were battling for second. After starting last due to three straight wins, point leader Steve D’Apolito made his way to the front. He was in the middle of the staunch battle for second when he got into Ruffo on lap 10 sending him spinning. D’Apolito was charged with rough driving moving Dwight Boice to second. When racing resumed, Moyer passed Boice for second, but his strong run ended when he broke with 12 laps completed. Haines survived the final restart to capture his third career win in his Lakeview Fertilizer-sponsored #35H. Boice was a season best second. Point leader D’Apolito came back to place third after passing Russ Byler on the final lap. Byler was fourth over Wheeler. Haines and Moyer won the heats. After winning the season opening “Snowflake 20” on January 9 for his career first win and the seven-lap rain-shortened race on June 19, Wally Stearns, Jr. finally captured a “normal” victory in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. “I finally got a legitimate win,” deadpanned the 54-year-old Harrisville, Pa. driver. “I want to thank Jerry Lucas, Bill Forrester, and most of all my dad who’s sitting in the stands. He taught me everything I know about these things. I got a good little car- it’s a 2003 Chevy Cavalier- one of the toughest cars I’ve ever seen in my life!” Pete Blazczak led the opening lap before Tim Callahan made the pass for the lead on lap two with newcomer Ryan Beatty following. Beatty slipped high on lap three allowing Blazczak, ninth starting Mike McConnell, and eighth starting Stearns by for second through fourth. It was three-wide for the lead on lap seven with Stearns taking over. Stearns led the rest of the way in his #33 and extended his already large point lead in search of his first ever track championship. Callahan was second over last week’s winner McConnell. Beatty was fourth ahead of a career best finish by E.J. Rarer. Heats went to McConnell and Callahan. Tim Gillette made it a perfect three-for-three in the third annual “KABOOM 100”. Gillette and Randy Shaffer put on quite a battle for most of the event, but Gillette was too much in the closing laps for his fourth career Enduro win at Mercer worth $1,000. “I try to be good at this, but it’s really a game of chance,” said the modest 47-year-old Linesville, Pa. resident. “This is the 13th Enduro on this car and 20th for the engine and tranny. Thank you Mercer Raceway Park for having this- this is a ball!” Shawn Watkins led the opening lap before fifth starting Gillette grabbed the lead on lap two. Gillette’s lead only lasted until lap five when Watkins regained the lead back. Watkins led until lap seven when 13th starting Dakota Papsun took charge. Papsun, who finished second in the “Jack Frost 150” on January 9, looked strong leading until the 21st lap when he exited the event. Gillette would regain the lead back, but only held it for a lap as Shaffer took control on lap 22. Gillette kept Shaffer in view as Shaffer would lead the next 51 laps. On lap 73, Gillette passed Shaffer, , but Shaffer wasn’t done yet as the two raced side-by-side on lap 84 with Shaffer leading the lap. On lap 90, Gillette made the winning move and then pulled away in his Gillette Import Autowerks 1990 Toyota Celica #5. Only Leigh Wheeler and Jeff Schomaker, who won “Jack Frost 150” Enduros, have been able to beat Gillette, but neither were in competition Saturday night. Shaffer finished 15 seconds behind in second and earned $500. Former Stock Car racer Joe Yakich came from 29th to place third, which was worth $400. Brian Rydbom was fourth and picked up $300. Joe Philip completed the top five and earned $200. All 40 cars that entered started the event with 11 cars finishing. The event was timed in 1.02:38.06 including one red flag stoppage. Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars (20 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. BRANDON SPITHALER (22) 2. Danny Holtgraver (D4) 3. Bob Felmlee 4. Mike Lutz (Chappel 8) 5. Arnie Kent (Dionise 15) 6. Todd Bauer (45) 7. Jeff Taylor (17T) 8. Jack Helget (Taylor 71c) 9. Chris Best (66) 10. Brian Steinman (24s) 11. Lindsay Enscoe (96) 12. Davey Jones (76) 13. Francis Sesco (2s) 14. John McCracken, Sr. (63) 15. Pete Miller III (3) 16. Dan Kuriger (08)-DNS 17. John McCracken, Jr. (79)-DNS. Approved Toilet Rentals (358) Modifieds (20 laps): 1. JEFF SCHAFFER (14) 2. Jimmy Holden (28H) 3. Ron Cartwright, Jr. (2B) 4. Mike Stine (7s) 5. Dustin Martin (29D) 6. Greg Unrue, Jr. (5) 7. Matt Reeher (711) 8. Clyde Gumpp (51) 9. Rod Artman (97) 10. Chris Dye (23D) 11. Dillion McElrath (7) 12. Brian Fingado (13F) 13. Kevin Green (74) 14. Rick Hall (B2) 15. Jerry Twentier, Sr. (6) 16. Rick Kress (222) 17. Steve Barr (Hinkle 77) 18. Burt Fingado (4F) 19. Dave Shook (17s) 20. Lonny Riggs (Black 58) 21. Brian May (11) 22. Frank Guidace (1G)-DNS 23. Joe Gibson (119)-DNS 24. Steve Young (Schaffer 10)-DNS. 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 3. Rocky Kugel (7KRT) 4. Josh Double (38) 5. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 6. Mike Anderson, Sr. (72) 7. Justin Kreider (29) 8. Jason Stanke (44) 9. Leigh Wheeler (Smith 717) 10. Rusty Cade (47) 11. Rod Laskey (1R)-DNS. Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars (15 laps): 1. CHRIS HAINES (35H) 2. Dwight Boice (528) 3. Steve D’Apolito (84) 4. Russ Byler (06R) 5. Terry Wheeler (2W) 6. Bryan Wagner (56) 7. Ryan Moyer (Walters 35) 8. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65) 9. Charlie McMillen (61M) 10. Brandon Johnston (14J) 11. Travis Walsh (1) 12. Clay Ruffo (14R) 13. Matt Wagner (12). M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. WALLY STEARNS, JR. (33) 2. Tim Callahan (54) 3. Mike McConnell (31) 4. Ryan Beatty (16) 5. E.J. Rarer (3J) 6. Jeff Little (42) 7. Buck Buchanan, Jr. (93) 8. Jeremy Double (83) 9. Joe Romanko (Kress 62) 10. Josh Ehrenberg (3T1) 11. Pete Blazczak (77) 12. Rudolph Troples III (28) 13. Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57)-DNS. “KABOOM 100” Enduro (100 laps, $1,000 to-win): 1. TIM GILLETTE (5) 2. Randy Shaffer (16) 3. Joe Yakich (29) 4. Brian Rydbom (2) 5. Joseph Philip (15) 6. Harry Wolfe (41) 7. Eelyn Wickham (25) 8. Tyler Wickham (26) 9. Josh Huff (20) 10. Bob Stroup (19) 11. Justin Bailey (14) 12. Shawn Watkins (1) 13. Tim Callahan (24) 14. Gary Miller, Jr. (36) 15. Tyrell Beary (31) 16. Troy Norman (Miller 37) 17. Randy Thompson (35) 18. John Confer (7) 19. George Davis (21) 20. Brian Doyle (32) 21. Donnie Mulig (30) 22. Todd Geer (6) 23. John Larkin (10) 24. Brad Shaffer (17) 25. Luke Rubin (39) 26. Brad Murdock (22) 27. Curt Bish, Sr. (33) 28. Tim Miller (11) 29. Brian Kimmel (38) 30. Matt Cross (34) 31. Ben Kuntz (4) 32. Garrett Schreffler (28) 33. Dakota Papsun (13) 34. Wally Naletko (3) 35. Nick Steiger (27) 36. Steve Blazczak (8) 37. Don Vernier (23) 38. Aaron Hill (18) 39. Ed Papsun (12)-DSQ 40. Pete Blazczak (9)-DSQ. Upcoming Events: 07/24 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAK Late Models, Stocks & Mini Stocks. $10 Family Night presented by Klingensmith’s Drugstore. Free Crawford County Night presented by Spanky’s Tobacco Word & Armstrong. Meet Your Heroes Autograph Night presented by Herr Foods. 07/31 DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series ($2,000), ARDC Midgets, Modifieds, Stocks & Mini Stocks. Grandstands at 4:30 PM. 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. ### |
