Past Press Releases & Results for August, 2001
- August 25, 2001
- Hawley and Doran chalk up 6th wins in Mercer Sprints and Modifieds
- August 18, 2001
Rain washes out action at Mercer Raceway Park for the fourth time
- August 11, 2001
Three in a row for Hawley in Sprints; Beltz wins first of the season in Mercer Modifieds
- August 4, 2001
- Hawley wins #4 in Sprints; Doran wins for 5th time in 6 Mercer Modified races
Hawley wins #4 in Sprints; Doran wins for 5th time in 6 Mercer Modified races
By Mike Leone
August 4, 2001
Mercer (PA)...The month of August kicked off Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park as the 15th night of the season was completed. Celebrating in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane were Jimmy Hawley-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tim Doran-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Les Myers and Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Miller and Ron Iorio-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Life Force Ambulance presented the E.M.S Community Sireeeen Rally. The inaugural regional safety awareness night brought in over a dozen emergency-type vehicles and many of the top personal from the region. All of the vehicles paraded the track during intermission.
Jimmy Hawley won for the second consecutive week in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature and made it two wins on the weekend following Friday night’s win at the Lernerville Speedway. "We’ve really got this new car working," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driver. "You couldn’t ask for a better race track tonight."
Jack Sodeman, Jr. took control of the race at the start getting by Goob Schuller. Point leader Tom Quarterson, who started eighth, moved up to fourth on lap two taking the spot from Nathan Hines. Brian Woodhall passed Schuller coming off turn four on the outside for second on lap five. Following the restart for Troy Preston with six laps completed, Quarterson moved ahead of Schuller for third. A three-car race for the lead ensued at the halfway mark between Sodeman, Woodhall, and Quarterson.
The leaders caught lapped traffic on lap 11, while Hawley, who started seventh, got Schuller for fourth. Hawley caught the trio and moved into third on lap 13 driving by Quarterson on the backstretch. Two laps later, Hawley disposed of Woodhall for second and began to set his sights on Sodeman. Hawley would make the winning move on lap 16 racing off turn four on the outside denying Sodeman of a first career Mercer win.
Once in front, Hawley survived two cautions, one for Tommy Burns, Jr. and the other for debris, to collect his fourth Mercer win and twelfth win overall in 2001. Hawley’s 25th career Mercer win came aboard the Dr. John and Debbie Crawford-owned, Mihalcak Motorsports-sponsored #cIII. Sodeman held off Woodhall for a career best finish Mercer finish. Quarterson was fourth over eleventh starter, Arnie Kent. Completing the top 10 were Schuller, Jason Jacoby, Mike Kekich, Preston, and Nathan Hines. Heat winners over the 21-car field were Quarterson and Hawley.
Tim Doran continued his dominance of the Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds by winning his third straight feature and fifth in the past six events in the caution-plagued 20-lap event. "This is the most fun I’ve ever had racing," said the jubilant New Castle, Pa. driver. "I love racing at Mercer. We seem to have a lot of fans here now and I want to say hi to all of them."
Carl Murdick led the first three laps before Carl Weatherby took over. Doran, who started 11th, passed Adam Siegel for third on lap four. Doran then drove under Murdick for runner-up on lap five. Lou Blaney, who started ninth, entered the picture racing into third past Murdick on lap eight, while Doran got by Weatherby for the lead. Weatherby’s fine run ended on lap 10 when he broke moving Blaney up to second for the restart.
Blaney would get five restarts throughout the last 11 laps, but was not able to get by Doran, who picked up his 15th career Mercer win in his Richard Smith Construction/Mitchelltree Bros. Logging & Lumber-sponsored #12. "I saw Blaney was there and he’s always tough," said Doran in victory lane. "We raced clean. Wherever I want to put the car it goes. It’s really working good."
Blaney’s second place finish coupled with Pearson’s did not qualify moved Blaney into the point lead in search of his third straight title. Don McKnight’s third was his best career big-block finish. Lonny Riggs was fourth over 17th starter, Rob Curtis, who continues to improve. Sixth and seventh went to the 358 c.i.-powered cars of Nick Ritchey and Chetter Johnson. For the rookie Ritchey, it was his best career finish. Steve Young, Les Myers, and Rick Hall completed the top 10. Heat winners over the 27-car field were Jeff Schaffer, Weatherby, and Myers. Johnson won the B main.
Les Myers won the July 7 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified make-up feature. The Reno, Pa. driver led all the way for his first sportsman win of the year and third of his career in the Bob Fink-owned #97. Andy Priest came from 10th to pass Andy Paden for second on lap 11. Even with the last 11 laps going non-stop, Priest nearly pulled off the victory with the aid of a lapped car on the final lap, but came up one car-length short. Third through fifth were Andy Paden, Steve Young, and Gary Smoker.
The regular 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature went to Steve Young for the second straight week. Young started ninth, was up third on lap two, and inherited second when Myers dropped from the race on lap five. Young made the winning move on lap eight when he passed Paden in turns three and four on the inside. Young of Grove City, Pa. padded his point lead by driving off for his fifth win and thirteenth of his career in the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored #11t. Paden’s second was his best career finish and second top three of the night. Smoker came from ninetieth to place third. Al Priester and Bill Adams were fourth and fifth. Heat victors over the 27-car field were Paden, Jerry Schaffer, and Priest.
Defending track champion, Brian Miller, opened the night by winning his second 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature in the July 7 make-up event. The New Wilmington, Pa. driver raced from his sixth starting spot to take the lead on lap nine from Dan Fedorchak. Fedorchak’s fine run ended with a spin the following lap. Ron Iorio, who started ninth, and Andy Buckley, who started 11th, both passed Gary Miller, Jr. then Willie Aley on lap 14 for second and third respectively. Iorio and Buckley quickly closed on the slowing leader on the final lap. But Miller was able to win the three-car drag race to the checkers defeating Iorio and Buckley both by less than one car-length. Miller’s seventh career Mercer win came in the Terry Hoover-owned, Rolling Hills Gold Course-sponsored #99m. Aley was fourth over Shaun Hooks.
After just missing a win in the make-up feature, Ron Iorio won the regular 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature for his second win. Gary Robinson led the first three laps before Iorio got under him on the backstretch of lap four. Once in front, Iorio of Kennerdell, Pa., pulled away and won the non-stop event in his Gabany’s Engine Rebuilding-sponsored #55. Point leader Buckley passed Robinson for second on lap 10 as both Iorio and Buckley recorded two top threes on the night. Robinson was third. Hooks recorded his second top five of the night in fourth as Bill Hanna rounded out the first five. Willie Aley, Robinson, Iorio, and Gary Miller, Jr. won the heats over the 36-car field. Buckley and Tim Deutsch won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 3. Brian Woodhall 4. Tom Quarterson 5. Arnie Kent 6. Goob Schuller 7. Jason Jacoby 8. Mike Kekich 9. Troy Preston 10. Nathan Hines 11. Gary McCollum 12. Bob Whitacre 13. Todd Bauer 14. Randy Kriegisch 15. Chris Matthews 16. Dave Wagner 17. Butch Beasley 18. Tommy Burns, Jr. 19. Jamie Smith 20. Buddy Cochran 21. Andy Priest.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TIM DORAN 2. Lou Blaney 3. Don McKnight 4. Lonny Riggs 5. Rob Curtis 6. Nick Ritchey 7. Chetter Johnson 8. Steve Young 9. Les Myers 10. Rick Hall 11. Rodney Beltz 12. John Boyer, Jr. 13. Randy Ferguson 14. Dana Gearhart 15. Rick Kress 16. Jeff Schaffer 17. Mark Frankhouser 18. Carl Murdick 19. Carl Weatherby 20. Dave Murdick 21. Lou Gentile 22. Dave Reges 23. Adam Siegel 24. Bob Dorman DNQ-Lee Miller, Dean Pearson, Rich Ferguson.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds (7/7/01 make-up): 1. LES MYERS 2. Andy Priest 3. Andy Paden 4. Steve Young 5. Gary Smoker 6. Randy Rodemoyer 7. Chanda Reitz 8. Bill Adams 9. Rick Hall 10. D.J. Schrader 11. Curt Matthews 12. Bill Baptiste 13. John Jones 14. Morgan Sasse 15. Brad Watson 16. Dave Cogswell 17. Al Priester 18. Allen Ferry 19. John Buchanan 20. Dean Pearson 21. Greg Unrue 22. Jerry Schaffer 23. Rick Ryder 24. Buck Buchanan-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Andy Paden 3. Gary Smoker 4. Al Priester 5. Bill Adams 6. Greg Unrue 7. Rick Hall 8. Allen Ferry 9. D.J. Schrader 10. Dave Cogswell 11. Jay Priest 12.
Zack Moran 13. Fred Sasse 14. Morgan Sasse 15. Andy Priest 16. Curt Matthews 17. John Jones 18. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 19. Randy Rodemoyer 20. Les Myers 21. Brad Watson 22. Chanda Reitz 23. Jerry Schaffer 24. Bill Baptiste-DNS 25. Gary Bollinger-DNS 26. John Buchanan-DNS 27. Rick Ryder-DNS.Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars (7/7/01 make-up): 1. BRIAN MILLER 2. Ron Iorio 3. Andy Buckley 4. Willie Aley 5. Shaun Hooks 6. Gary Miller, Jr. 7. Dave Ferringer 8. Gary Robinson 9. Greg Beach 10. Bill Hanna 11. Bobby Whitling 12. Tim Zuschlag 13. Terry Kroner 14. Mike Aley 15. Dan Fedorchak 16. Corey Ruffo 17. Lonnie O’Brien 18. Ray Bailey, Jr. 19. Bob Garris 20. Bob Hays 21. Jeff Kravec 22. Duane Grinnell 23. Rick Norco 24. Jim Miller 25. Mike Work-DNS DNQ-Pat Wilcox, Adam Aley, Robert Caszatt, Jr., Steve Anderson, Don Greenlee, Rick Anthony, Lynn Hostetler, Phil Kaufman, Ed Hays, Mark Bee, Tim Deutsch.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. RON IORIO 2. Andy Buckley 3. Gary Robinson 4. Shaun Hooks 5. Bill Hanna 6. Gary Norman 7. Dave Ferringer 8. Bobby Whitling 9. Terry Kroner 10. Jeff Kravec 11. Greg Beach 12. Doug Iorio 13. Jim Miller 14. Tim Deutsch 15. Corey Ruffo 16. Dan Fedorchak 17. Mike Aley 18. Tim Zuschlag 19. Phil Kaufman 20. Lonnie O’Brien 21. Duane Grinnell 22. Rick Anthony 23. Gary Miller, Jr. 24. Willie Aley DNQ-Brian Miller, Scott Carbaugh, Ray Bailey, Jr., Ed Hays, Bob Garris, Steve Anderson, Dean Sherbondy, Robert Caszatt, Jr., William George, Sr., Ray Pack, Andy Thompson, Rick Norco.
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Return to Top of Page for June Three in a row for Hawley in Sprints; Beltz wins first of the season in Mercer Modifieds
By Mike Leone
August 11, 2001
Mercer (PA)...As the summer continues to wind down, Mercer Raceway Park completed its 16th racing program of the season Saturday night. Picking up wins and celebrating in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane were Jimmy Hawley-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Rodney Beltz-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Andy Buckley-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
It was Dean Dairy Corp. Night and they gave out free Milk Chugs to the fans along with giving away t-shirts and hats. It was the last McElwain Family of Dealerships "Meet Your Hero" Night as the Sprint Cars signed autographs and met the fans behind the grandstands prior to racing. McElwains gave out another four-pack of tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates game at the new PNC Park. Kids also participated in bike races for the second time this season.
Jimmy Hawley is on a roll in western Pa. Sprint Car action. Hawley followed his seventh win at Lernerville Speedway on Friday night by winning his third straight 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling feature. "My crew gave me a completely different race car than what we had over the weekend," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driver after dedicating the win to Brad "Squeak" Smith, a Mike Kekich crew member, who passed away during the week. "I think we really found something that we like."
Bob Whitacre took the early lead with Goob Schuller taking second from Randy Kriegisch on the opening lap. Action got halted with one lap completed when Jason Jacoby got upside down and collected Mark Murphy and Brian Woodhall. Only Woodhall would continue as all drivers were okay.
When racing resumed, Whitacre and Schuller battled over the next four laps until Schuller got the advantage on lap five. On lap seven, both Kriegisch and McCollum moved into second and third past Whitacre. Hawley, who started 11th, moved into contention on lap nine taking fourth from Whitacre. Whitacre’s run came to an end on lap 10 when he tangled with another car and got upside down on the frontstretch. He was okay, but done for the night.
The red flag erased Schuller’s straightaway lead over Kriegisch and was just what Hawley needed. When green replaced yellow, Hawley blasted around both McCollum and Kriegisch in turns one and two for second and McCollum got ahead of Kriegisch for third. Hawley made the winning move on lap 12 going around Schuller on the outside off turn four.
Once in front, Hawley pulled away for his fifth Mercer win of the year and 26th of his career in the Dr. John and Debbie Crawford-owned, Mihalcak Motorsports #cIII. Schuller held on for a career best 410 finish in second. "Goob (Schuller) is going to be a great racer," said Hawley. "He’s got good equipment. I think the only thing I did any different was go up a little bit higher. When he gets a lot more laps under his belt he’ll be doing the same thing."
Point leader Tom Quarterson moved through the field late in the race passing Kriegisch for fifth on lap 13, Kekich for fourth on lap 18, then got third from McCollum on lap 19. McCollum dropped to fourth for his first top five since 1998. Kekich was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Rob Eyler, Arnie Kent, Jack Sodeman, Jr. from 19th, New York’s Mike Woodring, and Gary Edwards. Kekich and Hawley won the heats over the 22-car field.
Rodney Beltz endured a caution-plagued 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified event and the challenges of Tim Doran for his first win since May 19, 1999. "Timmy (Doran) runs good," said the Ellwood City, Pa. racer from victory lane. "He’s good to run with without any bumping and banging. It was a good race. We haven’t had the car hooked up, but we got it hooked up tonight."
Carl Murdick led lap one before spinning off turn four on the second lap giving the lead to Dean Pearson and moving Beltz, who started sixth, into second. Doran, who started 12th, entered the picture on lap five taking third away from rookie Nick Ritchey following another caution for Murdick. Beltz gained the lead on lap five when he went around Pearson off turn four. Pearson pitted under the caution period for Don McKnight moving Beltz up to second with five laps completed.
The last 15 laps saw Beltz and Doran race hard for the win running side-by-side for numerous laps. Doran would actually lead lap nine, before Beltz nosed back ahead to lead the rest of the way to win by less than a car-length over Doran. The win was Beltz’s fifth big-block win of his career at Mercer driving his McElwains/KD Machine-sponsored #64.
Doran’s streak of three straight wins and five wins in the past six events was ended. Point leader Lou Blaney came from twenty-fourth to pass Lonny Riggs for third on lap 14. Riggs dropped to fourth over Jeff Schaffer. Rounding out the top 10 were Steve Young, Guy Griffin, Pearson, John Boyer, Jr., and Bob Dorman. Heat victors over the 24-car field were McKnight, Rob Curtis, and Dorman.
Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. became the track’s top winner of the season by recording his sixth 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified win. The win was also Priest’s 11th overall sportsman win of the year- tops for the division. Rick Ryder led the opening lap before John Buchanan took command on lap two. Priest, who started 11th, charged through the field taking third from Ryder on lap four. A caution with four laps completed bunched up the field. On the restart, Priest passed Chanda Reitz and then Buchanan on the inside of turn two for the lead. Priest held off Buchanan the rest of the way in the Ted Hull-owned, Bossard-Crawford Chevrolet/MPR Lumber-sponsored #41 for his 25th of his career Mercer sportsman win. Al Priester came from ninth to record a career best third. Bill Adams was fourth over Andy Paden. Scoring heat race wins over the 22-car field were Buchanan and Priest.
Point leader Andy Buckley of Stoneboro, Pa. continued his outstanding career best season by capturing his fourth 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature win. Brian Miller led the first two laps before Dave Ferringer came from seventh to take the lead on lap three. Ferringer held down the top spot until Miller regained the lead following a restart with six laps completed. Buckley, who was handicapped to the 12th starting spot, entered the battle on lap 11 getting around both Russ Kapalin and Ferringer for runner-up using the outside. Buckley caught Miller with the two-to-go signal given by the flagman and made the winning move coming off four on the outside with the white flag waving. Buckley held off Miller for his sixth career Mercer win in his Hapeman Electronics/Arctic Cat-sponsored #965. Third through fifth were Ferringer, Kapalin, and Shaun Hooks, who started 18th. Scoring heat race wins over the 37-car field were Buckley, Kapalin, Bill Hanna, and Ferringer. Greg Beach and Hooks won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Goob Schuller 3. Tom Quarterson 4. Gary McCollum 5. Mike Kekich 6. Rob Eyler 7. Arnie Kent 8. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 9. Mike Woodring 10. Gary Edwards 11. Randy Kriegisch 12. Brian Woodhall 13. Troy Preston 14. Dave Wagner 15. Gregg McCandless 16. Joe Laugherty, Jr. 17. Butch Beasley 18. Jeff Kasbee 19. Bob Whitacre 20. Jason Jacoby 21. Mark Murphy 22. Chris Matthews-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. RODNEY BELTZ 2. Tim Doran 3. Lou Blaney 4. Lonny Riggs 5. Jeff Schaffer 6. Steve Young 7. Guy Griffin 8. Dean Pearson 9. John Boyer, Jr. 10. Bob Dorman 11. Nick Ritchey 12. Rick Kress 13. Rob Curtis 14. Carl Murdick 15. Adam Siegel 16. Randy Ferguson 17. Dana Gearhart 18. Don McKnight 19. Lee Miller 20. Howard Duff 21. Les Myers 22. Rich Ferguson 23. Carl Weatherby-DSQ 24. Dave Reges-DSQ.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. John Buchanan 3. Al Priester 4. Bill Adams 5. Andy Paden 6. D.J. Schrader 7. Rick Hall 8. Rick Ryder 9. Jay Priest 10. John Jones 11. Brad Watson 12. Randy Rodemoyer 13. Jerry Schaffer 14. Morgan Sasse 15. Steve Young 16. Dave Cogswell 17. Chanda Reitz 18. Allen Ferry 19. Gary Smoker 20. Fred Sasse 21. Greg Unrue 22. Leroy Johnson, Jr.-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. ANDY BUCKLEY 2. Brian Miller 3. Dave Ferringer 4. Russ Kapalin 5. Shaun Hooks 6. Bill Hanna 7. Jim Davis 8. Kevin Thompson 9. Jarrot Moore 10. Jim Miller 11. Willie Aley 12. Duane Grinnell 13. Dan Fedorchak 14. Rick Anthony 15. Terry Kroner 16. Phil Kaufman 17. Greg Beach 18. Gary Miller, Jr. 19. Gary Norman 20. Rick Norco 21. Gary Robinson 22. Keith Nagy 23. Corey Ruffo 24. Mike Aley DNQ-J.R. Brown, Ed Hays, Dean Sherbondy, Erick Cwynar, Mark Covert, Lonnie O’Brien, Jeff Kravec, Ray Bailey, Jr., Andy Thompson, Lynn Preston, Robert Caszatt, Jr., William George, Sr., Tim Deutsch.
Rain washes out action at Mercer Raceway Park for the fourth time
By Mike Leone
August 18, 2001
Mercer (PA)...With action just getting underway Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park, one lone rain cell popped up and dumped rain on the speedway forcing officials to cancel action for the fourth time this season. The entire event has been rescheduled as a complete new show for Saturday, September 8 with a rain date of Sunday, September 9. Rain checks will be good for the next two weeks.
A fine field of 30 Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars assembled for the third annual Sprint Slug-Out. Only one heat race was completed before the rain hit with Rob Eyler taking the win. Top Ohio driver, John Ivy of Fremont, made his first appearance. Mike Lutz was behind the wheel of the Norton Southard #00 from Ohio. All Star members Ed Lynch, Jr. and Brian Ellenberger were set for action. Ralph Engel, Jr. made his first appearance of the season in the Mark Kubick #80. The two-car Fun Time Motorsports team of Brent Covell #81 and Mark Cassella #91 were also in the field. The event was to pay $2,500 to-win and also included a $500 winner-take-all wheelie contest.
There were also 22 Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds for their $1,300 to-win event and 36 Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars for their $400 to-win event in the pits. A demo derby was also scheduled.
Due to the fact that this event was a scheduled points event, it will remain so for September 8. Also, because the New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds were on the schedule for a regular show on the 8th, they will be added as well for an increased purse event. No points will be awarded for the Sportsman Modifieds unless this coming Saturday’s event would be rained out. One lucky fan will leave the speedway with an Opryland Hotel Country Christmas Tour giveaway on the 8th thanks to Anderson Coach & Tour. Ticket prices will be changed from the initial schedule to Saturday’s prices of $13 for adults, $5 for students 6-15, $30 for the family pass, five and under free, and a $25 pit pass.
Coming this Saturday night will be a regular show of Sprint Cars, Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds, and Stock Cars. It will be "Kidz Dayz" sponsored by Armstrong Cable Services as over $5,000 in children’s toys will be given away. All kids 12 and under will be admitted free! Gates will open for both events at 4:30 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m. There will be no racing on Saturday, September 1.
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Return to Top of Page for June - Hawley and Doran chalk up 6th wins in Mercer Sprints and Modifieds
By Mike Leone
August 25, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway Park rounded out the month of August on Saturday night with the completion of race night number 17. Familiar faces returned to the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane including Jimmy Hawley-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tim Doran-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Miller-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Armstrong Cable sponsored the inaugural "Kidz Dayz". All kids 12 and under were admitted free and were eligible for around 500 children’s prizes worth more than $5,000 including toys, balls, electronics, bikes, and much more. Armstrong gave away a 13" color Zenith television to a lucky adult. Armstrong Cable provides basic cable, digital cable, and now the new Zoom internet service to residents throughout western Pa. and eastern Ohio.
Jimmy Hawley made it four in a row on a lightning-quick, tacky track in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. "We had the car a little too tight," stated the West Middlesex, Pa. driver. "We knew we were in a little bit of trouble because of some good cars up front and with the track being heavy, but it worked out for us."
Gary Edwards jumped into the lead taking the spot away from Dave Wagner on the opening lap with Troy Preston in tow. A four-car tangle with one lap in brought action to a halt and ended the night for Mike Marano II and Arnie Kent. On the restart, Preston took second from Wagner. Todd Bauer moved into third on lap six dropping Wagner back another spot. Wagner would bring out the second and final caution when he spun in turn four.
When racing resumed, Hawley made a daring move driving around both Tom Quarterson and Bauer for third. Edwards was setting a nice pace until he caught heavy traffic on lap 13, which allowed Preston to close in and take the top spot away. Hawley disposed of Edwards for second on lap 14. Hawley’s winning move came on the 16th circuit when he went to the inside of Preston in turns one and two to make the pass stick.
Once in front, Hawley pulled away for his sixth Mercer win and fifteenth overall of the season. Hawley’s 27th career Mercer win came aboard the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned, Mihalcak Motorsports #cIII. Quarterson made a late charge to pass Edwards for third on lap 16 then got a run on Preston off turn four on the outside to nip him for second at the line. Edwards dropped to fourth over a career best Mercer finish of fifth for Bauer. Completing the top 10 were Goob Schuller, Gary McCollum, Brian Woodhall, Mike Kekich, and Wagner. Heat wins went to Kekich and Hawley.
After losing by less than a car-length last time, Tim Doran charged from the rear of the field and returned to victory lane in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature for the sixth time in the past eight races. Doran earned an additional $400 for being the ERACERS "Cash Chaser" and has now earned over $9,600 in those eight weeks including an Australian Pursuit win as well.
"I got in that tangle early on," stated the New Castle, Pa. winner. "Someone spun out and I got into him. The guys did a heck of a job in the pits. The side rail was against the tire. They straightened it out good enough and said it wasn’t bent. We tried it and the car was quick again. I guess it was our night again!"
Carl Weatherby led the first three laps from the pole position. On lap four, Adam Siegel, Steve Barr, Lou Gentile, Carl Miller, and Tim Doran all collided. Only Miller and Doran would continue. On the restart, seventh starter Les Myers passed Dean Pearson for second then took the lead from Weatherby on the backstretch.
Lou Blaney was on the move from the 11th starting spot. Blaney passed Lonny Riggs for fourth on lap six and three laps later moved into third past Pearson. Pearson then dropped from the event moving Riggs to fourth and Doran to fifth. On lap 10, Rich Ferguson and Dana Gearhart tangled and collected Weatherby, who was in second.
When green replaced yellow, Doran made a nice move to get by both Riggs and Blaney for second. Myers was able to hold off Doran’s challenges as the two battled the last eight laps and appeared headed to victory. Then on the final lap, Carl Miller’s car caught fire bringing action to a halt with the leaders on the backstretch. The last restart was just what Doran needed as he blasted around Myers in turns one and two and went on for his 17th career Mercer win in his Richard Smith Construction/Mitchelltree Bros. Logging & Lumber-sponsored #12.
Blaney then edged Myers at the finish line for second. Riggs was fourth. Guy Griffin was fifth in Todd Schaffer’s 358 c.i. powered car for his best finish since a second on July 10, 1999. Rounding out the top 10 were Nick Ritchey, Rob Curtis, Rick Hall, Steve Young, and newcomer Ted Ryan. Heat victors over the 22-car field were Doran and Blaney.
Steve Young tied Andy Priest, Tim Doran, and Jimmy Hawley with his sixth win as the top winners at the track by winning the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature. John Buchanan came from fourth to lead the first lap over Zack Moran and Allen Ferry. Four cautions slowed action in the first four laps. By lap five, Young worked his way to third taking the spot from Ferry on the inside then one lap later moved into second by passing Moran on the bottom. Young made the winning move on lap eight grabbing the top spot away from Buchanan on the inside of the track.
Once in front, the Grove City, Pa. driver went on for his 14th career Mercer sportsman win and locked up his second championship in the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored #11t. Gary Smoker came from 13th to get second after passing Buchanan on lap 14. Buchanan fell to third over Randy Rodemoyer and Jerry Schaffer. Taking heat event wins were Young and Buchanan over the 23-car field.
Brian Miller of New Wilmington, Pa. held on to win the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature to collect his third win of the season. Gary Robinson was strong as he came from his sixth starting spot to take third from Rick Anthony on lap two. Robinson moved into runner-up on lap four by getting around Mike Aley. The first and only caution of the event was for a spin by Rod Laskey with seven laps completed. Robinson battled with Miller over the next three laps. Robinson nosed ahead to lead lap nine in search of his first win, but Miller regained the lead one lap later and opened up some ground.
Meanwhile, 10th starter Shaun Hooks had worked his way into third after getting around Aley on lap eight. Hooks closed on the leaders and was able to get by Robinson for second on lap 13. Hooks caught Miller, but ran out of time as Miller recorded his eighth career Mercer win the Terry Hoover-owned, Rolling Hills Golf Course/Ed & Jerry’s Auto Service-sponsored #99m. Hooks’ second was his seventh straight top five finish. Robinson and Aley were third and fourth. Terry Kroner was a career best fifth. Winning the heats over the season-high 44-car field were Jeff Buccella, Dave Ferringer, Miller, and Bill Hanna. Gary Norman and Dave Lewis, Sr. won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Tom Quarterson 3. Troy Preston 4. Gary Edwards 5. Todd Bauer 6. Goob Schuller 7. Gary McCollum 8. Brian Woodhall 9. Mike Kekich 10. Dave Wagner 11. Buddy Cochran 12. Jason Jacoby 13. Jeff Kasbee 14. Mary Anne Williams 15. Rob Eyler 16. Arnie Kent 17. Mike Marano II (Jack Sodeman, Jr.-did not compete).
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TIM DORAN ($1,400) 2. Lou Blaney 3. Les Myers 4. Lonny Riggs 5. Guy Griffin 6. Nick Ritchey 7. Rob Curtis 8. Rick Hall 9. Steve Young 10. Ted Ryan 11. Rick Kress 12. Dean Pearson 13. Carl Miller 14. Dana Gearhart 15. John Boyer, Jr. 16. Carl Weatherby 17. Rich Ferguson 18. Lou Gentile 19. Adam Siegel 20. Steve Barr 21. Frank Guidace 22. Tom Armstrong-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Gary Smoker 3. John Buchanan 4. Randy Rodemoyer 5. Jerry Schaffer 6. Rick Hall 7. Bill Adams 8. Al Priester 9. Rick Ryder 10. Chanda Reitz 11. Allen Ferry 12. Andy Paden 13. Jay Priest 14. Dave Cogswell 15. Bill Baptiste 16. Zack Moran 17. John Jones 18. Morgan Sasse 19. Greg Unrue 20. Andy Priest 21. Mark Sevin 22. Gary Bollinger 23. Les Myers-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. BRIAN MILLER 2. Shaun Hooks 3. Gary Robinson 4. Mike Aley 5. Terry Kroner 6. Jarrot Moore 7. Rick Anthony 8. Jim Miller 9. Greg Beach 10. Dave Ferringer 11. Gary Norman 12. Andy Buckley 13. Lynn Hostetler 14. Jim Brunson 15. Bill Hanna 16. Jeff Kravec 17. Dan Fedorchak 18. Tim Deutsch 19. Rod Laskey 20. Willie Aley 21. Dave Lewis, Sr. 22. Duane Grinnell 23. Jeff Buccella 24. Kevin Thompson DNQ-Tony Bruno, Bobby Whitling, Lonnie O’Brien, Rick Norco, Mark Covert, Ray Bailey, Jr., Bobby Wagner, William George, Sr., Keith Nagy, Phil Kaufman, Erick Cwynar, Tim Zuschlag, Ed Hays, Dean Sherbondy, Andy Thompson, Bob Hays, Don Greenlee, Chris Hake, Jim Green, Dave Wagner.
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