Past Press Releases & Results for July, 2000
- July 29, 2000
- Burns wins first of 2000 in Sprints; Weatherby wins first ever in Mercer Modifieds
- July 22, 2000
- Hawley blasts to #5 in Sprints; Priest doubles in Mercer Big-Block & Sportsman Modifieds
- July 15-16, 2000
- Hawley's 4th Sprint win worth $2,000; Pauch, Blaney, & Hearn all win $2,000 in USNA Modifieds at Mercer
- Rain wipes out finale of the Summer Showdown Weekend for the USNA Modifieds at Mercer
- July 8, 2000
- Spithaler wins first in Mercer Sprints; Blaney now 8 of 10 in Mercer Modifieds
- July 1, 2000
- Andrusky wins first in 410 Sprint Car race; Blaney reels off #7 in Mercer Modifieds
Andrusky wins first 410 Sprint Car race; Blaney reels off #7 in Mercer Modifieds
By Mike Leone
July 1, 2000
Mercer (PA)...Race #11 of the 2000 season was completed Saturday on "American Patriot Night" at Mercer Raceway Park. Holding the checkered flag in the Autobody Products, Inc. victory lane were Kevin Andrusky-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile, Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. All veterans of war were admitted free and a huge fireworks display was enjoyed. Sprint great Jack Hewitt gave three rides in his two-seater sprint car.
Kevin Andrusky scored a career first 410 Sprint Car win in the 20-lap Axa Advisors feature. "This feels really good," said the Hermitage, Pa. driver. "The first people I have to thank is my immediate family. There is no way I could do this by myself. This one’s for them."
The fast-paced, action-filled feature saw Randy Johnson take the lead from the pole position, while Andrusky got by Doug Kekich and Jason Jacoby for second on lap one. Johnson lost the lead when he got sideways and slid into the infield coming off turn four on lap two. This gave Andrusky the lead with Kekich and Jacoby trailing.
Tommy Burns, Jr. looked to have the fastest car early on. Burns started seventh and cracked the top five on lap two when he passed Terry Young. One lap later, Burns moved into fourth racing around Rob Eyler. Jamie Smith, who started 11th, followed Burns through the field. Smith got Eyler for fifth on the fifth lap. Burns moved up another spot when he got under Jacoby off turn four for third on lap six. Smith used the same pass on Jacoby three laps later for fourth.
On lap nine, Kekich closed in on Andrusky in lapped traffic as both drivers were searching for their first career 410 sprint wins. The race was halted when rookies Gary Stallard and Ed Etzel got together. Gary Edwards had no where to go and got upside down for the first time this year bringing out the red with nine laps completed. Edwards was okay, but done for the night.
When racing resumed, Burns and Smith continued their march to the front. Burns got under Kekich in turns one and two for second on lap 10. The following lap saw Smith make the pass on Kekich for third racing off turn four on the inside. Smith then got by Burns on lap 14 for runner-up using the same pass on the bottom coming out of turn four. The second and final caution was displayed when Randy Johnson came to a rest with 14 laps completed.
The last six laps went green-to-checker. Smith pressured Andrusky on the bottom, but Andrusky had enough on the top side to hold on for his first career Mercer win in the Coast to Coast Home Equity Corporation-sponsored #7. "I think the two cautions helped me," said the former micro sprint and 305 sprint winner. "The lapped cars were good enough to hold their line or go to the bottom. The top was the fastest for me."
Smith was second and continues to lead the points. An excellent race ensued for third the last five laps. Arnie Kent and Brian Ellenberger both passed Doug Kekich on lap 14 for fourth and fifth. The two then got by Burns on laps 17 and 18. Kent, who started 16th, was able to hold off Ellenberger for third. Burns dropped to fifth. Sixth through tenth were Terry Young, Kekich, Ralph Engel, Jr., Scott Bonnell, and Jim Chappel. Heat winners over the 24-car field were Smith, Eyler, and Ellenberger.
Another week, another win for Lou Blaney. The veteran driver recorded his seventh win in nine races in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature. "It worked out good night," said the Hartford, Ohio legend. "The top was good; the bottom was good. They had a real good race track tonight."
For a while it appeared a new winner was in store. Carl Murdick grabbed the lead on lap one from Jerry Bickel, while fifth starter, Dean Pearson, passed Rick Hall and Steve Young for third. On lap two, Pearson and Young passed Bickel for second and third. By lap six, Pearson had run down Murdick and began to apply pressure. On lap eight, Pearson squeezed by Murdick for the lead going four-wide on the backstretch with the lapped cars of George Davis and Jim Rombold, Jr.
The only caution of the event may have denied Pearson of the win. Young was racing through lapped traffic when he got into Howard Duff necessitating the only caution of the event with 10 laps completed. This moved Carl Weatherby to third, Rodney Beltz to fourth, and Blaney up to fifth. Weatherby took runner-up from Murdick on the restart, while Blaney blasted around Beltz and Murdick for third.
Blaney overtook Weatherby for second coming off turn four on lap 13. Pearson kept his mount planted on the bottom, while Blaney used the top. Pearson did that for three laps holding off Blaney, but on lap 17, Pearson slipped high enough off turn four giving Blaney the opening for the lead.
Blaney then pulled away in the Carpenter’s Towing/Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10 for his 27th win since Mercer reopened in 1994 moving him ahead of Tommy Kristyak for the most wins. "Dean ran good and deserved to win," said Blaney. "I got around him on the top side. It was either win or take second."
Pearson’s runner-up was his best finish of 2000. Weatherby’s third was his best finish in his rookie big-block season. Beltz was fourth for the fifth time this season. Murdick fell to fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Tim Doran, Bob Dorman, Don McKnight, Hall, and Bickel. Heat victors over the 21-car field were Murdick, Doran, and Young.
Sixty-one year-old Lou Gentile added win #6 in the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. Kenny Hardy took the early lead, as Conny Allen and Bill Adams took second and third on lap one. Randy Ferguson and Gentile took third and fourth from Adams on lap four. Gentile got under Ferguson for third on the next lap. With five laps to go, Gentile raced around Allen for runner-up. By this time, Hardy had over a straightaway lead and appeared headed for his third win, but Jim Bickel brought out the only caution with 13 laps completed. When racing resumed, Gentile drove by Hardy on the backstretch of lap 14, while Hardy slid into the infield ending his night. The Youngstown, Ohio driver went on for his 33rd win since 1994 tying Carl Weatherby for second. Ferguson was second for the third time this year. Frank Guidace and Allen were third and fourth for the fourth time this season. Harold Michaels was fifth. Allen and Guidace won the heats.
Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. won his third 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. Priest started 11th in the caution-filled event. On lap six, Priest made a nice move driving around Tom Mattocks and Ron Eperthener, Jr. on the outside for second. Priest’s winning move came one lap later following a restart, when he passed Rick Ryder. Priest went on for the win in the Ted Hull-owned, MPR Lumber/Griffin-sponsored #41. Gary Smoker came from ninth to place second. Dean Pearson, who started 14th, completed a good night with a third place following a runner-up in the big blocks. Ryder, who led laps four through six, fell fourth over Mattocks. Taking heat event wins over the 27-car field were J.R. Greer, Mattocks, and Smoker. Fred Sasse won the B main.
Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa. edged out Jim Brunson for his third 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature win. Ferringer started fourth and passed Jim Riffenberrick, Brunson, and Albert Hays on lap one for the lead. Hays slowed on lap three giving second to Brunson. Brunson chased Ferringer until the first caution was displayed for Jeff Kravec and Willie Aley with nine laps completed. When racing resumed, Brunson got by Ferringer coming off turn two on lap 10 for the lead. Brunson and Ferringer raced side-by-side the last four laps. Brunson was denied of his first career win again when Ferringer got a good run off turn four to nip him by a wheel-length at the checkers in his Maloney Tool & Die-sponsored #02. Andy Buckley passed Gary Miller, Jr. for third on lap 13 to record his first top five of the season. Miller was fourth over Brian Miller. Gary Miller, Jr., Ferringer, and Brian Miller scored heat wins over the 29-car field. Kevin Thompson won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. KEVIN ANDRUSKY 2. Jamie Smith 3. Arnie Kent 4. Brian Ellenberger 5. Tommy Burns, Jr. 6. Terry Young 7. Doug Kekich 8. Ralph Engel, Jr. 9. Scott Bonnell 10. Jim Chappel 11. Jason Jacoby 12. Dan Shetler 13. Skip Dougherty 14. Randy Johnson 15. Ed Etzel 16. Nathan Hines 17. Larry Lamey 18. Jim Kennedy 19. Rob Eyler 20. Ralph Spithaler, Jr. 21. Gary Edwards 22. Kevin Schaeffer 23. Gary Stallard 24. Bob Cain-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Dean Pearson 3. Carl Weatherby 4. Rodney Beltz 5. Carl Murdick 6. Tim Doran 7. Bob Dorman 8. Don McKnight 9. Rick Hall 10. Jerry Bickel 11. Steve Young 12. Steve Barr 13. Tommy Mason, Jr. 14. Jimmy Faas 15. Howard Duff 16. George Davis 17. Jim Rombold, Jr. 18. Tommy Kristyak 19. J.R. McGinley 20. Rob Kristyak 21. Rob Curtis-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Randy Ferguson 3. Frank Guidace 4. Conny Allen 5. Harold Michaels 6. Jim Bickel 7. Mark McEwen 8. Joe Kane 9. Rick Kress 10. Kenny Hardy 11. Dustin Kress 12. Bill Adams 13. Jim Reagle-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Gary Smoker 3. Dean Pearson 4. Rick Ryder 5. Tom Mattocks 6. Rod Artman 7. Doug Updyke 8. Andy Paden 9. Fred Sasse 10. Greg Unrue 11. Chanda Reitz 12. Darrell Combs 13. Jim Thompson 14. Zack Moran 15. Mike Mathieson 16. J.R. Greer 17. Bill Thompson 18. Rick Hall 19. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 20. Gary Bollinger 21. Buck Buchanan 22. John Buchanan 23. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 24. Randy Rodemoyer DNQ-Brad Watson, Allen Ferry, Jason Longwell.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Jim Brunson 3. Andy Buckley 4. Gary Miller, Jr. 5. Brian Miller 6. Rick Norco 7. Brian Booher 8. Leigh Wheeler 9. Kevin Thompson 10. Rick Anthony 11. John Reiser 12. Jim Davis 13. Ed Hays 14. Jeff Kravec 15. Willie Aley 16. Mike Aley 17. Todd Titus 18. Ray Bailey, Jr. 19. Dan Fedorchak 20. Kevin Bailey 21. Tim Zuschlag 22. Gary Robinson 23. Jim Riffenberrick 24. Albert Hays 25. Rusty Moore-DNS DNQ-Bill Fox, Brian Carothers, Adam Aley, Don Greenlee.
Spithaler wins first in Mercer Sprints; Blaney now 8 of 10 in Modifieds
By Mike Leone
July 8, 2000
Mercer (PA)...A huge crowd witnessed race event #12 of the 2000 season at Mercer Raceway Park. Celebrating in the Autobody Products Inc. victory lane were Ralph Spithaler, Jr.-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Randy Ferguson-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, John Buchanan-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Gary Robinson-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
It only took Ralph Spithaler, Jr. four weeks of subbing for Troy Preston to win his first-ever Mercer Raceway Park 410 Sprint Car Feature win. "I screwed up and tried to give it away a few times," said the Evans City, Pa. driver after a dominating performance. "The car was fast, but with five laps to go the left rear of the car seemed like it was sagging more than the first part of the race. I was concerned we had a stop loose up in the back end of the car."
Rob Eyler drove by pole-sitter Gary McCollum on the backstretch for the lead on the opening lap. Cautions for a Dave Penezich, Jr. spin and an flip by Jim Chappel slowed action twice with one lap completed. Penezich continued, but Chappel was done for the night.
When racing resumed, Spithaler, who started third, passed McCollum for runner-up, and Gary Edwards followed dropping McCollum back to fourth. Spithaler ran down Eyler and made quite a move to take the lead. Spithaler ran on the top edge of the track and drove around Eyler going into turn three getting help from the lap car of Mel Straley.
Once in front, Spithaler quickly opened up a big advantage. A five-car battle raged for second between Eyler, Edwards, Kevin Andrusky, Arnie Kent, and Ed Lynch, Jr. Kent and Lynch passed Andrusky on lap 13, then tangled with each other off turn four the following lap bringing out the yellow.
When green replaced yellow, Spithaler immediately pulled away, while Edwards got past Eyler for second on the restart. Edwards had nothing for Spithaler, who drove off for the win in Troy Preston-owned, Flynn’s Tire/McClung Auto Body-sponsored #1P by more than a straightaway over Edwards, who recorded his best finish since a second on August 22, 1998. Eyler held off Andrusky and a late charge by Tommy Burns, Jr. for third. Sixth through tenth were Kent, Jamie Smith, Todd Bauer, Mike Kekich, and McCollum. Winning the heats over the 21-car field were Lynch and Andrusky.
Lou Blaney won his fourth straight 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature and made it eight out of 10 for the year. "I had a little help," said the veteran Hartford, Ohio driver. "Andy was leading it and had a flat tire and that was a shame, but we’re glad to win."
Carl Murdick took the lead from the pole position at the start. Fifth starter, Andy Priest, quickly moved to the front. Priest passed Don McKnight and Rob Kristyak on the opening lap for the lead, then got by Jerry Bickel for second coming off turn four on the second lap. Priest caught Murdick and the two raced side-by-side on lap three with Priest edging ahead to lead the lap.
Dean Pearson, who started seventh, and 10th starter, Tim Doran, made their way through the field. Pearson passed Bickel for third on lap three as Doran followed. Doran then got by Pearson on lap six for the third position. The top four remained the same over the next six laps. Then on lap 12, Doran got high and hit the wall bringing out the caution. Under caution, Priest had a tire go down handing the lead back to Murdick with Pearson second and Blaney up third from his 11th starting spot.
When the green was displayed, Blaney got around Pearson for runner-up in turn three on lap 13. Murdick did a good job holding off Blaney, but on lap 17 Blaney had enough momentum off turn two to power by on the backstretch for the lead. One more caution slowed Blaney from his 14th overall win of 2000 in the Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metal Products/Troy-Alan Chevrolet-sponsored #10. "We were on gas tonight getting ready for the 200 lapper next week," said Blaney in victory lane. "I was concerned about it for awhile, but I think we’ll be okay."
Murdick’s second was his best finish of the season. After pitting early in the event, Tommy Kristyak came from the tail to edge Pearson for third at the checkers. Lonny Riggs was fifth. Sixth through tenth were Carl Weatherby, Rodney Beltz, J.R. McGinley, Rob Kristyak, and Steve Young. Heat victors over the 26-car field were Kristyak, Doran, and Priest.
Randy Ferguson of Mercer, Pa. won the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature for his first win since May 1, 1999. Ferguson started eighth and was up to second on lap one. His winning move came on lap two passing Bill Adams. Ferguson withstood four cautions for his third career Mercer Six-Cylinder win in the 84 Lumber/Leak Detection Systems-sponsored #02. Jim Bickel was second after passing Frank Guidace for the spot on lap 14. Kenny Hardy came from the rear after spinning with seven laps in to finish third. Guidace and Adams were fourth and fifth. Guidace won the heat over the 12-car field.
John Buchanan of Mercer, Pa. won his second 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature in three weeks. Randy Rodemoyer took the early lead from Ron Eperthener, Jr. at the start. Tom Mattocks followed Rodemoyer into second on the first lap passing Rick Hall and Eperthener. Hall got back by Mattocks for runner-up on lap eight. The first 13 laps went non-stop. Buchanan, who started fifth, passed Mattocks for third, then got Hall for second on the lap 15 restart. Buchanan made the winning move on Rodemoyer going down the backstretch on lap 17. Once in front, Buchanan pulled away for his fourth career win in the McCool’s Signs & Graphics/Mercer Bowl-sponsored #93. Rodemoyer’s second was his best career finish. Hall was third and regained the point lead. Gary Smoker and Mattocks were fourth and fifth. Heat victors over the 27-car field were Rodemoyer, Buchanan, and Pearson.
After winning eight of the 18 features in 1999, it took Gary Robinson 12 weeks in 2000 to win his first 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature. Leigh Wheeler passed Jim Riffenberrick, Rick Anthony, and Jim Brunson to lead the first lap. Wheeler held the lead until lap four when Brunson and Robinson got by on the outside. Brunson’s lead last only a lap when Robinson made the winning move on lap six. The Greenville, Pa. driver went on for his second overall win of 2000 in the Cresswell’s Auto Align/Speir Homes-sponsored #44R. Gary Miller, Jr., who started ninth, passed Wheeler and Brunson to finish runner-up. Wheeler dropped to third over Matt Lux and Brunson. Scoring heat wins over the season-high 38-car field were Brian Miller, Robinson, and Gary Miller, Jr. Winning the B mains were Willie Aley and Bill Fox.
On a tragic note, stock car driver, Albert Hays, lost his life when his car fell off the jacks at his home in North Lima, Ohio. Hays was 31. He entered the night 11th in points with one top five and three 10s in his #1. Hays had competed in the past 26 consecutive events at Mercer. Drivers went through the stands and collected $2,417.94 for his family.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. RALPH SPITHALER, JR. 2. Gary Edwards 3. Rob Eyler 4. Kevin Andrusky 5. Tommy Burns, Jr. 6. Arnie Kent 7. Jamie Smith 8. Todd Bauer 9. Mike Kekich 10. Gary McCollum 11. Jason Jacoby 12. Chad Hill 13. Randy Johnson 14. Dave Penezich, Jr. 15. Mel Straley 16. Ed Lynch, Jr. 17. Nathan Hines 18. Jim Chappel 19. Buddy Cochran 20. Mark Murphy-DNS 21. Terry Young-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Carl Murdick 3. Tommy Kristyak 4. Dean Pearson 5. Lonny Riggs 6. Carl Weatherby 7. Rodney Beltz 8. J.R. McGinley 9. Ron Kristyak 10. Steve Young 11. Dave Schrader 12. Don McKnight 13. Rick Hall 14. Andy Priest 15. Jerry Bickel 16. Tommy Mason, Jr. 17. Jim Rombold, Jr. 18. Brian Sadler 19. George Davis 20. Lee Miller 21. Tim Doran 22. Howard Duff 23. Ken Schaffer 24. Steve Barr 25. Bill Dorman-DNS 26. Kevin Bolland-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. RANDY FERGUSON 2. Jim Bickel 3. Kenny Hardy 4. Frank Guidace 5. Bill Adams 6. Joe Kane 7. Mark McEwen 8. Rick Kress 9. Conny Allen 10. Harold Michaels-DSQ 11. Dustin Kress-DSQ 12. Lou Gentile-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. JOHN BUCHANAN 2. Randy Rodemoyer 3. Rick Hall 4. Gary Smoker 5. Tom Mattocks 6. Kenny Hardy 7. Dean Pearson 8. Jason Longwell 9. Fred Sasse 10. Andy Paden 11. J.R. Greer 12. Greg Unrue 13. Chanda Reitz 14. Randy Ferguson 15. Mike Mathieson 16. Zack Moran 17. Jim Thompson 18. Dave Cogswell 19. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 20. Buck Buchanan 21. Doug Updyke 22. Rick Ryder 23. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 24. Brad Watson-DSQ 25. Bob Young-DNS 26. Andy Priest-DNS 27. Barry Bulfone-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. GARY ROBINSON 2. Gary Miller, Jr. 3. Leigh Wheeler 4. Matt Lux 5. Jim Brunson 6. Brian Booher 7. Brian Miller 8. Andy Thompson 9. Todd Titus 10. Rick Anthony 11. Mike Aley 12. Dan Fedorchak 13. Tim Zuschlag 14. Bill Fox 15. Jerry Ryder 16. Bill Kirschner, Sr. 17. Willie Aley 18. Ray Bailey, Jr. 19. Andy Buckley 20. Bob Sloss 21. Dave Ferringer 22. Ray Yuran 23. Jeff Kravec 24. Jim Riffenberrick 25. Ed Lombardo-DNS 26. Adam Aley-DNS 27. Mike Turner-DNS DNQ-Ray Gregory, Randy Riffe, William George, Sr., Kevin Bailey, Ed Cornell, Bill Haas, Bill Agnone, Jr., Kevin Thompson, John Reiser, Ed Hays, Bob Kitchen.
Hawley’s 4th Sprint win worth $2,000; Pauch, Blaney, and Hearn all win $2,000 in USNA Modifieds at Mercer
By Mike Leone
July 15, 2000
Mercer (PA)...With thunderstorms swirling around the area, Mercer Raceway Park was still able to complete night one of the $160,000 Summer Showdown Weekend. Four $2,000 winners graced the Autobody Products Inc. victory lane including Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Billy Pauch-USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #1, Lou Blaney-USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #2, and Brett Hearn-Big-Block Modified Challenge.
Making his first start back since an injury over two weeks ago after destroying a car at Limaland Speedway during Ohio All Star Speedweek, Jimmy Hawley returned with a vengeance by dominating the 30-lap $2,000 to-win Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature. "I saw what (Lou) Blaney did (win the second 30-lap modified feature) and it just inspired me," said the West Middlesex driver. "A local doing that good with the big dogs-it just shows what talent we have in this area."
Hawley started the event from the fourth hole and raced around Arnie Kent and Craig Rankin for second on the opening lap. Gary Edwards, who started sixth, was a rocket early on passing Kevin Andrusky, Kent, and blowing around Rankin on the outside on lap two. The first caution slowed action with two laps completed when Jason Jacoby stopped.
When racing resumed, Hawley passed leader Skip Dougherty. By lap seven, Hawley checked out and worked lap traffic, while a four-car race ensued for second with Dougherty trying to hold off Rankin, Edwards, and Kent. Rankin made a nice move for runner-up taking both Edwards and Dougherty on lap eight.
Hawley’s only scare of the night came while trying to pass Jamie McKinney on lap 10. Hawley slid clear off the track in turns three and four, but had such a big lead that he still held on to the lead by the time he regained full speed. Kent dropped Dougherty back to fourth on lap 12, and Ralph Spithaler, Jr. moved into fifth by Edwards just prior to the second caution for a Rob Eyler spin with 13 laps completed.
When action resumed, Billy Pauch was making his way through the field from his 19th starting spot. On lap 17, Pauch cleared both Spithaler and Dougherty for fourth. Five laps later, Pauch dusted off Kent for third with an inside move off turn two. Kent then brought out the third caution when he looped with his mount with 23 laps completed.
The last seven laps went green-to-checker with Hawley winning his fourth of the year at Mercer in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII. "We were lucky to get through the whole race. We didn’t have a stop on the front-end," said the winner. Every time I got in the turn, the car would just dig in-thank God he let us finish the race.
Rankin’s second place finish was his best-ever at the tricky 3/8-mile. Pauch was third in the J&M Motorsports #55 after passing 30 position cars from the start of the B main to the conclusion of the feature. Point leader Jamie Smith came from 12th to pass Dougherty for fourth on lap 26 dropping Dougherty to a solid fifth. Completing the top 10 were Kent, Edwards, Scott Bonnell, Tommy Burns, Jr., and Joe McEwen. Winning the heats over the 34-car field were Spithaler, Edwards, and Andrusky. Pauch won the B main.
Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, New Jersey beat nemesis Kenny Brightbill to win the $2,000 to-win opening 30-lap USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #1. "I like to run the top. It’s a little more comfortable for me," said the fan favorite. "We missed the gear in time trials. Once we got the speed up and got rolling around there the car was good."
Brightbill started on the pole after setting fast-time over the 42-car field in the M2 Racing Systems Time Trials, worth $750. Pauch started fourth on the 21-car grid and passed Jack Johnson on the opening lap for third. After a restart for a Rodney Beltz flat tire with two laps in, Pauch took over second from Brett Hearn on the restart. Four more cautions slowed action between laps four and 11 with the most severe being a flip by Bucky Kell in turn one. He was okay.
When racing resumed, the next 14 laps went non-stop. On lap 13, Pauch ran the top side the whole way around the track and made the move stick getting by Brightbill for the lead. By the half-way point, Pauch and Brightbill pulled away from the pack. Heavy traffic came into play on lap 23 and with five to go Brightbill was back on Pauch’s tail. The final caution was for a flat tire on the Jeff Trombley machine with 25 laps down.
The last five laps saw "The Kid" hold on to the win in the Dick Greenfield Dodge, Team #1 mount. Brightbill was second over Hearn, Johnson, and Frank Cozze. Rounding out the top 10 were Jamie Mills, local Jim Weller and Jeff Hoffman, Steve Bottcher, and Brian Davis.
Hometown hero, Lou Blaney, won the race of the night in the $2,000 to-win 30-lap USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #2. "It was a good race," said the Hartford, Ohio driver. "He (Billy Decker) got trapped behind a lapped car. We ran out of real estate and got together. The car was working fair, nothing spectacular."
Twenty-one cars also took the green with Billy Decker assuming the early lead with Blaney falling into second. Jack Cottrell moved ahead of Eddie Marshall on the first lap. The first and only caution of the race was for locals Lonny Riggs and Rob Curtis, who tangled with two laps in. On the restart, Cottrell passed Blaney for second. One lap later saw Ron Smoker nip Blaney at the line for third.
Blaney kicked back in on lap five getting back by Smoker for third, then retook second from Cottrell with an inside move off turn four on lap seven. At the halfway point, Decker, Blaney, and Cottrell opened up some distance between them and the rest of the field. Lap 19 saw Blaney get alongside Decker off turn four, but Decker had enough to hold on.
Cottrell continued to put the pressure on Blaney and got back by for second at the start-finish on lap 21 in lapped traffic. Blaney wasn’t going to be denied though. On lap 22, Blaney used the lapped car of Steve Young to retake second for good from Cottrell. Cottrell then lost third to Craig VonDohren on lap 28.
As the laps wound down, the crowd was waiting to erupt for a Blaney pass for the lead. They would get their wish on the 30th circuit. Decker made contact with Roger Laureno getting his mount off the ground in turns three and four and Blaney seized the moment getting under and raced on the checkers. The win was Blaney’s ninth in 11 features this year at Mercer in the Carpenter’s Towing/Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10.
Decker got far enough off the track in turn four to allow VonDohren, who started eighth, to take second at the finish. Decker was a disappointed third over Smoker and Cottrell. Rounding out the top 10 were Dave Camara, Marshall, Brian Weaver, Jeff Heotzler, and local Brian Swartzlander in the Thum Motorsports #12T.
Brett Hearn closed out the evening by winning the 20-lap Big-Block Modified Challenge between the top 10 USNA point cars vs. the top 10 winners of the 1990s in the western Pa. and eastern Ohio region. "If this track is like this tomorrow for 200 laps, we’re going to have a lot of fun," said the Sussex, New Jersey driver.
Hearn started third in the 20-car event, while Blaney looked to make it two-for-two by passing Camara around the outside for the lead on lap one. Hearn went to the top to pass Camara for runner-up on lap two. Hearn was all over Blaney on lap three and the two ran side-by-side for the next few laps. Then on lap six, Hearn again went upstairs to pass Blaney for the lead racing off turn two. Jack Johnson looked fast taking third from Camara on lap 10 after a lengthy side-by-side battle.
Only one caution with 14 laps completed would keep Hearn from his 2.068 margin of victory. When racing resumed, Hearn checked out and led the last six laps for the $2,000 special win in the Budweiser-sponsored #3. Johnson would take second after passing Blaney in traffic on lap 15. Blaney held off another local, Hoffman, for third as Camara fell to fifth. Sixth through tenth were Decker, followed by locals Swartzlander, Beltz, Rick Hall, and Bill Dorman.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish (30 laps): 1. JIMMY HAWLEY ($2,000) 2. Craig Rankin 3. Billy Pauch 4. Jamie Smith 5. Skip Dougherty 6. Arnie Kent 7. Gary Edwards 8. Scott Bonnell 9. Tommy Burns, Jr. 10. Joe McEwen 11. Mike Kekich 12. Jim Chappel 13. Jamie McKinney 14. Gary McCollum 15. Kevin Andrusky 16. Terry Young 17. William Kiley 18. Ralph Spithaler, Jr. 19. Gary Kriess, Jr. 20. Rob Eyler 21. Chad Hill 22. Nathan Hines 23. Doug Kekich 24. Jason Jacoby DNQ-Randy Johnson, Buddy Cochran, Bob Cain, Paul Long, Gary Stallard, Mike Marano II, Glenn Noland, Goob Schuller, John Jones, Tom Quarterson.
USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #1 Finish (30 laps): 1. BILLY PAUCH ($2,000) 2. Kenny Brightbill 3. Brett Hearn 4. Jack Johnson 5. Frank Cozze 6. Jamie Mills 7. Jim Weller 8. Jeff Hoffman 9. Steve Bottcher 10. Brian Davis 11. Jeff Trombley 12. Bob Savoie 13. Tom Hager 14. Randy Sherlock 15. Dave Calaman 16. Dave Schrader 17. Rodney Beltz 18. Dave Murdick 19. Bucky Kell 20. Richie Smith 21. Bill Tanner.
USNA Modified Qualifying Feature #2 Finish (30 laps): 1. LOU BLANEY ($2,000) 2. Craig VonDohren 3. Billy Decker 4. Ron Smoker 5. Jack Cottrell 6. Dave Camara 7. Eddie Marshall 8. Brian Weaver 9. Jeff Heotzler 10. Brian Swartzlander 11. Andy Priest 12. Jimmy Horton 13. Rick Hall 14. Tommy Kristyak 15. Mitch Gibbs 16. Bud Christmann 17. Steve Young 18. Roger Laureno 19. Lonny Riggs 20. Bill Dorman 21. Rob Curtis.
Big-Block Modified Challenge Finish (20 laps): 1. BRETT HEARN ($2,000) 2. Jack Johnson 3. Lou Blaney 4. Jeff Hoffman 5. Dave Camara 6. Billy Decker 7. Brian Swartzlander 8. Rodney Beltz 9. Rick Hall 10. Bill Dorman 11. Craig VonDohren 12. Jim Weller 13. Dave Murdick 14. Andy Priest 15. Tommy Kristyak 16. Jamie Mills 17. Jeff Trombley 18. Steve Bottcher 19. Jimmy Horton 20. Roger Laureno.
Rain wipes out finale of the Summer Showdown Weekend for the USNA Modifieds at Mercer
By Mike Leone
July 16, 2000
Mercer (PA)...Day two of the $160,000 Summer Showdown Weekend for the USNA Modifieds was rained out Sunday at Mercer Raceway Park. Periods of afternoon showers and thunderstorms continued longer than expected ruining any chances of completing the richest dirt track event in the history of Pennsylvania.
The show has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, September 30. More information will be released in the coming weeks. Rain checks will be good for that day or ticket stubs may be returned for a refund to Gale Mitchell, 4914 West Genessee Street, Camillus, NY 13031.
Coming up this Saturday night will be a five-division program of Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. Kids bike races will also be on tap, and it will be Twin-State Auto Racing Club Night.
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Return to Top of Page for June First career Sprint win for Murphy; Young also wins first in Mercer Modifieds
By Mike Leone
August 26, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The final night of points and the 19th racing event of the 2000 season were put in the record books on Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park. Celebrating in the Autobody Products Inc. victory lane were Mark Murphy-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Steve Young-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Kenny Hardy-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Miller-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Mark Murphy became the latest driver to score an upset career first win in the 20-lap Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature. "My dad, brother, and I build our own frames and motors," said the Norton, Ohio driver. "It’s right in the family, and in the garage-no sponsors, just the three of us."
Murphy and pole-sitter, Jim Chappel, raced side-by-side for the first lap with Murphy getting a good run off the top of turn four to take the lead. Terry Young and Tom Quarterson got around Joe McEwen for third and fourth. Quarterson then took the third position away from Young.
The top four remained in order until traffic became a factor. Murphy encountered a gaggle of cars on lap seven, which nearly cost him the race. Racing off turn two, Murphy got into Mike Marano II on the backstretch, but was able to keep his momentum without losing a position miraculously. Later that lap, Young and seventh starter, Kevin Andrusky, drove past Quarterson for third and fourth.
The leaders finally cleared the heavy traffic at the midway point. This allowed Young to run down Chappel and make the pass at the start-finish line for second. Two laps later, Andrusky drove under Chappel for third racing off turn four.
With five laps to go it was a five-car race for the win as three of five drivers were looking for their first wins. Last week’s winner, Tom Quarterson, and Arnie Kent dropped Chappel back two more spots on laps 16 and 17 respectively. With two laps to go, Young really began to close in on Murphy, who was running the extreme top side of the speedway lapping cars.
On the last lap, Young tried once last ditch effort to try to get his first career Sprint Car win, but jumped the cushion in turn three allowing Murphy no challenge to the checkers. It was just Murphy’s fifth race of the season in the Al & Marty Murphy-owned and un-sponsored #98M. His best finish of the season had been an 11th. Murphy became the 12th different winner in 17 races this season. "I just wanted to win one before I turned 50," said the 46-year-old winner. "We’ve been running so bad lately that I brought my mother here tonight. We need all of the help we can get."
Young nearly lost second, but held off Andrusky for his best finish since replacing Quarterson in the John Sloss #00. Quarterson and Kent were a close fourth and fifth. Sixth through tenth were Chappel, McEwen, point champion Jamie Smith, Gary Edwards from 21st, and Rob Eyler. Heat winners over the 22-car field were Murphy and Andrusky.
The 2000 season has been an up and down one for Steve Young splitting his time between his own #67 and the Robert Eaton-owned #2. On Saturday night, Young won his first of the year in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature driving the Bashlin Industries/Say’s Auto Electric-sponsored #2 with the big-block motor from his #67. "I was getting scared with all of the restarts at the end, but it worked out," said the Grove City, Pa. driver. "We took the for sale sign off the car because it was bad luck. I think were going to run the car the rest of the year."
Young took the lead at the start as scheduled pole-sitter, Dave Murdick, was unable to start. Don McKnight passed J.R. McGinley on the first lap. McGinley lost third to Dean Pearson on lap two and fourth to eighth starter, Carl Weatherby, on lap four. McKnight, a rookie big-block driver, looked good early on until getting crossed up with the lapped car of George Davis on lap nine and slammed the wall. McKnight was able to continue, but lost second and third to Pearson and Weatherby.
At the halfway point, Young had a near straightaway lead on second and third. Point champion, Lou Blaney, was slowly making his way up into contention. Blaney got around McKnight for fourth on lap 13. Three cautions between lap 16 and 19 slowed action. The lap 19 restart saw Weatherby move around Pearson for runner-up.
Young was still able to hold off Weatherby on the final restart for his third career Mercer big-block win. The win also propelled Young from 15th in points to a top 10 at the awards banquet. Blaney edged Pearson at the finish for third. Tim Doran came from 14th to place fifth. Sixth through tenth were Jim Rasey, Tommy Kristyak, Andy Priest, McKnight, and Dave Schrader. Heat victors were Frank Guidace, Weatherby, and Rodney Beltz over the 24-car field.
Kenny Hardy led all 15 laps of the Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. The Wampum, Pa. driver started from the pole to capture his fourth win. Point champion, Lou Gentile, started 11th and took third from Jim Bickel on lap six. Gentile then moved into second on lap nine passing Harold Michaels. Gentile had two chances to restart alongside Hardy, but Hardy was able to hold on for his track leading 41st win since the track reopened in 1994 in the Hardy Trucking #85B. Gentile’s second gave him his first Mercer Six-Cylinder Modified Championship. Randy Ferguson was third over Mark McEwen and Bickel. Winning the heats were Hardy and Michaels.
Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. collected his sixth 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. Allen Ferry took charge of the race from his pole starting spot, while Priest, who started eighth, grabbed third from Gary Bollinger on lap seven. Priest then took runner-up from Greg Unrue on lap nine. At this point, Ferry had about a straightaway lead as the event remainded caution-free until debris slowed action with 11 laps completed. Ferry held on for one more lap in search of a career first Mercer win, but Priest had too much power as he drove the MPR Lumber/Griffin-sponsored, Ted Hull-owned #41 past Ferry on lap 13. Once in front, Priest went on for his ninth overall Mercer win of the season. Ferry’s second was a Mercer-best. Tom Mattocks was third ahead of a season best finish by Greg Unrue and Gary Bollinger completed the top five. Rick Hall’s sixth place finish was good enough to win his first Sportsman Modified Championship. Heat victors were Tommy Kristyak and Chanda Reitz over the 23-car field.
Brian Miller of New Wilmington, Pa. has had a lock on the Stock Car Championship, but was able to add his second 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Feature win to it on Saturday night. It didn’t appear Miller had any chance of winning the event for most of the race. Brian Booher passed Ray Bailey, Jr. and Ed Lombardo for the lead on the opening lap. Eighth starter, Leigh Wheeler, was on the charge racing into second by lap two. Wheeler caught teammate Booher and the two battled from lap six to the checkers. Wheeler was able to take the lead on lap nine. Booher then lost second to Andy Buckley on lap 10 and third to Gary Robinson on lap 12. Buckley spun with 13 laps completed moving Robinson to second and Booher to third for the restart. With the white flag waving, Wheeler, Booher, and Robinson were three-wide coming off turn four. The three made slight contact and it was just enough to allow Miller, who started 12th, to sneak under on the bottom for the lead and the win in the Terry Hover-owned #99. Robinson was able to get second. Gary Miller, Jr. and Jeff Buccella, who started 18th, were able to pass Booher and Wheeler for third and fourth. Booher dropped to fifth. Scoring heat wins were Buckley, Mike Aley, and Brian Miller over the 34-car field. Kevin Thompson won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. MARK MURPHY 2. Terry Young 3. Kevin Andrusky 4. Tom Quarterson 5. Arnie Kent 6. Jim Chappel 7. Joe McEwen 8. Jamie Smith 9. Gary Edwards 10. Rob Eyler 11. Gary McCollum 12. Mike Kekich 13. Brent Matus 14. Jason Jacoby 15. Buddy Cochran 16. Nathan Hines 17. John Toth III 18. Tommy Burns, Jr. 19. Ben Bassinger 20. Gary Stallard 21. Troy Preston 22. Mike Marano II.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Carl Weatherby 3. Lou Blaney 4. Dean Pearson 5. Tim Doran 6. Jim Rasey 7. Tommy Kristyak 8. Andy Priest 9. Don McKnight 10. Dave Schrader 11. Carl Murdick 12. Rob Curtis 13. Rodney Beltz 14. Tommy Marshall III 15. Rick Hall 16. Frank Guidace 17. J.R. McGinley 18. George Davis 19. Rich Ferguson 20. Dean Ruth 21. Steve Barr 22. Dave Murdick-DNS 23. Bill Dorman-DNS 24. Gary Smoker-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. KENNY HARDY 2. Lou Gentile 3. Randy Ferguson 4. Mark McEwen 5. Jim Bickel 6. Conny Allen 7. Jerry Bowser 8. Joe Kane 9.Rick Kress 10. Troy Willoughby 11. Harold Michaels 12. Jim Reagle-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Allen Ferry 3. Tom Mattocks 4. Greg Unrue 5. Gary Bollinger 6. Rick Hall 7. Randy Rodemoyer 8. Tommy Kristyak 9. Chanda Reitz 10. Jason Longwell 11. Bill Adams 12. Bob Young 13. Buck Buchanan 14. Fred Sasse 15. Andy Paden 16. Darrell Combs 17. Bill Thompson 18. Dave Coggswell 19. Mike Mathieson 20. Rick Ryder 21. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 22. Curt Matthews 23. John Buchanan-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. BRIAN MILLER 2. Gary Robinson 3. Gary Miller, Jr. 4. Jeff Buccella 5. Brian Booher 6. Kevin Thompson 7. Leigh Wheeler 8. Jeff Kravec 9. Bob Sloss 10. Rick Norco 11. Dave Ferringer 12. Willie Aley 13. Ed Hays 14. Andy Buckley 15. Rick Anthony 16. Ray Bailey, Jr. 17. Dan Fedorchak 18. Bill Kirschner, Sr. 19. Jim Brunson 20. Matt Lux 21. Ed Lombardo 22. Tim Zuschlag 23. John Reiser 24. Mike Aley DNQ-Jerry Ryder, Bobby Wagner, Kevin Miller, Bill Haas, Bill Fox, Don Greenlee, Dan Michaud, Jim Davis, Chuck Kerr, J.R. Ziegler.
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Hawley blasts to #5 in Sprints; Priest doubles in Mercer Big-Block and Sportsman Modifieds
By Mike Leone
July 22, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The 14th show of the 2000 season was put in the record books on a cool Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park. Recording wins were Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Andy Priest-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Kenny Hardy-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Matt Lux-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Jimmy Hawley put on another driving clinic coming from 12th to win the 20-lap Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature. "My guys did a great job again," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driver after his fifth straight non-sanctioned Mercer win. "We were a little bit loose until the American Racer tires got some heat into them. Once they took off we were fine."
Terry Young raced into the lead at the start with Doug Kekich and Brad Ellenberger in tow. Kekich made a nice move to take the lead from Young racing off turn four on lap two. Ellenberger then began to put heavy pressure on Young for second. But on lap four, Ellenberger got in a little too hard in turn four and looped his mount bringing out the first caution. Two laps later, the race would be stopped for the final time when Chad Hill slowed.
When racing resumed, Hawley’s tires began to kick in as he raced by Burns, then took Jarod Larson to crack the top five on lap nine. The next lap saw Hawley make a daring move passing both Ralph Spithaler, Jr. and Jason Jacoby on the inside of turns three and four for third place. At this point there appeared to be no stopping Hawley. He ran down Young and drove by him for second on the backstretch of lap 12.
Hawley now set his sights on Kekich, who was looking for his first career Sprint Car win. Kekich did a good job holding off Hawley for about two laps. Coming down the front-stretch for the five-to-go signal, Hawley made a slingshot move going into turn one for the winning pass. The rest was history as Hawley drove off to the near 1/2-lap win in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned, Mihalcak Motorsports/Choice Chassis-sponsored #cIII for his 12th overall win of 2000.
Young was able to get by Kekich for second coming off turn four on lap 16 for his best career Mercer finish. Kekich appeared to be off the pace as Jacoby, Spithaler, and Burns got by to round out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Arnie Kent, Kevin Andrusky, Jamie Smith, Larson, and Kekich. Heat victories over the 23-car field were taken by Spithaler, Burns, and Ellenberger.
Andy Priest showed it can be done coming from the back as he raced from his 20th starting spot to win on a last lap pass of Mike Sutton for his second 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature win. "This place is really fast," said the New Castle, Pa. driver. "I like racing here and I thank all of the fans and especially my dad, because without him I wouldn’t be here."
Five different drivers were able to lead laps as Sutton took command early on. On lap three, Rob Curtis nosed ahead to take the lead. Steve Young, who started fourth, and Tommy Kristyak, who started sixth, raced by Sutton for second and third on laps seven and eight.
The mid-point of the race saw Curtis and Young go at it hard for the top spot racing side-by-side. Curtis was driving the race of his life, but looped his mount in turn four on lap 11 giving the lead to Young. When green replaced yellow, Kristyak charged by Young off turn four for the lead as the veteran driver was looking for his first win.
Sutton, who dropped back as far as fifth at one point, joined back in the battle as he and Tim Doran moved by Young for second and third on the lap 12 restart. Sutton then made a bold mold driving around Kristyak coming out of turn two on lap 16 for the lead. All of sudden Priest came out of nowhere racing by Young, then just blasted by Doran and Kristyak on the inside of lap 16 for second.
The battle now raged for the lead between a pair of #21s. Sutton rim ridded the cushion looking for his first career Mercer win, while Priest stayed on the bottom. Coming down for the white flag, Sutton got a little sideways off turn four allowing Priest to apply heavy pressure on the final lap. Coming off turn four, Priest made a clean slide job to take the win in his WAR-FAB-sponsored #21N.
Sutton had to settle for a disappointing second over Doran, Young, and 22nd starter, J.R. McGinley, who recorded his first-ever Mercer top five. Rounding out the second five were Carl Murdick, Rick Hall, Kristyak, Bob Dorman, and Don McKnight. Of note, point leader Lou Blaney missed action for the first time this year attending a wedding in North Carolina. Taking heat wins over the 25-car field were Lonny Riggs, Doran, and Dean Pearson.
Kenny Hardy of Wampum, Pa. raced to his third 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature win of the season and unprecedented 40th win since the track reopened in 1994. Jerry Schaffer passed Jim Reagle on the opening lap and held down the top spot for the first seven laps. Hardy, who started seventh, passed Reagle for second on lap seven, then got by Schaffer for the winning move later that lap. Hardy was never challenged the rest of the way in the non-stop event in the Hardy Trucking #85B. Randy Ferguson, Frank Guidace, and Lou Gentile all got by Schaffer on lap eight to finish second through fourth respectively. Schaffer dropped to fifth for his best finish of the year. Guidace and Hardy won the heats over the 14-car field.
Andy Priest picked up his second win of the night in the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. "Wow, this is the first time I ever won two races in one night," said Priest. This one was much easier as Priest took the lead from Allen Ferry on the start and led every lap for his fourth win in the Ted Hull-owned, MPR Lumber/Griffin #41. John Buchanan continued his strong finishes the last month. Buchanan came from 12th and passed Tom Mattocks for second on lap 15. Buchanan was all over Priest in the closing laps, but was denied his third win in four weeks. Third through fifth were Mattocks, Gary Bollinger, and Andy Paden. Picking up heat wins were Buchanan, Mattocks, and Priest over the 24-car field.
Matt Lux is really starting to like Mercer Raceway Park. The Franklin, Pa. driver won his fourth 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature in just his ninth start of the season. Kevin Thompson was able to lead the first four laps until fourth starter, Jim Brunson, edged ahead on lap five. Gary Robinson then got by Thompson for second two laps later. Lux began to enter the picture on lap eight when he passed Thompson for third, then got second on the ninth circuit when Robinson slipped high. Lux’s winning move came on lap 11 following a restart. Once in charge, Lux cruised to the win his Dulaney’s Garage-sponsored #21. Coming off turn four on the last lap, both Brunson and Thompson spun without contact. This enabled John Reiser to record his best finish since a win on June 5, 1999. Moving up into third through fifth were Gary Miller, Jr., Leigh Wheeler, and point leader Brian Miller. Miller, Miller, and Wheeler won the heats over the 35-car field. Brian Booher won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Terry Young 3. Jason Jacoby 4. Ralph Spithaler, Jr. 5. Tommy Burns, Jr. 6. Arnie Kent 7. Kevin Andrusky 8. Jamie Smith 9. Jarod Larson 10. Doug Kekich 11. Gary Edwards 12. Brad Ellenberger 13. Dave Penezich, Jr. 14. Mike Kekich 15. Gary McCollum 16. Buddy Cochran 17. Doug Anderson 18. Craig Rankin 19. Goob Schuller 20. Ralph Engel, Jr. 21. Chad Hill 22. Joe McEwen-DNS 23. Rob Eyler-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Mike Sutton 3. Tim Doran 4. Steve Young 5. J.R. McGinley 6. Carl Murdick 7. Rick Hall 8. Tommy Kristyak 9. Bob Dorman 10. Don McKnight 11. Dave Schrader 12. Steve Barr 13. Rob McClimans 14. Rodney Beltz 15. Jerry Bickel 16. Lee Miller 17. Rob Curtis 18. Jim Rombold, Jr. 19. Rob Kristyak 20. George Davis 21. Dean Pearson 22. Jeff Schaffer-DSQ 23. Lonny Riggs-DNS 24. John Braymer-DNS 25. Carl Weatherby-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. KENNY HARDY 2. Randy Ferguson 3. Frank Guidace 4. Lou Gentile 5. Jerry Schaffer 6. Jim Reagle 7. Conny Allen 8. Bill Adams 9. Jim Bickel 10. Harold Michaels 11. Joe Kane 12. Dustin Kress 13. Rick Kress 14. Mark McEwen-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. John Buchanan 3. Tom Mattocks 4. Gary Bollinger 5. Andy Paden 6. Rick Ryder 7. Jason Longwell 8. Chanda Reitz 9. D.J. Schrader 10. J.D. Whitman 11. Greg Unrue 12. Bill Thompson 13. Fred Sasse 14. Zack Moran 15. Dave Cogswell 16. Mike Mathieson 17. Doug Updyke 18. Rick Hall 19. Brad Watson 20. Allen Ferry 21. Randy Rodemoyer 22. Dean Pearson 23. Buck Buchanan-DNS 24. Gary Smoker-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. MATT LUX 2. John Reiser 3. Gary Miller, Jr. 4. Leigh Wheeler 5. Brian Miller 6. Dave Ferringer 7. Tony Bruno 8. Terry Kroner 9. Todd Titus 10. Andy Buckley 11. Rick Ryder 12. Ed Hays 13. Jeff Kravec 14. Ray Bailey, Jr. 15. Kevin Thompson 16. Jim Brunson 17. Rick Anthony 18. Tim Zuschlag 19. Gary Robinson 20. Mike Aley 21. Shaun Hooks 22. Jeff Buccella 23. Gary Johns 24. Brian Booher 25. Lynn Hostetler-DNS DNQ-Bill Banick, Jr., Randy Riffe, Ed Cornell, Dan Fedorchak, Andy Thompson, Adam Aley, Willie Aley, Ed Lombardo, John Fox, Don Greenlee.
Burns wins first of 2000 in Sprints; Weatherby wins first ever in Mercer Modifieds
By Mike Leone
July 29, 2000
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway Park completed the 15th race event of the 2000 season on Saturday night. Posing in the Autobody Products, Inc. victory lane were Tommy Burns, Jr.-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Carl Weatherby-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Gary Smoker-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Tommy Burns, Jr. raced to his first win of the 2000 race season in the 20-lap Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature. "It’s been way too long," said the Cortland, Ohio resident after his 11th career Mercer win. "We’ve been struggling all year. I’d like to thank Jimmy Hawley and Matt Draskovich, who took time out to come to Sharon Speedway last Wednesday night. We needed some help. Jimmy followed me around lapping me. They sorted the car out so we owe this win to them, because if not, we’d still be back there."
At the wave of the green flag, Doug Kekich passed Terry Young and pole-sitter, Goob Schuller, for the lead. Young got by Schuller for second on the first lap. By lap three, Burns had cracked the top five by passing Mike Kekich. John Jones spun to bring out the first caution with four laps completed.
When racing resumed, sixth starter Kevin Andrusky and Burns passed Schuller for third and fourth. Burns used a slide job to get by Andrusky for third on lap seven in turns three and four. Brad Ellenberger, who was using the top side to move through the field, got too high in turn one on lap eight and flipped end over end. He was okay.
When green replaced yellow on lap eight, Burns drove under Young for second in turn one. Andrusky followed later that lap taking third. Arnie Kent dropped Young back another spot on lap 10. Green flag racing continued as the leaders worked lapped traffic. On lap 13, Burns began to reel in Doug Kekich using the bottom of the track. On lap 14, Burns raced by Kekich in turn four on the inside for the lead.
As the laps ticked off, action began to heat up as a five-car battle developed for the lead. Jimmy Hawley, who started 10th, passed Kent for fourth on lap 17, then got by Andrusky for third on lap 19. With the white flag waving, Hawley tried to duck to the inside of Doug Kekich for second, but looped his mount. Kent had nowhere to go as he got upside down in turns one and two. Both drivers were okay, but done for the night.
When racing restarted, Burns received the white flag and drove his Double Technology/Karl Brest-sponsored #16 to his first Mercer win since July 18, 1998. Doug Kekich held on to second for his first career Mercer top five, despite leading 27 of the last 40 laps of the last two features. Andrusky was third ahead of Mike Kekich’s first top five of the year and Young. Completing the top 10 were Gary Edwards up from 15th, Gary Rankin, Schuller, 22nd starter and All Star regular Daryl Stimeling, and Scott Priester. Winning the heats over the 23-car field were Burns and Ellenberger.
Defending four-time Six-Cylinder Modified Champion, Carl Weatherby, made the jump up to the Big-Block Modifieds in 2000 and recorded his first win in the 20-lap Bolland Machine-sponsored event. "After that flip last week we found quite a bit of stuff wrong with the car," said the Volant, Pa. driver. "It was running pretty good tonight."
Rob Curtis jumped into the lead at the start, while fourth starting Weatherby and sixth starting Andy Priest took second and third from Howard Duff and Rob Kristyak. Priest’s night came to an end on lap four when he slowed moving Dean Pearson to third and Brian Swartzlander to fourth.
Weatherby’s winning move came on the fifth circuit when he got by Curtis on the backstretch. Curtis got sideways on lap six allowed Pearson to take second. Kenny Hardy, who was subbing for Dick Rankin in the Glenn Hinkle #85, brought out the only caution when he slowed with seven laps completed.
Swartzlander was able to dispose of Curtis for third on lap nine as did Lou Blaney for fourth on lap 12. As the laps clicked off, Swartzlander moved to the top side of the speedway and began to make up a big deficit on Weatherby and Pearson. Swartzlander drove around Pearson for runner-up on lap 19 coming off turn four. But he ran out of time as Weatherby took the checkers first in his Ed & Jerry’s NAPA of New Wilmington-sponsored #919.
Swartzlander’s second tied his best career Mercer finish. Pearson was third. Blaney’s fourth-place finish was the first time he has finished out of the top two positions this year at Mercer. Rick Hall recorded his first top five of the year in fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Curtis, Kristyak, Carl Murdick, Rich Ferguson, and Gerry Bruce. Winning the heats were Hall and Swartzlander.
Lou Gentile won his speedway-leading seventh win of 2000 in the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. The Youngstown, Ohio driver passed Jerry Schaffer off turn four on the inside of lap two for the lead. Driving the Emig #1, Gentile never looked back for his 34th six-cylinder win since Mercer reopened in 1994 moving him past Carl Weatherby into second on the win-list. Schaffer hit the wall on lap three allowing Harold Michaels to take second. Randy Ferguson came from 10th to pass Schaffer on lap 12 for third. Schaffer fell to a season-best fourth at the finish over Jim Bickel, who was the last car to finish. Gentile also won the heat.
Gary Smoker of Mercer, Pa. made a last-lap pass to win his second 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. Bob Young led the first lap before Rick Hall took over. Hall and Smoker, who started eighth, battled from lap four through the remainder of the race. Smoker used the top and Hall the bottom. Smoker actually led lap 14, until Hall nosed back ahead to lead the 15th lap. The two raced side-by-side for most of the second-half of the race despite seven cautions. On the final lap, Smoker had enough momentum on the top side to take the checkers first by a one-half car-length in the Kristyak’s Service Plaza #401 for his leading 18th career Mercer sportsman win. Chanda Reitz’s spin on the final lap may have cost Hall the win, but did regain him the point lead back over Reitz. Andy Priest was third over John Buchanan and Young’s first career top five. Smoker, Buchanan, and Tom Mattocks were heat winners over the 25-car field.
Dave Ferringer is glad he decided to make Mercer his Saturday night track as the Cochranton, Pa. driver recorded his fourth 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature win of the season. Jeff Kravec led the first four laps until a caution allowed sixth starter, Gary Robinson, to take the lead on the restart. Meanwhile, Ferringer, who started seventh, used the restart to pass Kevin Thompson for third and Kravec for second. Ferringer’s winning move came on lap 10 racing off turn four on the inside. Once in front, Ferringer drove his Maloney Tool & Mold/Lowry Auto Body-sponsored #02 to the checkers first. Point leader, Brian Miller, came from ninth to pass Robinson for second on lap 14. Jeff Buccella put a slide job on Robinson coming off turn four at the checkers for third. Robinson edged Brian Booher for fourth. Heat victors were Buccella, Robinson, and Ferringer over the 36-car field. Jim Brunson won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. TOMMY BURNS, JR. 2. Doug Kekich 3. Kevin Andrusky 4. Mike Kekich 5. Terry Young 6. Gary Edwards 7. Gary Rankin 8. Goob Schuller 9. Daryl Stimeling 10. Scott Priester 11. Jason Jacoby 12. Maria Mayerchak 13. Jimmy Hawley 14. Arnie Kent 15. Buddy Cochran 16. Chad Hill 17. Nathan Hines 18. Sheila Rankin 19. John Toth III 20. Jamie Smith 21. John Jones 22. Brad Ellenberger 23. Jim Chappel-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. CARL WEATHERBY 2. Brian Swartzlander 3. Dean Pearson 4. Lou Blaney 5. Rick Hall 6. Rob Curtis 7. Rob Kristyak 8. Carl Murdick 9. Rich Ferguson 10. Gerry Bruce 11. George Davis 12. Howard Duff 13. Andy Priest 14. Kenny Hardy 15. Ken Schaffer 16. Jerry Bickel-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Harold Michaels 3. Randy Ferguson 4. Jerry Schaffer 5. Jim Bickel 6. Rick Kress 7. Jim Reagle 8. Conny Allen 9. Frank Guidace 10. Dustin Kress 11. Bill Adams-DNS 12. Kenny Hardy-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. GARY SMOKER 2. Rick Hall 3. Andy Priest 4. John Buchanan 5. Bob Young 6. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 7. Randy Rodemoyer 8. Tom Mattocks 9. Rick Ryder 10. J.R. Greer 11. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 12. Dave Cogswell 13. Fred Sasse 14. Andy Paden 15. Chanda Reitz 16. Jim Thompson 17. Mike Mathieson 18. Brad Watson 19. Zack Moran 20. Doug Updyke 21. Gary Bollinger 22. Allen Ferry 23. Greg Unrue 24. Dean Pearson 25. Buck Buchanan-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Brian Miller 3. Jeff Buccella 4. Gary Robinson 5. Brian Booher 6. Jim Brunson 7. John Reiser 8. Todd Titus 9. Andy Buckley 10. Jeff Kravec 11. Bobby Whitling 12. Mike Aley 13. Gary Miller, Jr. 14. Rick Anthony 15. Ed Hays 16. Willie Aley 17. Ray Bailey, Jr. 18. Leigh Wheeler 19. Randy Riffe 20. Mike Turner 21. Kevin Thompson 22. Matt Lux 23. Bob Sloss 24. Dan Fedorchak DNQ-Tim Zuschlag, Adam Aley, Rick Norco, Joe Large, John Fox, Bob Kitchen, Steve Fornataro, John Muron, Ed Cornell, Terry Kroner, Lynn Hostetler, Pat Wilcox.
